United Nations

Over fifty-five years of service to the global community through our work at the United Nations.

As a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, the TOU is an active member of the NGO community working on the inside of the United Nations to advance social justice. The TOU actively supports the aims and principles of the United Nations by attending world summit meetings, sponsoring programs for NGOs, and participating on committees and coalitions of NGOs with similar values.

The Temple of Understanding is accredited through ECOSOC with Special Consultative status. We are also accredited by the DPI (now the Department of Global Communications.)

Our current work at the UN is in coalition with a set of partners including:

Annually, we offer programming for Interfaith Harmony Week, and the NGO/CSW, and are active in the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and many other UN convenings. Our summer interns attend UN events and develop civic leadership skills.

Updates:

The Moral and Pragmatic Voice of UN Sec Gen

The Moral and Pragmatic Voice of UN Sec Gen

“I have a special message for fossil-fuel producers and their enablers scrambling to expand production and raking in monster profits: If you cannot set a credible course for net-zero, with 2025 and 2030 targets covering all your operations, you should not be in...

COP 15 Outcome – A Historic Biodiversity Deal

COP 15 Outcome – A Historic Biodiversity Deal

The Kunming- Montreal biodiversity conference led to what is being hailed as a pivotal and ground-breaking outcome agreement, with substantial faith involvement. Of course, that will depend on the implementation and the financing, as well as the strength of regulation...

In the Aftermath of COP 27

In the Aftermath of COP 27

The recent UNFCCC COP 27, held in Egypt, is now behind us, and many are sifting through the experience to evaluate what was accomplished. It is likely that the estimated 600 fossil fuel lobbyists, some embedded in NGOs, some embedded in government delegations, and...

TOU and Convention on Biological Diversity

TOU and Convention on Biological Diversity

Temple of Understanding is proud to have received accreditation from the United Nations to participate in the upcoming convening of the parties on the Convention on Biological Diversity, to be held in Montreal and virtually this December 2022. We will continue to...

Introduction and Interfaith Actions at COP27

Introduction and Interfaith Actions at COP27

The Temple of Understanding works with a set of colleagues who are participating face-to-face at the upcoming UNFCCC COP27 in Egypt.  This conference is expected to be huge, about 35,000 people, and the civil society inputs will mostly be held on the sidelines, in a...

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