Brahma Kumaris at United Nations

The Korea Institute of Brain Science and International Brain Education Association (KIBS) and The International Brain Education Association (IBREA/USA) had a Brain Education orientation session in the DESA NGO section of UN DC1-1480 Monday afternoon from 3:30 to 5:00pm 29 September to give an idea of how the brain works and how understanding and exercising the brain can help bring peace, health and happiness into one’s life.

Three people Katie Brisley-Logue, Assistant Coordinator of Brain Education in the New York region, Warrington Parker, Ph.D. (Organizational Psychology), and Passion Jun, M.D. presented different aspects of Brain Education using short films with testimonials, powerpoint presentations, questions and answers and shared practical techniques for awakening the brain.  One exercise was to lift the pinky on one hand while simultaneously lifting the thumb of the other hand and then to do the opposite in turn…this helps balance the left and right brain by making a link between the two coordinating this exercise.

The methodology of changing the brain is summarized in five steps which are Sensitizing, Versatilizing, Refreshing, Integrating and Mastering. Exercises are provided to enhance each of these based on Ilchee Lee, Founder of the Brain Education techniques, studies and application on all ages.

Throughout the session the presenters said that smiling was a very good exercise and so they reminded everyone to continue to smile.  Using Brain Education techniques they promote the idea of helping humanity understand how it is we should interact and focus on using the brain for changing the way we look at the world.  Thus promoting more beneficial ways of interaction and helping people to relax and cope with stress with some effective visualizations and healthy thoughts.

Kymberly Schneider

The Brahma Kumaris are members-at-large of the NGO Committee of Freedom of Religion or Belief at UN Headquarters in New York.  Here is a notice of their upcoming meetings for fall.

As you may know the Brahma Kumaris are Co-Chairs of the Values Caucus of the UN and this week, the Values Caucus is commemorating the International Day of Non-Violence by inviting Marianne H. Perez to come and speak to us on the Value of Non Violence.  She is an educator and Peace-Builder and organizes roundtables and writes position papers on the Effective Violence Prevention and Conflict Transformation Techniques.  For more information visit our website at www.valuescaucus.org

The United Nations building in New York City is undergoing a major five year renovation. The limitation of space necessitated the annual Department of Public Information, Non-Governmental Organization conference (DPI-NGO) to be held outside of the UN head quarters in New York for the first time in history.

The Government of France and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, (UNESCO) therefore welcomed the conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

This conference, entitled “Reaffirming Human Rights for All. The Universal Declaration at 60″, was a year in the planning with a steep learning curve of newness; a new facility, a new country and a new team of cosponsors. With all the variables the organizing committee and it’s subcommittees did a wonderful job.

The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University UN representatives from Geneva, Vienna, New York, London and Paris were able to attend this conference and help in the preparations for this conference.

The Opening ceremony featured numerous speakers including a video taped welcome by the Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon. Over 1200 NGO’s representatives were present.

The conference was arranged so that at lunch time, Midday Workshops were occurring. These are smaller elective presentations, 14 per day, for participants who wanted to learn more about a specific topic.

The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University sponsored a mid-day workshop on Wednesday, the first day ot the conference, entitled, ” Dignity and Justice for All; Upholding the Highest Aspirations of the People.’ The criteria suggested for these presentations was to have limited speeches, to include a youth presenter, presenters from a mix of geographical regions, and a chance for the participants to interact.The Mid-day session presented on Aspiration, Justice and Spiritual Rights as Human Rights. It was followed by a lively process of discussing What does the dignity of the person mean? and who or what creates this dignity?

That evening a reception was hosted for all conference participants by the Mayor of Paris, Mr. Bertrand Delanoe, at the resplendant dans les salons de ‘Hotel de Ville.

In addition, The Brahma Kumaris team hosted the early morning Values Caucus, one of several caucuses held, for participants to exchange views and connect on their areas of interest.

This year’s Conference had a more interactive dimension and what made it different was the new format; not only were there the customary round table discussions but for the first time these were followed by breakout sessions.  These sessions offered the opportunity for a more in-depth discussion and interactive dialogue giving an opportunity to engage participants in the sharing of experiences and best-practices on how to enhance their activities and efforts to protect and promote human rights.

The closing session on the Friday included:  A Report Back and Follow-up, Reflections and Observations, and two keynote remarks by Stéphane Hessel, Ambassador of France and Ingrid Betancourt, former Senator of Colombia.  The NGO closing remarks were given by Shamina de Gonzaga, who having officially closed the conference, invited all participants to take some time for silence to reflect on what mattered; on what we had heard, on what came from inside, and what we need to be and do in the world.

  From a dedicated team in Paris: Erik, Julia, Valeriane, Rikki and Reiner.

