The New Era of Peace for International Human Rights

The New Era of Peace for International Human Rights 2002 Workshop for Human Rights of World Citizens

Dr. Hong, President of the Association of World Citizens (AWC) Taiwan, officially announced Apri1 1, 2001, as "World Citizenship Day in Taiwan." On April 1, 2002, AWC Taiwan, the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL), and the Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy held a workshop, "The New Era of Peace for International Human Rights," for the one year anniversary of "World Citizenship Day in Taiwan." The resolutions from the group discussions follow. From these resolutions, the "Declaration of Human Rights for World Citizens" was formed. Hoping to start from every world citizen, it will guide us to a new era of world peace and human rights.

Resolutions:
I. The significance of human rights in a democratic society
1. Basic human rights should be built on true respect between people, and between countries, equally benefiting from each other.
2. Protecting human rights is the basis of a democratic society.
3. Human rights is based on love. Only if every world citizen can feel the importance of "Love of the World," can they understand and put into practice the deep significance of human rights. If people respect each other, this would be a good opportunity to advance it to respecting each other's countries.
4. Every public servant in a democratic society should protect human rights. In a democratic society, those enforcing the law should serve as a model for human rights, and educate people of the meaning of human rights.
5. Protecting human rights is not only through government officials making laws, but also through citizens who have the right and duty to obey and protect human rights.

II. Democratic Society and Freedom of Speech
1. Freedom of speech for every citizen is protected by the constitution. Freedom of speech should be protected, unless it infringes on other people's rights. Because of this, we should put the meaning of "moral" into practice for the foundation of freedom of speech, and the judicial system should both restrict and protect freedom of speech.
2. Various types of workshops can be used to express the correct, reasonable, and legal issues related to human rights, in hopes that government and society will realize the importance of citizens' rights as regards to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.
3. Both government officials and society should work together to observe the reform of "protection of human rights," "freedom of speech," "judicial reform," and "conforming to the principle of the code of criminal procedure," so that people's lives and freedom of speech can be protected.

III. How to cultivate self-discipline from peace education
1. Human rights need to start from education, so that people understand their responsibilities as a world citizen, the meaning of human rights, and its importance to everyone and the world.
2. Human rights education needs to come from within the family. It should also be considered as a course taught in school. We should also work hard to promote the idea of peaceful human rights through the Internet, such as through the website of the Association of World Citizens in Taiwan, the Federation of World Peace and Love, and many other international human rights organizations.
3. Aboriginal people should be knowledgeable of their culture and human rights. Other than traditional song and dance, aboriginal tribes should display their other characteristics as well.
4. Bringing in human rights of Western countries, furthering the study of rights of aborigines, attending international workshops on aboriginal people, making contact with aboriginal groups in other countries, collecting basic information on the rights of aborigines around the world, using systems to investigate the aboriginal people's knowledge and understanding of human rights, and holding workshops on the rights of aboriginal people, will arouse in people the concern and importance of the rights of aborigines. These could serve as a model for government and society.

IV. How to develop peaceful human rights through the strength of global organizations
1. We can bring together FOWPAL VIP members, who come from around the world, with AWC members from over 50 countries. Additionally, we can unite with other similar international organizations. Then, we can join or hold any workshop relating to human rights, or a summit meeting of human rights around the world, as well as attend exhibitions and have communication over the Internet.
2. At the UN NGO annual meetings, we suggest putting forward a report on the development of human rights, economy, society and the culture in Taiwan and abroad, and how improvements could be made. Progress could be made through the strength of the United Nations and NGOs around the world.
3. Through being in contact with international human rights organizations, we can observe and interview cases where violations of human rights have occurred, either in Taiwan or abroad. Whenever necessary, we can help victim(s) through working with influential international organizations.
4. Through the media, Internet and education, we can arouse in people the importance of human rights, and promote a culture of peace. Through this workshop, we could publish reports on our observations of Taiwan's protection of human rights, a culture of peace, economics and society. This will further bring about interaction between Taiwan and the rest of the world.
5. We could work with other private organizations to investigate legislative drafts and human rights regulations in Taiwan, and put forward improvements, corrections, and ideas on legislation and the constitution to the government, based on the constitution and the standard of international human rights.
6. We could work with UN NGOs and other international human rights and cultural organizations. Every year, reports could be published on human rights.

The origin of peace comes from harmony between man and nature; human rights come from respect among peoples. With "love" as the motivation, cultural exchange combines our "spiritual" strength, so to share freedom among world citizens, to protect human rights, and to reach the goal of world peace.