Federation of World Peace and Love

Diplomats from 10 nations celebrate the “2018 Culture Night of Love and Peace” in New York

The Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kiribati to the United Nations jointly hosted the “2018 Culture Night of Love and Peace” at the Westin New York Grand Central Hotel on April 5, 2018, spreading the seeds of love and peace.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL, and H.E. Mr. Teburoro Tito, Ambassador of Kiribati to the UN and U.S. and the former president of Kiribati, welcomed diplomats from ten nations and other honored guests, praising the success of the afternoon conference and expressing the wish to transform the world through global partnerships.

Dr. Hong addressed the gathering of over 100 people, saying, “The first people who come forth to take actions can generate more time and more opportunities for the Earth and all humanity. If every kind-hearted world citizen, like a piece of jigsaw puzzle, willingly makes contributions, the whole puzzle for a ‘better future’ can be completed. I hope the energy of love and peace that we have gathered can spread around the world to awaken people’s conscience, inspire more good deeds, and make the beautiful vision of world peace come true.” 

The dinner event was a feast for the eyes and the mind, featuring spectacular cultural performances by FOWPAL and the Kiribati delegation. FOWPAL delivered powerful martial arts performances, an elegant sword dance, and beautiful music. Ambassador Tito showed great humility as he accompanied himself on the guitar, singing beautiful songs in praise of brotherhood, peace, and love; the roomful of audience responded to his singing with great enthusiasm. A traditional folk dance and a belly dance from Kiribati were also well-received. 

In another event highlight, ambassadors from various missions to the UN recalled their childhood wishes and made new wishes for the world before spreading the seeds of dandelions, symbolizing the messages of love and peace. H.E. Ms. Mary Elizabeth Flores, Ambassador of Honduras to the UN, stated, “My wish for the world is peace, to love one another, to be of service to one another.” H.E. Mr. Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Ambassador of Bahrain to the UN, said his wish is “sharing the friendship and the love.” H.E. Mr. Teburoro Tito, Ambassador of Kiribati to the UN, said, “My wish now is to have everybody happy, happy, smiling. Wherever you go, you might see people smiling, happy, everywhere.” H.E. Mr. Ali'ioaiga Feturi Elisaia, Ambassador of Samoa to the UN, emphasized the importance of education in the attainment of one’s dream. He expressed, “So education for me, that is the master key to unlock opportunities that are out there for all of us to aspire to.” H.E. Mr. Samuelu Laloniu, Ambassador of Tuvalu to the UN, shared, “I always think that I would always have endless number of friends when I grow up. I am happy that my roles and the places that I have traveled to and work have really made that possible—meeting people and making friends.” H.E. Ms. Ana Silvia Rodríguez Abascal, Deputy Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN, wished for “a world free of war, a world where everybody is equal, there is no rich and poor, and where every kid has the right to a meal and to an education to help.” H.E. Mr. Fred Sarufa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Papua New Guinea to the UN, wished for a world where everyone “cares for each other, and being at peace.” He also expressed, “Do for others what you do for yourself.” 

At the end of the event, many distinguished guests shared their thoughts regarding the function. H.E. Mr. Ismael Gaspar Martins, Ambassador of Angola to the UN, said, “I have particularly enjoyed hearing the president singing with such a beautiful voice.” He also pointed out, “You first have to have peace, peace within yourself, peace with others, and then you can do sustainable development. Without peace, it’s not possible. So I’m very pleased to see that peace is very much ingrained in whatever you do, in whatever you promote.”

H.E. Mr. Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Ambassador of Bahrain to the UN, said, “I would like to thank FOWPAL for organizing the event and also the Permanent Mission of Kiribati for joining and organizing the event. It was an excellent event. It was very energetic and very inspiring.”

H.E. Mr. Samuelu Laloniu, Ambassador of Tuvalu to the UN, referring to the rainbow analogy used by Deputy Ambassador Dzonzi of Malawi to the UN, and said, “You can’t take color out of the rainbow and expect to maintain, to retain the beauty. It has to be colors all together to enjoy the uniqueness and the beauty of the rainbow.” 

The event concluded on a high note as all attendees celebrated continued friendships and global partnerships to make the world a better place!