NEWSLETTER NO. 102

January - December 2006

Dear friends and co-workers,

This year has been very rich in meetings, exchanges and talks with people from many different groups, organisations, fields of activity. Throughout the year, we worked together with people at the United Nations, in non-governmental organisations and associations working for the common good in many different fields: politics, economics, education, health, religion, meditation. Some had a spiritual background in one of the many existing traditions, others not. The challenge is always to present the eternal truths in a way that can be received and understood, whatever the religious or ideological framework in which people operate, and help them move forward into greater usefulness for the common good.

Another task is to observe what steps are being taken today within humanity in the various fields of activity, to establish the new world culture and civilisation based on right human relations and sharing. From what we have observed at the many meetings and conferences in which we participated, we can be confident that many people of goodwill are active today in the world, struggling to solve humanity’s problems. We seek to do our part by bringing these people together, helping them to learn about each other’s efforts, so that their overall effectiveness may be increased. From time to time, we have also the joy and possibility to help people discover new dimensions of thinking within themselves, leading to life more abundant and a greater contribution to the common good. Selfless giving is the key to happiness.

In particular, we have intensified our cooperation with non-governmental organisations working at the United Nations in Geneva in order to bring to the forefront issues that are of vital interest to humanity: human rights, especially human rights education, health, freedom of religion and belief. The Institute is now a member of CONGO (Conference of NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC) and participates in several CONGO Committees. We have also taken the opportunity to distribute IPS publications and information during UN conferences.

Throughout the year, we have been experimenting with the distribution of information by e-mail. Please excuse us if from time to time we have overloaded you with e-mails. In the beginning, it is exhilarating to be able to contact so many people with a few mouse clicks, and to share information, images and jokes so easily. We are now learning to target the e-mails we send better, taking into account your responses and requests.

We have also actively participated in the World Service Intergroup. Rudolf Schneider, IPS Secretary-General, is a member of the Steering Group of the WSI. He is in constant contact, by phone and e-mail, with his co-workers in the Steering Group, mainly to prepare for the annual international conclave, which in 2006 was a subjective meditation conclave with a few telephone conferences, and which in 2007 will be held in Geneva.

Urusvati knows that culture is the common heritage of all humanity. Despite differences in customs, creeds, and languages, every act of culture is the possession of all mankind. The unification of the world through culture is the first step toward the transformation of all life.

The objection may be raised that each nation has its own culture. You can answer that culture should not be confused with customs. The objectors will also insist that there are great differences in the written languages of the various countries. But in speaking of culture We have in mind not the alphabets or the style of expression but the intended meaning and ideas. Compare the finest creations of the various nations and you will see that the basic ideas are common to all. Thus, We can affirm that even in diversity there is a unifying international aspiration.

It is a joyous fact that the essence of human nature strives toward perfection. Man ignores this ever-present impulse, and will even rebel against this prompting of his higher nature, yet deep within the recesses of his Chalice the seed of culture radiates! Sooner or later this seed will sprout; this is why everyone carries within himself a sense of his humanity.

One then may wonder if the many who are filled with fury and hatred also bear within themselves a seed of culture. Yes, but it is deeply buried under their accumulation of crimes. They will find an Instructor in the Subtle World who will point out that such a debased state is inadmissible. Verily, people must understand that each day can be radiant with humaneness.

The Thinker was concerned that His disciples should understand that universal humaneness radiates even in the far-off world, and that everyone is a citizen of all the worlds. (Supermundane, The Inner Life, Book Two, paragraph 373)

GROUP MEDITATIONS

FULL MOON MEDITATIONS

Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius Full Moon meditations with the Arcane School in Geneva

Aries Full Moon meditation with the Centre for Visionary Leadership, San Rafael, USA

Aries Full Moon meditation (exact time) with the Steering Group of World Service Intergroup, San Rafael, USA

UNITED NATIONS STAFF PEACE MEDITATION GROUP

(Tuesdays at 13:00, Geneva time)

GROUP CONTACTS AND ACTIVITIES IN 2006

University of Geneva

16-17 January: International Symposium on Globalisation, Migrations and Human Rights, within the framwork of the multidisciplinary research project “Globalisation, Migrations and Human Rights”, financed by the Geneva International Academic Network (GIAN, Villa Rigot, avenue de la Paix 9, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland, tel. +41(0)22-733.2692, fax +41(0)22-734.8766, e-mail: info at ruig-gian.org, http://www.ruig-gian.org). The topics dealt with during the symposium were: general issues (migration and asylum) and research objectives; migration against the background of social sciences; the living conditions of migrants and the challenges for professionals; security issues and migrants’ fundamental rights; sustainable development, migrations and cultural diversity; synthesis and contributions to the development of a new paradigm for the migratory phenomenon.

