BK at the UN- Publications and Position Papers

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY
Quadrennial Report for years 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001
General Consultative Status – granted in July 1998

Introductory Statement

Participation in the Economic and Social Council, its conferences and other UN meetings

Cooperation with UN bodies and specialized agencies

Other relevant activities

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Introductory Statement

The aims of the University, which was founded in 1937, and its activities during the Quadrennial period, include:

1. providing education in spiritual and moral understanding, principles and values in order to reaffirm the spiritual identity, inherent goodness, worth and dignity of the human being and bring about an effective change of awareness, attitude and behaviour as the foundation for the overall advancement and betterment of the human condition throughout the world; and
2. fostering long-term human-centred development, offering a spiritual and moral perspective of contemporary issues of personal, community and world concern and facilitating a greater awareness of corresponding rights and responsibilities.
The University’s source of funding remained substantially unchanged during the quadrennial period. It collaborates with various organizations and is a member of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relations with the United Nations (CONGO). The University has been on the Coordinating Council of the Values Caucus in New York since 1998 and one of its representatives has served as Co-chair since 2001. The University has also participated extensively in other Caucuses such as those on Education and Spirituality and played an active membership role on, for example, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women and its sub-groups (e.g. Women and the Environment) and in joint preparation of statements for various events. The University’s geographical membership has increased with the establishment, since 1998, of new branches in 15 countries, giving the University a presence in a total of 83 countries.

Participation in the Economic and Social Council, its conferences and other UN meetings
1998
United Nations World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth;
August 1998; Lisbon, Portugal.
Written Statement: “Youth: the treasure of today and promise of tomorrow”
1999
UN Millennium Assembly Regional Hearing – “The United Nations in the 21st Century”
organized by the UN Economic Commission for Europe; July 1999; Geneva, Switzerland.
Oral Statement on Education and Values
52nd Annual DPI-NGO Conference;
September 1999; New York, USA.
Written Statement: “Challenges of a Globalized World: Finding New Directions”
Commission on Human Rights, 55th Session;
spring 1999; Geneva, Switzerland.
Oral Statement on Religious Intolerance on 12th April 1999
Oral Statement on Human Rights and Human Values on 20th April 1999
2000
World Summit for Social Development and Beyond: Achieving Social Development for All in a Globalizing World;
June 2000; Geneva, Switzerland.
Written and Oral Statement: “In Search of the Human Face of Social Integration”
The Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders
August 2000; New York, USA.
Written Statement: “The Reduction of Human and Societal Tensions through the Elimination of Poverty”
Commission on Human Rights, 56th Session;
Spring 2000; Geneva, Switzerland.
Oral Statements on The Right to Development, Rights of the Child and Racism and Discrimination
2001
World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
31st August to 7th September 2001; Durban, South Africa.
Written and Oral Statements: “Healing Humanity’s Soul”
International Consultative Conference on School Education in relation with Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non-Discrimination
April 2001; Madrid, Spain.
Written and Oral Statements on Quality Education and Values Education
Third United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries
May 2001; Brussels, Belgium.
Written Statement on Values, Education and the Development of Human Resources
UNCTAD – Civil Society Dialogue on Critical Development Issues Being Addressed by the United Nations System
10th December 2001; Geneva, Switzerland.
Written Statement: “Spirituality: Development’s Forgotten Soul” and oral interventions
The University’s Representatives have also participated in many of the Preparatory Committees for conferences listed above and made a number of interventions and statements.

Cooperation with UN bodies and specialized agencies
In the context of the International Year for a Culture of Peace, the University signed a partnership agreement with UNESCO and was designated by it as a “Messenger for Manifesto 2000” and actively promoted Manifesto 2000, collecting over 37 million signed pledges by individuals to implement it. The University also organized “Flagship” and other significant events in 51 countries and held numerous seminars and workshops regarding and promoting the principles and values underlying a culture of peace.

