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| United Nations and Human Rights Solidarity: The Way to Peace and International Cooperation for Human Rights, Human Responsibility and Spirituality
This is the general message of the work of the International Association of Sufism as a Department of Public Information for the United Nations. This work falls in the domain of humanitarian intervention as a role for civil society in that each of us at the International Association of Sufism is working for one goal of peace. We work in prisons, we work with the homeless, we work with mothers and children dying from the AIDS epidemic, and we pray for peace. We represent humanitarian intervention by actively engaging in the resolution of critical conflicts, we stand between the offenders and the offendees and serve to provide an alternative, namely, solidarity in peace. As such, each of us stands as the bridge of resolution, the bridge of understanding and knowledge. The
work of the International Association of Sufism with the
United Nations invites each of us to our common point of
understanding each other, namely, knowledge. As the world
suffers from overcrowding, deforestation, pollution, technological
melt downs, competition, violence, HIV, poverty, hunger
to name a few current human conditions that the majority
of the world struggles under. The world suffers as the individual
suffers, as the society suffers. The individual spirit reflects
the collective spirit. Sufism offers the world a comprehensive
insurance plan - no deductible necessary. It is a plan that
is inclusive and brings meaning rather than rhetoric. It
acknowledges the significance of life and the value of peace
for all humanity. With knowledge, we can stand together in solidarity and create a civilized world of peace and cooperation built on mutual respect and responsibility. Imagine a reality of solidarity in peace among us. If you wish to be further involved with our work as a Department of Public Information for the United Nations, please contact us: UN
DPI Projects __________________________________________________________________________ Announcements from the United Nations Disarmament: Fresh Answers to Old Questions Yearbook of the United Nations Website Launched The United Nations Department of Public Information today launched the first-ever online version of the Yearbook of the United Nations - the world Organization’s flagship reference publication. The new website - unyearbook.un.org - provides free public access to the 59 volumes of the Yearbook collection, detailing the work and achievements of the United Nations system over the first 60 years of its existence (1946-2005). New useful features and volumes will be added as they become available. The launch of a Web-based version of this extraordinarily rich resource of information about the UN system took place at the opening of first-ever UN Book Days, organized by the Department on 9 and 10 October 2008 at UN Headquarters to showcase information products and services of the United Nations system and intergovernmental organizations. “The Yearbook is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the United Nations and its work”, said Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, who presided over the event. “The online edition brings our history and accomplishments to life for countless people across the globe, at a time when knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting our world are crucial to the achievement of the United Nations mission.” The new site incorporates a user-friendly search function, allowing users to locate any Yearbook reference using key words, phrases or document symbols, by year or range of years. Search results can be displayed in plain text or as a printable PDF file. It is expected that the new website will not only serve as a strong research tool, but it will also help users better understand global issues as they affect them today. It will broaden the Organization’s outreach to the public, increasing awareness of, and support for, the United Nations throughout the world. The Yearbook of the United Nations remains the most comprehensive and authoritative work on the Organization. Each Yearbook volume provides analysis, is fully indexed, and includes the texts of, and votes on, all major General Assembly, Security Council and Economic and Social Council resolutions and decisions. Yearbook chapters are currently divided into five parts covering political and security questions; human rights; economic and social questions; legal questions; and institutional, administrative and budgetary questions. The online version reproduces all Yearbook volumes up to and including the 1,682-page 2005 edition. Contact: UN Yearbook Unit, Tel. (917) 367-9326, email: unyearbook@un.org. DPI/NGO Relations invites you to a briefing on: A Call for a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons: The 18th Annual Celebration of the International Day of Older Persons Thursday, 2 October 2008 Background Information This day is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution and to evaluate their current situation of older persons in society. On 16 December 1991, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons (resolution 46/91), which encourages Governments to incorporate the principles of independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity into their national programmes (http://www.un.org/ageing/un_principles.html). In this 60th Anniversary Year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the NGO committee on Ageing, in New York, in consultation with NGO Relations of Department of Public Information, the United Nations, has decided to focus its 2008 observance of the 18th International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) on a process that will lead to the development and acceptance of a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. Despite the fact that older persons comprise 11 percent of the global population, they remain largely marginalized and invisible in society. With this in mind, the committee has chosen as this year’s theme, “A Call for a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.” Keynote Speakers: Mental Health on "Making Mental Health a Global Priority Through Advocacy and Action" Thursday, 9 October 2008 Background Information First observed in 1992, WMHD is officially commemorated each year on 10 October around the world. This year’s celebration will focus on making mental health a global priority for all people and governments in all countries. Since mental disorders affect nearly 12 percent of the world’s population and one out of every four people around the world experience some kind of mental illness in his or her lifetime, mental health should be considered a priority. Moreover, high prevalence of mental health concerns creates a heavy burden on individuals, families and communities that requires a mobilization of human, social and economic resources to provide access to effective and humane treatment for people with mental disorders. In promoting advocacy and action, WMHD will focus on the need for increased resources for mental health, treating and preventing mental disorders, and impacting the mental health systems in countries through overcoming barriers to improve mental health services. Moderator: Speakers:
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Imagine
a room of mirrors, reflecting back upon each of us and within
each of our hearts, magnifying the compassion, valuing each
other, allowing peace to resonate within and beyond each
of us. Imagine that we represent solidarity, standing together
with the clear intention that we act in unity toward supporting
global peace. We are ere to carry this image within our
hearts, reflect it everywhere we go and truly live the essential
truth that humankind is responsible for human rights and
spirituality is the vehicle for achieving that goal.