Brahma Kumaris at United Nations

“Lest We Not Forget: Breaking the Silence on the Transatlantic Slave Trade”. Producer Dr. Shelia Walker premiered the groundbreaking documentary film entitled “The Slave Route: A Global Vision”. The film was an event held to observe the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrminination (March 21) and the International Day of Rememberacne of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (March 25).Member nations recognized the everlasting effect of slavery in the modern world and acknowledged that slavery was at the heart of “profund social and economic inequality, hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice, which continue to affect people of African descent today.”

The briefing began with a video that highlighted some of the major issues of indigenous people around the globe. There are approximately 370 million indigenous people in over 70 countries in the world. Out of 6000 languages, approximately 4000 of those are spoken by indigenous people. However, indigenous people are among the most under-represented and unacknowledged people in the world. Despite the fact that they take care of their environment and contribute the least towards global warming, ironically they ate the people who are impacted by it the most. Together with this, they have been severely mistreated, exploited and denied many basic human rights and generally have very little access to lawyers, NGO and governmental protection.

In recent years the Permenent Forum for Indigenous People has been created to bring indigenous voices to the UN and other decision making arenas. The primary ways in which this forum facilitates that is through providing recommendations, raising awareness about indigenous issues and providing resources.An example of how climate change is affecting indigenous people is the gradual shrinkage of Lake Chad in Northern Africa, a fresh water lake shared by 4 neighbouring countries and crucial to the livelihood of the indigenous people. To build a canal that would link this lake to a larger water source would cost 6 million dollars, a relatively small amount in comparison to how much is being spent on war by the US, and yet there is no funding for this project which would mean the survival of thousands of people. After these videos we had the opportunity to listen to 3 guest speakers:

H.E. Mr Collin D. Beck, who spoke on the situtaion of indigenous people in the Solomon Islands.

Ms. Elsa Stamatopoulou, who spoke on the general situation of indigenous people around the world, and the efforts being made to bring their voices to the discussions of the UN. (Interesting fact: The price of food worldwide has risen by 40% in the last year).

Mr. Roberto Borrero, who spoke on the urgency of the time, not just for indigenous people, but for the whole world family. Mr Borrero said that it is not simply climate change we are talking about, but a climate crisis. He emphasized now as a time for renewal - of both resources and our own minds, a time to share knowledge and to take the tools we have and use them on the ground and in the field in a practical way. He concluded with an Inuit quote:

“We are seeing the ice melting here in the North, but we are still waiting for the ice to melt in the hearts of human beings.”

Perhaps that is the one true answer to all of the worlds problems!

Gaby, NY

The Human Dignity of Women in Contemporary Society: Financial Programs Supporting Equality, Empowerment and Families - Holy See Mission

A very mixed panel of speakers. I particularly enjoyed listening to Dorett Byrd from the Catholic Relief Services and Sis Maureen McGowan from the Good Shepherd Handcrafting Justice.

Ms. Byrd spoke about a micro-financing program organized by the CRS, and placed special emphasis on whole, full development, including values education. She also said that women have a much better record of loan repayment than men, and that the social cohesion in the community created by the solidarity groups really boosts their confidence.

Sis Maureen talked about the Handcrafting Justice project and shared several stories about the places they go, the people they meet and the circumstances they encounter. Handcrafting Justice aims to market crafts made by women in Africa, Asia and Latin America. She said that the most important part of Handcrafting Justice is the focus on the individual - behind every creative item is a face and a family, and by helping those women to earn an income you not only help them to feed and clothe themselves and their children, but you enable them to make dignified choices. She concluded by saying “Fair Trade makes a difference!”

One interesting question arose from the floor about problems of culture inhibiting progress and equality for women. She asked, “how much do you try to tackle culture . . . how much emphasis do you place on it?” There were various answers, and most admitted to not having the answer, but Sis. Maureen gave one approach I liked very much: “Capitalize on strengths and work with that, regardless of culture.” Well said!

Gaby, NY                                     

A special program was also held on Thursday March 6, 2008 sponsored by the United Nations University and the Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). The lively discussion was fast moving and insightful. Mr David Steele, a Reconciliation Facilitator (USIP) who has helped to bring different sides together in communities in Iraq and Bosnia, commented in his work he sees two types of ‘Calls’. The call to truth and the call to love.

When one sees the appropriate role of religion to generate and encourage peace or also the restraint of violence, one can understand the difference where the two paths can lead.

The path to truth is often a belief that is propagated and would necessarily conflict with others ‘truth’. Then that truth needs to be protected or defended, giving rise to fundamentalism and conflict.

The path to love on the other hand lead to caring, even to adversaries, with the option of dialogue and connection. Given that there seems to be agreement on the difference between ‘The Truth’ and ‘Our (partial) truth’, the only path for moving forward for people and religions is the call to love.

Love,
Erik - New York

In the large conference Room 2, the usually quiet space one half hour before the regular start time, the hall was full and abuzz with conversations in a multitude of languages. The feeling was of great anticipation, purpose and achievement. The usual meeting hall, routine, and attendees to the weekly Thursday DPI-NGO briefings, was different; special.

