The Earth is One Country: Touring the United Nations

Today we went to New York City to tour the United Nations. I have been interested in the United Nations for quite some time, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Environment Programme . I was excited to see "where it all happens" and learn more about the process of international consultation. Our United Nations tour guide explained to us the various functions of the United Nations, including of course resolution of international disputes, but also the eight Millennium Development Goals encompassing ending poverty and hunger, universal education, gender equality, child health, maternal health, combatting HIV and AIDS, environmental sustainability, and global partnership.

We also toured the Baha'i International Community (BIC) offices. The BIC is a Non Governmental Organization with consultative status with the United Nations. The BIC has been working with the United Nations since 1947, and before that was involved with the League of Nations. Carolina Vásquez was kind enough to show us the offices and also to spend time discussing the role of the BIC at the United Nations. The BIC represents the Baha'i viewpoint on such diverse topics as human rights, the status of women, social and sustainable development, and environmental issues, and offers their perspective for consideration when trying to solve the problems of our day. They have had considerable input and publish a wide variety of statements which can be found here.

In addition to having input in policy statements, they also offer the experience of the Baha'i Community in various social and economic development projects throughout the world. For example, in rural Columbia a System for Tutorial Learning was developed to educate rural students and pay particular attention to their current needs. The BIC publishes a newsletter called One Country which contains many enlightening articles about various development projects throughout the world. In addition, the Baha'i International Community attempts to protect the rights of persecuted Baha'i communities.

United Nations Secretariat Building

International flags

"Non-Violence" or "The Knotted Gun" by Fredrik Reuterswärd. This was a gift from Luxembourg to the United Nations.

The Secretariat building has 39 floors.

Member countries' flags

The "Uniting Painting"

The United Nations Environment Programme sponsored a lovely photographic exhibit entitled "Shared Destiny: Wildlife from Africa to the Arctic, a Photographic Exhibition by Luo Hong and Nigel Barker". This is Luo Hong's beautiful photograph of Kilimanjaro.

Wildlife photograph by Luo Hong

Also by Luo Hong

Nigel Barker's photo of a seal

Stained glass by Marc Chagall outside the United Nations meditation room

The United Nations is the recipient of many gifts from around the world. Here is the Vesak World Peace Buddhist Stupa containing sacred relics of Lord Buddha, a gift from Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar.

Mosaic based on Normal Rockwell's painting "Golden Rule" gift of Nancy Reagan on behalf of the United States. It contains the inscription "Do unto Others as You Would Have Them Do unto You".

Remembering Chernobyl

Our guide, who was from Eritrea, explains Peacekeeping. Tour guides can wear a classic navy uniform, or their national dress. She also explained to us that by entering the United Nations, we were on international soil, since the UN does not belong to United States territory.

The United Nations General Assembly Hall.

A display of land mines was particularly heartbreaking. Our tour guide explained to us that sometimes land mines are made to look like toys to attract children. I cannot think of a better reason to work for world peace and international understanding than the protection of the most innocent.

Since we were in New York of course we did a little sight seeing! This is beautiful Saint Patrick's Cathedral. We also did some people watching on Fifth Avenue and Broadway and Times Square. We visited the Empire State Building. Lunch was one of the best Indian buffets I ever had, and dinner was in a charming little Thai restaurant. We had a wonderful day in New York City, learned a lot about the work of the United Nations and the Baha'i International Community, enjoyed the amazing sights and sounds of the city, and of course sampled the fabulous diversity of ethnic food available!

What Small Thing Can I Do Today To Change the World?

From the Kiva newsletter:

"This month Intel launched the Small Things Challenge, a partnership between Intel, Kiva and Save the Children.
You can participate by visiting the Small Things Challenge website today and clicking the "we'll donate 5 cents for you" button on the Web site. Intel will donate 5 cents for every person who clicks on the button - up to $75,000 per quarter this year to be split equally between Kiva and Save the Children. That's a lot of clicks so you can get started right away! "

Go ahead, click this link, Small Things Challenge, and click the button to donate 5 cents! Also, check out the above video and learn how small things can change the world.

Seizing the Opportunity: Redefining the Challenge of Climate Change

The United Nations Climate Change conference held in Poland concluded on December 12 with a commitment from participating governments to formulate a global and effective response to climate change. The Baha'i International Community issued a statement titled "Seizing the Opportunity: Redefining the Challenge of Climate Change". I have summarized the main points below, but I would encourage you to read the entire text of this powerful document.

According to the statement, the challenge of the destructive impact of global warming has also brought with it tremendous opportunity: "It is the opportunity to take the next step in the transition from a state-centered mode of interacting on the world stage to one rooted in the unity which connects us as the inhabitants of one biosphere, the citizens of one world and the members of one human civilization."

A need for new means to finding solutions is clear and calls for approaches based on justice and equity. Ethical questions include: Who is responsible for consequences of climate change? How do we determine target levels of greenhouse gas emissions? How can we maintain fairness in decision making? Our challenge is not only technical but moral, and we must transform our thoughts and behaviors to create economic and social structures which benefit all people.

The Baha'i International Community proposes that "the principle of the oneness of humankind must become the ruling principle of international life." This is more than a call for cooperation, it requires a remolding of unjust patterns of human interaction that "reflects the relationships that bind us as members of one human race."

In order to respond to climate change, profound changes are required from individuals, communities, and nations, along with progress in science, technology, economics, and policy. The statement then addresses some of the changes required.