Other relevant activities
1998
Publication “The Spirit of Human Dignity” published in honour of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“UDHR”); “Igniting the Spirit of Human Dignity”, a worldwide series of special and monthly events between August 1998 and January 1999 that focused on the inherent dignity of all members of the human family and highlighted the importance of the UDHR’s core values, to mark its 50th Anniversary; Conference on “Education in Values and Human Rights for the 21st Century” held at BKWSU Headquarters in Mount Abu, India, 11th to 15th September 1998; “Igniting the Spirit of Youth”, a values-based programme dedicated to the World Programme of Action for Youth for the Year 2000 and beyond, held worldwide from 10th November to 10th December 1998; Participation in UNESCO-ACEID International Conference, Secondary Education and Youth at the Crossroads, in November, 1998 in Bangkok, Thailand with written statement “Youth: an Education for Life” and oral presentation.
1999
Statement “Our Elders – the Spirit of Humanity” for the International Year of Older Persons, 1999 (“IYOP”); Worldwide Project “Connecting Generations through Appreciative Conversation” in honour of the IYOP; Various national events and activities worldwide in honour of the IYOP.
1998-2001
Throughout the Quadrennial period the University has actively supported Living Values: An Educational Program (“LVEP”)">. This comprehensive values education programme, consisting of a partnership among educators around the world, is also supported by UNESCO, sponsored by the Spanish Committee of UNICEF and implemented in consultation with the Education Cluster of UNICEF, New York. The Programme is part of the global movement for a culture of peace in the framework of the UN International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World and is now being implemented at nearly 5,000 sites in about 66 countries. The University has also, with the involvement and support of entities such as the German Agency for Technical Operations (GTZ), the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources of the Government of India, AusAid and the World Bank undertaken research and development work in the field of renewable energy and established of institutional solar steam cooking systems, water heating systems and photovoltaic home-power systems. Following up on its participation in the World Conference Against Racism, the University has initiated “Ubuntu – Awakening the Spirit of Humanity”, a project involving intercultural exchange and dialogue leading to community-level educational and other values-based action. Attachments: Please see copies of statements referred to above, other relevant publications for the quadrennial period and geographical breakdown of membership.
This report submitted by Ms. Mohini Panjabi and Ms. Jayanti Kirpalani, BKWSU Representatives to the UN in New York and Geneva respectively.

BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY Quadrennial Report for years 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 General Consultative Status – granted in July 1998

