Temple of Understanding: Achieving Peaceful Coexistence among Individuals, Communities, and Societies through Interfaith Education.

 


“Compassion manifests itself in the world not by thinking but by doing”
The Temple of Understanding urges you to a “CALL TO ACTION”


Dear Friends of the Temple of Understanding,

In response to the destruction of our beloved waters, please take a moment to acknowledge the sacredness of water, essential to life.

Below, please find the message from Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon urging all of us to have compassion and action:
   
 

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
--
MESSAGE ON WORLD OCEANS DAY
8 June 2010

Oceans play a key role in our daily lives. They are integral to sustainable development and an important frontier for research. As scientists explore the oceans at greater depths than ever before, they continue to discover new forms of marine life. This research has great potential to advance human well-being.

But, if we are to fully benefit from what oceans have to offer, we must address the damaging impacts of human activities. The diversity of life in the oceans is under ever-increasing strain. Over-exploitation of marine living resources, climate change, and pollution from hazardous materials and activities all pose a grave threat to the marine environment. So does the growth of criminal activities, including piracy, which have serious implications for the security of navigation and the safety of seafarers.

Much action is already being taken within the framework of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea – our “constitution for the oceans”. More than 15 years after the Convention’s entry into force, it continues to act as our guide. But if we are to safeguard the capacity of the oceans to service society’s many and varied needs, we need to do much more. On this second annual commemoration of World Oceans Day, I urge Governments and citizens everywhere to acknowledge the enormous value of the world’s oceans -- and do their part in ensuring their health and vitality.

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On March 27, 2010, at 8:30 p.m. local time, millions of people around the world will unite by turning out their lights for one hour—Earth Hour—to make a collective statement of concern about our planet. Together, we can turn out the lights on pollution and climate change and show that we care about our country, our planet and our future.

Led by World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour began three years ago and is now the largest event of its kind in the world. In 2009, nearly one billion people from 4,100 cities in 87 countries shut off their lights, along with international landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower and Great Pyramids and the city skylines of Las Vegas, Hong Kong and Tel Aviv.

We encourage you to take part in this important event by telling your friends and family to turn off all non-essential lighting for one hour. You will join cities, states, businesses, individuals and government leaders throughout the world in calling for action to save our planet for future generations.

************************************************************************************** As the Haiti Earthquake rescue and recovery continues the Temple of Understanding is deeply concerned for the future of the poor and vulnerable of this world. In these times of despair and disaster we must look forward to changing. A Call to Action urges you to reflect on helping Haiti go through its transitions.




Global Day of Action: Millions of global citizens have already signed the TckTckTck pledge and are ready for leaders to sign a fair, ambitious and binding deal at the UNFCCC meeting in Copenhagen. For Event Details click here



mediavoicesforchildren.org

A CALL TO ACTION

On September 30, 2009 Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton chaired the United Nation’s Security Council Session to adopt a strong resolution to end sexual violence against women and children in conflict-related situations.  Resolutions 1888 and 1889 were unanimously adopted.

Conflict-related sexual violence against women and children continues in many areas around the world.  In the Democratic Republic of Congo approximately 1,100 rapes are being reported each month, with an average of 36 women and girls raped everyday. The UN Development Fund for Women reported that in Rwanda, up to half a million women were raped during the 1994 genocide.  In Sierra Leone, the number of incidents of war-related sexual violence among internally displaced women from 1991 to 2001 was approximately 64,000.  There were 60,000 rapes in the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s.

The Temple of Understanding urges its constituents to respond to this tragic abuse of Human Rights by participating in becoming aware global citizens.  The website of the International Rescue Committee www.theirc.org/special-reports/rape-congo is focusing on helping women heal.  Women for Women International www.womenforwomen.org/index.php are helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. Help change a life for as little as $27 a month by sponsoring a woman survivor of war.

A Call To Action.  The Temple of Understanding will be partnering with Women for Women with a Run For Congo www.runforcongowomen.org in September 2010.  Please join us by signing on with the Temple of Understanding Team.  Invite friends, families, your children’s school and neighborhood communities to participate by walking, running or donating to this crisis and to the Temple of Understanding.

You can make a difference! For further information please contact Lily at: