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:
- Mining Working Group
- Women’s Major Group
- United Nations Environmental Program
- NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief
- Women’s Working Group on Financing For Development
- UN Committee on the Rights of Indigenous People
- Committee of Religious NGOs – Climate Working Group
Updates:
We Stand for Religious Freedom
The Temple of Understanding has long championed the freedom of religion and the separation of Church and State, as declared in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Religious freedom also means freedom from the imposition of religion. We stand with multiple...
On Building a Sustainable, Regenerative Ocean Economy
Official virtual side event of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference Can Harnessing Blue and Thematic Bonds Build a Sustainable, Regenerative Ocean Economy? Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 1:00-2:30 pm ET by Zoom The Temple of Understanding is proud to co-organize this event as a...
Women’s Leadership on Climate Change: Coastal Ecology and Native Wisdom
Photo credit: Grove Harris This CSW66 Parallel event, on Monday, March 21st at Noon ET, was led by Native American women to discuss survival and relationship to the natural world Click HERE to watch on Facebook Click HERE to watch on YouTube Discernment will be...
8th annual CSW66 Interfaith Service of Gratitude and Remembrance
Dear Friends, Please join us March 23, 2022 (ET) at 2 pm for the 8th annual CSW66 Interfaith Service of Gratitude and Remembrance. The Temple of Understanding is again honored to collaborate on this important annual event with colleagues from NGOCSW, URI, United...
FORUM2021 Sacred Food ~ Blessed Earth
Watch the replay of our 61st anniversary event, FORUM2021.
Women’s Initiatives
As a leading interfaith organization founded by a woman, Juliet Hollister, the Temple of Understanding has long been interested in women’s full contributions to society as a pathway to peace. Our most recent Hollister award recipient is Ela Gandhi, an internationally...