Showing posts with label United Nations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label United Nations. Show all posts
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Summer of Hell in Syria |
Read my post of Thursday, July 19 in the blog of CODEPINK: Women for Peace:
Summer of Hell in Syria | PINKtank
'via Blog this'
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Peace Day, 2011
Today is the International Day of Peace established by a United Nations resolution in 1981. Two pertinent resolutions declare that
it would be appropriate to devote a specific time to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as of the whole of mankind, to promoting the ideals of Peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to Peace in all viable waysand
(The International Day of Peace) offers a cessation of violence and conflict throughout the world, and the related importance of achieving the broadest possible awareness and observance of the International Day of Peace among the global community.The Day's website says:
Anyone, anywhere can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation. Or it can involve getting your co-workers, organization, community or government engaged in a large event. The impact if millions of people in all parts of the world, coming together for one day of peace, is immense.
International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire – personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.On Peace Day and every day, I Declare World Peace as you can, too. You can also join me in the peace prayer affirmation, May Peace Prevail On Earth! Additionally, please join the Global Truce for 2012.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Human Rights
I have now added a new page to The Peace Advocate: Human Rights. This page is a posting of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights as adopted by the United Nations.
December 10 is the day set aside for Human Rights Day, but every day should be and needs to be Human Rights Day.
I believe that each and every human life is sacred and each person should be entitled to all the rights and privileges thereof.
Times being what they are, I thought folks might need a reminder and a reference.
The page, Human Rights, may be accessed by the labeled page tab at the top of the blog or at the URL here.
December 10 is the day set aside for Human Rights Day, but every day should be and needs to be Human Rights Day.
I believe that each and every human life is sacred and each person should be entitled to all the rights and privileges thereof.
Times being what they are, I thought folks might need a reminder and a reference.
The page, Human Rights, may be accessed by the labeled page tab at the top of the blog or at the URL here.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Religions for Peace
I recently discovered an organization called, Religions for Peace. The organization was founded in 1970 and claims that it is the largest international coalition of representatives from the world’s great religions dedicated to promoting peace. The organization dedicates itself to stopping war, ending poverty and protecting the earth. Based in New York City, the organization has Dr. William F. Vendley as its Secretary General.
Religions for Peace is currently furthering a campaign for shared security called, Arms Down! The campaign has the three goals of 1) abolishing nuclear weapons, 2) stopping the proliferation and misuse of conventional weapons, and 3) redirecting 10% of military expenditure to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. At its campaign page, signers can petition to ask all governments to make an official pledge to cut their military budgets by 10% and to re-allocate those funds toward development.
Recently, Religions for Peace sent a letter to Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, on behalf of Middle East peace. The letter called for the inclusion of the Abrahamic faiths in the peace process:
We believe that seeds of genuine peace can be found within the elements of a vision of peace shared by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We further believe that these seeds need to be watered by principled multi-religious cooperation. We are convinced that such multi-religious cooperation is an irreplaceable dimension of the genuine search for a just and comprehensive peace, and therefore must be appropriately linked to the diplomatic peace process.
In response to the attacks on Christians gathered in church for prayer and those on Muslims on pilgrimage in the nation of Iraq, Religions for Peace expressed its deep sorrow about the violence against the religious communities. "We extend our sympathy to Christians and Muslims in Iraq who have suffered violent attacks, grieving with them for those who have died and suffering with them for those who have been wounded," they said.
Religions for Peace is currently furthering a campaign for shared security called, Arms Down! The campaign has the three goals of 1) abolishing nuclear weapons, 2) stopping the proliferation and misuse of conventional weapons, and 3) redirecting 10% of military expenditure to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. At its campaign page, signers can petition to ask all governments to make an official pledge to cut their military budgets by 10% and to re-allocate those funds toward development.
Recently, Religions for Peace sent a letter to Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, on behalf of Middle East peace. The letter called for the inclusion of the Abrahamic faiths in the peace process:
We believe that seeds of genuine peace can be found within the elements of a vision of peace shared by Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We further believe that these seeds need to be watered by principled multi-religious cooperation. We are convinced that such multi-religious cooperation is an irreplaceable dimension of the genuine search for a just and comprehensive peace, and therefore must be appropriately linked to the diplomatic peace process.
In response to the attacks on Christians gathered in church for prayer and those on Muslims on pilgrimage in the nation of Iraq, Religions for Peace expressed its deep sorrow about the violence against the religious communities. "We extend our sympathy to Christians and Muslims in Iraq who have suffered violent attacks, grieving with them for those who have died and suffering with them for those who have been wounded," they said.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Water!
Note: The Peace Advocate is participating in the Blog Action Day of October 15 that is focusing on the issue of water. This is being posted a bit early.
