Projects and Initiatives

At the UN

Committee on the Ageing

The NGO Committee on Ageing is the committee that follows issues affecting older persons for the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN. Its membership comprises NGOs who wish to work together to create a better way of life for older persons worldwide. Most of its meetings are held in New York.  The NGO Committee on Ageing will remain knowledgeable about ageing issues and coordinate with appropriate organizations to address those issues, raising public awareness, encouraging UN bodies and agencies to include ageing in their planning, and influencing member states to include ageing needs in social policy considerations. The committee will remain flexible and open to the changing world environment and the subsequent changes in the United Nations so as to fulfill its mission.  NES representative, Dr. Jackie Pope serves on this committee.

PO Box 20022, New York, NY 10025
Phone: +1 (212) 557-3163 - Fax: +1 (212) 557-3164
Email: globalaging@globalaging.org

Committee, Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns

The Committee aims to integrate spirituality and values into all areas of the United Nations agenda and of public policy. We aspire to support the spiritual principles, global ethics and universal values such as respect, justice, peace, dignity, freedom, responsibility and cooperation, that underlie the work of the United Nations as reflected in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In order to fulfill the promise of the United Nations to create a more peaceful, just and sustainable world, we support the recognition and acceptance that spirituality and adherence to universal values are key factors in providing solutions to global concerns. This committee recognizes the importance of connecting with our divine essence, inner wisdom and the oneness of life. We believe that an increased awareness and application of the importance of a value, spirit and soul conscious dimension at all levels of society particularly at the United Nations will allow for the finest and the highest levels of human potential to flourish for the benefit of all. www.csvgc-ny.org NES representative, Martha Gallahue serves on the Executive Council of this Committee.

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Universal Ethics and Global Concerns Working Group for CSVGC

"To promote peaceful co-existence...it is necessary to extend inter-civilizational encounter to discourses about ethics." (UNU Workshop on "The Contribution of Ethics in the Dialogue of Civilizations", 24-25, May 2001) To this end, the subcommittee on universal ethics and global concerns seeks to promote ethical conversations of the heart within the United Nations framework. These conversations will be designed to promote converging awareness about human dignity, justice, freedom, equality, shared responsibility, care of the earth and non-violence. We will highlight all initiatives and strategies that promote both this discourse and convergence. We hold in respect diversity of ethical perspectives. Promoting conversations includes research into UN documents, recommendation of speakers already engaged in such conversations, and active engagement in those approaches that promote ethical global engagement, eg. collaborative networking. We seek eventually to build a bibliography that will include ethical impact studies of institutional behavior. Through networking, we intend to build civil society's ethical working relationship with the UN system.

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Earth Values

NES is founding member of The Earth Values Caucus (EVC) which is in process of becoming an official NGO Committee at the UN. The EVC seeks to infuse Earth values and principles into the United Nations agenda, documents and processes.  Sustainable development means the integration of these dimensions—environmental, spiritual, social and economic—and will work to incorporate this integration into all aspects of the United Nations. The mission is to explore and bring Earth values to light, and make them part of the dialogue for the future of the whole Earth community. Motivated by the urgency of the times and the magnitude of the task, the EVC promotes systemic change. Its approach is to research and highlight values expressed in pertinent UN related documents, educate as we learn values-based strategies for the care of Earth and network with others to include Earth values in our on-going work together. The EVC engages in consultation with UN officials.