World Spirit Forum, Rosengasse 7, 8001 Zürich, Tel. +41 (0) 848 835 973, Fax +41 (0) 848 329 973, info at worldspiritforum.org, www.worldspiritforum.org

22-25 January, Arosa, Switzerland: The keynote of the Third World Spirit Forum (WSF) was: “How can we enhance a critical mass awakening of spirituality in action, recognising that the quality of our consciousness really matters in the world?”. The WSF is an annual world congress where spiritually oriented leaders and participants from all fields of human activity meet in order to develop ways of enhancing world peace and harmony between humanity and nature and to inspire each other to promote spiritual consciousness in everyday life. The WSF offers a unique platform to develop visions and win-win solutions enhancing world peace. The WSF is also a place where the sacred wisdom of the world can come together and find a voice to spread out into the world.

Previous to the third WSF, the World Spirit Youth Council (WSYC) was founded in Arosa. The WSYC is a group of young people from all over the world dedicated to world peace. Through their personal example of dedicated service they inspire young people to spiritually align and create concrete spiritual action in order to shift ego-centered consciousness towards global consciousness. They promote simple tools for everyday life for children and youth to make this world a better place.

The World Spirit Council (WSC) is a support group to the WSF of eminent spiritual leaders and scientists. They see their purpose in honouring and pointing out that there is a great wisdom on planet Earth that should be used to create a world of true peace. They help the spiritual movement/revolution to emerge and to bring together groups and people who practise living spirituality in order to reinforce the efficiency and effectiveness of their service work. Several WSC members were present during the 3^rd WSF.

A declaration of the main purpose of the WSF was worked out and signed during the Forum by all participants. Van Jones, founder and National Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC), Oakland, CA, a brilliant speaker at the Forum who was embarking for the WEF World Economic Forum in Davos, stated: “The future depends on the deeds of the open-hearted. You must prove through your brave deeds that love is stronger than a bomb. It is not sufficient to have a great spirituality. Your spirituality is the basis of the service you render to the world.”

Wisdom at Work Association, Geneva, Switzerland (http://www.wisdomatwork.net, e-mail: info at wisdomatwork.net). Wisdom at Work seeks to re-awaken and sustain the vision that animates the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to develop that vision into a positive, progressive and transforming force, inspiring us to work with passion and effectiveness. It brings together, during “Sunday Brunches”, members of the international community for food, fellowship and informal exchanges around themes that touch their professional and personal lives. Topics and speakers are chosen that relate to the work of the United Nations and the universal values expressed at its founding.

29 January: “How universal are universal values?” Speaker: Edouard Dommen former UN staff member

30 April: Open discussion on “UN Reform: Whose Agenda?”

Forum Suisse de Politique Internationale (Swiss Forum for International Relations), P.O.Box 135 Champel, CH-1211 Geneva 12, Switzerland, tel. +41(2)22-311.24.24, fax +41(0)22-311.25.56, e-mail: fspi at gcsp.ch. The FSPI is a Geneva-based association which organises conferences on international relations issues, such as European integration, conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, US politics, the role of the UN and WTC, etc.

17 February: “The New Ambitions of the French-Speaking World”.  Speaker: His Excellency Abdou Diouf

1 November: General Assembly and ‘Hommage à Denis de Rougemont’ by Dusan Sidjanski, President of the European Cultural Centre, and visit to the exhibition on “Denis de Rougemont, the European” at the Martin Bodmer Foundation

Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Freie Energie, SAFE (Swiss Association for Free Energy), Secretariat: Werner Rusterholz, P.O.Box 2337, CH-8645 Jona, Switzerland, tel. +41(0)55-282.53.21, fax +41(0)55-282.53.23, e-mail: rusterholz at active.ch, http://www.safeswiss.org. SAFE is an association of like-minded people with the aim of researching and making known free or space energy. It organizes conferences and open discussions to further contacts and exchanges of experiences.

1 April, Lucern: General Assembly and lecture on “Mysterious Technologies in the Antiquity? Examples from the Ancient Indian Scriptures”. Speaker: Armin Risi

28 October, 29 November, Lucern: Series of conferences on “Paradigms and their Transformation as a function of Progress”, with Dr. Frank Stöcklin

Bruno Gröning Circle of Friends, http://www.bruno-groening.org

The Bruno Gröning  Circle of Friends is an informal gathering of people who have recognised the value of Bruno Gröning's teachings. These are  passed on in hundreds of groups which meet around the world. Instruction is given for the proper physical and mental attitude necessary for the absorption of Divine power. The ”healing stream”,  which is clearly perceptible in the body, gives help and healing, even in cases of  chronic, degenerative and serious organic illnesses.

