Interfaith Activities blog

Hearing Each Other, Healing the Earth -19 April 2009

2009-03-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

"Hearing Each Other,
Healing the Earth."

The InterFaith Conference's Fifth Snowdon Lecture

With Dr. Richard Cizik

Help Us Celebrate Earth Week!

Dr. Richard Cizik is a well known Evangelical Christian leader and has been named as one of the New York Times "One Hundred Most Influential Thinkers and Scientists". Few have done as much as Dr. Cizik to re-shape the thinking of 43-million evangelicals around earth care.
Dr. Cizik's lecture will surely help create new dialogues to build bridges among people of diverse faiths and spiritualities, as well as people of no faith, by focusing on that upon which we all depend-the distressed earth. Through this event Richard Cizik hopes to encourage all people into mindful reflection, and then to move from reflection into urgent action on behalf of the environment.

When:Sunday April 19th, 2009
4:30 pm- 6:00 pm

Where:
Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church3401 Nebraska Avenue NW, Washington DC 20016At New Mexico Avenue- across Nebraska Ave from American University.The nearest Metro stop is Tenleytown/AU. Get on AU shuttle and exit at third stop. Ample free parking at church and across New Mexico Ave. at AU lot.

Tickets:Tickets are $10 Student tickets are FREE

Purchase advance tickets online at www.ifcmw.org
OR email janellef@ifcmw.org
OR send a ticket request to IFC's office:
The Gate House 100 Allison StNW, Washington, DC 20011
Tickets will also be available at the door

Where Zoroastrians and Buddhists Meet - 2nd February 2009

2009-01-17T11:38:00.000-08:00

Kushanshahr: Where Zoroastrians
and Buddhists meet
A CISA and Central Asia Initiative Seminar

When: Monday, February 02, 2009 12:00 PM

Where: 10383 Bunche HallLos Angeles, CA 90095

The ancient north-eastern Iranian satrapies of Sogdiana, Bactriana, and Margiana have, until recently, been overlooked in terms of their place in the material and cultural trade that existed between “east” and “west,” “north and “south” from the beginning of the Common Era. These three regions of modern Central Asia were the cradle of Zoroastrianism, and then became the conduit through which Buddhism spread from India to China.

This illustrated presentation will explore the development of Buddhism within the hellenistic-influenced Bactrian setting of the Kushan Empire, and the subsequent contribution of Sogdian Zoroastrian merchants to the dissemination of Buddhist texts and iconography along the Central Asian trading routes into China.

Jenny Rose is a historian of religion, with a particular interest in Zoroastrian Studies. She has an MA in Religious Studies from the University of London, where she studied with the late Prof. Mary Boyce. The focus of her MA thesis was the role of women in the Indian and Iranian Zoroastrian communities. In 1993, Jenny received her Ph.D. from Columbia University. An abbreviated version of her dissertation was published in 2000 under the title The Image of Zoroaster: The Persian Mage Through European Eyes.

Jenny currently teaches classes on the Zoroastrian tradition in the Religious Studies departments at both Stanford University and Claremont Graduate University. She has published many articles relating to Zoroastrianism with a particular focus on the role of women, the use of iconography as visual text, and the historical interaction between the Zoroastrian tradition and other belief systems. Jenny continues to produce educational materials about the Zoroastrian religion for use in British schools, and has just been commissioned to write a new textbook Introduction to Zoroastrianism for use by a new generation of undergraduates and interested others!

For more information please contact Abraham Cherian
cisa@international.ucla.edu

Asia Institute • 11288 Bunche Hall • Los Angeles, CA 90095-1487 Campus Mail Code: 148703 • Tel: (310) 825-0007 • Fax: (310) 206-3555 Email: asia@international.ucla.edu

Electronic Interfaith Calendar

2009-01-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

INTERFAITH CALENDAR
Primary sacred times for world religions

http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/2009.htm

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The Golden Rule

2009-01-07T18:13:00.000-08:00

GOLDEN RULE VIDEO

Traditions from Ancient Egyptian to Zoroastrian:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ci613QcC5E .
7:53 min

Beyond our Differences -- December 26th on PBS stations

2008-12-22T14:32:00.000-08:00

Entropy Films is proud to present

Beyond Our Differences,

a documentary film conceived and directed by Peter Bisanz that explores the positive role of faith in the world today and the fundamental unity of the worlds' religions. What are the fundamental issues facing our world today? Where do world leaders and the biggest thinkers of our time in politics, religion, culture, arts and science weigh in on these issues? How do these leaders apply their own experiences with faith and morality when forming constructive solutions for the world's most distressing and calamitous problems? In what context do faith and religion play principal roles in inspiring our collective peoples toward a more peaceful and compassionate humanity?

www.beyondourdifferences.com
December 26th 2008 on PBS stations.

Check local listings for broadcast.

Osher Life Long Learning Institute

2008-11-20T16:30:00.000-08:00

Osher Life-long Learning Institute
A new course: "India: Culture, Traditions, and Gandhi"
has been developed for the members of the Osher Life-long Learning Institute (OLLI) of American University at the Gandhi Memorial Center from March to May 2009. This course will introduce participants to the arts and philosophy of India through lectures and demonstrations.

Gandhi Memorial Center
Phone: 301-320-6871
Fax: 301-229-7576
Email: info@gandhimemorialcenter.org
Web: http://www.gandhimemorialcenter.org/
Address: 4748 Western Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20816, USA

Internship Positions available from the CPWR

2008-11-19T16:07:00.000-08:00

Academic year INTERNSHIP POSITIONS now open at

The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions

Join the Council’s team by applying for one of our flexible
volunteer internships during the upcoming academic year.

Keep up with your schoolwork while building your résumé and
getting involved in the worldwide interreligious movement.

Set your own hours each week and work from home or in our downtown Chicago office on
research and outreach projects attuned to your personal and academic interests.

The Council is currently looking for student interns available to volunteer during the school year and/or summer, 2009, on projects related to publicizing our event, as well as researching and reaching out to communities across the globe and helping with office support.

* * *

Inspired by the Parliament of the World’s Religions held during the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the Council was created to cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities and to foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just peaceful and sustainable world. To accomplish this, we connect and initiate dialogue among individuals and communities who are similarly invested in attaining this goal.

The Parliament of the World's Religions is the world's largest global interreligious event. Organized by the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions and hosted by Melbourne, Australia, the 2009 Parliament will bring together over 8,000 people from Australia and around the world, including renowned spiritual, religious and political leaders.

Visit us online and fill out an application at:
http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/
(Click on “Get Involved.”)
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Calling on Youth: Opportunities to Serve - The Faiths Act Fellowship

2008-11-16T09:19:00.000-08:00

The Faiths Act Fellowship

Introduction
The Faiths Act Fellowship will bring together thirty young leaders aged between 18-25 drawn from the different faiths from the US, UK, and Canada to embark on a 10 month journey of interfaith service. The Tony Blair Faith Foundation has launched this initiative in conjunction with the Interfaith Youth Core, which aims to build relationships among young people from different religious traditions by empowering them to work together to serve others.

