| Posted: April 28 2005,09:33 |
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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 first half of the Decade? |
Yes,
we have seen considerable progress. The NGO Committee on
Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns (CSVGC) is a relatively new
body in consultative relationship to the United Nations, having only
come into existence during the latter part of the first half of the
decade -- a little over a year ago. Yet much has been
accomplished by this dedicated impassioned group of spiritual activists
in that short amount of time. Nine (9) active Subcommittees and
Working groups have been created (Culture of Peace, Sacred
Transcendental Arts, Spiritual Council for Global Challenges, Spiritual
Dimensions of Science and Consciousness, Spiritual History of the
United Nations, Spirituality, Values and Business, Universal Ethics and
Global Concerns, World Integrative Medicine and Holistic Health and
Youth / Conscious Education), all of which relate in some way to
creating a culture of peace. Specifially, the "Culture of Peace"
Subcommittee was formed around six months ago. Its efforts have
been consciously focused exclusively on cultivating a culture of peace
with the following mission: "To assist the UN in fulfilling it's
mandate to "eliminate the scourge of war" by working in various ways to
cultivate a culture of peace and pursue alternatives to violence at all
levels of our existence (inner, inter-personal, national,
international). We support structures that will enable
nonviolence to become an organizing principle in society, where peace
is regarded as a basic human right." Tasks to accomplish this
mission have centered on promoting development and full manifestation
of the following "culture of peace" indicators: 1) this
important all-time first "Mid-Decade Culture of Peace Report" 2)
National & International Department / Ministries of Peace
3) the Season For Nonviolence 4) the
International Day of Peace (September 21) 5) a Culture of
Peace Resource Center or "Peace Room" at the United Nations 6)
the Earth Charter Movement.
All these "indicators" are
relatively new phenomena that have cropped up on the radar screen into
public awareness during the first half of the mid-decade. Each year
they become more defined, solidified, articulated and well-known as
more people, hungering for a better way, learn about them.
Members of the "Culture of Peace" Subcommittee have individually
been working on them in their respective domains for the last few
years. What's new and exciting is that these individuals have now
come together -- within the powerful environment of the United Nations
-- along with grassroots citizen groups and NGO's all over the world --
creating a group synergy and critical mass consciousness which is
spreading like wildfire. Never before in human history has this
ever happened!! It seems we are progressively evolving into an
ever more just, sustainable and peaceful world -- in spite of seemingly
contradictory conditions.
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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There
is a dis-connect between our desire for a culture of peace and the vast
UN bureacracy which prevents these ideas from penetrating through. As
Secretary General Kofi Annan has just recently identified in his "In
Larger Freedom" report, "there is a gaping hole in the UN institutional
machinery; no part of the system effectively addresses the challenge of
helping countries with the transition from war to lasting peace."
Ironically, there actually seems to be a mixed message ...
a fundamental resistance to the concept of a culture of peace
within the United Nations. The UN structure at times may be an obstacle
as there are some nation-states are economically invested in war for
their existence. The very nation-state structure of the UN would
have to somehow be more balanced for example the Secretary Council
should include all Member States instead of just a few. If the UN
seriously hopes to accomplish its mandate of eliminating the scourge of
war these types of internal structures within the UN would need to be
reformed.
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ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
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The NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values
and Global Concerns, New York
Programs and Activities
A Committee of the "Conference Of NGOs in consultative relationship with the United Nations" (CONGO)
Below is a listing of past events and programs:
The Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of the Millennium Development Goals
The
URI-UN, in partnership with The Values Caucus, The Spiritual Caucus and
The NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns,
presented a Round Table Discussion to Honor the 10th Anniversary of the
Values Caucus on "The Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of the
Millennium Development Goals" on Thursday, 12 February 2004 at the
United Nations headquarters in New York.
More than 60 members
of the UN non-governmental community attended, overflowing the small
conference room. URI-UN facilitator Deborah Moldow served as moderator,
opening the meeting with the Moment of Silence traditional to the
Values Caucus. There were congratulations on the 10th anniversary of
the Values Caucus, including a message from Ambassador Juan Somavía,
director-general of the ILO in Geneva. Monica Willard presented a
celebratory cake, to be shared after the meeting.
The first
speaker was Alfredo Sfeir-Younis, Senior Advisor in the Office of the
Managing Director of the World Bank. In this recently created post, Mr.