7 April, Bern, Switzerland: Conference on “Spiritual Help and Healing according to the teachings of Bruno Gröning”

9 and 30 October: meetings of local Geneva group

12 December: Christmas celebration of the Swiss national group at Rapperswil

Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, Geneva branch, 12, rue J.-A. Gautier (5e étage, n° 503), CH-1201 Geneva, tel: +41(0)22-731.1235, fax : +41(0)22-731.1270, e-mail Geneva @ch.bkwsu.org, http://www.bkwsu.com (world) and http://www.bkwsuch.com (Switzerland)

20 March: talk on “Wisdom of the Heart” with Manda Patel, director of the Oxford Global Retreat Centre in England

9 May: projection of the film “Discover the spirit within: Essentials of Raja Yoga”, followed by open discussion

Russian Chapter of the Association for World Education (http://www.rawe.ru, co-ordinator: Lida Shkorkina, tel. +7(495)556.8615, email: rawe-lida at mail.ru)

March 2006, Moscow: Lida Shkorkina, coordinator of Russian AWE Chapter and IPS representative, participated in the International Civic Forum, a gathering of NGOs to prepare for the 2006 G8 Summit in St. Petersburg. She helped draft a paper on “Developing Democracy in Russia” for the group which dealt with education, one of the main topics of the G8 Summit in 2006.

3-4 March, Tuimazy, Bashkortostan: seminar on “Right relations is the basis of a sound society”, on how to establish right relations among teachers, pupils, and parents, taking into account psychological, physiological and methodological aspects

24-26 April, Moscow: Conference on “Current Problems, Resources and Means for Democratising the Management of the Educational Process: Theory and Practice”. About 100 people from different parts of Russia, Ukraine, Tazhikhistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Denmark participated in this conference on how to manage education in a more democratic manner, involving teachers, pupils and parents in the educational process. Various panels discussed the following topics: democratising the management of the municipal educational system; democracy as a way of life; the role of secondary school directors in the democratic process; the role of the school council; the school governing body; teachers’ bodies at school; students’ bodies at school; parents’ bodies at school. Lida Shkorkina was one of the leaders of the panel on democracy as a way of life.

Quaker United Nations Office, Quaker House, 13 avenue du Mervelet, CH-1209 Geneva, Switzerland, tel. +41(0)22-748.4800

10 May: Presentation and discussion on “Conscientious Objection to Military Service”. Speakers: Robert Husbands of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Derek Brett (Conscience and Peace Tax International), who presented his new publication “Military Recruitment and Conscientious Objection: A Thematic Global Survey”, and Rachel Brett, from the Quaker United Nations Office.

Initiative für eine Natürliche Wirtschaftsordnung Schweiz (Initiative for a Natural Economic Order Switzerland), P.O.Box, CH-5001 Aarau, tel. +41(0)62-822.8486, fax +41(0)62-823.6755, e-mail contact at inwo.ch, http://www.inwo.ch. It works for an economy at the service of the human community, recognising that the management of the natural resources, including land, air, water and the structure of the monetary system, constitutes the essential basis of our culture

13 May, Aarau: INWO General Assembly. Besides statutory matters, Ralf Becker presented experiments being carried out today with “Regiogeld” (regional currency) in Germany, and Remy Holenstein gave a lecture on economic issues entitled “Dynamic 5”.

L’Arzillier, Maison du Dialogue (ave. de Rumine 62, CH-1005 Lausanne, Switzerland, tel. +41-(0)21-311.1266, fax +41(0)21-311.1756, e-mail comite at arzillier.ch, http://www.arzillier.ch, in cooperation with Fondation éthique planétaire Weltethos (http://www.weltethos.org), Plate-forme interreligieuse Genève (http://www.interreligieux.ch) and Spiritualité dans la cité, a Protestant Church ministry in Vaud canton to promote exchanges and training on spirituality and interreligious cooperation

17 May, Lausanne: conference on “World Religions, World Peace, Planetary Ethics”. with Hans Küng, University of Tübingen, Germany; Daniel Brélaz Mayor of Lausanne; Adolf Ogi, former President of Switzerland and Special Advisor of the UN Secretary General on Sport for Peace and Development.