Interfaith Youth Core is the co-ordinating body for the Fellowship programme.

Training begins with a 2-month intensive initiative that includes fieldwork with primary health care partners fighting deaths from malaria in Africa. Fellows will return to their home countries for 8 months to mobilize young people of faith to raise awareness and resources to promote the Millennium Development Goals. They will focus particularly focus on fighting deaths from malaria.

Purpose of the Fellowship
Halting and reversing the spread of malaria is one of today’s most urgent moral challenges. 500 million people contract the disease each year and one million die, the vast majority under 5 years old and in Africa. Yet, malaria is preventable and treatable. And, progress in the fight against deaths from malaria will speed our achievement of 6 of the 8 Millennium Development Goals.
Young people of faith have a particular role to play in this vision. As change-makers for future generations, they are able to establish new forms of inter-faith collaboration by placing a committed concern for the poorest at the heart of a renewed dialogue of life and action. The Faiths Act Fellows will become ambassadors for inter-religious cooperation in the fight against deaths from malaria and the accomplishment of the Millennium Development Goals.
Once in their home countries, galvanising, motivating and organising across faith communities for the MDGs, we hope that the Fellows will reach 1,000 people each. This would mean over the programme, 30,000 across the world will have been touched by the programme and our objective is to spread the work ever wider.

Potential candidates
Candidates must have the potential to become accomplished leaders, and be able to demonstrate a firm commitment to work for justice in their own faith community. They will need to be able to commit a year of their life to this work as MDG ambassador, ten months of which will be hard work, travel, workshops, speaking engagements, presentations in a well-planned project devised by them in conjunction with the IFYC. They will receive a basic stipend, insurance cover and health care provision.
Candidates selected will work in interfaith pairs in their own faith communities based in host organisations in their countries. Inspired by their different religious traditions, they will motivate and equip young people in congregations, schools and university religious student groups to lead their faith communities in spreading awareness of the MDG challenge, raising life-saving funds for the fight against deaths from malaria and promoting a new inter-religious dialogue of life and action.

The programme
The programme will begin with induction first in London lasting two weeks from August 2009, then an educational exposure trip to a malaria hotspot in Africa. Fellows will learn and work in teams in selected African countries, hosted and guided by an organization that is doing excellent primary health care work. In Africa, they will learn about the realities of malaria and the urgency behind the Millennium Development Goals. Both in London and Africa, Fellows will have opportunities to explore the social and cultural life around them and particularly to interact with local faith communities.
On return they will receive further preparatory training in Chicago to equip them to perform effectively in their chosen projects. The rest of the programme will find them working in their local faith communities as interfaith pairs, mobilizing young people of faith to work together in raising awareness of the MDGs and funds for malaria eradication. They will be hosted by a local organization that does related work and will work as a team.

Host organisations
In their home countries, Fellows will be hosted by a local organization whose mission fits closely with this project. Host organizations in the UK include Muslim Aid, World Vision UK, Tzedek, and the Christian-Muslim Forum. We are now seeking host organizations in the US, and Canada. Interested organizations should submit an application (go to www.faithsactfellows.org).
In order to be eligible, the organization’s work must already prioritize interfaith social action or the engagement of faith communities in international development and have the human, physical and technological resources to host and manage two full-time Fellows from late September, 2009 through to late May, 2010.

Where Will Fellows Live?

Fellows will spend their first two months in training and staying in lodging that will be arranged by the programme. Following the training programme, Fellows will return to their home countries and must arrange housing within commuting distance of their host organization.

Fellows will be responsible for finding and paying for their own housing within commuting distance of their host organization. Some Fellows may be placed in their home city and not need to relocate, while others will need to relocate to a new city. As there will only be a few host organizations in each country and we need to ensure a strong fit between the Fellows and their host organizations as well as between the paired Fellows, we cannot guarantee that any Fellow will be able to live in their home city.

Will Fellows Get Paid?

Fellows will receive a modest living allowance, which will vary according to each placement city’s cost of living.

Contact: www.tonyblairfaithfoundation.org
+44 [0] 207 647 7880
P.O. Box 60519, London, Wz7JU, United Kingdom
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Desmond Tutu on Climate Change - Justice for the World's Poor

2008-11-16T08:55:00.000-08:00

Desmond Tutu on Climate Change:

"If we act on the side of justice, we have the power to turn tides."

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=onSHD4sAuB4
3.24 mins
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Ban on Cluster Munitions -- A moral responsibility

2008-11-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

Statement of the European Faith Leaders Conference on Cluster Munitions:

Total ban on cluster munitions - a moral responsibility

Leaders of Europe’s major religions, representing all parts of our continent, together with representatives from non-governmental organisations and supported by members of the diplomatic community met in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, on 29 and 30 October 2008 to address the burning issue of cluster munitions and to express our support for the process to ban these weapons.

The conference was organised by Religions for Peace, the European Council of Religious Leaders and Handicap International Southeast Europe. It was hosted by the Interreligious Council of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Religions for Peace has from its founding in 1970 had a deep commitment to work for nuclear disarmament. Related concerns about peaceful co-existence and prevention of violent conflicts have compelled Religions for Peace to adopt a wider disarmament agenda. As part of this effort, Religions for Peace is joining with the worldwide “Cluster Munitions Coalition” in calling for the end of the production, transfer, stockpiling, and use of cluster munitions.

The issue
Cluster munitions are non-discriminatory and have for more than 40 years killed and wounded innocent people – many of them children – causing untold suffering, loss and hardship for thousands in more than 20 countries. They continue to inflict injury and death for years – sometimes decades – after the end of a war. It is not peace when children cannot play safely in their playgrounds. It is not peace when farmers cannot cultivate their fields, nor fishermen draw their nets without fear. It is not peace when people cannot move freely in their local communities.

Cluster munitions thus keep large groups of people in poverty. The global food crisis increases pressure on people to cultivate areas affected by cluster munitions. The lingering threat of unexploded “bomblets” hampers post-conflict rebuilding and rehabilitation. The dangerous and costly work of clearance absorbs funds that could be spent on other urgent humanitarian needs. Cluster munitions are thus as much a humanitarian issue as it is a disarmament issue. Without determined action, the civilian harm caused by these weapons both during and after conflict will continue to grow.

Religious communities share the conviction that life is a gift of God. Thus dignity and sanctity of life is a value that is deeply held and widely shared by religious communities. This is strongly violated by cluster munitions. The use of cluster munitions is morally reprehensible. No self defence policy or just war theory can legitimate the use of these weapons. Vulnerability is a constituent element of being human. This vulnerability is a moral call to all of us to protect the other.

