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WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
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THE INNER STATE AND THE OUTER STATE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT BRAHMA KUMARIS
WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY
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| We came to Johannesburg from the UK, France, USA, The Netherlands, UAE, Switzerland, China, Malaysia and India with Dadi Janki, Co Administrative Head of the Brhama Kumaris, as the head of our delegation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). The South African Brahma Kumaris made tremendous efforts to obtain exhibition space in the main venues of the Global Forum and Ubuntu Village. They spent much time in the design and layout of the stands so they were simple but yet spiritually appealing. Under the theme of "The Inner State and Outer State of Sustainable Development", we extracted the essence of our message in the 3 key words of Choice, Care and Cooperation, putting Choice with Education, Care with Ubuntu and Cooperation with Renewable Energy. These themes were also the focus for our 3 workshops, each of which attracted over 100 people in attendance. The Silence Hut became a safe space for many to relax, recharge, heal and explore the deeper purpose of why they had come to the Summit. Dadi Janki, on arrival reinforced attention on our collective meditation every evening and this contributed greatly to our balance in self service and serving others. The Summit exposed dramatically the state of our environment and the warning bells were ringing out loud and clear but in many instances with very little impact. The leaders' words were very descriptive of the alarms sounding across all continents but their attitudes lack the trust, unity and will to do what they know they should. Mr. Jacques Chirac, President of France put it in an interesting way: "our house is burning down and we are looking in another direction. ... The worse crime of the 21st century will be humanity's crime against life itself. ... Can humanity become the enemy of life itself? This Summit is humanity's date with destiny." For the world this Summit may very well be remembered, by some, as 'the last chance' and by others as 'a missed opportunity.Howeve, for the Brahma Kumaris it was a moment of deep realization that we do need to rise to a higher and subtler level of service in order to impact and create a breakthrough in minds and hearts that are so stuck in selfish interests and short-term goals. The spiritual message sent from the founder of the Brahma Kumaris to the conference participants spoke to this point with great clarity.
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On the 27 afternoon, Brahma Kumaris (BKs) hosted a workshop on “Ubuntu and the Environment:
Developing with Care and Continuity”. (workshop 1)
Ubuntu is an ancient African code of ethics, which embraces hospitality, generosity, respect for elders,
youth and women and a sense of belonging to one human family, in harmony with all of creation.
‘I am because you are’ is an expression of appreciation of differences, and a feeling of responsibility
for the wellbeing of others, thus promoting co-operation and trust between individuals, cultures and nations.
There was a prominent panel of speakers, many of whom spoke from their personal experiences of Ubuntu. The panelists
included: Rev. Makomela Simon Mokoena, Chaplain for Southern Africa, Guild of St. Bernard Mizeki;
Irene van Lippe-Biesterfeld, Founder of the Lippe-Biesterfeld Foundation, The Netherlands, Lungile Dlamini, Student,
Waterford KaMhlaba, United College of Southern Africa. We also had ‘Youth Above the Line’ singing
“One Nation”.
Dadi Janki in her comments said: “We must not think too much or say too much … we must come together and act with
love and truth and then there can be magic. The whole world depends on the quality of the human intellect and on
the pure feelings of the human heart. God is my Mother and Father, and the earth is also my mother. The earth
has been providing for us for so long, now so we must ask ourselves -- what can I do to protect her? There are 3
virtues in a human being -- compassion, love and truth. The world needs compassion. If compassion goes truth and
love are lost and then there is no satisfaction until there is revenge. Let there be such a capacity for tolerance
that I don’t cause sorrow to anyone. Give help, cooperation, and support without counting how much I do. Give happiness
and receive happiness in return. Let me have such wisdom that I don’t accumulate all the things of the past.
We are all one. Every day of the year Dadi asks herself “Why am I here? Why am I alive?” God needs many hands
to do the task of bringing world benefit. He needs souls who have the power of renunciation, the power of love
and the power of forgiveness. If there were a 100 individuals like that what would the world be like?”
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"More silence in our world can only lead to decisions being applied fruitfully." |
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On 28, Dadi and a group of BKs toured the Global Forum. Their first stop was the “Silence Hut”. The Silence Hut was very popular with Summit participants and the volunteers who aided at the Summit. People expressed their gratitude for the peace they experienced on entering the silent space. The Hut was created with an African design on the outside and on the inside it was mostly white with a painting of the Supreme Soul as the central point of focus. A response sheet was created for individuals to record their comments on their experiences in silence. A couple of these comments are: "Silence allows me to think better, to make excellent decisions and to implement these decisions." "More silence in our world can only lead to decisions being applied fruitfully."