On July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing access to clean water and sanitation as a human right. According to the press release: The Assembly expressed deep concern that some 884 million people were without access to safe drinking water and more than 2.6 billion lacked access to basic sanitation. Bearing in mind the commitment to fully achieve the Millennium Development Goals, it expressed alarm that 1.5 million children under five years old died each year as a result of water- and sanitation-related diseases, acknowledging that safe, clean drinking water and sanitation were integral to the realization of all human rights. (For more on the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals and water go here.)
On October 1, 2010, the United Nations Human Rights Council confirmed that the right to water and sanitation is contained in international human rights treaties and is, therefore, legally binding.
In June, the Institute for War & Peace Reporting wrote about a water crisis in Iraq. It noted that a UNESCO report found that 100,000 Iraqis have fled their native communities since 2005 due to water shortages and it further noted that another United Nations report claimed the water levels in the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, Iraq’s primary sources of water, have fallen by more than two-thirds cautioning that they could completely dry up by 2040.
In July, the UK Guardian reported on a joint UK/US study echoing an Oxfam one showing that Kabul, Afghanistan and its surrounding area are facing a sever water crisis. The Oxfam policy officer, Ashley Jackson, said: ‘Thirty years of war has left sources of water co-opted, stolen and contaminated. ‘Oxfam research has found that water is now a major cause of local conflicts. Disputes over these scarce resources lead to violence and even, in some instances, fuel the greater conflict.’
Closer to home, central Kentucky, where I live, has been in pretty much of a drought since mid-summer and eastern Kentucky faces water problems due to its primary resource: coal.
The Environmental Protection Agency has said about the method of coal mining known as mountaintop removal including that often used in eastern Kentucky: Mining dries up an average of 100 wells a year and contaminates water in others. In many coalfield communities, the purity and availability of drinking water are keen concerns.
On October 6, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is blocking nearly a dozen water discharge permits sought by coal mines in Kentucky, saying they fail to protect eastern Kentucky waterways.”
On October 8, four groups ( Kentucky Riverkeeper, Appalachian Voices, the Waterkeeper Alliance and Kentuckians for the Commonwealth [KTFC] ) filed 60-day “notice of intent” letters alleging that three eastern Kentucky coal companies may have committed more than 20,000 Clean Water Act violations over the past few years. KFTC has a blog entry on this matter here as does Scott Edwards of the Waterkeeper Alliance have one on the Huffington Post.
Water is a precious and valuable resource. It is a gift of God and human life, as well as all life, is dependent on it. However, water can be at the root of conflicts and can escalate them. Military activities can worsen water as can industrial and mining activities. We often think of water scarcity and the unavailability of clean water as far away problems in undeveloped countries. However, as can be seen above there can be problems closer to home.
Please go to the widget in the sidebar of The Peace Advocate and sign Change.org's petition to Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in support of the UN's work to supply clean, safe drinkinng water especially to children. By 2015, the hope is to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.
On July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing access to clean water and sanitation as a human right. According to the press release: The Assembly expressed deep concern that some 884 million people were without access to safe drinking water and more than 2.6 billion lacked access to basic sanitation. Bearing in mind the commitment to fully achieve the Millennium Development Goals, it expressed alarm that 1.5 million children under five years old died each year as a result of water- and sanitation-related diseases, acknowledging that safe, clean drinking water and sanitation were integral to the realization of all human rights. (For more on the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals and water go here.)
On October 1, 2010, the United Nations Human Rights Council confirmed that the right to water and sanitation is contained in international human rights treaties and is, therefore, legally binding.
In June, the Institute for War & Peace Reporting wrote about a water crisis in Iraq. It noted that a UNESCO report found that 100,000 Iraqis have fled their native communities since 2005 due to water shortages and it further noted that another United Nations report claimed the water levels in the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, Iraq’s primary sources of water, have fallen by more than two-thirds cautioning that they could completely dry up by 2040.
In July, the UK Guardian reported on a joint UK/US study echoing an Oxfam one showing that Kabul, Afghanistan and its surrounding area are facing a sever water crisis. The Oxfam policy officer, Ashley Jackson, said: ‘Thirty years of war has left sources of water co-opted, stolen and contaminated. ‘Oxfam research has found that water is now a major cause of local conflicts. Disputes over these scarce resources lead to violence and even, in some instances, fuel the greater conflict.’
Closer to home, central Kentucky, where I live, has been in pretty much of a drought since mid-summer and eastern Kentucky faces water problems due to its primary resource: coal.
The Environmental Protection Agency has said about the method of coal mining known as mountaintop removal including that often used in eastern Kentucky: Mining dries up an average of 100 wells a year and contaminates water in others. In many coalfield communities, the purity and availability of drinking water are keen concerns.
On October 6, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is blocking nearly a dozen water discharge permits sought by coal mines in Kentucky, saying they fail to protect eastern Kentucky waterways.”