The Challenges
The conference found the following to be of the utmost importance:

Universalising the Convention on Cluster Munitions
• Governments need to sign the treaty and then to ratify without undue delay so the treaty can come into effect.
• There is a need to work with those governments which do not want to sign the treaty immediately and encourage them to take steps towards signing.
• There is a need for civil society including non-governmental organisations to continue to play their significant role in influencing public opinion and framing of policies in support of the convention.

Implementing the Convention on Cluster Munitions
• The Convention on Cluster Munitions is not effective unless states abide by its obligations. This includes clearance of contaminated areas as well as destruction of stockpiled cluster munitions.
• Countries that have used cluster munitions are responsible for clearing affected areas in the countries where they have used them.
• Affected populations should be educated about the dangers caused by unexploded bomblets in their environments.

Making survivor assistance a priority, nationally and internationally
• Survivor assistance refers to physical care and rehabilitation as well as to economic and social re-integration. The needs of survivors must be addressed through projects and actions including medical care, the building of appropriate infrastructures, educational programmes and assistance. The voice of survivors must be heard and their organisations should be included in these processes. The rights of survivors must be reflected in national and international development programmes and policies.
• It is especially incumbent on faith communities to offer victims and survivors spiritual support in the face of injury, trauma and loss, and in the struggle for recovery and re-inclusion in society.

Our commitment
Our faith traditions call us to stand with those who suffer, and to work together for the well-being of the human family based on our shared commitment to justice and peace.

As religious leaders from Europe’s major religions and representatives of all parts of our continent, we therefore:

• commit ourselves to take action, each in our own context, to support a ban on cluster munitions and to further the implementation of the treaty. We will urge our governments to take bold and committed steps, facilitate dialogue and take necessary action. We will work through our own faith communities to educate people on this issue and encourage them to be agents of change, working in solidarity with the survivors, their families and communities affected by the menace of cluster munitions. We encourage the organisers of this conference to continue to assist religious leaders in their efforts to take action for example through awareness raising, sharing of knowledge and experiences, and direct engagement with affected countries and communities.

• call upon leaders of faith in all religious communities to make their voices heard and to engage with their respective governments and make sure they fulfil their obligations as representatives of the people. We urge them to take leadership in their religious communities to provide spiritual care to those affected and to guide the people of faith and make them instruments for justice and peace.

• call upon European governments to ensure that cluster munitions are banned through signing the treaty, ratifying it, implementing it and contributing in the international work to clean up and dispose of cluster munitions, as well as supporting those affected.

We commend all those within civil society and among state actors who have worked hard to bring us to the point where a convention has been agreed. After the treaty is signed there is still a long way to go. We commit ourselves to continue to be part of this ongoing process for the total elimination of the curse of cluster munitions.

Sarajevo, 30 October 2008

European Council of Religious Leaders,
Office: Bernhard Getz' gate 3, Oslo.

Postal address: P O Box 6820 St. Olavs pl, NO-0130 Oslo. Norway.
Telephone +47 23 35 30 90.
E-mail: ecrl@rfp-europe.eu

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Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions - Message

2008-10-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

Warm greetings from the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions (the Council).

Our organization works with religious and spiritual communities and other guiding institutions in their efforts to achieve a more just, peaceful and sustainable world. With its roots in the historic 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions, the Council has held modern-day parliaments in 1993 (Chicago, United States), 1999 (Cape Town, South Africa), and 2004 (Barcelona, Spain).
Our next parliament - an international and interreligious gathering, bringing together 8,000 to 10,000 guests from 80 countries - will be held in Melbourne, Australia, December 3-9, 2009.

In order to keep you abreast of the Melbourne event and our numerous worldwide programs leading up to it, we are requesting that you be so kind as to provide us with your current contact information as outlined below.

Organization:

Title:

Mailing Address:

E-mail:

URL:

Phones:

Fax:

Gender:

Religious Tradition:

We greatly appreciate your response to this e-mail, and we look forward to sharing with you all the exciting work we are doing to support interreligious dialogue.

Peace,
Sushmita Manatt
Research Assistant
Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions
70 East Lake Street, Suite 205Chicago, IL 60601 USAE-mail: sushmita@parliamentofreligions.org
Telephone 312-629-2990 Ext. 240Fax 312-629-2991

Satyagraha by Philip Glass

2008-10-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

Satyagragha

An imaginative opera by Philip Glass
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=PCGmbzRz9Ws
4.32 minutes

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Giving Freedom a World Voice

2008-10-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King Jr.,

The Humanities Council of Washington DC

presents

"Giving Freedom a World Voice"

Dates: November 16th to 21st 2008

RSVP: 202 387 8391

Visit: www.wdchumanities.org

925, U Street NW
Washington DC 20001

Beyond our Differences

2008-10-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

Beyond Our Differences

Documentary Film

Beyond Our Differences, directed by Peter Bisanz explores the fundamental unity among world religions. Interviews with politicians, scholars, and religious leaders like His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu are woven with the stories of everyday individuals who put their faith to good work.

Filmed across Asia, Africa, North America, Europe, and the Middle East, Beyond Our Differences reveals the important role of religion in our increasingly global community. The documentary will premiere at the New York Independent International Film and Video Festival, with a broadcast on Bill Moyers Journal this December (2008) to follow. The film has also been accepted at four other festivals across the country.

Visit:
http://www.beyondourdifferences.com/

Contact:
245 W. 55th Street Suite 1108 New York, NY 10019
US Office: +1 (646) 822-9258
peter@entropyfilms.org
tonko@entropyfilms.org

Living in Harmony with the Earth - October 12th 2008

2008-09-26T03:54:00.000-07:00

“A Silver Jubilee Celebration Event”

hosted by

the Zoroastrian Center of Metropolitan Chicago.

Time: Sunday October 12, 2008, 2:00pm – 6:00pm

Venue: Zoroastrian Center of Metropolitan Chicago,
Arbab Rustom Guiv Dar-e-Mehr,
8615 Meadowbrook Drive, Burr Ridge, IL 60527

Who: All are Welcome. This is a FREE event.

The Zoroastrian community cordially invites you to attend a forum,
Living in Harmony with the Earth.

A lunch will be generously provided and a special pre-event ceremony is open for your observance. This is a great opportunity for us to learn more about the Zoroastrian community and how their tradition embodies the wisdom of Living in Harmony with the Earth.

This event is part of the series of Community Celebrations and Forums, initiated by the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions (CPWR) to cultivate interreligious understanding in the religiously and ethnically diverse metropolitan Chicago area.

CPWR will present updated information about the upcoming 2009 Parliament event in Melbourne, Australia during the program. Please share the attached invitation with your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. All are welcome!

