Human Rights Day 2024
Conscience, Hope and Actions: Upholding Human Rights, Stabilizing the World, and Sustaining Peace
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
Vice President of the Association of World Citizens,
NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Associated with the UN DPI
President of the Federation of World Peace and Love
December 10, 2024
Distinguished guests, dear friends, ladies and gentlemen,
Good day!
December 10 marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this day, the United Nations invites people around the world to reflect and reaffirm their commitment to upholding human rights. The theme for 2024 Human Rights Day is “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.” How can people worldwide unite and work together to overcome the threat of war? Upholding human rights is crucial! Now is the critical moment for our future and the security and sustainable survival of humanity. Let’s awaken the conscience of everyone to harness its power for prevention, protection, and positive change. Conscience and action inspired by hope are like interconnected gears, uniting everyone's conscionable efforts to form a movement to re-emphasize universal human rights.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “The Universal Declaration shows the way to common values and approaches that can help resolve tensions and create the security and stability our world craves.” However, seventy-nine years after the end of World War II, conflicts and divisions still persist. Today, the advance of weapons poses a significant risk of sudden catastrophic global disaster. The challenges faced in advancing human rights requires the restoration of humanity’s innate goodness, treating all beings on Earth with sincere kindness. We must uphold human spirituality and dignity, taking revolutionary action to realize the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights are not confined to specific regions; they are a concern shared by every country and every community. An individual's courage and fearlessness to confront human rights issues and seek solutions can inspire others and communities, awakening the collective conscience of humanity.
“Conscience" and "human rights" are two facets of the whole, serving as cause and effect. Conscience is the inner compass that directs humanity toward correct actions, the inner voice that distinguishes right from wrong and informs choices, and the drive of persistent and unwavering determination. Only by awakening our conscience and following its guidance to act can we truly achieve the realization of human rights. Nowadays, we need connection and understanding between people more than ever. When treating one another with respect, inclusiveness, and compassion, we will be able to overcome prejudices and barriers. When we actively emphasize the positive side of humanity, the love in our hearts will guide us to find hope for peace and inspire us to practice kindness to end the imbalance caused by hatred and extremism. Listening to the call of conscience helps us address contemporary human rights issues.
However, conscience alone is not enough. We also need hope and action to transform our inner beliefs into reality. When I announced the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope on November 11, 2022, I called on people worldwide to unite. I firmly believe that true positive change can only happen when individuals set aside personal interests and act for the wellbeing of all. Hope is not merely prayer or wishes; rather, it is a determined commitment—a sincere conviction to persevere even in the face of challenges.
In the face of current conflicts and challenges, humanity must join hands to promote a commitment to peace-driven hope and actions. By activating the power of hope through conscience, the innate goodness of humanity will become the foundation for transforming the course of the world. When each individual and every nation acts with conscience, the positive changes generated will create a collective chain reaction, forming a force for peace that impacts global sustainable development. This will inspire people to overcome the challenges the world is facing today.
As global citizens, we value the message conveyed by the United Nations' Human Rights Day: human rights are not privileges but entitlements for all, and peace is not mere talk but a shared goal we all strive for. Only when everyone utilizes conscience as a foundation, the power of hope as the force, and committed actions as a promise can we bridge divides and ensure humanity's safety and sustainable survival.
Let us make a collective promise on this UN-declared Human Rights Day: to awaken our conscience and advance human rights and peace through hope and committed actions. May all of us, no matter where we are or what challenges we face, treat others with humanity. May our actions become the solid foundation for global peace, bringing positive change to the world.
In conclusion, may everyone follow their conscience, fostering peace with the power of hope and action. May we uphold human rights, ensuring global stability and harmony.
Thank you all!