 FOCUS ON THE BRAHMA KUMARIS AT THE UNITED NATIONS
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The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is a non-governmental organization (NGO)
in general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC),
in consultative status with The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and affiliated to the Department of Public Information
(DPI).
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to promote knowledge of its principles and activities, in accordance with its own aims and purposes and the nature and scope of its competence and activities.’ (Resolution 1996/31)
The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University was
granted consultative status on the roster of
the Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) since 1983.
In 1998 the Brahma Kumaris were granted
General Consltative Status by the Committee on NGO's
Non-governmental Organizations which have been granted consultative status
may sit as observers at public meetings of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies
and commissions, and submit written or make oral statements relevant to the
work of ECOSOC, its subsidiary bodies and commissions.
They can also propose the inclusion of an item in the agenda of ECOSOC.
The consultative status is granted by a decision of the Economic and Social
Council on the recommendation of its Committee on Non-governmental organizations,
an intergovernmental body composed of 19 member states of the United Nations.
re-dissemination of information to increase public understanding of the work and achievements of the United Nations and its bodies.’ (DPI/NGO Brochure) The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University has been affiliated to the Department of Public Information since 1980. The Department of Public Information and non-governmental organizations cooperate regularly by:
In addition to collaboration with DPI and ECOSOC at Headquarters, the NGO community is encouraged to maintain regular and close contact with the United Nations Information Centers (UNIC) worldwide for access to United Nations information and organizations of joint projects. In their various outreach programs and in the observation of the various UN International Years, Days, and Decades, UN Information Centers throughout the world have served as primary sources of information and links with UN Headquarters.
without discrimination with regard to race, creed, nationality, status or political belief." (The UNICEF Mandate). The aftermath of the Second World War was so devastating that a ‘state of emergency’ was declared. Responding to this emergency in which the needs of the children were foremost in mind, the UN General Assembly created the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund in 1946. Retaining the acronym of UNICEF, in 1953 the words "International" and "Emergency" were dropped and its name was shortened to United Nations Children’s Fund. And its mandate was broadened to deal not only with children who are victims of war but also children who are victims of poverty. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes an agency like UNICEF to protect the well-being and rights of children in our global neighborhood. In 1965 UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1987 the Brahma Kumaris (BKs) were granted consultative status with UNICEF. As a Non-governmental organization in 70 countries the BKs work closely with people at all sectors of society. They are therefore in a position to support, mobilize efforts by raising community awareness and encourage participation in development activities in relation to UNICEF programs. Implementation of programs is most affective when it is integrated into people’s lives and culture at a local level, thus giving them a sense of personal worth with which to build a community of dignity. This is the type of empowerment that the Brahma Kumaris are committed to and share with UNICEF in the following ways:
it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed." (From the preamble to UNESCO’s Constitution). The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was established on November 16, 1945 as a specialized agency. As is stated in the preamble of its Constitution, there is a strong focus on peace, that it must be founded ‘upon intellectual and moral solidarity’. Consequently UNESCO’s mission has been defined as ‘ethical, concerned with the human spirit’. Recognizing these approaches as vital to individual growth and human dignity, the Brahma Kumaris have been supporting UNESCO’s programs over the past 20 years. The specific areas of support have been in education, peace and non-violence and culture. Our links with UNESCO so far have been:
The BKs working relations with UNESCO provide a means of rebuilding community around human beings where there is trust, cooperation and harmony among people; where words are supported by the strength of authentic feelings that serve to build bridges and break down walls of separation.
human rights and fundamental freedoms and on others in the economic, social and cultural fields. … By 1948, NGOs holding consultative status decided to cooperate in order to improve the consultative process and to coordinate their activities in relation to the UN. They therefore established the ‘Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.’ (CONGO Brochure) The Brahma Kumaris is a member of the Conference on Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (CONGO). CONGO aims to ensure that NGOs in consultative status enjoy the fullest opportunities and appropriate facilities for performing their consultative functions; to provide a forum on the consultative process; and to convene meetings of member organizations for the exchange of view on matters of common interest. They also facilitate dialogues between NGO's and Delegates. The Brahma Kumaris are active members of the Values Caucus at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. They have been on the on the Values Caucus Coordinating Council since 1998 and are one of the Co-Chairs of the Council this year (2001). The Values Caucus took its inspiration from a "Seminar on Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of Social Progress". The Seminar was hosted by the Government of Slovania and financed by voluntary contributions from the Governments of Austria, France and Switzerland. It was held in October 1994 as part of the preparation for the Social Development Summit held in Denmark in March 1995. The Values Caucus played an active role in highlighting universal core values during the United Nations Social Development Summit, the Women's Conference in Beijing, and the Conference on Human Settlements -- Habitat II -- in Turkey. The Caucus continues to help raise the awareness and draw the attention of the international community to the importance of values. One of the ways this is done is through informal meetings with United Nations' Ambassadors every 2 weeks where they discuss values from a perspective of history, topical issues, moral and ethical concerns, and cultural context within their country and region. |
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©2004 BKWSU |