To RSVP or for any further questions,
please contact: RSVP@parliamentofreligions.org,
Emily Chou (312) 629-2990 ext. 244

Emily Chou
Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions
70 East Lake St. Ste. 205Chicago, IL 60601USA
http://www.parliamentofreligions.org

Tel:1-312-629-2990 ext.244
Fax:1-312-629-2991

The Green Rule Interfaith Project

2008-08-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

The Green Rule Interfaith Project

To Discover the Sacredness of Creation within the World's Religions

To represent creation as a whole, a tree is used as a central image, symbolic of the entire Earth, its various peoples, cultures, creatures and ecosystems. You will notice on the poster that there is only one tree but many different species of leaves. This is intended to express the old adage 'unity in diversity.' Each leaf represents a different faith tradition, and each species is significant to the faith it represents.

A Green Rule Study Guide is available:
http://www.faith-commongood.net/docs/greenrulehandbook.pdf

It offers suggestions on how you can use the Green Rule poster as an imaginative and practical tool to teach youth and adult members of your faith community and school system about the sacredness of creation in their own faith, while taking into consideration the similar beliefs of other traditions.
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Call from Sapporo, Japan - July 2008

2008-07-09T22:33:00.000-07:00

Call from Sapporo –

World Religious Leaders Summit for Peace

On the occasion of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit

July 3, 2008
Sapporo, Japan

INTRODUCTION
We, senior leaders of the world’s religions, have convened in a World Religious Leaders Summit for Peace in Sapporo, Japan, just prior to the Group of Eight (G8) Hokkaido Toyako Summit.

We are united in our commitment to peace, which includes our concern for the inviolable dignity of all people, the dire suffering of so many and the well-being of our shared Earth.

We carry forward important work begun in multi-religious meetings held just prior to the G8 summits in Moscow (2006) and Cologne (2007).

We have been convened by Religions for Peace—Japan in partnership with the World Conference of Religions for Peace. We are united in our call to the G8 to take bold action to address the threats that confront humanity, including the destruction of the environment and climate change, extreme global poverty and deteriorating food security, nuclear arms, terrorism and violent conflict. Addressing these threats requires urgent action by the G8. Action by all governments, civil society, private sector, religious communities and—in the final analysis—every member of the human family is required to advance the common good.

We urge the G8 to respond in ways designed to engage these stakeholders in building our common future. Religious communities have roles in building peace. Before outlining these roles, we acknowledge with genuine sorrow that all religions have at times been misused in fomenting violence.

(1)We reject this misuse of religions and commit ourselves to engaging our communities for the common good. Collectively, our religious communities are the world’s largest social networks which reach into the furthest corners of the earth and include countless institutions dedicated to caring for people. Religions share many moral traditions that can provide basic principles essential for just and harmonious relations among persons and communities. Moreover, religious traditions—each in its own way—cultivate spiritualities of compassion and love essential for genuine reconciliation and peace. Mobilizing these great social, moral and spiritual dimensions of the world’s religions in service of the common good is essential for the well-being of the human family. We are united in the conviction that all religions obligate their followers to work for justice among all peoples, and to care for one another and our common home, the earth.&n! bsp; We commit to doing so.

OUR COMMITMENT
As religious leaders, we are committed to the path of multi-religious cooperation for peace. Religious traditions—each in its own way—summons their followers to the path of multi-religious cooperation for the common good. This path:
• Leads to senior religious leaders from all faith traditions and billions of believers working together for a positive and holistic state of peace;
• Enjoins the world’s believers to engage their moral heritages and spiritual traditions in taking individual responsibility for protecting our earth;
• Brings politicians, civil society and religious communities together to forge needed consensus on values that can serve as the basis of just and creative policies.

SHARED SECURITY
An overarching notion that we believe can help express the comprehensive character of our moral and religious concerns is “Shared Security.” Shared Security builds on the concept of Human Security by focusing on the fundamental inter-relatedness of all persons and the environment. Shared Security includes a comprehensive respect for the interconnectedness and dignity of all life. It is based upon our mutual interdependence and the most universal and fundamental fact that all humans live in one world. It recognizes that the well-being of one is related to the well-being of others and ultimately to the earth that we all share. It calls us to recognize that past, present and future are linked. Together, we must acknowledge past failings, face present challenges and accept our responsibilities to future generations. Shared Security is concerned with the full continuum of human relations—from relationships among individuals to the ways that peoples are organized in nations or international organizations. It respects state sovereignty, but also supports democratic and transparent cooperation among states and peoples. It follows that the security of one actor of international relations must not be detrimental to others. International actors who are responsible for global decision-making must act transparently and be open to the contributions of all stakeholders, including religious communities which represent a major part of civil society. A similar concern for a just world order, respecting different national and religious traditions, was made at the Moscow World Summit of Religious Leaders (2006). As religious leaders, we recognize that there is a foundational moral imperative for advancing

Shared Security: We are all responsible for one another’s well-being.

CALLS TO ACTION

We call upon the G8 to include in their discussions and plans of action the following areas of concern:
1. The Destruction of the Environment and Climate Change
Japan, the host of this year’s G8 Summit, possesses a spiritual term, mottainai, meaning “do not waste, use everything in a fashion commensurate with its true value.” This concept recognizes the mysterious “giftedness” of all existence, and urges that natural resources must be used appropriately, while simultaneously encouraging responsible and sustainable consumption. The concept also provides a base for recognizing that it is unethical to burden future generations with excessive pollution or other gross environmental imbalances. Development must be environmentally sustainable. We must also draw attention to the link between the health of the environment and war. In addition to killing people, disrupting the lives of entire societies and thwarting development, war destroys the ecosystem. Massive defense expenditures, a global total of US$ 1.34 Trillion in 2007 according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, both directly assaults the ecosystem and squanders monies that urgently need to be directed to sustainable development. It is a grave contradiction to advocate for a reduction of global warming gas emissions while simultaneously maintaining or even expanding military expenditures.

We urge the G8 Summit to:
• Commit to a reduction of total national defense and military expenditures and utilize the saved funds to establish an Earth Fund dedicated to environmental protection.
• Establish a new binding framework to follow up the Kyoto Protocols that limits global average temperature rise to avert catastrophic climate change.
• Provide leadership to expand energy efficiency and conservation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission rates.
• Advance policies and practices that increase forestation and other forms of carbon dioxide sequestration.
• Recognize that trading “global warming gas emission rights” has at best limited value, and could disproportionately penalize the least developed.
• Facilitate major investments in the development of new sources of energy and technology essential to sustainable development, specifically without jeopardizing food security.
• Implement the recommendations contained in the Kobe 3R Action Plan (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).

2. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
The massive scale of extreme poverty at a time of unprecedented wealth is a moral scandal. Poverty is exacerbated by structural injustices in the global economy which must be addressed. At the mid-point of the Millennium Development Campaign, religious leaders gathered at the Cologne World Summit of Religious Leaders (2007). They recognized an urgent need to not only fulfill the pledges, but in some instances, to exceed the commitments made. Meeting these challenges is even more urgent, not least due to the growing food crisis. Here again, we call for the funds achieved from the reduction of defense budgets to be allocated in support of sustainable development and poverty reduction. We request the G8 Summit to:
• Take leadership to ensure the achievement of the MDGs, including delivery on the Gleneagles aid quantity and quality promises, particularly reaching the goal 0.7% of Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance.
• Provide urgently needed global leadership to address the growing crisis of food shortages, including needed emergency responses.
• Meet its pledges of increased resources to scale up the response to HIV and AIDS, Malaria, and other infectious diseases, and to ensure universal access to HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care services by 2010.
• Dedicate resources to empower women and girls as key agents in overcoming poverty.
• Make the legal empowerment of the poor a key objective in its development assistance strategies.
• Fulfill its commitment to ensuring a development friendly outcome of the Doha Round of trade negotiations.

