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CONFERENCE AGAINST RACISM, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED INTOLERANCE Durban, South Africa Aug/Sept 2001 |
United Nations Artwork
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"As we see all around us, racism and racial discrimination
continue unabated. Although we refer to our world as a global village, it is a world sadly lacking
in the sense of closeness towards neighbour and community which the word village implies. In each
region, and within all countries, there are problems stemming from either a lack of respect for,
or lack of acceptance of, the inherent dignity and equality of all human beings. Our world is
witness to serious ethnic conflicts; to discrimination against minorities, indigenous peoples
and migrants workers; the accusation of institutionalized racism in police forces; harsh
immigration and asylum policies; hate sites on the Internet and youth groups promoting
intolerance and xenophobia."
[Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 24 March 1999]
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HEALING HUMANITY'S SOUL
In the view of the pain and anger generally invoked by any
discussion on racism, the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) decided that an
appropriate theme to develop at the world conference would be that of “healing”. This is
captured in an excerpt from the BKWSU position paper to the conference entitled
Healing Humanity’s Soul: “…the roots of racism are to be found in the thoughts and attitudes
that all of us have acquired over many generations. Bringing about the required reformation
of attitudes and ways of life requires a process of healing, accompanied by the re-discovery
of the true self and re-identification with the unity of the larger human family”
There were two parts to the event which attracted over 7,000 people:
BKWSU Participation at the NGO Forum
Workshops/Panel discussions
Four panel discussions were organised, related to the overall theme “Healing the human race – the spiritual dimension”. Panellists included members of the BKWSU world-wide as well as various experts in their fields. A reflective mood was created at these events through minutes of silence, meditation music, poetry and song.
Titles/themes of the panel discussions:
Caucuses, Thematic Commissions, Youth Summit
BKWSU played an active part in the Religious and Spiritual Caucus as well as the Educational Caucus.
Many members of the caucuses were interested in the spiritual dimension and/or the role of values
in finding solutions to the problems associated with racism, and this approach was reflected in
the statements which were delivered at the plenary.
Gayatri Naraine, BKWSU representative at the UN in New York was invited to serve as a “Resource Person”
and speaker on the subject of Intolerance at the Thematic Commission on Religious Intolerance.
BKWSU was also represented at the Youth Summit.
Exhibition
The theme Healing the Human Race was also expressed through an exhibition, using the concept of
the tree of humanity. Within a 3m x 3m exhibition stand, three panels showed how the process of
healing can transform the old world order into a new paradigm; the first panel depicted the “tree
of racism”, with the trunk symbolising the “loss of human dignity” growing out of the roots of
ignorance, ego, fear, greed, etc. The opposite panel depicted the new tree – the “restoration
of human dignity”, blossoming with the innate qualities of love, peace, inner power, wisdom, etc.
The middle panel was in the form of a rainbow, bridging the gap between the two trees. Above the
rainbow were the healing rays of the sun, symbolising the power of God’s energy and love, and each
of the seven colours of the rainbow represented values such as Freedom, Love, Unity, Responsibility,
Respect and Self-empowerment, which are necessary for the healing process to take place in the soul.
A model of a tree created from steel wire with neon lights illuminating the branches, stood at the
centre of the exhibition. Visitors to the exhibition were invited to write their wishes, inspirations
etc. on paper leaves and place them on the tree which was soon covered with blessings and attracted
considerable attention from passers-by.
Silence Hut
A thatched hut (African style) was constructed on the pitch of the cricket stadium where most
of the NGO meetings were taking place. In the hub of all the activity the hut was a place
of stillness, where participants could come and sit in silent reflection, prayer or meditation.
BKWSU Participation at the UN Government Conference
Thousands of copies of a poster “Healing the Human Race” were distributed as a gift from the
BKWSU to the conference – it depicted a large hand holding a globe made up of multiple human
faces of difference races, nationalities and cultures. The poster was designed by students
from a high school in Johannesburg, working with the theme of “healing humanity”. (“On Time
Printers” in Lenasia sponsored the printing).
Inter-Faith Ceremony
On the final day of the conference, the Spiritual and Religious Caucus initiated a closing
ceremony “HEALING THE HUMAN COMMUNITY: A CELEBRATION OF HOPE – for WCAR and beyond”. His Grace,
the Anglican Archbishop of Capetown spoke as a special guest. Over 100 people attended, seated
in a large circle, and representatives of different religious groups and spiritual traditions
presented a brief message, prayer or song of hope. At one point Canon Lloyd Casson, Rector
of the Episcopal Church of St. Andrew and St. Matthew, Delaware, USA, lead us together in
the song “we shall overcome”. There was an atmosphere of unity and mutual respect and many
commented that this occasion had brought a special feeling of hope, love and joy, in contrast
to the often tense and confrontational mood of the conference.
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©2004 BKWSU |