Institut Alcor (5 chemin pré de lug, CH-1258 Certoux, Switzerland, and BP 50182, F-63174 AUBIERES, http://www.institut-alcor.org.fr, email contact at institut-alcor.org). The two main aims of Alcor Institute are to bring people into contact with their spiritual being, and to contribute to an understanding of the etheric energy matrix underlying the physical world

24 June, Geneva: Annual conference and General Assembly, with talks and open discussion on the topic “Nutrition and Spirituality”, followed on 25 June by annual meeting of Sponsorship Committee in Lucinges, Haute-Savoie, France. Rudolf and Alice Schneider (IPS) are members of the Sponsorship Committee.

Group contacts in the Ukraine

On 27 May, we participated in the Sixth International Forum of Synthesis, organised by the Ankh-Foundation (e-mail: ankh at adam.kiev.ua) in Kiev, and from 29 May to 4 June, we participated in group meetings and in an excursion to holy sites near Zaporozhye and on the mountains in the Crimea.

Global Alliance for Direct Action against Rape in Conflict (DARC, Nichole McGarry, coordinator, e-mail AllianceDARC at gmail.com). The Alliance seeks to bring practical help to women suffering from or threatened by sexual violence in conflict situations, and thereby prevent such further violence.

9 June: informal discussion to found and launch the Alliance.

WeltbürgerInnen der Schweiz (World Citizens in Switzerland: Michael Ehinger, President, Elfenauweg 65, CH-3006 Bern; Susanna Peronino, Scretary, Glättemühleweg 25, CH-3613 Steffisburg 2, http://www.worldcitizens.ch, e-mail: citoyensdumonde at yahoof.fr,)

24 June, Bern: General Assembly

Krameterhof – Permaculture in Salzburg, Austria (A-5591 Ramingstein, Keusching 13,  Bezirk Tamsweg im Lungau Bundesland Salzburg, Austria, 43 - 6475 – 239, e-mail office at krameterhof.at, http://www.krameterhof.at)

5 August: one-day visit.  The owners of this alpine farm, Sepp Holzer and his wife Veronika, have been creating this special place of 45 ha. since 30 years as a wonderful example of co-operation between humans and nature. It includes mixed woods, terraces, raised beds and 72 ponds of various sizes. Since his very early childhood, Sepp Holzer observed natural interactions and life cycles, and learned to collaborate with nature, instead of trying to fight and control it. At alpine heights of up to 1.500 m he has been able to cultivate a large diversity of plants, including tropical ones, with an astonishing abundance of fruits, vegetables, aromatic and medical herbs, mushrooms, etc., as well as an abundant animal life. Always observing and experimenting, Sepp Holzer manages his small paradise on the principle of the wellbeing of plants, animals and humans, by always trying to place himself in their position. We have to re-learn to think naturally, he says, to rediscover the joy of experimentation. The human being is there to direct, not to dominate or fight nature. Food is our medicine, and must be grown naturally and prepared freshly. Agroindustrial production destroys nature and biodiversity, provoking catastrophes and more hunger and dependency in the world. Everybody should have a small space to grow some of his own food and our children should grow up being in constant touch with nature, to guarantee a healthy spiritual and physical life. He has also been invited to conduct several projects in different countries and continents with great success.

Youth for Human Rights International (P.O.Box 27306, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA, tel. +1(323)663.5799, fax +1(323)663.2013, e-mail: info at youthforhumanrights.org, http://www.youthforhumanrights.org) The purpose of YHRI is to teach youth around the globe about human rights so they become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace.

19 September, Geneva: presentation of the film “Youth for Human Rights, 30 rights, 30 ads”. Martin Weightman (e-mail: martinweightman at compuserve.com) has been so kind as to give us a few copies of this film, which we have distributed to IPS co-workers in Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil and Russia.

Association of World Citizens (http://www.worldcitizens.org) and Worldwide Organization of Women’s Studies (http://www.ww05.org/wows/)

26 September, Geneva: Interactive Round Table on Ethics and Human Genome

Interfaith International, Geneva Office (co-ordinator: Charles Graves, e-mail: charlesgraves at vtx.ch,

27 September: “Human Rights Defenders – Human Rights and the question of Western Sahara”

29 September: “Issues of ethic and religious autonomy in South Asia – a confederation of South Asian nations?”

6 December: Interreligious Dialogue

International Organization for the Development of Freedom of Education (OIDEL, 32, rue de l'Athénée, CH-1206 Geneva, Switzerland, tel. +41(0)22-789.2949, fax +41(0)22-789.2222 e-mail: dg at oidel.ch, http://www.oidel.ch)