3. Nuclear Disarmament
Mindful that the 2008 G8 Summit is taking place in Japan, the only country that has suffered the horror of a nuclear attack, we religious leaders stand in solidarity with our Japanese hosts to call for the elimination of all nuclear weapons. We believe that the attempt to militarily dominate the sea, space, neutral territories or states creates obstacles on the way to nuclear and conventional disarmament. We also believe that conventional disarmament and efforts to ban military technologies and initiatives that could provoke a new arms race should go hand in hand with efforts to advance nuclear disarmament.

We request the G8 Summit to:
• Pursue rigorous implementation of nuclear reduction and nonproliferation policies leading to the goal of total nuclear disarmament. As stipulated in article 6 of the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the five acknowledged nuclear-weapon states must act on their commitments to work toward eliminating existing nuclear weapons as rapidly as possible. States with nuclear weapons that have not acknowledged them must acknowledge their possession, make similar commitments to their elimination and enter into the NPT.
• Push for prompt ratifications and entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and commit to take no action leading toward the reintroduction of any form of nuclear weapons testing.
• Continue to demonstrate positive leadership for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 and other global initiatives to control the transfer of nuclear materials and stop further proliferation.

4. Terrorism and Violent Conflict
Terrorism—the intentional killing of innocent people as a way of achieving a political objective—is never morally justified whether it is perpetrated by individuals, groups or states. Moreover, military responses to terrorism injure innocent persons, provide additional motivation for terrorist groups and endanger basic freedoms in the societies attempting to protect themselves from terrorism. Violent military conflict—the attempt to settle serious disputes by military force—typically results in the loss of innocent lives, disruption of society, thwarting of development and destruction of the environment. Every effort must be made to utilize non-violent means to thwart terrorism and resolve disputes to advance peace. We call upon the G8 to:
• Provide global leadership designed to combat the victimization of groups based on culture or creed.
• Work to end occupation and establish just, honorable and comprehensive peace in all countries or territories which are occupied.
• Re-affirm and strengthen its commitment to standards of international law in its efforts to counteract terrorism and promote international security.
• Acknowledge and support the importance of multi-religious partnerships to help address the problems of terrorism and violent conflict.
• Work to limit the production and export of arms into areas of violent conflict.
• Promote a culture of peace by advancing non-violent conflict resolution and peace education.

CONCLUSION
The G8 has the responsibility to use boldness and wisdom to advance the common good in partnership with the religious communities and all other stakeholders. We—leaders of diverse religious communities—re-commit ourselves to working together and with other partners of good will to address the threats that confront us all. While we labor to meet the challenges of our day, we are deeply mindful of religious traditions which have taught—each in its own way—compassion, forgiveness and reconciliation, and that these are essential for genuine peace. We respectfully urge the G8 to recognize, facilitate and effectively support the importance of multi-religious cooperation, as it takes needed steps to advance the common good. (1) We recall and embrace as our own an historic multi-religious acknowledgement on the misuse of religion: “As men and women of religions, we confess in humility and penitence that we have very often betrayed our religious ideals and our commitment to peace. It is not religion that has failed the cause of peace, but religious people. This betrayal of religion can and must be corrected.”
(From the global multi-religious Declaration adopted at the Religions for Peace First World Assembly in Kyoto, Japan, 1970.)
###

Swami Vivekanada at the First Parliament of the World's Religions, Chicago

2008-06-09T05:37:00.000-07:00

A Vignette from the First Parliament of the World's Religions,
Chicago, Illinois

The Voice Of Swami Vivekananda

http://www.udeps.com/Vivekananda.html

Gandhi * King * Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace

2008-05-01T17:36:00.000-07:00

Gandhi * King * Ikeda

A Legacy of Building Peace

WHAT: Opening Ceremony of "Gandhi King Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace" Exhibit

WHEN: May 5, 2008
Time: 7.00 PM - 9.00 PM

WHERE: Nyumbure Culture Center Building
232,Campus Drive, College Park
University of Maryland, MD 20742.

The exhibit was created by Dean Lawrence Carter of the Martin Luther King International Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta to honor the legacy of pursuing peace and non-violent protest begun by Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. and embodied by Daisaku Ikeda today. This exhibit has toured all over the world, including in India, and is coming to the Washington, DC area May 5-10. The Soka Gakkai International (SGI-USA), the Buddhist lay organization based on the three pillars of peace, culture, and education, is hosting the exhibit in the US. Three men from three different faiths, cultures and continents have followed a common path of profound dedication to peace and to improving the lives of all people. Seek their lofty principles and ideals within the grasp of present day existence.

Norooz Pirooz!

2008-04-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

Norooz Official Video from Ontario Parliament,Canada,

which was run on Persian TV.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=xQbCfelHSxI

American Red Cross Walk in Philadelphia, Pa

2008-04-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

The American Red Cross Walk

is on this

Saturday, April 19, 2008.

The event details are as follows:
8:00 AM Sign-in
9:00 AM Warm-up
9:15 AM Walk and have fun
12 Noon Post-Walk Party at Kildare's- Manayunk

Location: Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park Philadelphia, PA
(Address: 4301 Parkside Ave, Philadelphia, PA-19104)

Parking: Free parking will be available off of South Concourse Drive near Memorial Hall

The ZAPANJ Trekkers [ about 25 Zoroastrians have already registered] are planning to meet at 8am by the fountain across the Memorial Hall. There is still time to register and on-site registration is also available.

Instructions to Register as a Walker:
1) Log on to: www.redcrosswalk.org

2) Please wait until three red boxes: Register Now, Sponsor Walker, and Log In appear in the upper right hand corner of the screen.
3) Double click on: Register Now
4) Click on: Search for a team
5) Type in: 'zapanj trekkers' in the box
6) Click on: 'Find Participant'
7) In the lower part of the next screen you will see a results table.
8) Click on 'zapanj trekkers' in the Team Column
9) This will bring up the list of registered ZAPANJ trekkers.
10) Click on 'Join ZAPANJ Trekkers'
11) This will bring up the 'Choose Participation Type' screen
12) Select 'Register as a Walker'
13) At bottom of the page enter your fund raising goal (if any).
14) Click 'Next Step' in the lower left corner of the page.
15) Fill in your contact information.
16) Click 'Next Step'
17) Complete the waiver screen.
18) This will give you the confirmation that you are registered as a walker. Subsequently you will get a confirmation email at the address that you have provided in your 'Contact Screen'.