On the individual level "a fundamental component of resolving the climate change challenge will be the cultivation of values, attitudes and skills that give rise to just and sustainable patterns of human interaction with the environment." It is critical to engage children and youth in this process, because during this time new ways of thinking and habits can be cultivated. In fact, principles and practices of sustainable development must be incorporated into all aspects of education and learning. More than just an abstract exercise, youth must be given concrete skills which will enable them to translate awareness into action. Public service should be an integral part of curricula, thereby encouraging students to "to initiate projects, to inspire action, to engage in collective decision-making and to cultivate their sense of dignity and self-worth." Individual progress must be linked with service to the community.

On the community level we must provide a setting which encourages peaceful decision making and channeling individual capabilities into action. The gender dimension of climate change cannot be ignored. Scarcity of resources usually impacts women more, but we must not forget that women are a source of untapped potential in meeting our challenges because of their role and responsibilities in families and communities and as stewards of natural resources. Our solutions must include and encourage the participation of women in all areas of human endeavor.

Religious communities also have an important role to play because of their capacity to mobilize public opinion and their reach to all corners of the globe. Indeed, faith communities are already lending their voice and efforts to mitigating the effects of climate change by educating their members, providing a scriptural basis for action, and leading and participating in environmental activities. We must encourage an increasing conversation between science and religion because both are needed to direct human energies to a solution. Science provides an objective and systematic approach to the problem, and religion can motivate action for the common good. We must examine religious doctrines: those which encourage social exclusion, passivity, and gender inequality will fail to inspire solutions, while qualities of "justice, compassion, trustworthiness, humility and generosity" will be urgently needed.

At the national and international level our perspective "must now evolve to reflect the essential connectedness and common fate of humanity that for too long has struggled against a worldview that emphasized sovereignty, ascendancy and competition". We need a shift in consciousness towards a realization of global solidarity inspiring the full cooperation of all nations, each according to their capacity. Developed nations need to commit to significant emission reductions and developing nations must transition to cleaner development pathways.

If we follow these suggestions, not only will we effectively respond to the climate change crisis, but we will usher in a new paradigm of an interconnected world and a true realization of our membership in one human race.

Loans That Change Lives: Kiva

The first of the Millennium Development Goals is to "eradicate extreme poverty and hunger".

The Baha'i International Community's statement "Eradicating Poverty: Moving Forward As One" proposes that the solution to poverty is not just the transfer of financial resources. A method of poverty alleviation is to assist individuals to reclaim dignity and self-worth and encourage these individuals to gain confidence to improve their condition and realize their potential.

One "Quick Win", or easily identifiable solution with a profound impact, is microlending. Microlending is loaning individuals or families money in order to help them achieve self-sufficiency. Often a small amount of money can help someone start or maintain a business or get some training. For example, a woman may need a sewing machine to start a small clothing shop, or a family may need to buy some pots and pans for a restaurant.

Kiva is "the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world." If you search the Kiva website, you will find descriptions of entrepreneurs and their specific needs. You can loan as little as $25 to one of these individuals or families and have the satisfaction of empowering someone to lift themselves out of poverty. The loans have a high rate of repayment, allowing you to lend to others if you so choose.

If you'd like, take a look at their website: Kiva . It is fascinating to read the stories of the entrepreneurs and gain a little insight into the lives and needs of people working to pull themselves out of poverty and contribute meaningfully to their community. You can also read about the lenders, ordinary people like you and me, and what helping someone has meant to them.

United Nations Millennium Development Goals: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Send a Net, Save A Life

When thinking about the Millennium Development Goals, it's easy for me to feel overwhelmed. Our global problems are so great, how can we ever make a difference? While doing some research on some of the United Nations' sites, I came across the concept of a Quick Win. A Quick Win is an action with a high potential of success that can be immediately implemented. I love the concept because it empowers individuals and helps us realize that we can make a difference in the world. With that in mind, I did a little research to find a Quick Win.

One of the Millennium Development goals is to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Malaria is a very serious problem, it is a leading killer of children in Africa, accounting for 20 percent of all childhood deaths. Every 30 seconds a child in Africa dies from malaria. A simple bed net can prevent malaria transmission by 50 percent by stopping mosquitoes from biting during the night, when they are most active, and by killing mosquitoes who land on it. Just $10 can buy and deliver a bed net and protect a family for four years.

It is easy to make an online donation of a malaria net on Nothing But Nets . The site has much more information about malaria, how it is prevented, where your donations are used, and how you can help. Within a couple of minutes, you can donate a net and save a family! Of course, if you are inspired to do more, you can donate more nets or form a group to protect a whole village. There are also several other organizations with similar campaigns.

The Millennium Development Goals are achievable, and individuals can make a difference. We can take small actions which have real, measurable results. One action here can help in a very real way a family in Africa and protect the lives of children and families.


Millennium Development Goals

United Nations Millennium Development Goals

The United Nations Millennium Development Goals were developed out of the United Nations Millennium Declaration , a resolution adopted by the General Assembly on September 18, 2000. The General Assembly came together on that date to "establish a just and lasting peace all over the world" and to "uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and equity at the global level". They discussed the fundamental values of freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature, and shared responsibility.
Out of that initiative, eight Millennium Development Goals were developed. The eight goals are the following:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

Here on "Let It Shine", I would like to periodically post on what we can do on an individual level to help support these goals. I think the goals are a wonderful unifying point for collective action to create a more peaceful and just world. Sometimes I will just write a sentence or two, or point to a website, and sometimes I will try to focus more deeply on a goal. I would also love to have guest bloggers on these goals.

For my first posting I would like to point my readers to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals website. There is a wealth of information on the goals, how you can help, and even a detailed study of the state of these goals in 2008. The goals are broken down into targets for action, with detailed ideas on the steps that need to be taken on every level. They are achievable and practical only if we work together as a world community. Working together, we can "make it happen"!