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Financing for Development

The objective of the Financing for Development Office is to provide effective secretariat support for sustained follow-up within the United Nations system to the agreements and commitments reached at the International Conference on Financing for Development, as contained in the Monterrey Consensus, as well as financing for development-related aspects of the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic and social fields, including the development goals set out in the United Nations Millennium Declaration. The Financing for Development Office will seek to achieve the above objective with collaboration from the secretariats of the major institutional stakeholders concerned, fully utilizing the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination mechanism and building on the innovative and participatory modalities and related coordination arrangements utilized in the preparations of the Monterrey Conference. NES member Richard Hobbs participated in the Monterey Conference. www.un.org/esa/ffd

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From the UN

Over the years, Dr. Sylvain and Phyllis Ehrenfeld have written and published many articles called From the UN. Some of these carefully researched articles may be found on www. cebo.org and in The Dialogue and Humanist Magazines. www.cebo.org

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Human Rights

In response to our participation in the World Conference Against Racism held in Durban, SA, The NES co-founded and Chaired the first Subcommittee on Racism, a working group of The NGO Committee on Human Rights. That Working Group continues to provide programs that educate the NGO community about the problems resulting from unregulated migration and traumatic relocation, human trafficking, etc., along with world-wide abuses from discrimination caused by racism. Dr. Corann Okorodudu, American Psychological Association now Chairs the Committee

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International Criminal Court

AMICC is a coalition of non-governmental organizations committed to achieving through education, information, promotion and an aroused public opinion full United States support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the earliest possible US ratification of the Court's Rome Statute. AMICC is a program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America. The NES is a founding member of this coalition. www.amicc.org Faith and Ethics-Based Coalition for an ICC is an interfaith alliance at the UN whose aim is to support complete governmental ratification of the ICC within an inter-religious framework.

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International Peace Day

International Peace Day is an officially UN sponsored event held on September 21st. NES and Interspirituality in Action co-sponsored their first IDP celebration at NYSEC in 2004, Since that time, within the AEU events are held in various Societies. In Brooklyn, BSEC co-hosts with The Church of Gethsemane and is an annual inter-faith event.

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Sustainable Development

The Division for Sustainable Development provides leadership and is an authoritative source of expertise within the United Nations system on sustainable development. It promotes sustainable development as the substantive secretariat to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and through technical cooperation and capacity building at international, regional and national levels. The context for the Division's work is the implementation of Agenda 21, the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation and the Barbados Programme of Action for Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States. www.un.org/esa/sustdev.

The National Ethical Service contributes to this effort through primarily through the Earth Values Caucus. We develop briefings and workshops at the about the values needed to implement sustainable development.

To address the issues of Climate Change, we support The Earth Charter, Wiser Earth network, Coop America and other coalitions of people who are helping those from developed countries to reduce their footprint and over consuming.

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The Millennium Development Goals

In 2004, The AEU passed a Resolution in support of the MDG’s and in 2007, at the AEU Annual Assembly, a National Ethical Action to implement these goals were passed. Many Societies have projects that support these goals, especially 2, 7, and 8.

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Beyond the United Nations

Coalition for One Voice

OneVoice is a coalition of organizations united to form a collective power that reflects the evolution of consciousness toward an enlightened society, the nature and details of which are presently unfolding. The expanding OneVoice community fosters deep dialogue,  conscious connecting and illuminating events. These activities serve the universal passion to connect on the level of spirit.

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The Culture of Peace

NES sponsored and passed an AEU Resolution in support of a US Department of Peace (2006) to be located in the Pentagon. NES promotes The Culture of Peace primarily through the Working Group Culture of Peace of Committee Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns at the UN. We endorse the International Peace Alliance.

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Human Agenda Vision

Human Agenda blossomed from energy and activism at the turn of the millennium to focus on an open, independent path of analysis and action with the vision of meeting the human needs of all. Originally a study group engaged in better understanding the world, Human Agenda was incorporated in March 2002 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in San Jose, California. Since that time Human Agenda has held its signature events (see Events) on an annual basis in San Jose, CA, as well as participating in efforts of peace, engaging in analysis through roundtable dialogues, taking action on the important policy issues of our day, and being part of fun and social activities including an annual Vision Quest at the end of the year. Human Agenda Founder Richard Hobbs represented the NES at the first Finance for Development World Conference in Monterey, Mexico. Go to: www.humanagenda.net

