Last year we wrote a few times encouraging URI participation in the UNEP billion trees campaign (1, 2). We’re not exactly sure about URI participation, but we do know that the program has been successful — with more than 2 billion trees planted! Thus UNEP is now expanding the program and its goal to 7 billion trees. Read on for more information.
From Audri with the Trail of Dreams: The URI family of Peace Makers is an amazing group. Please join us and become a Peace Partner (A person, organization, business, religious institution, school, and/or organized community of people who believe in and support the purpose of the Trail of Dreams World Peace Walk-A-Long; and who are willing to commit themselves to “WALKING” the talk by being PEACE in action).
Last year we shared with you the Academy for Peace program from the URI of Henderson County. Once again for 2008 this small group of dedicated interfaith peacebuilders has put together an amazing program of activities designed to appeal to different audiences and build a culture of peace in western North Carolina.
Margi Ness writes: I just received this and thought I'd pass it on. I’m trying to get a list of UN events like this for all of 2008 so you will have more time to work on things of interest. However, just individual moments of silence would be good for this if your CC can’t do anything.
Sally Mahe writes: The International Convention on Human Rights invites members of CCs everywhere to engage in developing a global document enforceable in courts of law called the International Convention for Human Rights. Please consider using the Dialogue Idea below and going to the www.humanrights.berkeley.edu to add your voice!
Here’s a great model for URI CCs to look toward. The Interfaith Center at the Presidio sponsors a group called Friends in Faith, which “is an emerging group of Interfaith young adults, youth, and like minded supporters interested in spreading peace and understanding through the sharing of stories.” Read on for to see how they are going about inviting these young people to their upcoming events.
The International Day of Peace is on Friday, Sept 21. Thank you to all CCs who are planing to observe the day. I am including a copy of the statement from the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, for the International Day of Peace. You may use his statement as a reading at an event you are doing and to publicize the day in your area.
Please join us in a Minute of Silence at 12 noon your time to be part of the wave of prayer embracing the Earth to call for peace, justice and ceasefires. Your prayers are especially needed this year as the Secretary-General will be holding high level talks for peace in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel-Palestine, and Darfur over the International Day of Peace weekend.
I encourage all of us to keep in mind the quote of Native American Elder, Grandfather Harry Bird. ed. His quote is a guiding force for the Prayer Vigil for the Earth and an inspiration for the IDP. "A heartfelt prayer is more powerful than an atom bomb." May our prayers assist the high level talks for peace and show the impact of people praying together around the world for peace on the International Day of Peace and throughout the following weekend.
The URI as an organization has used the IDP as a shared time to promote prayers, meditations and actions for peace around the world. May we all be linked together this week in this shared intention.
May Peace Prevail on Earth.
Love, Monica Willard
URI NGO Representative to the United Nations
URI supporter Beverley Britton writes, “May we of URI all come together to actualize the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ‘a living document for the common future of humanity.’ After a very long process of advocacy and debate, especially including agreeing on LANGUAGING, the Declaration was finally adopted on Sept. 13,2007 at 11:30AM EDT. Note that Oct.8 is Indigenous Peoples Day. Sept. 28 in Native American Day.” Read on for more information about this occurrence, which offers an excellent opportunity for CCs to learn more about the modern issues of indigenous rights in the U.S., Canada, and around the world.
On June 20, 2006, The Global Council Trustees, on behalf of the members of the UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE (URI) throughout the world, issued a Peace Proclamation, joining with the United Nations in proclaiming September 21 as The International Day of Peace (IDP). We urge all our members to encourage all citizens of this world to work together to create peace, justice and healing for the Earth and for all living beings.
Wondering what your group can do to support action in response to the incipient dangers of global change? One model to look at is that offered by the new CC Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment. The Orange County Register in April has a brief write up on a march they participated in to support local climate change legislation, with additional photos available courtesy of Step It Up!