September 16,2020

By Hsu Ni, Taipei

September 15 is the United Nations International Day of Democracy and the International Love and Peace Day, proclaimed by the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) in 2005. In celebration of these days, FOWPAL held an international online forum on September 15, 2020. The event was also part of an ongoing effort to promote the UN International Day of Conscience. Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren (grandmaster) of Tai Ji Men and the president of FOWPAL, delivered welcome remarks. His whole speech is as follows:

September 15 is an important day. We are celebrating the FOWPAL International Love and Peace Day while observing the UN International Day of Democracy. In fact, true democracy is about love and peace. In view of the daunting challenges human beings face today, love and peace are urgently needed on both personal and global levels. Democracy is a process and a goal. Only when the international community, all governments, civil society organizations, and individuals are fully involved in and supportive of the process, empower sincere kindness from the heart to stabilize the world, deal with people with love and peace, and act in accordance with conscience that guides people away from pain and suffering can we have a chance to achieve the ideal of democracy and freedom.

In 2005, when the United Nations celebrated its 60th anniversary, FOWPAL held the World Leader Summit of Love and Peace in New York (UN PLAZA). Witnessed by former Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández, UN ambassadors, and NGO leaders, I proclaimed the “Declaration of International Love and Peace Day” and designated September 15 as the "International Love and Peace Day," in hopes that world leaders would exert their influences and jointly create a world of freedom, equality, love, and peace.   

Since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN in 1948, human rights have been a key concept of countless international conventions. Respect for freedom and human rights is essential to democracy. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.” Based on the spirit of democracy and the rule of law, governments should respect their people’s rights, regardless of social status, gender, race, or belief. The fundamental rights and freedom of every individual should not be arbitrarily deprived. Only by respecting human rights and protecting human dignity can we formulate more effective and inclusive solutions to cope with the current global challenges.

Leaders should have the people’s best interests in mind when making decisions, be truly transparent, listen to public opinions, respond to public opinions, and be responsible to the people. Government agencies should establish effective supervision and accountability mechanisms as well as safeguard freedom of speech and press. Only those governments that are willing to listen to and serve their people can protect their people’s basic human rights and ensure the security and prosperity of their countries. Only when true democracy, human rights, and the rule of law coexist, can people enjoy true freedom and peace.

People’s definitions of wealth and contentment vary as the circumstances change. However, a world of love and peace is the common aspiration of humanity, and love and peace are the key to integration and problem solving. Human beings are encouraged to participate in international exchange activities in a peaceful, rational, and pragmatic manner to highlight the values of democracy and human rights. Only when conscience, love, and peace coexist can we consolidate the forces of kindness to transform the world and resolve conflicts and global crises with wisdom.

For a healthier, safer, and more stable world, FOWPAL has been actively practicing love and peace and promoting a culture of peace with love and conscience. It has endeavored to create a brighter future with love and wisdom and replace hatred and conflicts with everlasting peace and harmony!  

The Earth is our common home. We need to work together to safeguard it with love and peace so that global sustainability can be achieved, and every effort toward that goal is important. Every September 15th reminds us that to uphold democracy, freedom, global peace and security, we all need to do our part along this long journey, not for personal gain, but for the lives and survival of more than 7 billion people in the world. Let us work together to promote a culture of conscience, love, and peace, create a harmonious world of love and peace, and take peaceful actions to safeguard the sustainable future of a democratic and free society.

The spirit of the International Love and Peace Day is embodied in the following events in history. On September 15, 2005, Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández and Dr. Hong Tao-Tze jointly turned the 90-centimeter-long "Key of the World," a symbolic gesture to activate the energy of love and peace in heads of state as kind thoughts and goodwill of key leaders will help move our world forward in the right direction. On that day, President Fernández rang the Bell of World Peace and Love and made a wish for peace: "I wish that people from over the world can understand each other, and that love and peace can prevail.” In 2008, the military troops of Colombia chased its rebels into Ecuador, bringing Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela to the brink of war. Fortunately, President Fernández mediated among the powers and successfully defused this crisis in Latin America, winning international acclaim. In April 2008, in New York, FOWPAL presented President Fernández with the "World Peace Culture Award" and the "World Peace Culture Medal," praising him for resolving conflicts with wisdom and fulfilling his wish for peace with actions.

Photo 1: On September 15, 2005, Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández and Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze jointly turned a 90-cm-long "Key of the World," a symbolic gesture to activate the energy of love and peace in heads of state.

Photo 2: The year 2005 coincided with the 60th anniversary of the United Nations. In New York the Federation of World Peace and Love proclaimed September 15 as the "International Love and Peace Day."

Photo3:Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández rang the Bell of World Peace and Love and made a wish for peace.

Photo 4:In April 2008 in New York, the Federation of World Peace and Love awarded Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández  the "World Peace Culture Award" and the "World Peace Culture Medal," praising him for resolving conflicts with wisdom and fulfilling his wish for peace with actions.