Sfeir-Younis advises on the Bank’s efforts to further the United
Nations Millennium Development Goals of poverty eradication and
sustainable development. Here is an excerpt from his inspiring
remarks:
For many people, the Millennium Development goals
represent a major landmark in public policy making. And, in many ways,
I share this view. It is not only great that we address the issues of
poverty, education, gender, children, environment, and health, but
fundamental to the future of humanity... One thing is certain: the MDGs
have brought together the will of many people and brought around the
same table many organizations that, in the past, were following their
own agendas. [...]
... these MDGs, as new expressions of human
betterment, will demand new and higher levels of human consciousness.
[...] It is essential that we focus on the role that individual and
social awareness/consciousness play in the attainment of the MDGs. It
is important to unleash our infinite human potential and put it at the
service of these MDGs and more! [...]
... there is another
way: to use the power of our wisdom and free will. And, through that
power generate the type of energy that is needed to mobilize each and
every citizen of the world. [...] It is the purity of our intent that
will carry all possible energies to the attainment of the MDGs.
Following
Alfredo’s stirring words were remarks by Carol Zinn, SSJ, who serves as
Alternative Representative of the URI to the United Nations, as well as
representing the Congregations of St. Joseph, an international network
of 13,600+ Catholic women religious serving in 51 countries in the
areas of poverty eradication, human rights, education, gender equality,
and sustainable development. She offered a deeply personal reflection:
The
following litany of consciousness-deepening questions helps me to dive
more critically into my own awareness and, hopefully, open myself to
the necessary transformation so that the MDGs become operative in my
own life. Once they are operative in my own life, then perhaps there is
a chance that they might be operative among the global family. I invite
you to hold this litany close to your mind and heart as you continue to
offer our world your energy, insight, concern and hope that someday the
MDGs will be achieved and the house on the hill will be rebuilt on the
ground of justice, equality, peace and compassion.
Has the
activity of my life this day been more inclusive than exclusive? Has it
been reconciling in places and moments that cried out for
reconciliation? Has it been reverent to all those I met throughout the
day? Has it been marked with a sense of the sacred--did I recognize the
sacred in all the events of this day? Has the activity of my life this
day been characterized by the presence of hope? By the expression of
joy? And has the activity of my life this day moved me closer to a
spirit of holy abandon? In other words, did I realize today that this
work I am doing is not my work--rather, it is work that is being asked
to be done through me, for the life of the world.
Responses to
this conversation were overwhelmingly enthusiastic and spilled over
into subsequent meetings among the NGO community. The URI-UN is
planning to continue this series of discussions on "The Ethical and
Spiritual Dimensions of the Millennium Development Goals," highlighting
the relationship of the MDGs to various UN agencies and conferences.
The next events in the series will be during the upcoming meetings for
the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March and the Commission
on Sustainable Development (CSD) in April.
The meeting closed with everyone saying together:
"May Peace Prevail on Earth."
Building a Culture of Peace and the Evolution of Consciousness at United Nations
June
2, 2004, Conference Room 8, 3 - 6pm. With Ambassador Anwarul K.
Chowdhury, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High
Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing
Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS) and others.
Sponsored with the Aquarian Age Community and Operation Peace through
Unity. The focus was on the role of the United Nations and Civil
Society in Promoting a Culture of Peace. It also asked the questions:
Is there a relationship between the Evolution of Consciousness and a
Culture of Peace?
A complete summary of the program with transcripts of keynote presentations is available by clicking here.
THE ETHICAL AND SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS OF THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS THE 57TH ANNUAL DPI/NGO CONFERENCE
Midday Workshop, 10 September 2004
Report by Deborah Moldow, Facilitator
The United Religions Initiative at the United Nation
The
theme of the 2004 DPI/NGO Conference at the United Nations headquarters
from 8-10 September was "The Millennium Development Goals: Civil
Society Takes Action." The conference, which boasted 1,800 participants
from at least 79 countries, was organized by a committee chaired by Sr.
Joan Kirby of the Temple of Understanding and member of the council of
the United Religions Initiative at the United Nations CC, known as
URI-UN.
This annual conference is traditionally enlivened by a
selection of midday workshops organized by NGO groups to allow more
active participation in a variety of topics related to the theme. On
Friday, Sept. 10th, the URI-UN and our friends on the newly-formed New
York NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns hosted
an interactive workshop entitled "The Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions
of the Millennium Development Goals."