28 September, Geneva: panel on the Implementation of Commission resolution 2005/20:Promotion of the enjoyment of the cultural rights of everyone and respect for different cultural identities

Fourth Gathering for Human Rights, on 9 October 2006, organized by the Council of State of the Geneva Canton, and dedicated to “Workers’ Rights”

“Another World is Possible” – talk on 30 October 2006 by Chico Whitaker from Brazil, co-founder of World Social Forum and winner of the 2006 Right Livelihood Award, and presentation of his latest book, “Changer le monde: (nouveau) mode d’emploi” (Changing the world: (new) instructions for use)

Fédération des Institutions Internationales semi-officielles et privées établies à Genève (FIIG) (Federation of International Institutions based in Geneva), P.O.Box 20, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland

9 November: General Assembly, followed by a presentation by M. Laurent Favre, UBS, on “The present situation and future perspectives of social insurance in Switzerland”

Mystery Park (Obere Bönigstrasse 100, CH-3800 Interlaken, Switzerland, tel. +41(0)33-827.5757, fax +41(0)33-827.5758, http://www.mysterypark.ch, e-mail: info at mysterypark.ch). Mystery Park is an attraction park created by author Erich von Däniken (“the Gods were Astronauts: Evidence of the True Identities of the Old Gods”, inter alia) to illustrate his theory that many of the world’s cultures, like the Indian, Maya and Celtic cultures, contain signs of advanced scientific achievements and of humanity’s contacts with extra-terrestrials from the most ancient times.

11-12 November, Interlaken: World Mystery Forum

Kent State University – Geneva Program

16 November: Lecture on “After Disengagement and the Lebanon War: Is the Middle East Closer or Further from Peace?” by Prof. David Newman

Women’s World Summit Foundation (11 avenue de la Paix, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland, tel. +41(0)22-738.6619, fax +41(0)22-738.8248, e-mail wdpca at wwsf.ch, http://www.woman.ch)

17 November: On the occasion of World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse, conference on “How to be a good parent in the age of modern media”, and award ceremony of the prize for prevention of child abuse

Lucis Trust Geneva (P.O. Box 31, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, tel: +41(0)22-734.1252, fax: +41(0)22-740.0911,  e-mail: geneva at lucistrust.org)

18 November: World Goodwill Forum on “The Creative Power of Disillusion”. Speakers, Dorothea Zimmer, psychologist; Paul Bequart, psychiatrist, author of “Science et Croyance: l’avenir d’une convergence”; and John Bunzl, founder and director of International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (P.O. Box 26547, London SE3 7YT, UK, fax: +44 (0)20-8460 2035, e-mail: info at simpol.org, http://www.simpol.org). The aim of Simultaneous Policy is to transform the international economy such that it operates in harmony with the global natural environment and with the needs of human nature. It is a way to commit our nations to implement global solutions simultaneously.

Ubuntu World Forum of Civil Society Networks (Federico Mayor, c/o Josep Xercavins i Valls, Technical University of Catalonia, Ed. Nexus II, c/ Jordi Girona, 29, 08034 Barcelona; Catalonia/Spain, e-mail: info at ubuntu.upc.edu, http://www.ubuntu.org)

20-21 November, Geneva: International Conference for the Reform of International Institutions – Dialogues Between Different Levels of Governance and Civil Society Actors, within the framework of the World Campaign for In-depth Reform of the System of International Institutions (http://www.reformcampaign.net). The conference aimed at contributing to the construction of an international social and political movement that is capable of being the stimulus for the process or processes of reform. It brought together representatives of governments, international governmental institutions and NGOs. We had the opportunity to distribute our publications and information papers during this conference, and to contact many world servers from different parts of the world.

Aide Fédération (29, rue Traversière, F-75012 Paris, France, tel. +33-1-40.19.91.51, fax +33-1-43.44.38.40, e-mail: geneve at aide-federation.org, http://www.aide-federation.org)

23-24 November, Geneva: Conference on Memory and Human Rights: Issues and Perspectives for the Peoples of Africa and the Americas

Human Rights Information and Documentation Systems, International (HURIDOCS Secretariat, 48, chemin du Grand-Montfleury, CH-1290 Versoix, Switzerland, tel.: +41(0)22-7555252, fax: +41(0)22-7555260, e-mail: info at huridocs.org, http://www.huridocs.org)

1 December, Geneva: Launching of the human rights search engine HuriSearch.org, with a demonstration by James Lawson, HURIDOCS Board member.

