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:
UN Calls for Humanitarian Ceasefire
The Temple of Understanding, as a UN Department of Global Communication accredited NGO, offers this information about UN humanitarian efforts in the Israel / Gaza crisis. We pray for the continuation of truce and for ceasefire. According to UN Secretary-General...
Taking Stock of our Ambition: Faith-based Climate Action at the United Nations
Grove Harris offered this prayer during the worship service.Prayer for Kindness and Belonging - Wednesday, September 20, 2023 Greetings of Peace. I am Grove Harris, Director of Global Advocacy and Representative to the United Nations for the Temple of Understanding....
Buddhists Engaging at the UN: Environmental Policy Efforts
Buddhists Engaging at the UN: Environmental Policy Efforts June, 21, 2023, 3:30- 4:30 pm, School 3, St Salvator’s QuadrangleUniversity of Saint Andrews, Scotland The Temple of Understanding is pleased to offer this round table for the United Kingdom Association for...
Technology Towards Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women and the Planet
About this event: Technology can aid in demonstrating the extent of the violence being done to Indigenous women, and to the planet, towards ending these horrors. We will listen to voices from the War Cry Podcast, in the Pacific Northwest, which shares stories with...
Maria Ressa’s Ten-Point Plan Could Strengthen CSW67 Outcomes
Listening to the inspiring words of the Secretary General today at the opening of the 67th UN Commission on the Status of Women, which he traveled from Doha to deliver in person, thinking about the previous speaker’s call for a bold and brief outcome, and then hearing...
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...