Donation Instructions for Non-Walkers:

Follow Steps 1- 9 as above
10) You will see a 'Support ZAPANJ Trekkers Gauge' on the right hand side.
11) Click on the hyperlink 'Make a gift' in the bottom left hand corner of the gauge.
12) Enter your gift amount (minimum $5) and enter the billing information.

Whoever plans to attend the post walk party at Kildare's in Manayunk must RSVP to walk@redcross-philly.org or call 215-405-8888 by April 18.
###

Second Annual Religions in Conversation Conference - April 13th 2008

2008-04-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

The Second Annual Religions in Conversation Conference

Mirrors and Windows

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Claremont Graduate University

10:00am-8:00pm

Keynote Speaker:
Sheikh Sadullah Khan
Islamic Center of Irvine

Speakers:

Althea Spencer Miller * Catholic and Protestant Studies
Gawdat Gabra * Coptic Studies
Hamid Mavani * Islamic Studies
Deepak Shimkhada * Indic Philosophy and Culture
Mark Paredes * Mormon Studies
Rabbi Gary Greenebaum * Jewish Studies

Touraj Daryaee * Zoroastrian Studies

Sponsored by: the School of Religion,
Claremont Graduate University

to register, call (909) 607-9592
or visit http://www.cgu.edu/pages/5457.asp
###

Women -- Summit to End Global poverty -- April 13th 1008

2008-04-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

Washington National Cathedral

Invites you to:
"BREAKTHROUGH"

The Women, Faith and Development
Summit to End Global Poverty

Sunday, April 13th, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Free, but Registration is Required

for further information and to register
click on http://www.wfd-alliance.org/

From India to Israel - April 6th and 7th 2008

2008-04-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

April 6, 2008
From India to Israel—
The Musical Heritage of Cochin
(Flyer) (pdf file)

For centuries Jewish women along India’s Malabar Coast filled notebooks with music they sang in Malayalam at weddings, community celebrations and rituals. Now they have been painstakingly re-discovered, performed and recorded in Israel, and been the subject of international exchange on the cultures of Hindus, Christians and Jews in India’s vibrant multi-ethnic Kerala region. A unique local and international partnership will present this music and those key to its revival at three Metropolitan Washington DC area events.

Co-sponsored by
the Embassies of India and Israel,
University of Maryland Center for Jewish Studies International Affairs Office,
B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum,
and Library of Congress Asia Division.

Time: 3:00 pm
Venue: Stamp Student Union,
Prince George’s Room (1210),
University of Maryland, College Park

A combined musical and academic panel will focus on
Malayalam-language songs and expert commentary.
For further information,
contact Dr. Saul Sosnowki at (301) 405-4772 or sosnowski@umd.edu

April 7, 2008
Time: 12.00 noon
Venue: Mumford Room, Library of Congress, Washington DC
A short introduction to the songs and stories. The program will be accompanied by a special exhibit of books on the Cochin Jewish community from the Asian collections of the Library of Congress in the Asian Reading Room, LJ–150, Jefferson Building, Library of Congress from 10:00 am–5:00pm.

For further information,
contact Dr. Allen Thrasher at (202) 707-3732 or athr@loc.gov

April 7, 2008
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater,
Washington DC Jewish Community Center,
1529 Sixteenth Street, NW Washington DC
Jewish Community Center

“The Women Who Kept the Songs”, The Nirit Singers, Israeli women, of Cochin, Indian origin, will sing and share the stories of a nearly lost cultural treasure with American and Indian experts who helped in the music’s revival.

The songs and discussion will be followed by a reception in honor of this cultural achievement. $15, Discounted Member, Senior, Under 25 and Student Price $10Online purchase of tickets at www.washingtondcjcc.org/dialogues

Information: Stephen Stern (202) 777-3207 dialogues@washingtondcjcc.org
##

The Paul Carus Award

2008-03-27T12:29:00.000-07:00

The Paul Carus Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Interreligious Movement

"The Parliament of Religions is undoubtedly the most noteworthy event of modern times. What are the World's Fair and its magnificent splendor in comparison with it?...It is evident that from its date we shall have to begin a new era in the evolution of man's religious life...Whether or not the Parliament of Religions be repeated, whether or not its work be continued, the fact remains that this congress at Chicago will exert a lasting influence upon the religious intelligence of mankind. It has stirred the spirits, stimulated mental growth, and given direction to man's further evolution. It is by no means an agnostic movement, for it is carried on the wings of a religious faith and positive certainty."

On December 1, 2001, in partnership with the M. Blouke Carus Family, the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions announced the establishment of the Paul Carus Award for Interreligious Understanding.

The first Paul Carus Award was presented to Bishop McLeod Baker Ochola II and the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative at the 2004 Parliament of the World's Religions in Barcelona.Members of the Council for the Parliament of the World's Religions' International Advisory Committee have advised the Council for the Parliament of the World's Religions on criteria and selection of the current and future recipients of this prestigious award.

A Brief History of Paul Carus

Paul Carus was born in 1852 in Ilsenburg, Germany, descending from a family of scholars. In 1887, he moved to the United States of America to become Editor-in-Chief of Open Court Publishing. In that role, he corresponded with and published the works of leaders in the fields of mathematics, philosophy, world religions, and related disciplines.In 1893, Carus offered a thirty-minute paper at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. As he wrote later, he never expected to be so moved by this event, which served to redirect his lifework towards building awareness and understanding of Eastern philosophies and religions in the United States. In 1894, Dr. Carus wrote The Gospel of Buddha, the classic text on Buddhism that first introduced many Westerners to Buddha and his teachings. Because it resembled a Christian "gospel," it was easily understood by Christian audiences unfamiliar with Buddhist teachings.Dr Carus' passion and commitment to the quest for religious and spiritual understanding was illustrated by his lifelong dedication to providing an open forum for the ideas of such diverse scholars as Pierce, Russell, Mach, Dharmapala, Swami Vivekananda, Shuku Soyen, D.T. Suzuki, and thousands of other great thinkers. As a thinker, writer and publisher, Carus became a bridge-builder between religions and science, philosophy and society, the Occident and the Orient, and Buddhism and Christianity.

The Carus family maintains the legacy of Paul Carus through Open Court Publishing, which specializes in scholarly and trade non-fiction, with an emphasis on philosophy, social issues, Eastern thought, education, psychology, Jungian analysis, and religion and science. In 2004, Open Court published a new edition of The Gospel of Buddha with 25 recently rediscovered paintings by the renowned Buddhist artist Yamada.

A short film discusses the legacy of Paul Carus and the impact he left on the interreligious movement.
Click here to watch the low bandwidth version.
Or, click here to watch the high bandwidth version

###

Norooz Pirooz!

2008-03-26T23:25:00.000-07:00

The Council on Persian Culture

wishes

all Parsi speaking people of
Greater Iran Plateau a Happy New Year,

and

Peace and Joy for all people of the world.

