Posted: May 27 2010,11:30 |
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Postal address of organization/institution
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Global Co-operation House, 65-69 Pound Lane, London, NW10 2HH, UK
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E-mail address of organization/institution
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london@bkwsu.com
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Website address of organization/institution
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www.bkwsu.org
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Telephone of organization/institution
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00 44 20 8727 3350
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PRIORITIES: All of the organization's domains of culture of peace activity |
EDUCATION FOR PEACE HUMAN RIGHTS WOMEN'S EQUALITY UNDERSTANDING, TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY
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TOP PRIORITY: The organization's most important culture of peace activity |
EDUCATION FOR PEACE
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PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS: What partnerships and networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the global movement for a culture of peace?
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Our major international partners and networks include: United Nations - BKWSU has general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), is in consultative status with The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and is affiliated to the Department of Public Information (DPI) The Visions of a Better World Foundation United Religions Initiative The UN University of Peace, Costa Rica The Culture of Peace Foundation The Council for the Parliament of the World’s Religions World Congress of Faiths Rights and Humanity The Global Peace Initiative of Women The Fetzer Institute The Elijah Interfaith Institute Commonwealth Youth Forum International Association of Sufism Images and Voices of Hope, a conversation
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ACTIONS: What activities have been undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence during the ten years of the Decade? If you already made a report in 2005, your information from 2005 will be included in the 2010 report.
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Celebration of the UN International Day of Peace by Brahma Kumaris Centres around the world
Special calendar printed in Sao Paulo, Brazil to mark the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World
Experiencing Inner Power and Protection - Events in capital cities in over 100 countries from 1st to 30th September, 2009 to help people access inner peace and protection. Please see: www.powerandprotection.org
just-a-minute project (international) - enouraging people to take one minute pauses for peace to encourage peace of mind, inner strenth and happiness. The launch at Wembley Arena. London, UK included a minute of silence for world peace, a worldwide link up with particpation by over 30 million people. www.just-a-minute.org
Media for Peace & Happiness (Thailand) - January 2008, 3 hours of TV programming to promote virtues for peace and happiness.
“From sound to Silence: for a culture of peace” September 2008 (Thailand). Special event for for artists and musicians
Values based life for peace and happiness, July-August, 2009 (Thailand). Sukhothai hamathirat Open University invited the Brahma Kumaris to arrange activities at the main campus in Nonthaburi and in Educational Development Centers in 11 provinces, counting down to International Day of Peace Peace.
Tu Corazon mi corazon project (Chilli) - project for women all over Chille to tell their stories of courage and compassionate values.
Parliament of the World's Religions (Australia)
The Future of Power Dialogue Series, (India)
Brahma Kumaris annual International Youth Forum (international)
Choose Change and Become - Programme of empowerment for young leaders (international)
Choose Change - Become young leaders
Touch the light - Values awareness in over 1,000 schools (India)
Spirituality and Men (SAM) (international) - to promote peace through exploring the spirit of man through informative dialogue, honest interaction and the silence of meditation.
The Four Faces of Women - spiritual empowerment for women (international)
Courses in Places of Detention (international)
"Inner Climate" panels and presentations during and following the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen December 2009 (international)
World youth Congress, Be the Change 2005 (Scotland)
World Youth Congress, 'Imece' 2010 (Turkey)
International Edinburgh Festival of Spirituality and Peace
Inner Voice of Peace - a dialogue for religious and spiritual leaders, Mt Abu, India, 2005 (international)
Inner voice of peace
Participation in the International Peace Festival, Attersee, Austria, September 2009
Peace painting - Mumbia, India
Burundi audience
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PROGRESS: Has your organization seen progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of action and in your constituency during the second half of the Decade? |
There is a greater awareness that the foundation for culture of peace lies in the practical application of spiritual and moral values in life and of the inner empowerment that is needed to sustain those values. Hence there has been greater participation in activities that enhance those values. Many new Brahma Kumaris Centres have opened all over the world, particularly on the continent of Africa where people have shown great interest. In India the Brahma Kumaris have adopted several villages to provide education in literacy and farming techniques together with values training to develop the community cohesion necessary to sustain these projects. There has also been an expansion in our work with young people both at the grass roots and with emerging leaders. We have also seen greater willingness among leaders to particpate in high level 'Thought Leaders Dialogues'.
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OBSTACLES: Has your organization faced any obstacles to implementing the culture of peace and nonviolence? If so, what were they?
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The increased fear in society due to the financial as well as environment crises has created a climate of insecurity and stress, making it less likely for some people to adopt positive values such as respect, tolerance and generosity in their way of working and living. Thus an atmosphere of suspicion leads people to resentment and prejudice not conducive to a culture of peace. Over consumption is driving people to live on credit which is a great source of anxiety.
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PLANS: What new engagements are planned by your organization in the short, medium and long term to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence?
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The BKWSU has been encouraging the values that sustain a culture of peace since its foundation. This will continue to be part of its ongoing plans and work all over the world, in communities, for individuals, at places of work, in schools, universities, hospitals and places of detention and with the deaf community.
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GLOBAL MOVEMENT: How do you think the culture of peace and nonviolence could be strengthened and supported at the world level??
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A Culture of Peace would greatly benefit by governments giving more importance to non-violent ways of resolving conflict and to values education to sustain a culture of peace. Encouraging the development and use of alternative sources of energy and encouraging people to live a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle such as vegetarian diet and less petrol consumption would also greatly enhance a culture of peace. Such lifetsyles require inner strength and the awareness that benefit for whole community will result in greater personal benefit and thus is a foundation for the culture of peace.
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