International Day for Tolerance
Achieve Tolerance with Love and Power of Hope
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
November 16, 2024
Distinguished guests, dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, good day!
Since the United Nations adopted the "Declaration of Principles on Tolerance" in 1995 and proclaimed "International Day for Tolerance" in 1996, global issues such as conflict, war, human rights violations, and discrimination against various ethnic groups have persisted. As we commemorate the 28th "International Day for Tolerance" on November 16th, it is also an important moment for everyone to reflect on whether they are practicing tolerance in their daily lives.
The Declaration affirms that tolerance is neither indulgence nor indifference. It is respect and appreciation of the rich variety of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. Tolerance is an expression of inner compassion, energy, and wisdom. When we embrace tolerance, we will be able to see the diversity of individuals, society, and cultures. This enables us to follow the path of balance and act with wisdom, leading to understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of cultures, perspectives, and behaviors that differ from our own. In group collaboration, we can also apply the philosophy of yin and yang balance, guided by conscience and with the well-being of all beings as the starting point. By integrating the strengths of each side, we can converge on the best implementation strategy.
In Confucius' The Analects, there is a saying: "A noble person disciplines themselves strictly but treats others with tolerance." This emphasizes the importance of balancing self-discipline with tolerance. Strict self-discipline refers to holding oneself to high standards of behavior, ensuring that one's actions align with principles of integrity and responsibility. When we listen to our inner conscience to guide self-discipline, we will be able to overcome laziness and negative thoughts, calming the inner conflicts within ourselves. When we treat others with compassion and true love to embrace and understand different perspectives, each person will become a vital driver in fostering a harmonious society.
To create a society where everyone is self-disciplined and mutually tolerant, the root originates from each individual's conscience. Since 2014, I have been promoting 'An Era of Conscience' globally. In 2018, together with Kingdom of Bahrain, Kiribati, and Republic of Equatorial Guinea, we began advancing this initiative and successfully facilitated the adoption of the 'International Day of Conscience' by the United Nations. We call on everyone to follow their conscience in how they live and act, to do good, rectify mistakes, avoid wrongdoing, and refrain from harming others throughout life, continuously practicing the goodness in their hearts in daily life. When more people are inspired to join in doing good, the collective goodness will form a protective web of kindness around the Earth. We firmly believe that conscience is the passport that allow a person to return to heaven at the end of their life.
Since ancient times, the power of hope has been an essential energy to make ideals and dreams come true. I have led the members of FOWPAL, to visit 113 countries worldwide at our own expense to promote conscience, love, and peace through cultural exchanges, World Leader Summits of Love and Peace, bell-ringing ceremonies, wisdom dialogues, and declaration endorsement campaigns. All of this is driven by the hope of 'a heart solely for the well-being of humanity.' On November 19, 2022, I announced the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope, guiding people to usher the power of hope with love and conscience. Where there is hope, there is strength, and with strength comes the momentum for action. Together, we strive for world peace and safety. To date, the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope has garnered endorsements and support from individuals in 180 countries.
Let us work together. Starting with ourselves, we can unite our collective hope to promote the spirit of tolerance and embrace the values of conscience, love, and peace. Let us respect diversity and integrate the various forces of goodness to bring more tolerance, understanding, and peace to the world. Together we will forge the key for a harmonious world with diversity and inclusivity.
Praying for tolerance
The selflessness of love
The whole world is a family
May peace prevail
Thank you all!