United Nations Day 2020
Shaping an Ideal Future Together: Conscience-driven Global Dialogue and Cooperation
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze
President of Federation of World Peace and Love
Vice-President of Association of World Citizens
Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men
October 24, 2020
Seventy-five years ago, on October 24, 1945, the UN Charter came into force, and the United Nations was established. Since then, nations around the world have declared their determination to unite, pursue international peace and security, and safeguard human rights, with the United Nations becoming an important platform for international dialogue and cooperation. For 75 years, the United Nations has called for nations, organizations and individuals with the same ideals to work together toward these common goals. I would like to pay tribute to all the friends working tirelessly for the attainment of world peace.
In witness of the frequent occurrence of natural and man-made disasters and people’s aspirations for love and peace, I established the Federation of World Peace and Love 20 years ago. Our organization’s objective is to realize peace with love and conscience. We have visited 101 nations around the world promoting a culture of peace based upon love and conscience, hoping to awaken the innate conscience within people’s hearts and inspire them to follow their conscience, allowing kindness to prevail in our daily lives, the people in need to be helped, and justice to be served. When every one of us helps others with mercy, bravery and compassion and utilizes the wisdom that we learned from our past experiences, we can overcome the daunting challenges facing the world. We believe every peace-loving friend will be able to exert positive influence and inspire more people to join the force.
Today as we commemorate the UN Day, it is important to reaffirm the urgent need for global solidarity and our collective aspirations for freedom, democracy, equality, human rights and world peace. What is most important is the action from world citizens to support the spirit of the United Nations.
Conflicts and wars are still prevalent in today’s world. Regional conflicts have resulted from disputes and battles between nations and among leaders. Hatred and confrontation have created visible and invisible wars, including military, economic, and trade wars with battles being fought on the Internet and even in our hearts. Throughout history, just rulers have kept all living beings in their minds would improve the well-being of their people. On the contrary, conflicts and wars will occur if rulers only care about their own benefits. Wars kill people and bring about poverty, and more conflicts ensue. People will be pulled into the deep abyss of pain and suffering. At this critical moment when many nations are experiencing transition of power and a new wave of coronavirus, more than ever, we need leaders with wisdom and compassion, who will let go of prejudices and personal gains and cherish all people. For the common future of all living things, world leaders are encouraged to work together to benefit all humanity. A single thought of kindness can save countless lives and improve the greater environment to help everyone. All thoughts we think, positive or negative, are like boomerangs and will eventually come back to us, affecting ourselves and our families.
Our thoughts come from our hearts. Conscience leads to positive thoughts and kind actions. Only with conscience will we make right decisions. Consensus will be reached with dialogue and cooperation when world leaders connect with conscience to make decisions for the benefit of the world. Our collective well-being is not a zero-sum game. No one should be excluded from the public interest and no ethnic group could isolate itself from the world. Only when we are all bound together with conscience will global solidarity be reached.
Fame, reputation and personal gains won’t bring real happiness and wealth in life. The real wealth and joy of life is to create lasting values to benefit ourselves, other people and future generations. This is also the aspiration deep inside our hearts for the bright and harmonious homeland.
Love is the wellspring of conscience and the building block of harmonious society. Selfless love empowers conscience, which leads people to make right decisions to save them from wars, fear, pain and suffering so that every world citizen will live with dignity, human rights, stability, and happiness.
We should learn from our past mistakes in the post-pandemic time and work to resolve conflicts with wisdom. Let’s start by making ourselves better followed by connecting with other people to make us stronger. Our collective force multiplied by conscience will move us faster to the era of peace.
My dear friends, let’s promote dialogue and cooperation with love and conscience. Despite the challenges ahead, we step firmly and fearlessly towards our bright future because our determination makes us strong, love unites us and conscience guides us to walk on the right path. Every step we take toward a brighter future will be steadfast, firm, and fearless!
May the world be blessed with peace and security, world citizens joy and happiness.
Thank you all for your selfless contribution.
*Presented at the ICDAY's virtual event in support of UN United Nations Day