Please see Niayesh Noroozi at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekNNWCet_ro

cPc Board of Advisors
• Professor Richard Frye, Harvard University
• Professor Stanley Insler, Yale University
• Professor Keikhosrow Irani, Professor Emeritus New York University
• Professor Farhang Mehr, Professor Emeritus Boston University
• Professor Jennifer Rose, Stanford University
• Professor Hanns-Peter Schmidt, University of California Los Angeles
• Professor Martin Schwartz, University of California Berkeley
• Professor Oktor Skjaervo, Harvard University

cPc Board of Executives
• Mr. Shariar Afshari
• Mr. Fereidoon Goshtasbi
• Mr. Farhad Khosravi
• Dr. Khosrow Mehrfar
• Dr. Sohrab Salamatipour
• Dr. Rostam Vahidi

Norooz Pirooz!
Council on Persian Culture - cPc on http://www.czc.org/
###

A Season of Service: March 21st to April 22nd

2008-03-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

Days of Interfaith Youth Service
April 19-20, 2008

Habitat for Humanity Youthbuild
...Saturday, April 19, 8:30-4:30

Earth Conservation Corps
Anacostia River Cleanup
...Sunday, April 20, 2:00-6:00

High school and college students and young adults
are invited to join the work, the dialogue and the fun!

To register, contact:
Mike Goggin at 202-234-6300 x 202
or mikeg@ifcmw.org

Click to see scenes from last spring's service days.
###

"The Big Question: A Film about Forgiveness" -- Sunday March 9th 2008

2008-03-07T05:26:00.000-08:00

"The Big Question: A Film about Forgiveness."

What: Film screening at the Washington DC Independent Film Festival

When: on Sunday, March 9th at 1:30 p.m.

Where: George Washington University - Jack Morton Auditorium.

To learn more about the movie and to see the film's trailer, please visit http://www.bigquestionthemovie.com/

For tickets:
contact:
Frank Desiderio, C.S.P.
Executive Producer
The Big Question: A Film about Forgiveness
(310) 709-7014

Educational Resource - A New Website: homidhalla.com

2007-12-29T04:44:00.000-08:00

A New Website on Zarathushti Lore
from January 1, 2008
by
Dr. Homi Dhalla

The soul of the earth complained to the Creator that it was being oppressed by violence, savagery and cruelty and it needed a protector. In response to this call, Prophet Zarathushtra was deputed to bring about order in the prevalent chaos. It was this that moved Rabindranath Tagore to remark: “He was the watcher in the night who stood on the lonely peak facing the East and broke out singing the paens of light to the sleeping world when the sun came out on the brim of the horizon”.

Although the Prophet spread his message in the distant past, his legacy lives on. The moral vision, which he has bequeathed, is timeless. His message as taught in the Gathas brought forth ideas that not only changed the stream of human thought but influenced the most important concepts in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. This spirit of the Gathas has also been echoed in the Avestan and Pahlavi literature.

The Pahlavi texts are an integral and important part of Zarathushti literature. This literature throws significant light on the practice of Zoroastrianism in Sasanian and post-Sasanian times. A crucial part of this literature is wisdom literature. This form was evidently an important vehicle to impart knowledge to children as well as adults. Those Pahlavi texts dealing with this aspect are known as ‘Andarz’ and may also be termed as wisdom literature. The Pahlavi term ‘Andarz’ means, “counsel, advice, maxim, admonition or teaching”. These are admonitions of sages, learned priests and ministers.

Hence, my intention in launching this website is to bring the inspiring message of the Gathas as well as other maxims and admonitions from later literature to the common man. Every time you visit this website, a new thought would be projected from this vast moral storehouse. They are pregnant with Zarathushti values and hence would provide guidance to us in our daily lives.

You could access this website by logging onto homidhalla.com from January 1, 2008.

In God's Name: December 23rd 2007

2007-12-18T17:49:00.000-08:00

In God's Name

A 2 hour prime-time special

on the evening of Sunday 23rd December 2007

will feature 12 prominent religious leaders

from around the world.

In alphabetical order, they are:

Alexei II, Patriarch of Moscow and head of the Russian Orthodox Church
Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi), a Hindu spiritual leader
Pope Benedict XVI, head of the Roman Catholic Church
The Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso), spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists
Ayatollah Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah, a prominent Shi'ite Muslim leader
Bishop Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and President of the Lutheran World Federation
Michihisa Kitashirakawa, Jingu Daiguji (High Priest) of the Shinto Grand Shrine of Ise
Yona Metzger, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel
Dr. Frank Page, President of the Southern Baptist Convention
Muhammad Sayyed Tantawi, Sheikh of Al-Azhar and a prominent Sunni Muslim leader
Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the Sikhs' highest authority
Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Church of England
In total, these leaders represent faiths with over 4 billion believers.

These excerpts from CBS Entertainment's press release:

"IN GOD'S NAME, a CBS primetime special produced in association with the acclaimed French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet, will explore the complex questions of our time through the intimate thoughts and beliefs of 12 of the world's most influential spiritual leaders. These diverse and powerful voices offer provocative, compelling and enlightening perspective on myriad issues in our post-9/11 world, including the rise of terrorism, fanaticism, intolerance and war. The two-hour special will be broadcast Sunday, Dec. 23 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

"The program marks the first time that this distinct group of leaders has appeared in one broadcast. These spiritual beacons speak out about violence and hatred and reveal their own thoughts about faith, peace, unity, tolerance and hope. Viewers will see them in intimate settings, including their homes and personal places of worship. Ultimately, through the eyes of these 12 very different religious figures, the filmmakers discover the common ground among believers around the world."

Read the complete CBS press release on the Common Tables Blog.
###

Global ReLeaf - Grants Available

2007-12-15T07:36:00.000-08:00

2008 Tree Planting Grants Available
American Forests in Search of tree planting projects
Contact: Margo Dawley, (202) 737-1944 ext.224

Global ReLeaf, a program of American Forests the nation’s oldest nonprofit citizens’ conservation organization (www.americanforests.org), is offering annual grants towards tree planting projects.

American Forests’ mission is to grow a healthier world. Global ReLeaf is American Forests' education and action program that helps individuals, organizations, agencies, and corporations improve the local and global environment by planting and caring for trees. Since it’s creation in 1988 the program has supported plantings of over 25 million trees worldwide.

The Global ReLeaf grant program provides private dollars to support local reforestation efforts and help match other funding sources. American Forests raises a dollar for every tree planted with Global ReLeaf. The dollars fund the reforestation projects. Competitive grant requests must maximize the use of total project funds per tree planted. Grants are available to support rural seedling projects restoring damaged forest ecosystems.

Further information regarding Global ReLeaf Grants including application forms and criteria can be found at: http://www.americanforests.org/global_releaf/grants/

Please forward this grant opportunity to all those partners planning 2008 plantings.