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InterSpirituality in Action

ISDnA (Interspiritual Dialogue 'n Action) is a dynamic network formed in 2004 from the various constituencies and groups inspired by the work and writing of Brother Wayne Teasdale. It aims at carrying forward to a wider audience worldwide his vision of interspiritual dialogue and interspirituality as outlined in The Mystic Heart: Finding a Universal Spirituality in the World's Religions. The network is an ongoing creative project in the spirit of his vision of civilization centered on the Heart. The network reflects Brother Wayne’s dream of an international association of friends and grew, in his last years, from his original suggestion in The Mystic Heart of a “Universal Order of Sannyasa” in service to the world. NES co-created a presentation at The Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona, Spain with ISDnA in 2005. Dr. Kurt Johnson, Treasurer of NES partners in the Brother Wayne Teasdale-based education program co-developed by NES's InterSpiritual Dialogue in Action initiative and the One-Spirit Learning Alliance and Interfaith Seminary in New York City.  For information see: www.onespiritinterfaith.org/integralmultifaith.htm

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Public Issues Committee at New York Society for Ethical Culture

This committee works to influence public policy in an evolving ethical context. Its approach is through writing position papers and proposing Resolutions. PIC initiatives on Iraq, Iran, Global Warming, Stem Cell Research, Child Health Insurance, Paid Family and Paid Sick Leave were adopted by NYSEC in the last two years. PIC acts on these initiatives in collaboration with other organizations. To join, contact Abe Markman. For information see www.nysec.org/sitemap/ethical-action/public-issues-committee/

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Student World Assembly

The Student World Assembly is a non-governmental, non partisan organization created to represent students globally. It provides a deliberative assembly where students around the world can exchange views, vote on global issues through online discussion forums and in annual international conventions, and translate these views into meaningful actions. The Student World Assembly believes that true global democracy affirms fundamental human rights, which include the dignity and worth of all human beings, the equal rights of men and women, social, economic and cultural justice for every person, and the freedom to promote these causes. SWA’s representative democracy offers a powerful instrument for addressing the vital social and political conditions that threaten our global future. The informed wishes of the people, conveyed through the collective of a democratic assembly, need to be heard in the decision-making processes. By giving students from the most remote to the more accessible institutions an equal voice, we are enabling all students to educate, participate and take action, and to begin thinking of themselves as global citizens. SWA endeavors to educate the world through its members. Every month, a chapter of the Student World Assembly highlights a Pressing Global Issue. Once approved by the Issues & Campaigns Committee, the general membership is provided with news reports, articles, and scholarly resources through the web site. After reading about the issue, members are urged to engage in a dialogue with others on the online discussion forum. The purpose of the discussion forums is to educate and be educated, to hear and be heard, about the global issues that demand our immediate attention. NES sponsored a National Ethical Action Resolution to promote the SWA and partner with this organization. Founder, Paul Raynault, is Vice-President of NES.

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UNA/USA

The United Nations Association of the United States of America is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and vital work of the United Nations among the American people. Its educational and humanitarian campaigns, including teaching students in urban schools, clearing minefields and providing school-based support for children living in HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa, allow people to make a global impact at the local level. In addition, its policy and advocacy programs stress the importance of nations working together and the need for United States leadership in the United Nations. The association is affiliated with the World Federation of United Nations Associations. The National Ethical Service is on its Council of Organizations and contributes local leadership in Bergen County, NJ.

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United Religious Initiative

The purpose of The United Religious Initiative is to promote interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to promote cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings. The AEU passed a National Ethical Action proposal in 2007 and written by the NES, to support this effort and encourage the founding of circles in the local community.

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US Human Rights Network

The US Human Rights Network was formed to promote US accountability to universal human rights standards by building linkages between organizations and individuals. The Network strives to build a human rights culture in the United States that puts those directly affected by human rights violations, with a special emphasis on grassroots organizations and social movements, in a central leadership role. The Network also works towards connecting the US human rights movement with the broader US social justice movement and human rights movements around the world. www.ushrnetwork.org

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