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Those who visited the stand were asked to give a personal commitment to make the world into a more sustainable place. These commitments were written out on a picture of an object of their choice and stuck onto the landscape. As the commitments were added to the landscape, it created a tapestry woven by the threads of a collection of personal choices. |
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After spending quite some time at the Hut, Dadi was taken around the Exhibition which included the stand of the Brahma Kumaris. At this stand the 3 values of Choice, Care and Cooperation were featured to highlight the inner state of sustainable development. Living Values was a main focus, as education is cited as a pivotal point of poverty eradication. The Ubuntuscope, a child of virtuescope,(a game to find out about your virtues) proved to be very dymamic as it drew individuals, groups and families to participate in the game. People expressed great appreciation that such a game was being exhibited at the Forum, and encouraged friends to visit the stand and have their ubuntuscope done. The Living Values posters also attracted much attention from other education-based organisations who showed much interest in the program and books. There was a beautiful painting of a landscape spread across 2 full panels of the stand with the value of cooperation highlighted, under which was an invitation which read: My commitment to a sustainable world is …. In this way, everyone who visited the stand was asked to give a personal commitment to make the world into a more sustainable place. These commitments were written out on a picture of an object of their choice and stuck onto the landscape. As the commitments were added to the landscape, it created a tapestry woven by the threads of a collection of personal choices.
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Renewable Energy System
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The Ubuntu Tree |
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Arriving at the Ubuntu Village, Dadi was greeted by a group of African dancers.
She visited the South African stand on arrival which was a huge display showing all the natural rich resources
and beautiful crafts created by the different Tribes. The Ubuntu Village featured the stands of the Governments,
Specialized Agencies, Corporations and some Major Groups. The BK’s stand focussed on the work done on Renewable
Energy in India through a photo exhibit. The display of solar powered cookers and ovens attracted many to the exhibition.
‘The Renewable Energy System, through all six of its modules in one complex of the Brahma Kumaris, can generate 3,500 kg.
of steam per day, which is used for cooking, water sterilization and preparing hot drinks. Although originally designed
to cater for 20,000 meals per day, during periods of peak solar radiation, the system's output has been sufficient to cook
a maximum of 38,500 meals per day. … As of mid-2002, the research program of the BKs Department of Renewable Energy extends
to the following technologies: photovoltaic power packs; Solar steam cooking systems; Water recycling technologies; Solar
hot water plants; and Passive solar architecture.’ A small booklet giving full details of Renewable Energy has been printed
and contains full details of the program.
To add spirituality to the renewable energy display individuals were asked to give their personal commitment to a sustainable world by writing on a colored paper leaf and placing it onto the Ubuntu tree. This beautiful tree attracted many to the exhibition and many photos were taken. This stand attracted a number of high profile individuals, including Ministers and Heads of State who were specifically drawn by the work done in the field of renewable energy.
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Renewable Energy for the Future: Cooperation and Harmony (workshop 2)
On August 29, the second workshop entitled 'Renewable Energy for the Future: Cooperation and
Harmony' was held. Golo Pilz, Advisor on Renewable Energy to the BKWSU), spoke extensively on how the BKs took the
lead in India in the research and development of community cooking systems and photovoltaic home power packs. Various
solar cookers, providing up to 40,000 meals per day, have been constructed and thoroughly tested. He described the
technology used and the results of the projects to date, and explored the links between technology, economics and human
values. He made the connection of the solar energy taking its power from the sun to the soul energy taking its power
from God.
Louis de Graaf, Advisor in Policy-making for the Environment, spoke of the programs he is involved with in the town of
Ouder-Amstel, near Amsterdam with 13.000 residents and 5.700 households; where he is responsible for environmental policies. He said: “We are free to choose what to think and do, but we are not free from the effects of what we have thought and done. In cities, when we are making policies for the environment, it is important to include the residents in making their own choices, and also to show them the effects of their choices. This process makes them understand better and become responsible. A policy-making approach that is based on the qualities of choice, care and co-operation is important. An example of this is: Prevent waste: "Buy and cook the food that you need"
In analysing the waste in the garbage bags, we found that about 17% of this waste consists of edible food. This is
unnecessary waste that can be prevented when the people buy and cook food in a more conscious way. For the whole
town of Ouder-Amstel it comes to 400 tons of food every year, that amounts to a value of 1.4 million euro. Also about
350.000 litres of petrol is wasted, the energy necessary to create this food. Last June a national campaign started
in our town to make the people more aware of their behaviour. They are encouraged to buy and cook less food and not
to throw it away. Also they are inspired to donate 50% of the money that they save from what would have otherwise been
wasted, to a fund: Food for Kids. This fund supports the outreach program of Global Hospital in Mount Abu, India in
which schoolchildren receive a daily meal to sustain their health".
Other panelists included: Jane Nelson, Director of Business Leadership and Strategy, Prince of Wales Business Leaders
Forum, UK; Dr. John Ndiritu, Senior Lecturer, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand,
South Africa, and Dadi Janki.
