Celebrating the First International Day of Hope
Leaders Unite with FOWPAL to Ignite Hope and Advance Peace
In honor of the inaugural United Nations-designated International Day of Hope, the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) hosted the World Leader Summit of Love and Peace in New York on July 10, 2025. The historic event brought together former heads of state, diplomats, NGO leaders, and peace advocates to champion love, conscience, and hope as vital forces for global peace and sustainability.
A centerpiece of the gathering was the Bell of World Peace and Love ceremony. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze rang the Bell nine times to bless the United States and the rest of the world. Kyaw Moe Tun, Ambassador of Myanmar to the UN, also rang the Bell, expressing a heartfelt wish for “peace and stability across the world including in Myanmar.” He emphasized the importance of such ceremonies: “This kind of ceremony, this kind of celebration, is important not only for the people across the world but also for the people of Myanmar.”
Syndoph P. Endoni, Chargé d’affaires of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, rang the Bell and made a moving wish for “a world without war.” He reflected on the impact of the moment: “Experiencing it personally and ringing the bell gives me a lot of peace and a lot of joy.”
As the Bell’s chimes echoed throughout the venue, attendees reflected on the shared human yearning for harmony and the urgency of global unity. Many shared how deeply moved they were by the spiritual significance of the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, Dr. Hong and a distinguished group of leaders—including Jerry White, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Chargé d’affaires Syndoph P. Endoni; Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, former President of Trinidad and Tobago; Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, former President of Ecuador; and Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun—participated in a symbolic ceremony. Each held a golden dove and collectively chanted “Light of Hope” while raising the doves skyward, symbolizing the uplifting and dissemination of their shared hopes around the world.
The summit also featured powerful and inspiring speeches by international dignitaries. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, highlighted the transformative power of hope when guided by conscience and implemented through action: “I hope that we can collectively inspire the world to turn a new page in history—one marked by shared prosperity, unity, and cooperation. May all generations coexist in harmony, share the fruits of peace, actively innovate, and embrace both the love of the world and the universal wish for peace. Together, let us rekindle hope for a sustainable planet.”
Jerry White, 1997 Nobel Peace laureate and longtime peace advocate, highlighted the vital role of hope amid increasing global anxiety, particularly among youth. Drawing on his personal journey and activism, he reminded attendees that hope is the "little sister" of love and faith—often overlooked, yet essential. Through a metaphor of hope as a river flowing from love to peace, he urged action, not just words. Recalling his survival of a landmine explosion and the global campaign to ban landmines, he affirmed that hope, when acted upon, can overcome even the greatest challenges and create real change.
Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, former President of Trinidad and Tobago, highlighted the global crisis of institutional apathy, failed leadership, and broken promises, which has left many disillusioned and hopeless. He stresses that good intentions without action are futile and calls for immediate, strategic efforts to influence policymakers and take ownership of global peace and sustainability. He proposes the creation of an International Environmental Court to address ecological crimes, asserting that environmental harm is a crime against humanity. The International Day of Hope, he says, is a transformative initiative that affirms hope as a powerful, actionable force essential for building a just, peaceful future.
Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, former President of Ecuador, expressed joy in celebrating the first International Day of Hope and praised Dr. Hong for his inspiring leadership. Recalling FOWPAL’s impactful visit to Ecuador last year, she acknowledged Dr. Hong’s contributions to education and global inspiration. Highlighting Ecuador’s rich geography, she emphasized the importance of nurturing inner values, conscience, and behaviors to create hope. She stressed the need to address corruption and poverty through education and leadership among youth. Despite global conflicts and crises, she remains optimistic, believing that daily efforts can build a better, more hopeful world for all.
During the summit, honored guests—including Jerry White, Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, and Rosalía Arteaga Serrano—were invited onstage to endorse two pivotal declarations: the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope and the Declaration of Transparency and Integrity. To date, the former has been endorsed by individuals in 186 nations, and the latter by individuals in 125 nations.
Dr. Hong was also honored with special awards, including the Global Distinguished Peace Prize from COJEP International and the Global Royal Peace Award from Dr. Charles S. Waters and Dr. Michelle A. Waters, Founders of the Global Kingdom of Ambassadors.
To deepen the message of conscience, Dr. Hong presented the Compass Clock of Conscience to key leaders including Rod Joseph, U.S. Congressional Candidate (Florida, District 20); Rev. Emmanuel Agyemfra, Lead Pastor of Leonia United Methodist Church, NJ; Md Tashrif Haque Chowdhury, President of COJEP Asia, a regional branch of COJEP International; Council Member Quantavia L. Hilbert, Orange, NJ; Cenat Esperandieu, Founder of the Orphanage of Saint Francis Xavier in Haiti; and Dr. Philip Bedward, Sr., Director of Diaspora Affairs, CAFBLC.
The Compass Clock of Conscience symbolizes direction, time, and purpose—encouraging individuals to follow their inner moral compass, seize every moment, and take meaningful action for a better world.
The event also featured vibrant cultural performances by FOWPAL members: A lantern dance, symbolizing the light of conscience guiding humanity toward a brighter future and a martial arts presentation, calling on people to resolve internal and external conflicts and promote goodness. A powerful rendition of the original song “We Can Change the World,” reminding attendees of their ability to act on conscience and create global change.
Chargé d’affaires Syndoph P. Endoni shared his reflections on the gathering: “This is very exciting. I'm happy I attended the function. And meeting with Dr. Hong is an inspiration, including the presence of the former leaders is an inspiration. What the world needs is what Dr. Hong is doing. And I think that he should be encouraged at all times, whoever, whichever organization, whatever entity should go out of their way to encourage Dr. Hong because what the world needs is peace. What the world needs is love. And with peace, with love, with hope, the sky is the limit.”
As July 12 marks the first International Day of Hope, this summit served as a powerful call to action: through love, conscience, and purposeful effort, humanity can meet its greatest challenges and shape a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future for all.