Rikki, Reiner and Julia

REPORT — Monday, September 1st, 2008, Geneva, Switzerland
This was a two day conference held inside the ‘Palais des Nations’  I could only attend the first day on Monday, September 1st.

It was sponsored jointly by the Permanent Missions of the Republic of Indonesia and the Republic of Philippines, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), The Geneva Interfaith and Intercultural Alliance and the committee on the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the ‘Universal Declaration of the Human Rights’.

The aim was to “bring together religious and other civil society leaders, diplomats, and United Nations representatives to address the contribution of faiths to peace and protection of the dignity of the human person and the role that a prominent interfaith advisory body within the UN could have.” The first day consisted “of a simulation of a hypothetical UN ‘Interfaith Council’.

The interesting part was that youth and students played the role of the delegates representing the various faiths. They worked on the document ‘Interfaith Declaration on Peace and Human Rights’. The recommendations will be sent to the Security and Human Rights Council and other UN bodies.

The aim of the second day was to invite eminent speakers to lead roundtables to discuss “in greater details and conclusions drawn in light of the recommendations of the day before”. Then it was planned to launch the “Geneva Interfaith Intercultural Alliance”.

Welcome Messages and Remarks and Opening statements

M. H. Handchin (Secr.Gen.UPF Europe) welcomed everyone and asked for a round of applause for the first day of Ramadan. (thanks were expressed by the Muslim representative. )

In the Opening message Amb. E. Wibisono (Philippines Mission) said for example:
“Religion and Politics are like 2 sides of the same coin.”
“We should be reminded that peace and tolerance are the basic values of  Religions.”
“Religions & Faiths can help bring peace within the UN.”
“The combination of Religions and Youth can bring a lot of hopes and that a lot of expectations are on youth & students.”

In his address Reverend W. McComish (Protestant - President, Geneva Spiritual Appeal) spoke with open heart of his personal experience and said for example:
“Religions are very important for the UN.”
“When you hear about Jews you should immediately have positive thoughts. And when you hear about Muslims you should immediately have positive thoughts. This is what should happen.”

M. H. Ouardiri (Muslim) said he was very happy and spoke with humility and simplicity. “to have a parliament for the religions at the UN is like a dream coming true.” Repeating some of the words of Rev. McComish : “We will have made a big step when the Muslim will be able to represent the Jew when he suffers and the Jew will represent the Muslim when suffering” (i.e. when the first cannot talk or represent his own religion, the other should stand up and represent him in his religion).

Then M. T. Walsh (Secr. Gen., Universal Peace Foundation) gave an example of the structure of a Religious Council during a slide show presentation.

First session: Religious Council Simulation.

Youth and student religious representatives from the Hindu, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Unificationist, Sikh, Buddhist and Islam traditions each made opening remarks.  The Buddhist religion was represented by BLIA Foundation (Buddha’s Light International Association) Their main representative, Dr Bongkot Sitthipol made a touching, if somewhat lengthy speech in praise of the Buddhist values.

Following are some of the other interventions I noted from some of the other representatives present.

Protestant:  “The shortest path between two hearts is passing by the stars”.
Hindu:  “There is One cast : Humanity and One Religion : Love.”
Judaism:  “There should be inner peace, peace between humans and peace with God.” That “Adam and Eve were a couple in equality”.

Session 2:  Draft Declaration & Improvements

After reading the declaration here are some the remarks from the assembly:

·    Addition of the traditional religions.
·    Clarification between Inter-religious and Interfaith should be made.

Session 3:  The United Nations, Peace, and Religions

By then the atmosphere in the room became enthusiastic and there was a feeling of unity. Having youth in a leadership positions, during this conference created a positive and open atmosphere which brought energy and mutual understanding to the group, which was refreshing in a UN context.

The Chair of the 3rd Session, Carolyn Handschin, (Women’s Federation World Peace Int.) said “We want to bring religions in the UN formally to help protect Human Rights and Peace.”
Then various leaders made statements:
-    Dr. Mohamed Mestiri, Director, International Islamic Thought Institute, Paris said: “How to add Spirituality into human rights.”; “We can establish an instance that unites human (UN) as well as unite the souls.”   For example: “If an Imam of Palestine condemns suicide attacks on Israel that would make a difference”
Ali Answa Ansari, Member of Parliament, India, Dr. Alpha Ayande, Director, Synergy for Development and International Partnership, Rabbi Joseph Abittan, Nice, and Toshiaki Otsuka, former Minister, Government of Japan also spoke.

Extract from the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) document which was handed out.
“Peace is an essential quality that should characterize all relationships.”
[…] “The recognition that human dignity derives from a universal divine source that is the basis of harmony and unification”.
“UPF is guided by a vision of humanity as one global family under God , living in accordance with universal principles.”

submitted by Lois, Geneva