The workshop was well
attended, with about 75 people filling the small conference room.
Deborah Moldow, facilitator of URI-UN, welcomed everyone and requested
a Moment of Silence, followed by an invocation prayer led by Audrey
Kitagawa, co-facilitator of URI-UN. Monica Willard, URI Representative
to the UN, then introduced the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Noel J. Brown,
president of Friends of the United Nations and former head of the UN
Environment Programme for the North American Region.
Dr. Brown
delivered a rousing and inspiring address. He characterized the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as "the moral expression of the
hopes of the leaders of the world at the dawn of the new millennium."
He spoke of the "singular erosion of the moral order" in a "climate of
terror and a culture of fear." He warned that "the war against terror
has eclipsed the war against poverty," and asked, "How do we build a
global political ethos?" He stated that, despite many setbacks, the UN
still has a moral capability that must be engaged.
Dr. Brown offered a number of practical suggestions for moving forward, including the following:
1. Propose a Millennium Development Day, to provide a focus of attention and measure progress across the globe;
2.
Produce textbooks and curricula to bring the MDGs into the
educational process. Create a children’s version of the MDGs and games
in which they can be achieved. An MDG scholarship was also suggested;
3.
Prepare a report on the Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions
of the Millennium Development Goals and submit it to the
Secretary-General. Organize NGO Millennium Development Partners to work
with the United Nations.
Dr. Brown’s remarks were warmly
received. After one or two questions, it was time to move on to the
interactive segment of the workshop. Participants were asked to move
into groups, each of which would focus on one of the MDGs. In a process
that drew inspiration from Appreciative Inquiry, each group responded
to these instructions:
Question for each group member: (10 minutes)
How do the ethical and spiritual dimensions of this MDG empower your NGO’s work? Introduce yourself and your work.
Group discussion: (10 minutes)
Which
are the key ethical and spiritual principles that underlie or support
this MDG? Principles from religion, ethics, morality, history, etc.
Group Statement: (10 minutes)
What statement would your group make to summarize the ethical and spiritual dimensions of this MDG? One sentence, please.
After
a half-hour of lively discussion, the groups reported back to the whole
gathering. Remarkably, the groups had managed, in the short time, to
come up with rather cohesive statements, as follows:
GOAL 1: ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY AND HUNGER- Barbara Valocore, facilitator
Poverty
and hunger diminish human dignity. We are one human race, so what
affects the poorest affects us all. Do something every day-take it
personally.
GOAL 2: ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION - Nickolai Parker, facilitator
It
is crucial for children especially to develop images of themselves that
inculcate values of friendliness, love, compassion, respect for
diversity, generosity, justice, fairness, peace, kindness and
acceptance in their lives. As part of this process, we suggest
incorporating these values into children’s games and play, and to
create children’s versions of the MDGs that include these ethical,
moral, and spiritual dimensions to imbue young people with the worth
and importance of the development goals.
GOAL 3: PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN - Monica Willard, facilitator
Our
goal is to create a Culture of Peace in which the equality of women and
men would redress the imbalance that arose historically with a Culture
of Violence that has included trafficking of women and other abuses.
The qualities of this Culture of Peace include unity, partnership,
balance, communication, compassion, and receptivity, qualities that are
valued by women as builders of society.
GOAL 4: REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY - Frances Edwards, facilitator
GOAL 5: IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH - John Clausen, facilitator (combined report)
We
value all life on earth and acknowledge that each human life has a
unique purpose. We honor women as the sacred chalice that gives birth
to the child. As such, her health and well-being are vital and she
should be surrounded by beauty.
GOAL 6: COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES -Martha Gallahue, facilitator
All
spheres of society are affected by the infectious diseases of HIV/AIDS,
TB, malaria and emerging & re-emerging diseases (i.e. sand flea
parasite and polio). Business and academia have a duty to engage
with the international community of government and NGOs in the study,
recommendation and deployment of solutions to MDG #6 (with cognizance
of the other MDGs). The bond of covenant transcends gender, religion
and geography. Infectious disease knows no boundaries, so it is
incumbent upon all members of humanity to create and implement
compassionate policy.
GOAL 7: ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY - Noel Brown, facilitator
It
is our sacred duty to revere and care for the world to preserve the
beauty and abundance of nature that is the birthright of all humanity.
