International Day of Hope
From Hope to Action: Building a Sustainable Future Together
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
President of the Federation of World Peace and Love
Vice President of the Association of World Citizens,
NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Associated with the UN DPI
July 12, 2026
Distinguished Guests, Friends from Around the World, Ladies and Gentlemen, Greetings to you all.
In 2025, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming July 12 as the International Day of Hope. The founding vision of the United Nations was to safeguard human rights and advance a culture of peace. As United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres aptly stated, “The United Nations is a product of hope.” Every great initiative, from improving our lives to changing the world, is rooted in a hope that our endeavors can result in true change. At a time when global instability is intensifying, social divisions are widening, and economic and environmental challenges continue to mount, celebrating the International Day of Hope represents a continuation of humanity’s enduring commitment to peace and human rights. By nurturing hope within individuals and extending it to families, communities, societies, and nations, we can place the sustainable well-being of our planet at the forefront and accelerate solidarity and cooperation, rekindling a beacon of hope for humankind.
Since 2018, the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) has collaborated with various Permanent Missions to the United Nations to promote global initiatives that culminated in the adoption of the International Day of Conscience in 2019 and the International Day of Hope in 2025. We recognize that while a culture of peace has become a universal aspiration of the international community, the destructive consequences of a single malicious thought can still endanger humanity’s collective security and the sustainability of our planet. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes our world, humanity is urgently seeking a universal value capable of uniting people across cultures and borders. That value is hope. Building a future grounded in hope requires not only the guidance of conscience but also a firm commitment to transparency and integrity. We must prevent bias, protect data privacy, ensure accountability and transparency, and preserve meaningful human oversight in automated decision-making processes.
Scientific research in neuroimaging has demonstrated that hope activates the brain’s motivational centers and can significantly alleviate depression. According to the World Health Organization, higher levels of hope are closely associated with lower levels of anxiety and traumatic stress. Clinical studies further indicate that cancer patients with stronger hope often demonstrate greater resilience and higher survival rates. Recognizing its profound impact, the United Nations has supported efforts to explore a voluntary Hope Index as a tool for measuring and promoting societal well-being. Hope is a critical foundation for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It contributes to physical and mental well-being under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); strengthens motivation and educational achievement under SDG 4 (Quality Education); fosters entrepreneurship, opportunity, and prosperity under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth); and serves as a transformative force for overcoming polarization, strengthening social cohesion, and building lasting peace under SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
UNESCO has emphasized in dialogues on peace and human rights that “There is no peace without hope, no development without trust, and no future without belief in one.” We must therefore elevate hope from an intangible aspiration to meaningful action. Global security and stability must be built upon the awakening of conscience in every individual. When leaders and citizens alike follow the guidance of conscience, compassion naturally arises, giving birth to noble aspirations and benevolent actions. Through daily self-reflection and sincere atonement, people can reconnect with the innate goodness within themselves. Genuine and selfless prayers and blessings, grounded in love and conscience, inspire altruistic efforts dedicated to peace. Where there is hope, there is action; where there is conscience-guided, united action and mutual cooperation, there is success. This is how the hope within our hearts can be transformed into concrete efforts capable of shaping a better destiny for humanity.
I therefore call upon all sectors of society to join in observing the International Day of Hope by transforming vision into action. Let us integrate the spirit of hope into our daily lives through service, compassion, and the sharing of wisdom that benefits both ourselves and others. Let us incorporate hope and conscience into our decision-making processes, promoting reconciliation and inclusion. Every sincere act of kindness is an expression of aspiration in action, helping to spread hope and generate the positive energy needed to transform our world.
Hope is our blueprint. Conscience is our compass. Hope-driven action is the engine that propels us forward. Let us walk together with hope, rooted in conscience and love. Let us transform hope into action for ourselves, for our loved ones, for all humanity, and for the peace and sustainability of our world. May the positive energy generated by hope inspire all people to move toward a future filled with happiness and light.
With conscience as our foundation, hope shines bright.
Let us turn challenges into opportunities, allowing all life to flourish together.
Thank you all!