Photo:Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 2014
43 Distinguished Leaders Ring the Bell of World Peace and Love
November 22, 2024
Amid a turbulent global landscape, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres remarked that the world stands at a historic turning point. Under the guidance of Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) embarked on a seven-country peace journey from September 18 to October 19, 2024, marking the milestone of its 113th country visit. As a civil society organization, FOWPAL was warmly received by both governments and the public, making this mission truly remarkable.
The journey began at the 19th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Nuevo León, Mexico, where FOWPAL held an impactful bell-ringing ceremony. Six Nobel Peace Laureates rang the Bell of World Peace and Love, sharing their blessings and vision for humanity. Following this, FOWPAL traveled to New York during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, then continued to five South American countries for cultural exchanges and bell-ringing ceremonies, spreading messages of love and peace.
In just one month, 43 influential leaders rang the Bell, praying for global peace and offering blessings for their nations. This journey brought together global leaders and peace advocates, advancing the cause of sustainable world peace. To date, 599 distinguished leaders from 152 countries—including 74 heads of state and government and 15 Nobel Peace Laureates—have rung the Bell, amplifying the call for peace worldwide
The 19th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates
Six Nobel Peace Laureates Ring FOWPAL’s Peace Bell
The 19th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates took place from September 18-21, 2024, in Nuevo León, Mexico. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, led a delegation to the event to share the vision embodied in the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope. During the summit, FOWPAL organized ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love, in which six Nobel Peace Prize laureates rang the Bell, sharing heartfelt wishes and blessings for global harmony:
During this trip, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze presented the FOWPAL Peace Bell Award to the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias Sanchez, in recognition of his contributions to promoting global peace and solidarity. He rang the Bell of World Peace and Love in 2001 and wished for the whole world to enjoy peace.
Photo:Oscar Arias Sanchez, 1987 Nobel Peace Laureate and former President of Costa Rica, center, receives the FOWPAL Peace Bell Award.
The Bell of World Peace and Love Resonates in New York
21 Influential Leaders Ring the Bell
During the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York, the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), led by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, amplified calls for love, peace, and conscience-driven actions through a series of impactful events. As world leaders converged in the city, FOWPAL hosted bell ringing ceremonies and summits where 21 influential figures, including former Prime Minister of Guinea Cellou Dalein Diallo, rang the Bell of World Peace and Love, expressing a united hope for a harmonious world.
Photo:Cellou Dalein Diallo, former Prime Minister of Guinea.
FOWPAL's Journey of Peace and Cultural Exchange to Five South American Nations
Dr. Hong Receives Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Education
Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, led a delegation to Ecuador on a cultural goodwill mission at the invitation of former Ecuadorian President Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, who rang the Bell of World Peace and Love and made a wish for peace at the United Nations headquarters in New York this April, showing deep alignment with Dr. Hong’s vision of peace. She heads the Foundation for the Integration and Development of Latin America (FIDAL). The delegation visited the FIDAL Foundation on October 1 and took part in the EduComunidad 2024 conference in Manta on October 2-3. During their visit, FOWPAL conducted ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love, with five distinguished Ecuadorian leaders ringing the Bell and making wishes for peace and a sustainable future for humanity.
On the evening of October 3, Dr. Hong attended the 16th National Contest and 11th Ibero-American Contest for Educational Excellence at Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabi (ULEAM). Former President Arteaga, representing FIDAL and Edu@news magazine, presented Dr. Hong with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Education. This honor recognized his leadership and lifelong commitment to promoting love, conscience, and peace through education worldwide.
Photo:Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, center, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Education from former President of Ecuador, Dr. Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, right, at the EduComunidad 2024 in Ecuador.
Surinamese President Rings FOWPAL’s Peace Bell
Dialogue of Wisdom: Creating Opportunities for Love and Peace
Surinamese President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, warmly welcomed Dr. Hong and FOWPAL delegates in person in Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital, on October 12. President Santokhi expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Hong and the FOWPAL delegation, recognizing the significance of their visit. He emphasized his pride in Suriname’s commitment to promoting peace, diversity, and sustainable development. President Santokhi emphasized that Suriname is a diverse nation, known for its tolerance and respect for differences and that his national values align with the global need for peace and sustainability.
Photo:Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi.
Guyana’s President Rings the Bell of World Peace and Love
FOWPAL Hosts World Leader Summit of Love and Peace in Guyana
The FOWPAL delegation arrived in Guyana on October 13, marking its 113th country visit. On October 15, 2024, FOWPAL hosted the World Leader Summit of Love and Peace in Georgetown, Guyana’s capital. During the event, Dr. Hong presided over a ceremony of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love, where Guyana’s President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and four other influential leaders rang the Bell and shared heartfelt wishes for global harmony.
During the summit, Guyana’s President Ali received FOWPAL’s Peace Bell Award from Dr. Hong while Mayor Alfred Mentore of Georgetown presented Dr. Hong with the key to the city, honoring his worldwide advocacy for love, peace, and conscience.
Photo:Guyana’s President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, left, is presented with the FOWPAL Peace Bell Award by Dr. Hong.
FOWPAL's Peace Mission in Peru
On October 18, at the invitation of Dr. César Acuña, governor of La Libertad and founder of César Vallejo University, the FOWPAL delegation held a cultural exchange and hosted a bell ringing ceremony at the university, furthering the message of peace and conscience-driven education.
Expressing his admiration for Dr. Hong, Dr. Acuña remarked that peace is achieved not by one individual but through the collective efforts of many. He expressed deep gratitude to Dr. Hong, feeling certain that divine providence had brought them together to continue their shared mission of fostering peace in the world.
Photo:Dr. César Acuña, founder of César Vallejo University in Peru, left.
Dr. Hong Honored for Promoting Love, Peace, and Conscience
During this month-long journey, Dr. Hong received numerous awards and certificates of recognition from various leaders and organizations for his advocacy of love, peace, and conscience. Among these honors were a certificate of recognition from New York State Senator George M. Borrello, a citation from New York State Assembly Member Andrew Goodell, and a certificate of recognition from Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel, Jr., and an award from Hugues Sanon, special envoy for international relations to the UN for COJEP International (Council for Justice, Equality and Peace), a UN ECOSOC-accredited NGO.
Photo:The event ended on a happy note as Mayor Alfred Mentore held a sign reading "113," marking Guyana as FOWPAL’s 113th visited nation.