GOAL 8: DEVELOP GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT - Diane Williams, facilitator
1. Do unto others as you wish done unto you;
2.
Develop a new spiritual consciousness on how to be a
responsible global citizen in the world today, and awaken a spiritual
®evolution driving global partnerships;
3. In an
interdependent world, global partnerships serve the material needs of
citizens in developing countries and provide an opportunity in the
richer countries to share resources to meet the needs of all the people
in the world.
We celebrated with an enthusiastic round of applause.
After
some encouraging remarks by Dr. Brown, Diane Williams, chair of the New
York NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns,
delivered a closing statement, reminding us that the very values that
underpinned the work of Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. are the same as those that move us to support the
Millennium Development Goals.
As we closed with a final Moment
of Silence in gratitude, a participant requested that we all join hands
- a sight not often seen in a United Nations conference room. Together,
we affirmed a sincere prayer: May Peace Prevail on Earth!
Annual Retreat of the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns
September 12, 2004 - summary available as a Word document at:
http://www.csvgc.org/CSVGC_Retreat_Sept_12_2004.doc
11 Days of Global Unity
(September 11 -21, 2004) with We the World
An
international celebration of festivals, live concerts, coordinated
civic actions, broadcasts, webcasts and public signings of the
Declaration of Interdependence. It helped raise awareness about
humanity's major challenges and accelerate action towards
sustainability and peace including spreading awareness about the
International Day of Peace on September 21 of each year.
The
NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns sponsored a
Meditation Room card with URI-UN, Earth Values Caucus, Spiritual
Caucus, and Values Caucus.
The Role of Religion in the Public Square at the UN
"Religious NGOs, Civil Society and UN Reform"
Discussion
on the Secretary-General’s Report on the recommendations by the Panel
of Eminent Persons on UN-Civil Society Relations (Cardoso Report)
Featuring:
Francis K. Butagira (invited)
Permanent Representative
Permanent Mission of Uganda to the UN
Martin Thuemmel
First Secretary
Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN
Adrian Hills
Senior Officer
Office of Deputy Secretary-General
October 22, 2004
1:15pm - 2:45pm
The Church Center for the United Nations, 12th Floor
777 United Nations Plaza at 44th & 1st Avenue
Sponsored by the Committee of Religious NGOs and
Co-sponsored
by Values Caucus, NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, NGO
Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns
SPIRAL DYNAMICS:
A New Model For Understanding the Values That Shape Our World
Bill
Harris is a noted expert on values and their effect on both individuals
and social groups. In this presentation, he will speak on the Spiral
Dynamics model of values (www.spiraldynamics.net), based on the
pioneering work of Clare Graves, and explain how this model provides
unique insights into present world conflicts and their solutions.
Mr.
Harris is President and Director of Centerpointe Research Institute. He
is a noted author, personal growth leader, business owner and a
frequent speaker at various scientific and transformational forums and
workshops. Thousands have participated in his Values Clarification
Process with astounding results. To date, over 160,000 people in 172
countries have participated in various Centerpointe programs
(www.centerpointe.com).
PART I: SPIRAL DYNAMICS: A New Model For Understanding The Values That Shape Our World
1:15-2:45 p.m. The United Nations Headquarters, New York
CONFERENCE ROOM TBA (UN Security Pass Required)
As
we begin this new century, the world is at a unique crossroads. A
complex matrix of political, religious, racial, economic, gender and
environmental points of view are on a collision course. Demonstrating
that these conflicts actually result from giant tectonic shifts between
societal groups holding entirely different values perspectives, Spiral
Dynamics provides a unique solution-oriented explanation of current
world dynamics.
Understanding the various values levels
operating in the world today - including what is important to each and
what needs to happen for each to evolve to the next level - gives a new
clarity about world problems and their potential solutions, as well as
the potential dangers if these conflicts are not resolved.
Part II: THE VALUES CLARIFIER: An Experiential Workshop
3:00-4:30 p.m. Church Center for the United Nations, 777 UN Plaza, with refreshments served
"Values
are filters (often unconscious) that determine what we focus on and how
we spend our time. Clearing up problems in our values structure will
create dramatic positive changes in our ability to create what we want
in our lives."
After a short recap of the Spiral Dynamics model
and how it provides an elegant explanation of current global dynamics,
Mr. Harris will describe and demonstrate his Values Clarification
Process (used by over 100,000 people around the world) to help people
become more aware of what unconsciously motivates them to act and how,
by becoming more conscious of this process, we can more effectively
create our internal and external reality.