On October 8, four groups ( Kentucky Riverkeeper, Appalachian Voices, the Waterkeeper Alliance and Kentuckians for the Commonwealth [KTFC] ) filed 60-day “notice of intent” letters alleging that three eastern Kentucky coal companies may have committed more than 20,000 Clean Water Act violations over the past few years. KFTC has a blog entry on this matter here as does Scott Edwards of the Waterkeeper Alliance have one on the Huffington Post.
Water is a precious and valuable resource. It is a gift of God and human life, as well as all life, is dependent on it. However, water can be at the root of conflicts and can escalate them. Military activities can worsen water as can industrial and mining activities. We often think of water scarcity and the unavailability of clean water as far away problems in undeveloped countries. However, as can be seen above there can be problems closer to home.
Please go to the widget in the sidebar of The Peace Advocate and sign Change.org's petition to Ban Ki-Moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in support of the UN's work to supply clean, safe drinkinng water especially to children. By 2015, the hope is to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
International Day of Peace
Tuesday, September 21 marks the twenty-eighth observance of the United Nations International Day of Peace. Peace Day, as it is often called, is set aside by UN resolutions to focus on the cause and observance of peace.
In its establishing resolutions, the UN General Assembly declared, "it would be appropriate to devote a specific time to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as of the whole of mankind, to promoting the ideals of Peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to Peace in all viable ways."
In a follow-up resolution twenty years later, the General Assembly called for "a cessation of violence and conflict throughout the world, and the related importance of achieving the broadest possible awareness and observance of the International Day of Peace among the global community."
Here from the United Nations' website is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for this year's International Day of Peace:
Today we observe the annual International Day of Peace — a day dedicated to ceasefire and non-violence.
Peace is precious. It must be nurtured, maintained, defended. That is why, each year on the International Day of Peace, I ring the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters. And it is why — every day — I work for peace. I mediate between antagonists. I sound the alarm about threats — those we can see clearly, and others that lurk just over the horizon. I promote tolerance, justice and human rights, and I campaign for harmony among countries and peoples.
This year, Peace Day is dedicated to young people. This month marks the beginning of the International Year of Youth. Its theme of dialogue and mutual understanding captures the very essence of peace. Young people today are at home with global diversity, comfortable in an interconnected world. Yet they are also vulnerable to the forces of extremism. So I say to all Governments and our partners: let us do more for young people. Let us give them a world of peace and tolerance.
And I say to all young people, join us. Help us to work for peace. You are impatient. You see what we, your elders, allow to persist, year after year: poverty and hunger; injustice and impunity; environmental degradation.
With just five years remaining to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, I ask all, young and old, to help us to find global solutions to these global problems. Share your plans and ideas, act with creativity and passion. Help us fight for peace and prosperity for all.
For more information and events worldwide regarding the International Day of Peace, see its website here. Please take time to observe the Day in some appropriate way.
I truly believe that with the strife and unsettledness of our word that this is a very important day. I know that it is one of my favorite days on the calendar.
I end with a video from the World Peace Prayer Society
as I DECLARE WORLD PEACE!
In its establishing resolutions, the UN General Assembly declared, "it would be appropriate to devote a specific time to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as of the whole of mankind, to promoting the ideals of Peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to Peace in all viable ways."
In a follow-up resolution twenty years later, the General Assembly called for "a cessation of violence and conflict throughout the world, and the related importance of achieving the broadest possible awareness and observance of the International Day of Peace among the global community."
Here from the United Nations' website is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for this year's International Day of Peace:
Today we observe the annual International Day of Peace — a day dedicated to ceasefire and non-violence.
Peace is precious. It must be nurtured, maintained, defended. That is why, each year on the International Day of Peace, I ring the Peace Bell at United Nations Headquarters. And it is why — every day — I work for peace. I mediate between antagonists. I sound the alarm about threats — those we can see clearly, and others that lurk just over the horizon. I promote tolerance, justice and human rights, and I campaign for harmony among countries and peoples.
This year, Peace Day is dedicated to young people. This month marks the beginning of the International Year of Youth. Its theme of dialogue and mutual understanding captures the very essence of peace. Young people today are at home with global diversity, comfortable in an interconnected world. Yet they are also vulnerable to the forces of extremism. So I say to all Governments and our partners: let us do more for young people. Let us give them a world of peace and tolerance.
And I say to all young people, join us. Help us to work for peace. You are impatient. You see what we, your elders, allow to persist, year after year: poverty and hunger; injustice and impunity; environmental degradation.
With just five years remaining to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, I ask all, young and old, to help us to find global solutions to these global problems. Share your plans and ideas, act with creativity and passion. Help us fight for peace and prosperity for all.
For more information and events worldwide regarding the International Day of Peace, see its website here. Please take time to observe the Day in some appropriate way.
I truly believe that with the strife and unsettledness of our word that this is a very important day. I know that it is one of my favorite days on the calendar.
I end with a video from the World Peace Prayer Society
as I DECLARE WORLD PEACE!
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