Webster University, Department of International Relations, Geneva

7 December: Roundtable discussion on “Society and Development in Iran”, with Jubin Goodarzi, Ewan Macleod and Roya Ghafele.

COOPERATION WITH NGO COMMITTEES

NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns Geneva (CSVGC-GE, c/o WWSF, 11 Avenue de la Paix, CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland, e-mail: secretariat at csvgc-geneva.org, www.csvgc-geneva.org). The Committee aims to bring the spiritual and values dimension in all areas of the United Nations agenda and of public policy.

9, 26 January, 14 December: planning meetings

8 February: General Assembly

14 February: Conference on “A New Science of Peace – Creating a Coherent International Consciousness. Effect of Group Meditation on Prevention of Crime, Violence and international Conflict”, with Dr. John Hagelin

23 May: Conference on “The Concept of Freedom for the Touareg People” by  Mohamed Ixa, and “Amam-Iman” (Water is Life) by Christel Pernet. Part of the 2006 Lecture Series on “Sustainable Livelihood – When all of Life is Sacred”, organised by Foundation for Gaia in cooperation with CSVGC

NGO Committee on Aging (Chair Dr Astrid Stuckelberger, International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAG) & Society for Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI), e-mail: astrid.stuckelberger at sgg-ssg.ch)

11 January, 28 August 2006 – planning meetings

Geneva NGO-Committee on the Status of Women (Contacts: Laurie Childers (English), e-mail: childers at peak.org or Sylvie Perret (French), e-mail: sylperret at freesurf.ch). The CSW actively works on issues including education, environment, economic development, health, nutrition, honor crimes, female genital mutilation, early marriage, trafficking of women and children, women in conflict areas, violence against women.

12 January, 7 July: meeting

17 March: Briefing on “International Advocacy on Women’s Rights”, organised in cooperation with the International Federation of University Women (10 rue du Lac, CH-1207 Geneva, tel. +41(0)22-731.2380, fax +41(0)22-738.0440, e-mail: conchita.poncini at bluewin.ch)

29 March: Forum on “Women for the World”, organised by CONGO Committee on the Status of Women. Speakers: Bhagwandin Dutima Human Rights specialist, Renate Bloem, CONGO President

7 July: panel on “Women in Power Climbing the Political Ladder”, organised in cooperation with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (http://www.wilpf.org)

12 September: meeting of the Working Group on Women’s employment and economic development

NGO Forum for Health (c/o International Aids Society, 33, chemin de l'Avanchet, CH-1216 Cointrin, Geneva, Switzerland, e-mail: info at ngo-forum-health.ch, http://www.ngo-forum-health.ch). Its mission is to make health for all a reality  by promoting equity and justice in health care, by mobilising resources, by advocating for the rights of all persons at all stages of their lives, and by creating an environment conductive to wholesome living. The forum places special emphasis on the rights and the improvement of health of the socially excluded and marginalized. It considers that the goal of health for all is a moral and ethical imperative and that the realisation of this health ideal will itself contribute to people’s feelings of well-being.

23 January: Lecture on “Trade and Health – NGO Reflections on WHO Resolution Proposal EB117/10”. Speakers: Mats Ahnlund, NGO Forum President; Davinia Ovett, Programme Officer 3D; and Mike Waghorne, Public Services International

15 March: Dr.Ravi Narayan presented the CUENCA DECLARATION and the work of the People’s Health Movement (c/o CHC, 359 Srinivasa Nilaya, Jakkasandra 1^st Main, 1^st Block, Koramangala, Bangalore, India, tel. +91-80-5128009, e-mail: secretariat at phmovement.org, http://www.phmovement.org)

30 March: Briefing on E-Health with Mr. S. Yunkap Kwankam, Coordinator for E-health at WHO; Ms Celia Boyer (Health on the Net) and Ms. Silvana di Gennara, President of “Informations Sans Frontières” and Head of CERN’s Multimedia Production unit

24 May: “The Importance of Human Resources in Health and the Role of NGOs”. Speakers: Craig McClure, International Aids Society; Susan Wilburn, Technical Officer WHO; Mit Philips, Médecins Sans Frontières; David McCoy, Global Health Watch

NGO-Committee on Freedom of Religion and Belief (Chairperson: Ms Diane Ala'I, Baha'i International Community, United Nations Office, Geneva, 15 rue des Morillons, Gd-Saconnex, CH-1218 Geneva, tel.: +41(0)22-798.5400, fax: +41(0)22-798.6577, e-mail: bic at geneva.bic.org)

25 January: meeting

27 April: Meeting with Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Ms. Asma Jahangir

8 June: Joint statement by NGO’s on the mandate and work of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief

CONGO (Conference of NGOs in Consultative Status with ECOSOC, P.O.Box 50, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, tel. +41(0)22-301.1000, fax +441(0)22-301.2000, e-mail: congo at ngocongo.org, http://www.ngocongo.org) facilitates the participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and decisions. CONGO is most active in the major UN centers of New York, Geneva, and Vienna, but extends its work to all regions of the world.

