BK at the UN - Habitat

| HUMAN SETTLEMENTS |

SECOND UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS - HABITAT II

ISTANBUL, TURKEY, 3 - 14, JUNE 1996

"Poised as we are at the threshold of the 21st century, fraught with uncertainty as well as daunting challenges, it is indeed befitting that we reaffirm our faith in the higher moral and spiritual values which guide human conduct -- those nobler ideals which provide both a guide and an anchor to our lives."
(Dr. Wally N'Dow, Secretary-General, Second UN Conference on Human Settlements, Habitat II.)

The focus at the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements, Habitat II was the future of the world's cities. Thus it was named "The City Summit".

Its goal:

To make the world’s cities, towns and villages healthy, safe, equitable and sustainable.

Why focus on Urbanization?

The experts predict that more than 50% of the world’s population will be living in urban areas by the turn of the century. The other half will increasingly rely on cities and towns for their economic survival.

The objectives:

To raise global and national awareness of the positive role of cities and towns as centers of:

Employment;
Investment and trade;
Production and consumption;
Culture and learning;
Market places and service centers for rural populations;
Centers of civic spirit and social harmony.

"A picture tells a thousand words and the Habitat Logo tells a story of the world, the home and people. It reminds us that Habitat II is not only concerned with cities and settlements; it is also about the rights that we have as human beings".
(Dadi Janki the Joint Administrative Head, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.
Ecerpted from the Oral Statement, BKWSU to Habitat II)

Society is a community of individuals and as its condition therefore depends on that of the individuals of which it is comprised there is something that all of us can do, something that all of us can change. Just as the Habitat II process has embraced local authorities, private sector players, community-based organizations and individuals in their own right, the need of the hour is for all people of this planet to rally under the flag of unity and take responsibility to help make the world a home of harmony, peace and fulfilment for all the human family.

The focus of the Brahma Kumaris was reflected in their theme "Spirit of Habitat": What is a city but its people?

With this in mind the Brahma Kumaris delegation participated fully in the NGO Forum as well as the concurrent UN Conference. At the forum we held 3 workshops

The Spirit of Habitat - Quality of Life; Values as the bridge to change and betterment
Environment and Values - Use of Non-Conventional (solar& Wind) Energy Systems.
Habitat and Values - Sustainable Development and value based education

and also participated in many of the Values Caucus workshops which were held daily.

We also had an exhibition stand where we presented our Best Practice submission The Accademy for a Better World" The Academy was inspired by a vision of a modern village-style complex in a rural setting and offered individuals of all walks of life and cultures, residential lifelong learning programmes centerd around human, moral and spiritual values and principles. With a holistic approach firmly in mind, programmes are organized on special areas of concern to maximi9se the potential of various professional disciplines. The result is a creative and enabling environment which allows for the individual development of personal skills, arts, and talents while also encouraging a deeper understanding of their place and purpose within the boarder context of life.

The Head of the Brahma Kumaris delegation, Dadi Janki participated in Wisdom Keepers II, which was an official concurrent event of Habitat II.