Former New York State Assemblywoman Ellen Young Plants Tree of Hope to Promote World Peace with Conscience

 [ Chou Shinling in New Taipei City ]

"Conscience is altruism and selflessness,” says Ellen Yang, holding the conscience gesture

Ms. Ellen Young, a former New York Assemblywoman who is now the Chairwoman & CEO for the United Nations Global Peace Development Foundation, was invited by Principal Zhong Xinchang of Yongji Elementary School in Yingge District of New Taipei City to participated in a series of activities for " International Month of Conscience" on April 28, 2023. The United Nations NGO Association of World Citizens and other civic groups are co-organizing this month-long series of activities beginning on April 1. Ellen Yang, who considers "love and peace" to be her life's work, planted a "tree of hope and peace" in the school, hoping that the future generation will flourish under the guidance of love and morality.

“The main reason for my visit today is to promote peace. I hope to have the opportunity to visit Yongji Elementary School every year to see if the tree of peace, love and hope, is growing in a healthy way," said Ellen Yang.  She stated that the United Nations Global Peace Development Foundation primarily promotes 17 sustainable development goals with "environmental conservation" being one of the most crucial. As a result of climate change, hot locations are becoming colder, cold places are becoming warmer, and glaciers are melting. "We must ask ourselves what kind of world we have left for our children. How can we keep them alive? How will they survive? "

Mr. Zhong Xinchang presents Ms. Ellen Yang with a certificate of appreciation and takes a group photo with international volunteers from all walks of life who promote love and peace.

Ellen Yang stated that planting trees is part of environmental conservation. We must not only plant trees, but also avoid illegal logging, which destroys the protective net that safeguards the earth. So this is "conscience" as well. Planting trees gives children the concept: "With my help, the world will become safer, better, and more conducive to our own growth."

Ms. Ellen Yang and Mr. Zhong Xinchang plant the "Tree of Hope" on the school ground with the hope that the future generation will be strengthened by the irrigation of love and conscience.

At the 66th UN DPI/NGO Conference in 2016, Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, the Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men and President of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) presented a paper on "Hope for Global Citizens: Conscience, Education and Culture". In 2017, during the 72nd United Nations General Assembly, Dr. Hong and the Kingdom of Bahrain co-organized the World Leader Summit of Love and Peace, calling for global action: Awakening Conscience for a Sustainable World. Since April 5, 2018, FOWPAL had worked with the Ambassadors of Bahrain and Kiribati on the resolution "Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience" at the United Nations in New York and Vienna. FOWPAL had visited 38 countries to promote the culture of peace with love and conscience for nearly a year and a half. On February 5, 2019, the Global Endorsement Campaign for the Declaration of International Day of Conscience was launched at the United Nations in New York. On July 25, 2019, during the 73rd United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution entitled "Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience" submitted by Bahrain, and declared April 5 as the International Day of Conscience.

Ellen Yang participates in the endorsement campaign of the Declaration of International Day of Conscience.

Ellen Yang stated, in response to the United Nations International Day of Conscience and this year's International Month of Conscience, "Conscience is altruism and selflessness.” Her conscience, she said, is "to be altruistic, not selfish, and that is conscience.” Concerning the key aspect of altruism, she stated that by saying and doing this, we are promoting the well-being of people rather than harming them, which is conscience. I believe the world will be filled with love and peace if everyone acts with consideration for others.

Ellen Young, who moved to New York at the age of 25, has been there for 46 years and has strong feelings in her heart. She claims that no matter where she goes, she finds that the hearts of overseas Chinese are always in their hometown, in the Republic of China. At the end of 2006, she became the first Asian woman elected to the New York State legislature and the first Asian female legislator on the East Coast of the United States, breaking a Chinese record. Despite having lived in New York for a long time, she has never stopped caring about her hometown.

She also encouraged the students to extend their perspectives via education and the desire of travel thousands of kilometers rather than reading thousands of books only. "Give them (children) a bright future and enable them to serve mankind, which is the basic of education,” she remarked.

Ellen Yang relied on the four virtues of her education in Taiwan to help her hone and find opportunities to be pushed and conquer all problems despite having merely a college degree. "I represent the foundational education of Taiwan! she added with pride, self-motivation, and self-remembering as a Taiwan-born legislator.

Ellen Young recalls inviting Aurelia Greene, the executive speaker of the House of Representatives, to visit Taiwan on behalf of the state legislature. It was the first time the Speaker of the House had ever visited Taiwan. "She (the Speaker) saw that Taiwan is such a tiny spot on the map, yet it has such a good education and such kind, passionate, hardworking people living in it.” She is extremely proud of that!

Ellen Yang meets with the international volunteers.

She has served as the Chairwoman & CEO for the United Nations Global Peace Development Foundation since January of last year, and she is currently the senior advisor to the first Korean-American member of the New York State Assembly. "There are no losers in peace and there are no winners in war." Alan Yang's primary goal now is to contribute to world peace.