All of the speakers addressed the theme of Investing in Women and Girls. The presentations were wonderfully led off by the Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, who stated that investing in women is the right thing, the smart thing to do.

Mme. Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Minister of Public Service of South Africa identified how those investments in women and girls would pay off and that they could live in dignity and freedom from fear. But she added, Have we done that?

Wonderfully, two high profile members of the New York Wall Street investment community were invited and also able to add their comments to the morning program. Mr. Lloyd Blankfein, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. offered the connection between women and economic growth and that Goldman Sachs has created a partnership with Universities to help women build businesses entitled, “10,000 Women.”

The other presenters that morning from Wall Street was Ms. Muriel Siebert Founder and Chairwomen and CEO of Muriel Siebert & Co. Her personal stories and experience being the first woman to be admitted to the Stock Exchange in 1967.

She shared numerous thoughts including “to be a leader, help other women take those same steps behind you”. Her own way of living and acting was portrayed as she concluded with “we should give back when we have made it.” Ms. Siebert was giving a lot back to all the women who were there to hear her speak that morning.

A final note from Ms. Zara Khatib, Technology Manager for shell Exploration about the need to invest in women and girls is how much more men are needed in these evetns to “listen and understand”.

Erik, New York

Investing in Women and Girls - United Nations

During this session we had the priveledge to listen to the widsom and insights of Ms. Muriel Siebert, Founder and Chairwoman of Muriel Siebert & Co.,Inc. Ms. Siebert told many stories about her journey as a women making her way up in the Stock Exchange arena. One such story was about a time when she had requested a salary rise which would equal her income to that of the men in the company She was denied and so made the decision to change jobs. She said “you have to know which battles to fight, and when and where to fight them.” I really admired this demonstration of dignity and self-respect. . . not to settle for less than you know you deserve. She spoke about a program she was involved in doing Personal Finance Literacy training, and emphasized the need for women to “get out there and invest - first in themselves, then in their communities, and then in the world.” She also said that it is very important for those of us who do become women leaders to take responsibility to help other women to succeed.

Gaby, NY

Financing For Women’s Empowerment:  What Does This All Mean For African Women? - FEMNET

During this discussion particular focus was given to the Paris Declarartion on Aid Effectiveness, 2005, highlighting the 5 main principles discussed, namely: Ownership, Harmonization, Alignment, Results and Mutual Accountability. A brief description and critical examination of these principles was made, and emphasis placed on whether African women had full participation in and benefit from these principles and goals. Attention was drawn to the need for African Women’s NGO’s and other organizations to “harmonize voices”, “clarify and sharpen positions”, to remobilze feminst movements, as well as be determined to engage and participate in the review of the Paris Declaration taking place, September this year in Akra. A very informative, focused and well-organized event.

Gaby, NY                           

Innovative Approaches to Financing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Creative Partnerships with Diverse Organizations - UNIFEM and co-sponsored by World YWCA.

An interesting session looking at different ways of funding and I especially enjoyed the speaker Bonnie Fatio who wrote a book called “AgeEsteem”.  She emphasized the importance of working with individuals at a personal level and through the sharing of stories, which help women to feel good about themselves and thereby realize that they have something to contribute to the world, be it money, time or wisdom . . . it is all valuable.  She also commented that so many people feel that they are either “too young” or “too old” and so limit themselves as to what they can do and achieve.  It was encouraging to hear yet another women recognizing the value of this inner power and potential and also acknowledging the role of spirituality.

Sackcloth and Beads: The Story of a Kenyan Woman - Agnes Ndetei - The Values Caucus at the United Nations.

This would have to be the most powerful event I have attended at the CSW . . . powerful in the sense that the stories that Agnes shared about her struggles in Kenya with politics and violence, and the incredible courage of this woman, demonstrated the undeniable potential of African women to bring about peace on their continent. Through her words and her brilliant presence she is the absolute embodiment of that power. Agnes was involved in Kenyan parliament for many years, and acted as a loving and faithful representative for the Kenyan “bottom billions” as she calls them, working tirelessly to promote values and morals in the political world.  In 2002 she came to the US as a refugee, but as the tribal violence in Kenya escalated, she returned to her homeland and began to make a courageous stand against the soldiers who were fighting senselessly according the orders of their political/tribal parties. One day she and her friend, walked out of their home, in the midst of gunfire and fighting, wearing only a sackcloth, and began speaking to the soldiers personally, one by one, urging them not to continue with the senseless shooting because it was morally “wrong.”  Slowly but surely they actually managed to dissuade many of the soldiers from fighting. The sackcloth was worn as a symbol of repentance for the injustices of her country, and since then, she has continued to make garments of sackcloth, but with the addition of colorful beads, which are the symbol of hope for the country.  Agnes shared with us her vision of how her people should sit together in dialogue and “put matters right”.  She believes in the power of the women of Kenya, the mothers and grandmothers, to act as powerful agents for peace.

Having told her story Agnes then encouraged the participants to bring their voices into the room especially those who were present from Kenya . . . What wonderful and powerful voices they were.  I felt that the strength needed to make changes in that troubled country was in these womens voices and hearts, they have the courage and the strength needed to sustain this change and bring their country together under one tribe.

It was a most energizing and moving afternoon!          

Gaby, NY