Global Launch of “An Era of Conscience”- Power to Change the World

[Reported by Sun Yen]

As the world focuses its attention on Ukraine, the message spoken by a simple Ukrainian girl “We are civilized people, but our government is barbarian” brought worldwide urgent attention to the development of the country. As thousands swarmed the streets in protest, demanding freedom and end of corruption, the government raised its armed hand to squash the protest in a bloody manner. Since the dawn of 2014, more and more civil protests against government are spawning across the globe, from Thailand to Egypt, from Ukraine to Venezuela, what more lies beyond? Nonetheless, there is hope to be found.

A global launch of the movement: An Era of Conscience on 16^th February garnered thousands of activists and leaders from hundreds of organizations from 25 locations across the globe, including Taiwan, the US, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands. The conscience gesture was posed by everyone: close your right hand in front of your chest then put your left hand closely over it. The gesture signifies “Protect the conscience in our hearts, create an era of love and peace”. Thus far, more than 112 countries and over 200 organizations participated in this movement. This is just the beginning of the movement. As the seed of goodness is planted in the hearts of every participant, more and more people will be impacted through the butterfly effect, spreading the message of love and peace to every corner of this good earth.

The initiator of An Era of Conscience movement, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze stated: “For the sustainable development of earth and benefits of all humanity, the good words and deeds from you and me together will create a world of love and peace.” The global situation of the 21^st century is more chaotic than the pre-WWII period: escalating land disputes, frequent civil unrest and bloodshed; what’s frightening is the constant threat of nuclear warfare. Over the past 100 years, the earth’s surface temperature has risen by 0.8°C; if it has risen by more than 2°C, the balance of the earth’s entire ecosystem will be destroyed, and mankind will face extinction. Based on 2013 UN statistics, more than 840 million people are living in hunger, but we wasted 1.3 billion tons of food, which is enough to feed 2 billion people. In light of such appalling facts and the disintegration of trust among people, Dr Hong initiated An Era of Conscience movement. The movement was initiated by three organizations: The Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), Association of World Citizens (AWC), NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC and Associated with the UN DPI, and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy (TJM), and received immediate responses from all spheres. The movement aims to awaken people’s inherent kindness and creates a stable and harmonic society.

The proponents of the movement state that every single individual has the key to start peaceful energy, and that everyone can begin the ripple of kindness in one’s daily work capacity by saying kind words and doing good deeds. Everyone can be a leader of conscience, and positively impact family and friends. By linking you, me and them, a positive energy circle can iteratively snowballs into a larger one, even encompassing the world. Any good words, deeds or practical methods are welcomed to be shared at the official “An Era of Conscience” website: www.aneoc.org. Formats include but not limited to a passage of 100 to 300 words, 30 seconds of video or other means such as comic, sketch or film. All organizations are also welcome to use An Era of Conscience banner and be part of the movement.

At the 53rd Annual DPI/NGO Conference, Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of the FOWPAL stated: “Our planet successfully sailed through the turbulent 20^th century. The dawn of the 21^st century requires immediate and compulsory global unity in order to achieve international cooperation and world peace. Non-governmental organizations act as the catalyst for making the world a better place.”

The Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) is an international organization of love and peace, which was founded by Dr. Hong in the US in 2000. The organization emphasizes the spirit of changing the world by changing our thoughts. Through numerous summits on world peace and love, the ringing of the Bell of Peace, and cultural exchanges, FOWPAL continues to advance the ideals of love and peace. Its members span over 95 countries. For over a decade, FOWPAL urges global leaders to utilize their powers for good and place emphasis on world peace. The results are amazing, with direct influences on exerting peace among certain countries in Americas and Africa. Thus far, 263 world leaders from 87 countries had been part of the ringing of the Bell of Peace, including 27 country leaders and heads of states, 7 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, UN ambassadors and leaders in various fields.

Association of World Citizens (AWC), NGO in Consultative Status with ECOSOC, and Associated with the UN DPI, originates from the concept of world citizens. Since its inception and the first World Citizens Assembly (WCA) at San Francisco in 1975, AWC now has over 50 member nations. AWC is associated with the UN DPI and also in consultative status with the ECOSOC, which demonstrates its objective positively that transcends national interests and helps to foster civic strength for world peace. In 1988, AWC indirectly facilitates nuclear disarmament between the US and Russia; Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze acts as the Honorary Vice-President and Advisory Board of AWC, and helped attributed the WCA meeting to Taiwan in 2001. The meeting was credited by the UNESCO as one of the most important international conferences of that year. A resolution was passed as the Declaration of Peace and a global endorsement pointed out the necessity and urgency of a unified earth for the 21^st century. In 2004, an online global endorsement campaign for the Declaration of Human Rights for World Citizens and Peace garnered two million signatures from 158 countries, and the result was presented to the United Nations. Moreover, “World Summit on Human Rights for World Citizens” was organized in 2010 and over 250,000 articles from 196 countries responded to this event. Over the years, the AWC has keenly observed world affairs and provided precious suggestions that yielded positive results.

Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy (TJM) is a traditional menpai (similar to school) of qigong, and martial arts.   Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, inherited the great ancient wisdom from the past patriarchs, and established TJM Qigong Academy in 1966 to pass down and promote the essence of Chinese culture and improve the physical, mental and spiritual health of people everywhere. Dr. Hong teaches his dizi (similar to students) the yin-yan philosophy of life, guiding them to reach the state of unity of heart and qi through the dual cultivation of qi and heart together to improve one’s physical, mental and spiritual health and strengthen the physique, development of character and purification of heart and soul as well. Through cultural performances, goodwill cultural visits, public welfare seminars, and education on love and peace and human rights, the seeds of love and peace are planted in all five continents. Overall, Dr. Hong and his dizi dedicated over 100,000 manpower and 2 million hours to organize over 2,000 cultural performances that spanned 200 cities in over 60 countries. Over 20,000 public welfare seminars were organized to share the wisdom of yin and yang. Over 10,000 true life stories of the dizi were broadcast to the global media, and educational seminars on love and peace and human rights were shared in over 300 schools.

Picture: Ms. Nina Goncharova from Siberian center for Eurasian projects, and Russian singers with An Era of Conscience gesture, signaling their support for the movement.