16 March 2006: meeting of NGOs in order to facilitate a coordinated approach to the Expanded Bureau of the Commission on Human Rights for the Transition from Human Rights Commission to Human Rights Council

23 March: Meeting organised by CONGO with OHCHR Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Mehr Khan Williams, on “Visions for the future direction of the OHCHR’s Plan of Action”

24 March: Strategy meeting following the ECOSOC Resolution establishing the Human Richts Council

28 March: Strategy meeting: Transitional Period to the Human Rights Council

29-30 June: Civil Society Forum to the ECOSOC High-Level Segment on “Creating an environment at the national and international levels conducive to generating full and productive employment and decent work for all, and its impact on sustainable development”. The participants in this Forum represented 450 NGOs. The work during these two days was very intense and rich in positive and constructive proposals. Recommendations were produced on decent work, economic growth and achieving policy coherence among international financial institutions, the WTO and the ILO; on migration, decent work and development; on quality public services; on social dialogue and alliance building; on labour standards and social protection; on implementing the Millennium Development Goals and generating employment; on equality of opportunity for women; on youth employment and the role of young people in creating decent work; on labour and child-related issues; on human rights and employment for vulnerable groups, such as indigenous peoples, people with disabilities and people living in post-crisis situations; on E-employment and the E-economy and other new forms of employment.

In particular, we would like to highlight two initiatives that were presented during this Forum. Both of them concern so-called “Global Marshall Plans”.  One of them was proposed by the Peter Hesse Foundation (http://www.solidarity.org, e-mail: p.hesse at solidarity.org) and aims at creating a new legal framework for a peaceful and just world order in our global village, a worldwise eco-social market system with open, free markets but binding, democratically agreed limits to freedom, respect of basic ILO and environmental standards, and international law and human rights, on the basis of a global “golden rule”. The other initiative is the self-financing World Marshall Plan, originally proposed by Pieter Kooistra, which advocates a supplementary income for each woman, man and child, to be spent exclusively on their wholesome development. Information on this proposal is available at the Foundation Income for All People, Wallbamdijk 8, NL-4064 CB Varik, The Netherlands, tel. +31(0)344-651953, e-mail: uno-inkomen at gmx.net, http://www.uno-inkomen.nl. Lisinka Ulatowska, IPS representative at the UN, presented this initiative at the Forum. She is also actively involved in the All-Win Network, based on the All Win Principle, which states that: 1. All is interconnected;  2. each knows best individually how to relate to this whole; 3. All are therefore encouraged to determine how to position themselves in their various relationships, providing they do not harm others in the process. This network includes both individuals and organizations. To subscribe to the All Win Principle and to join the network, contact info at allwinnetwork.org, or visit the website http://www.allwinnetwork.org. The IPS has already joined the network.

5 October: Debriefing for NGOs, on the occasion of the conclusion of the second session of the Human Rights Council

NGO Working Group on Human Rights Education and Learning (www.hrea.org)

28 March: presentation by Elena Ippoliti, of the OHCHR, of the World Programme for Human Rights Education, followed on an open discussion on how to coordinate NGO efforts in the field of human rights education. This meeting was organised by CONGO, which proposed the creation of an NGO committee on HREL, in view of the General Assembly resolution which indicated that the Human Rights Council will promote human rights education and learning, as well as advisory services, technical assistance and capacity-building, to be provided in consultation with and with the consent of Member States concerned (A/RES/60/251, para. 5).

14 June: Inauguration meeting of the NGO Working Group on Human Rights Education and Learning, and presentation of the written statement on Human Rights Education and Learning for the 1^st session of the new Human Rights Council starting its work on 19 June 2006

20 June, 6 July: meetings

13 September: Strategy meeting and brainstorming

25 September: workshop on “Mainstreaming HR Education and Learning”

6 October: Reflection and recapitulation on the HRC 2 and the Workshop of 25 September

16 November: meeting on “Mainstreaming HR Education and Learning, preparation for the HRC 3”

PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS OF

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS

Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Council

On 27 March the final session of the Human Rights Commission was held; the Commission was dissolved replaced by the Human Rights Council, following the General Assembly resolution 60/251. On 9 June, an informal meeting for NGOs was held with the designated president of the HR Council. On 19 June, the first session of the HR Council started.