November 4, 2004
Sponsored
by the Values Caucus Co-Sponsored by: The Earth Values Caucus and The
CONGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns
(And prior to the formal formation of this Committee in New York, this program was held in 2003.)
The New York launch of the
Spiritual Dimensions in Global Public Policy
series
The Spirit of Human Security: New Paradigms for Perennial Challenges
8 September 2003
At the Church Center for the United Nations
777 United Nations Plaza, New York City
How
do we transform age-old challenges with new thinking and strategies to
build secure societies? There is a growing awareness that a paradigm
shift will be required which recognizes the essential role of
spirituality, values and silence in addressing pressing global
concerns. Peace, respect, security and dignity depend on both inner and
outer changes. This program will explore ways the soul of humanity can
be more purposively engaged in addressing global concerns by tapping
into the infinite wisdom and capabilities of humanity to transform
consciousness and conditions for the benefit of all.
Audrey
Kitagawa - Advisor to the Office of the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict at the United Nations.
U.S.
Congressman Dennis Kucinich - Chair of the Progressive Caucus of the
U.S. Congress, Initiator of the Department of Peace legislation.
BK
Mohini Panjabi - Main Representative to the United Nations &
Regional Coordinator for North America, Latin America and the
Caribbean, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.
The program was also mentioned by MSNBC at:
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3070889
The
program was sponsored by the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and
Global Concerns (Geneva) prior to the formal formation of the New York
NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns in early
2004 and co-sponsored by the the Values Caucus at the United Nations
and the Spiritual Caucus at the United Nations.
www.csvgc.org
*
A Special Workshop Featuring Dr. Masaru Emoto, Research Scientist and
Author, the Hidden Messages of Water and Anwarul Chowdury, UN
Under-Secretary-General and High Representative on HOW CAN THE
SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS OF SCIENCE AND CONSCIOUSNESS HELP THE UNITED
NATIONS AND HUMANITY ACHIEVE BETTER STANDARDS OF LIFE IN LARGER
FREEDOM? will be held on May 26th, 2005
(photos emailed separately)
MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
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ADVICE: What advice would you like to
give to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to promote a
culture of peace and nonviolence during the second half of the Decade? |
We
would advise the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to create a
special post or position -- such as a High Commissioner for a Culture
of Peace [or some such title]. The work of this person would be
to encourage and inspire research projects, outreach and meetings to
explore definitions for a Culture of Peace and methods in which such a
Culture could be brought about--with the UN diplomatic and staff
community, with the academic community,with civil society and with the
public in general. Such a position is consistent with the ideas
contained in Secretary General Kofi Annan's recent report, "In Larger
Freedom."
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PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
Members
of CSCGC participate in many of the existing subcommittees within this
organization, as well as outside UN & peace organizations. In
this work we have had the support and encouragement of many within the
UN system ... most notably, Ambassador Chowdhury, whose commitment to a
culture of peace is inspiring & exemplary. We have also closely
partnered with our fellow UN NGO colleagues United Religions Initiative
UN, the Values Caucus, the Spiritual Caucus, the Earth Values Caucus
and many others.
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PLANS: What new engagements are
planned by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence in the second half of the Decade (2005-2010)? |
We
would like to support the recommendations in the Secretary General
report In Larger Freedom regarding peacebuilding and conflict prevent
... as well as promote the idea of a Peacebuilding Commission and
Peacebuilding Support Office.
The Culture of Peace
Subcommittee of the CSVGC is hoping soon to bring Congressman Dennis
Kucinich -- who wrote the Department of Peace Legislation -- to meet
with interested Ambassadors about how this visionary legislation could
form the basis for international Peace Ministries. We will also work to
encourage a reporting of cease fires on the International Day of Peace
each year and to encourage the Secretary General to promote this shared
date by encouraging people to create and plan for cease-fires as well
as actively support peace education as stated in the resolution. Also
one way to have the UN take a giant step would be to invite all the
Nobel Peace Prize winners, including the Dalai Lama and ask nations to
hold a cease fire.
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Postal address of organization
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E-mail address of organization
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Website address of organization
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WWW.CSVGC.ORG
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Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Education for a culture of peace
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Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
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International peace and security
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Highest priority country of action (or international)
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International
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Second priority country of action (or international)
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