UN Day 2024
Achieving UN goals with love and conscience
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
October 24, 2024
Distinguished guests, dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, good day!
Today, we gather to celebrate a milestone in human history, UN Day marks not only the birth of an organization but also the global commitment and dedication to peace, justice, and the shared values that unite humanity.
The United Nations was born out of the ashes of war. It represents a beacon of hope for people weary of conflict and division. It was established with a clear vision: to bring nations together, to foster cooperation, and to create a framework for peace and security that transcends borders, races and differences, fostering peace, mutual love, kindness, respect, inclusiveness and understanding among all countries and sectors. Today, as we commemorate the 79th anniversary of the United Nations, it is an ideal time to reflect on the unfulfilled responsibilities of the United Nations, nations and ourselves.
Today, as we face challenges of unprecedented scale—from conflicts that displace millions, to a climate crisis that threatens the future of our planet, to inequalities that deny basic rights to too many—the need for unity, love, and peace has never been more urgent.
Peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice, the respect for human rights, and the acknowledgment of our shared humanity. Peace needs love and love requires balance. By pragmatically following the guidance of conscience, humanity will find the balance to resolve disputes and maintain peace. Conscience is our inner moral compass, guiding us to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, truth and falsehood, leading us to make important decisions that truly benefit all beings and the Earth. Conscience is the core principle to uphold fairness and justice, while love, peace, and solidarity are the key forces in achieving justice and respecting human rights.
World peace is the ultimate goal of the United Nations and love is at the heart of everything the United Nations represents. On the journey to achieving UN goals, conscience serves as our guide to the process of peace. In order to highlight the importance and necessity of conscience, FOWPAL successfully facilitated the United Nations' adoption of April 5 as the 'International Day of Conscience' in July 2019. All member states, organizations within the UN system, as well as the private sector and civil society are invited to build a culture of peace with love and conscience. In order to realize the goals of the 'International Day of Conscience,' FOWPAL has responded to important United Nations commemorative days through the ICDAY platform, providing conscience education to global citizens. In addition, I have been collaborating on the adoption of the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope, proclaiming September 23 as World Day of the Power of Hope to encourage global citizens to act with conscience and harness the power of hope for themselves, for others, and for global security and sustainability, so that the positive energy of the universe can lead the Earth to the path of sustainable development.
The existence and effectiveness of the United Nations is not just about the organization itself, but also about the original intention behind its creation and the subsequent practical actions. In a world filled with global challenges, every individual is a key to achieving a sustainable future. Humanity needs to unite and cooperate, taking both individual and collective action. The awakening of conscience is the foundation of global security and stability, giving rise to the power of compassion, kindness, and hope. Love and conscience inspire selfless will. Where there is will, there is action, and coordinated action guided by conscience will succeed.
Through daily self-reflection, correction, and acts of kindness, one can awaken the inherently pure and good heart within. Through sincere and selfless prayers, we can gather the power of hope of all beings, inspiring people to take action to protect the Earth and ensure a sustainable future.
Now is the time to take action. Let us dedicate5 minutes each day to pray for the world, reflect on what we have done, and consider areas for improvement, to help ourselves, society, and the world become better. Individual kindness and actions will accumulate over time, ultimately converging into a force that helps billions of beings move towards a brighter future.
I sincerely pray for
Safety and health for all!
World Peace!
Thank you all!