Introductory Statement Participation in the Economic and Social Council, its conferences and other UN meetings Cooperation with UN bodies and specialized agencies Other relevant activities
[PRINT - PDF] Introductory Statement The aims of the University, which was founded in 1937, and its activities during the Quadrennial period, include: 1. providing education in spiritual and moral understanding, principles and values in order to reaffirm the spiritual identity, inherent goodness, worth and dignity of the human being and bring about an effective change of awareness, attitude and behaviour as the foundation for the overall advancement and betterment of the human condition throughout the world; and 2. fostering long-term human-centred development, offering a spiritual and moral perspective of contemporary issues of personal, community and world concern and facilitating a greater awareness of corresponding rights and responsibilities. The University’s source of funding remained substantially unchanged during the quadrennial period. It collaborates with various organizations and is a member of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relations with the United Nations (CONGO). The University has been on the Coordinating Council of the Values Caucus in New York since 1998 and one of its representatives has served as Co-chair since 2001. The University has also participated extensively in other Caucuses such as those on Education and Spirituality and played an active membership role on, for example, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women and its sub-groups (e.g. Women and the Environment) and in joint preparation of statements for various events. The University’s geographical membership has increased with the establishment, since 1998, of new branches in 15 countries, giving the University a presence in a total of 83 countries. Participation in the Economic and Social Council, its conferences and other UN meetings 1998 United Nations World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth; August 1998; Lisbon, Portugal. Written Statement: “Youth: the treasure of today and promise of tomorrow” 1999 UN Millennium Assembly Regional Hearing – “The United Nations in the 21st Century” organized by the UN Economic Commission for Europe; July 1999; Geneva, Switzerland. Oral Statement on Education and Values 52nd Annual DPI-NGO Conference; September 1999; New York, USA. Written Statement: “Challenges of a Globalized World: Finding New Directions” Commission on Human Rights, 55th Session; spring 1999; Geneva, Switzerland. Oral Statement on Religious Intolerance on 12th April 1999 Oral Statement on Human Rights and Human Values on 20th April 1999 2000 World Summit for Social Development and Beyond: Achieving Social Development for All in a Globalizing World; June 2000; Geneva, Switzerland. Written and Oral Statement: “In Search of the Human Face of Social Integration” The Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders August 2000; New York, USA. Written Statement: “The Reduction of Human and Societal Tensions through the Elimination of Poverty” Commission on Human Rights, 56th Session; Spring 2000; Geneva, Switzerland. Oral Statements on The Right to Development, Rights of the Child and Racism and Discrimination 2001 World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance 31st August to 7th September 2001; Durban, South Africa. Written and Oral Statements: “Healing Humanity’s Soul” International Consultative Conference on School Education in relation with Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non-Discrimination April 2001; Madrid, Spain. Written and Oral Statements on Quality Education and Values Education Third United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries May 2001; Brussels, Belgium. Written Statement on Values, Education and the Development of Human Resources UNCTAD – Civil Society Dialogue on Critical Development Issues Being Addressed by the United Nations System 10th December 2001; Geneva, Switzerland. Written Statement: “Spirituality: Development’s Forgotten Soul” and oral interventions The University’s Representatives have also participated in many of the Preparatory Committees for conferences listed above and made a number of interventions and statements. Cooperation with UN bodies and specialized agencies In the context of the International Year for a Culture of Peace, the University signed a partnership agreement with UNESCO and was designated by it as a “Messenger for Manifesto 2000” and actively promoted Manifesto 2000, collecting over 37 million signed pledges by individuals to implement it. The University also organized “Flagship” and other significant events in 51 countries and held numerous seminars and workshops regarding and promoting the principles and values underlying a culture of peace. Other relevant activities 1998 Publication “The Spirit of Human Dignity” published in honour of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“UDHR”); “Igniting the Spirit of Human Dignity”, a worldwide series of special and monthly events between August 1998 and January 1999 that focused on the inherent dignity of all members of the human family and highlighted the importance of the UDHR’s core values, to mark its 50th Anniversary; Conference on “Education in Values and Human Rights for the 21st Century” held at BKWSU Headquarters in Mount Abu, India, 11th to 15th September 1998; “Igniting the Spirit of Youth”, a values-based programme dedicated to the World Programme of Action for Youth for the Year 2000 and beyond, held worldwide from 10th November to 10th December 1998; Participation in UNESCO-ACEID International Conference, Secondary Education and Youth at the Crossroads, in November, 1998 in Bangkok, Thailand with written statement “Youth: an Education for Life” and oral presentation. 1999 Statement “Our Elders – the Spirit of Humanity” for the International Year of Older Persons, 1999 (“IYOP”); Worldwide Project “Connecting Generations through Appreciative Conversation” in honour of the IYOP; Various national events and activities worldwide in honour of the IYOP. 1998-2001 Throughout the Quadrennial period the University has actively supported Living Values: An Educational Program (“LVEP”)">. This comprehensive values education programme, consisting of a partnership among educators around the world, is also supported by UNESCO, sponsored by the Spanish Committee of UNICEF and implemented in consultation with the Education Cluster of UNICEF, New York. The Programme is part of the global movement for a culture of peace in the framework of the UN International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World and is now being implemented at nearly 5,000 sites in about 66 countries. The University has also, with the involvement and support of entities such as the German Agency for Technical Operations (GTZ), the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources of the Government of India, AusAid and the World Bank undertaken research and development work in the field of renewable energy and established of institutional solar steam cooking systems, water heating systems and photovoltaic home-power systems. Following up on its participation in the World Conference Against Racism, the University has initiated “Ubuntu – Awakening the Spirit of Humanity”, a project involving intercultural exchange and dialogue leading to community-level educational and other values-based action. Attachments: Please see copies of statements referred to above, other relevant publications for the quadrennial period and geographical breakdown of membership. This report submitted by Ms. Mohini Panjabi and Ms. Jayanti Kirpalani, BKWSU Representatives to the UN in New York and Geneva respectively.