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From August 30 to September 1, BK representatives spent the weekend networking and participating
in workshops organized by others to which they were invited to speak, such as CONGO and The Religious and Spiritual Caucus.
On Sunday, there was a reception in Dadi Janki's honor for both participants from the Summit and other contacts of the BKs
from Johannesburg. The reception was hosted by Wendy Luhabe, First Lady of Gauteng Province. There were about 125 guests
in attendance and included Jay Naidoo, former Minister of Communications, South Africa and the Mayor of Seychelles.
Daniella, a young professional from Ecuador who brough 5 of her young friends with her on the invitation of Jane Nelson
posed the question to Dadi Janki: “Why is it that people are not listening to what we are saying?” Dadi answered:
“We need to be the message first and then people will listen to us.” It was an evening in which the participants
felt recharged and energized to face the days ahead of them, when the Heads of State and Government would be addressing
the general assembly of the Summit. For many of the participants at this point in the Summit, there was a sense of
hopelessness and disappointment as the commitments on the part of governments fell short of the of their expectations.
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On Monday morning, September 2, we had our third workshop on 'Spirituality and Values
Education for Sustainable Development'. The general discussion centered on the increasing recognition that
sustainable development requires a way of life in which universal values such as simplicity, respect, responsibility
and cooperation are expressed in action. Environmental problems of pollution and wastage of energy and resources
are often a reflection of negative attitudes such as greed, competition and ‘throw-away consumerism’. An education
that enables the individual to make choices based on values is central to the realization of the vision of a culture
where there is harmony and respect for each other and for the environment. The panelists were: Dr. Theodore Ferguson,
International Leadership Development Educator, SA; Thandi Chaane, Managing Director, Educational Tutor Services, SA;
Gugulethu Mahlangu, student, Kensington School, J'burg; Dipti Naran, Coordinator of Living Values in SA; and Dadi Janki.
Gugu, the 16 years old student said that teenagers face a dilemma in life in that they are pressured and influenced
by the external dynamics of the material world and this can lead to great confusion if they do not have strong internal
values from which to make a stand. Also to support this stand, they need to have adults as 'role models', especially
those who help form and shape these values in their lives, such as educators.
Dadi Janki was also invited to do the opening blessings at a workshop entitled ‘Voluntary Service Towards
Sustainability in the 21st Century’ hosted by Airline Ambassadors in collaboration with CONGO.
In the evening Dadi was invited to an interfaith program "A Celebration of Hope for WSSD and Beyond". This was held in
the Sacred Place in the Ubuntu Village. After a line-up of various representatives from the different faiths including
the indigenious cultures of Kenya, and North America, Dadi Janki was invited to light a main candle, from which a rosary
of candles was lit by everyone present. In the darkness of the evening surrounded by the flames of the candles Dadi Janki
shared on the concept of hope. This was followed by a meditation commentary by Sister Jayanti leading to an extremely
powerful and moving close to the celebration. As Dadi Janki exited the Ubuntu Village, a group of South African aides
circled around the golf-cart that was taking Dadi back to her car, dancing to and singing a traditional African song.
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Our main participation was at the Global Forum and Ubuntu Village. However, our input at the UN Conference was at a much
subtler level. As you may have been following through the various media sources in your countries, the Summit was a highly
publicized one. The week beginning on August 26, the Ministers of the various environmental and related areas were present
participating in open plenary sessions that were dealing with themes such as poverty eradication, health, sanitation,
partnership and climate change. The main part of this week was taken up with both open and closed sessions, in which
diplomats grapple with the wording in the political declaration and the action plan before the arrival of the Heads of
state and government. During this time, the BKs had their official written statement and the booklet on renewable energy
circulated and an opportunity to meet with some of the diplomats. After a lot of efforts on the part of many NGOs mention
of the Earth Charter was made in the political declaration.
On Monday, September 2, Heads of States arrived and the NGOs who were included in the category of Major Groups were given daily passes to gain access into the building and main room of the Summit proceedings. The BKs managed to get at least 2 passes per day and so had the opportunity to be in the same room as the world leaders. There were personal meetings with H.E. Mr. Gerhard Schroder, Chancellor of Germany, H.E. Vincente Fox, President of Mexico, H.E. Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Candada, and H.E. Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of Guyana. The media showed some interest in our message: The Inner and Outer State of Sustainable Development. There were a number of radio interviews, and a couple of cable TV interviews. One of the most ‘sticky’ issues at the government conference was on renewable energy, an area that is given much importance by the BKs. Renewable Energy will no doubt become an increasingly dominant source of energy in the years to come and we were very proud to be an organization who has done so much in research and use of renewable energy to date.
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©2004 BKWSU |
