Global Leaders Unite for Peace at UN

In celebration of the International Day of Living Together in Peace, A Time for Truth

Foundation and Council for Justice, Equality and Peace (COJEP International) co-organized a

conference at United Nations Headquarters in New York on May 16, 2025. The event aimed to

foster dialogue, embrace unity in diversity, and inspire collaborative efforts for a more inclusive,

peaceful, and sustainable world.

The event was co-moderated by Dr. Bernard Fialkoff, President of A Time for Truth Foundation,

and Dr. Hugues Sanon, Special Envoy to the United Nations for COJEP International. It brought

together approximately 150 distinguished leaders and passionate peace advocates from around

the globe. Among the honored guests was Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of the Federation of

World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), accompanied by a delegation of FOWPAL members.

Dr. Fialkoff opened the conference with a welcome address, referencing Princeton University

research on quantum entanglement that underscores the deep interconnectedness of all matter.

Drawing a parallel to humanity, he stated, “When we hurt one, we hurt all. When we uplift one,

we uplift all.” He urged attendees to act with conscience and integrity: “Let’s act. Let’s choose to

collaborate. Let’s choose to restore what makes us human.”

Dr. Sanon emphasized the urgent need for courageous truth-telling and unity. “We are here for

something better,” he said, highlighting the power of people standing together. Addressing the

global crisis of conscience, he called for justice, unity, and a renewed commitment to uplifting

girls and women. “There can be no justice without gender equality,” he declared, urging

advocacy for the voiceless and sustained action for equality.

Ali Gedikoglu, President of COJEP International, delivered a keynote address underscoring the

importance of human rights, social tolerance, and justice. He spoke about the vital role of women

and families in society and stressed the need to reduce drug use, empower women, and uphold

values such as pride and integrity as the foundation for sustainable communities.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze delivered a powerful keynote speech, calling on all people to return to

conscience and moral clarity. “I sincerely call on everyone to calm their hearts and listen to the

voice of their conscience, putting it into practice through conscientious decision-making and

actions rooted in transparency and integrity,” he said, emphasizing, “Only then can we

effectively ease international disputes and humanitarian crises, build lasting peace, and secure a

hopeful future for generations to come.”Other notable speakers included Ludwig Alpers, President of the Way to Happiness Foundation

International; Dr. Jorge Prez de Tagle, Vice President for National Outreach in Asia and US

Territories for Federation of Philippine American Chambers of Commerce; Colonel Otto Padron,

Army Reserve Ambassador; Dr. Paul Infante Mon̈ozca, CEO of the Bank of Humanity; and

Rafael “Bomba “Brito, International Entertainer and Television Personality.

Fred Smith, Founder and CEO of Speed Scaling TM; Shmuel Hoffman, Film Director and

Founder of Hoffman Productions; Marcos Antonio Garay Caballero, former President of the

Board of Directors of the Honduran College of Dentists and Surgeons; Maria Lozada Fialkoff,

Co-founder of A Time for Truth Foundation; Prof. Mahmut Ay, a professor at University of

Istanbul; Dr. Cherry Ann Joseph-Hislop, a recording artist; and H.H. Dr. Prince Mario-Max

Schaumburg-Lippe also shared their insights at the conference.

Additional speakers featured Dr. Hector Guevara, President of NuEnergy Technologies; Dr.

Mario Pinel, Founder of JCCG Climate Change Group; Governor Eduardo Alas, Department of

Cuscatlan, Salvador; Francisco Marte, President of the Bodega and Small Business Association

of New York; Rabbi Itzhak Yehoshua, Chairman of Bukharian Rabbinical Council of the United

States and Canada; Archbishop Joshua Smith, President at Haven University; and Jorge

Camacho.

A highlight of the conference was FOWPAL’s Bell of World Peace and Love ceremony, where

three influential leaders rang the bell and shared their wishes for humanity. Ludwig Alpers,

President of the Way to Happiness Foundation International, wished that all people treat others

as they would like to be treated. Dr. Hanette Gomez, D.D.S., expressed a wish for universal

respect. Paul Infante Monozca, CEO of the Bank of Humanity, called on everyone to care for

others and fight for humanity. To date, 637 prominent individuals from 158 countries—including

80 heads of state and government and 15 Nobel Peace Prize laureates—have rung the bell,

expressing their hopes for a better world.

Dr. Hong received the “Global Leadership for Peace and Sustainability Award” from Dr.

Bernard Fialkoff and Maria Lozada Fialkoff, honoring his promotion of peace, intercultural

dialogue, and sustainable development. H.H. Dr. Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe

presented Princely Awards to Dr. Hong, Dr. Fialkoff, Dr. Sanon, and Mrs. Sanon, praising their

exceptional service to diplomacy and global peace.

The conference also featured group photos of participants holding two banners—one promoting

the Declaration of Transparency and Integrity, and the other celebrating the UN’s adoption of the

International Day of Hope—encouraging individuals and institutions to uphold these values in

building a more trustworthy, prosperous, and sustainable world.The spirit of peace continued at a celebratory awards dinner in New York. Dr. Hong received a

proclamation from Mayor Donald Shaw and Councilwoman-At-Large Denise Wilkerson of

Roselle Borough, New Jersey, recognizing his contributions to global peace and harmony. Dr.

Hong is the initiator of the International Day of Conscience, proclaimed by the United Nations in

2019, and the International Day of Hope, proclaimed on March 4, 2025. Through his leadership,

FOWPAL has inspired global citizens to awaken conscience, embrace hope, and act with

transparency and integrity for a better world.

In April, FOWPAL launched a global initiative supporting the Declaration of Transparency and

Integrity at the United Nations Office in Vienna during the 6th International Day of Conscience

celebration. The initiative calls on all sectors to make transparency and integrity central to

governance and cooperation to foster global trust and peace. To date, people in 119 nations have

endorsed it.

Dr. Hong also honored key international figures, including COJEP President Ali Gedikoglu,

COJEP’s UN Special Envoy Hugues Sanon, and Dr. Bernard Fialkoff, for their work in

advancing peace and justice.

During the gala dinner, attendees joined in a heartfelt rendition of “We Are the World,”

symbolizing unity, compassion, and a shared responsibility to address global challenges. The

event reaffirmed the commitment of global leaders and changemakers to the values of

conscience, hope, transparency, and integrity—core principles for building a peaceful and

sustainable future for all.

Souse: FOWPAL