19-30 June: first regular session

5-6 July: first special session on the occupied Palestinian territories

11 July: second special session: report of the Commission of Inquiry on Lebanon

18 September – 6 October and 27-29 November: second regular session

15 November: third special session on Israeli military incursions in Occupied Palestinian Territory

29 November – 8 December: third regular session

1 December: NGO orientation session, organised by the OHCHR NGO Liaison Office, in cooperation with CONGO and the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR). The ISHR provides daily updates during the sessions of the HR Council and other useful reports on the Council’s work. They can be downloaded from http://www.ishr.ch/hrm/council, or it is possible to subscribe to them by writing to: information at ishr-sidh.ch with “subscribe” in the subject line.

12-13 December: fourth special session on the human rights situation in Darfur

During all the sessions of the Human Rights Council, we have distributed IPS papers at the NGO desk, in particular the article on “The Seven Tasks”, and two flyers, one on “The Golden Rule” and the other on “The Right to Know the Truth”, as well as a paper on “Spiritual Laws and Principles” produced by the Meditation Mount, in Ojai, California (enclosed).

World Health Organisation (http://www.who.int)

7 April: Celebration of the World Health Day 2006 at Geneva University Hospital (HUG), with Dr. Catherine Le Galès-Camus, Assistant Director General of WHO, who presented the World Health Report 2006, Ms Susan Maybud, ILO; Dr. Jacqueline Weekers, International Council of Nurses; Mr André Laubscher, HUG Ethical recruitment issues; Prof. Alain Golay on “Community Health, educating patients and others”

10 October: talk on “Challenges of Ageing in a Foreign Land”, organised by WHO Geneva International Network on Ageing (http://www.who.int/ageing/gina/en/index.html) to commemorate the International Day of Older Persons

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOG-OHCHR, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland, e-mail: infodesk at ohchr.ch, http://www.ohchr.org)

16 May, Geneva: Celebration of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (May 21st), organised by OHCHR, in cooperation with NGO New Humanity: Human Dignity, Brother-and Sisterhood between Cultures. Speakers: Mr. Bennie Callebout, Belgium; Mr. Marco Aquini, Italy; Mr. Alfred Fernandes, OIDEL Geneva; Martin Nkafu, Pontifical Gregorian University Rome, Moderator Ms. Ingeborg Breines, UNESCO Geneva

3 October: in cooperation with the permanent missions of Germany and Spain, informal consultations on draft decision on human rights and access to water

3 October: in cooperation with the permanent mission of Poland, briefing on the UN conference on anti-corruption measures, good governance and human rights held on 8-9 November 2006 in Warsaw

The World Bank Group Office in Geneva (P.O.Box 66, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland)

22 May: Seminar and preview of the World Development Report 2007 on Youth, “Development and the Next Generation”, in cooperation with Youth Employment Network (YEN, http://www.ilo.org/yen). Speakers;Emmanuel Jimeraz (WB), Jenny Aris (YMCA), Diane Widdus (UNICEF), Azita Berar-Awad (ILO), Moderator: Jose Maria Salazar-Xirinchs (ILO)

United Nations Office in Geneva (http://www.unog.ch)

2 July: High-level Panel Consultation with Civil Society Organizations, on “Improving UN system-wide coherence: opportunities and challenges”, “sustainable development: mainstreaming, normative to operational linkages and institutional issues”, “human rights: coherence, mainstreaming and effectiveness”

29 November: celebration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

BOOKS FOR WORLD SERVERS

“The Philosopher’s Stone”, by Henry T. Laurency (The Henry T. Laurency Publishing Fofundation, c/o Lars Adelskogh, Lönnvägen 3A, S-54141 Skövde, Sweden, ISBN 91 8592 03 X), now translated into French under the title “La Pierre des Sages”, (Editions Opéra, 9 rue Hélène Boucher, Haute-Goulaine, F-44115, tel: +33(0)2 40 06 10 00, fax: +33(0)2 40 06 00 88, ISBN: 2-913343-64-3). A rational presentation of Pythagoras’ thinking. A quest for unity and freedom. A concrete, unshakeable mental system presenting, in a clear and precise language, the essential elements of the Ageless Wisdom.

ENCLOSURES

Calendar of World Celebrations 2007

Calendar of forthcoming group activities

“The Golden Rule” and “The Right to Know the Truth” flyers

Spiritual Laws and Principles

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