Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy

Celebration World Citizen Day in Los Angeles

We are all world citizens!

In this era of globalization, we are all world citizens! April 1 is World Citizen Day. In celebration of this important day, the "International Forum on Our Roles as World Citizens" was held in Los Angeles on April 2, 2016, where experts, scholars, and interntaionl volunteers for world peace shared their thoughts about how to be responsible world citizens.

The event, organized by the Association of World Citizens, NGO in consultative status with ECOSOC and associated with the UN DPI (AWC), Federation of World Peace and Love, and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, was attended by distinguished guests including California State Senator Bob Huff and Mrs. Huff; Councilmembers Nancy Tragarz and Eric Ching of the City of Walnut; Sukhee Kang, former mayor of the City of Irvine; Helen Hall, president of the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board; Adolf Huang, President of Institute for Taiwanese Studies, etc.

California State Senator Bob Huff presented certificates of recognition to each of the three organizers. Congratulatory notes for the event were also received from visionary leaders such as U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein; Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Congressman Ted Lieu; California Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang; the city council of Walnut; Mayor Luis Ayala of the City of Alhambra, etc.

Dr. Rene Wadlow, President of the AWC, welcomed all participants saying, "This year we meet as the United Nations 2015-2030 Sustainable Development Goals get under way.... Sustainable development requires the mobilization of people and the growth of their capacity for cooperative action. We have faith in the potential of each and every individual to work for the common good."

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Vice-President of the AWC, stated in his opening remarks: "As we trace humanity back to the origin, we realize that heart is what shapes the world. Greed, arrogance and addiction to power and self-interests far too often blind those in power to the importance of implementing rules and policies based upon respect for human rights. The result is widespread complaints, grief and turbulence. We, therefore, urge world leaders, heads of states and all world citizens to act based upon the heart of conscience, take actions to preserve natural resources, show their respect for humanity, Heaven and Earth, and protect human rights. It is vital to work with collective efforts to safeguard world peace for the survival of mankind and Mother Earth."

California State Senator Bob Huff stated that it is essential to have NGOs because the government cannot do it all. He said that the concept of world citizens is very important and commended Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze for reaching and inspiring people’s hearts. He expressed that in his role as a statesman, that it is vital to lead by example and help people see things from different perspectives.

Helen Hall, president of the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board, said that society and education go hand in hand, and learning comes from society, which is also a great facilitator of education, and a critical and an integral part of education. It is important to teach students how to be global citizens and spread love and peace around the world, added Hall.

Sukhee Kang, former mayor of Irvine, shared how he overcame the challenges of being a first-generation immigrant from South Korea and became the mayor of a major U.S. city and successful businessman. He encouraged people to embrace and appreciate the differences among people and be world citizens.

Adolf Huang, President of Institute for Taiwanese Studies, urged countries that still have on-going human-rights abuses to stop the abuses and work on investigating past crimes and identifying those responsible for human-rights violations.

The event concluded with a presentation of a beautiful and uplifting song called "Love and Peace Song," encouraging people to practice love and peace and spread positive energy to the world.