Deadlines for grant proposals are January 15th and July 1st.

If you have any questions regarding grant specifics or plan on applying for funds please contact Margo Dawley 202-737-1944 x224
mdawley@amfor.org.

May Peace Prevail on Earth -- 15th and 22nd December 2007

2007-12-07T13:22:00.000-08:00

May Peace Prevail on Earth
The Global Link Teleconferences

Voices of global citizens from every continent calling for peace to prevail on earth will be connected Live by Teleconference. Your active prayers for peace will commune with voices from around the world to inspire, awaken and further elevate the conscious evolution of humanity. A multi-cultural, interfaith opportunity for the global heart to merge as ONE.

Two Teleconferences are scheduled in December:
A Call to Peace in the USA –Saturday, December 15th, 4pm EST, USA,in celebration of World Day of Unity and Union.

World Peace Prayer Ceremony Saturday, December 22nd, 9am EST, USA linking with the Global Celebration of a New Dawn .

Both Teleconferences will be broadcasted live by the All One Now Network webcast service. The Global Link Teleconferences are hosted by The World Peace Prayer Society.

To learn more and register please visit: http://www.worldpeace.org/teleconference.php
###

November 10th 2007 Faith and Foreign Policy Forum, New Hampshire, USA

2007-10-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Faith and Foreign Policy Forum
November 10, 2007 · Saint Anselm College, NH

The Faith and Foreign Policy Forum
-co-sponsored by The New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College,
the Council on Faith & International Affairs,
and Gordon College
-will feature panels of scholars and practitioners speaking on the critical intersection of religion and global issues.

Distinguished experts speaking at the event include:

Jay F. Hein, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
J. Brady Anderson, Former Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development

Dorothy Boorse, Gordon College Todd Johnson, Gordon-Conwell Seminary
Christine Kearney, Saint Anselm College Paul Manuel, New Hampshire Inst. of Politics
Ruth Melkonian-Hoover, Gordon College Steven E. Meyer, National Defense University
Daniel Philpott, University of Notre Dame Elizabeth Prodromou, Boston University
Tim Sherratt, Gordon College James W. Skillen, Center for Public Justice

Topics to be addressed at the forum include:
Terrorism Immigration
The Middle East Environmental Issues
Foreign Aid & Reconciliation Religious Freedom
U.S.-Latin America Relations U.S.-Europe Relations

Event Schedule:

Saturday November 10, 2007
10:30 am- 5:00 pm: Panels of distinguished scholars (listed above)Plus a special evening panel from 7- 8:30 pm on "Faith and Foreign Aid" featuring:
Jay F. Hein, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
J. Brady Anderson Former Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development

Where: New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College (directions)

This event is free and open to the public and press.

No registration is necessary.
Visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001aIBs6RuYK4rCLltNekS1_F1WnpWo2gfzSFNfacXYfhjeE0mkyfOeh3Yp1LnVPzjksZwDZoUeOzs2M7v-Nf46rLKaGJi1H4Vt_N91E0HvBCw= for up-to-date information.

For conference information,
please contact Ann Camann, Event Planning Coordinator
(603 )222-4103 / acaman@anselm.edu
For media inquiries
please contact Barbara LeBlanc, Director, News & Information
(603) 641-7241 / bleblanc@anselm.edu

Rumi: Song of the Reed in Irvine, California

2007-10-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

Chapman University
The Iranica Institute
Dr. Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture,
UCI Iranian Studies, UCLA
and Pacifica Institute

Present

Rumi: Song of the Reed

In Celebration of the Great Master’s 800th Birthday.
A Day of Dance, Poetry Reading, Lectures, and Classical Iranian Music.

When: Saturday, October 20, 2007
Where: Chapman University, Orange, California & University of California, Irvine

******
Program Details

I. Morning Session Hosted by Pacifica Institute

Place: Kennedy Hall 237 A and B(In the Law School located at the corner of Glassell and Sycamore)Chapman University, Orange, California

9 am - 9:30 am: Guests Arrive – hot coffee/tea available
9:30 am: Introductions and Overview of the Day.
10 am – 12 pm: English Language Panel
1. John Ishvaradas Abdallah, Author and Past President of South Coast Interfaith Council (SCIC): “A Sufi's Ruminations on One World Under God”
2. Documentary Film of a play about the Whirling Dervishes
3. Atilla Kahveci, Vice president of the Pacifica Institute:“In The Footsteps of Mowlana”

Lunch Break 12 pm – 1 pm: Participants can visit one of the many restaurantsin Old Town Orange

II. Afternoon Session
Hosted by Chapman University (Center for Global Education, Wilkinson College of Letters and Sciences, & Department of English, WCLS), Iranica Institute, and Iranian Studies, UCLA

1:00 – 2:00 pm: Zuleikha in Concert:“Jewels from the Heart. A performance of dance, story, music, and poetry”Place: Wallace All Faiths Chapel

Short Break
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Coffee/tea/lemonade and cookiesPlace: Kennedy Hall 237 A and B

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm: English Language PanelProf. John M. Moyne, author: “In the Garden of Angels.”Prof. Hossein Ziai: “Reading Rumi’s Poetry.”
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm: Persian Language PanelProf. Nasrin Rahimieh: IntroductionsProf. Hossein Ziai: “Overview of Rumi and Introductions.”Pari Iranmanesh: “Aql-e Ma'ash az Didgah-e Mawlavi dar Asr-e Hazer.”Shervin Emami: "Mawlana, Forough, Tavallodi Dobareh."

[Both sessions are free and open to the public]

III. Evening Session
Hosted by Dr. Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture,University of California, Irvine

An Evening of Persian Music with Hossein Omoumi and Friends
Time: 8:00 pm
Place: Claire Trevor Theatre UC, Irvine Campus
Featuring
Guest Artists:
Mehrdad Arabi, tombak and daf
Amir Koushkani, tar and setar
Kourosh Taghavi, setar and robab
Jessika Kenney, vocal

$12 General Audiences/$10 Seniors/$8 Students

Call Theatre Box Office 949-824-2787 to order tickets(open between 12- 4 pm weekdays)

For further information, please contact the following:
For Chapman University locations: http://www.chapman.edu/CGE/or 714-744-7858

For UC, Irvine locations: http://www.humanities.uci.edu/persianstudies/or (949) 824-1662

International Festival of Cinema and Religion

2007-06-14T17:09:00.000-07:00

A journey in the differences, born in Trento in 1998 as the first cinematographic festival focused on inter-faith dialogue, the International Festival of Cinema and Religion,

"Religion Today" this year will reach its tenth edition.

Through cinema and art, Religion Today during the past years has undertaken a "Journey in the differences" to deepen our 'faith' and to build bridges for a dialogue between men and women of different religions.

The journey of the Festival, hence, becomes a challenge to listen and an invitation to not banalize and confuse, but to promote a richness of differences that no 'easy dialogue' logic can ignore or guiltily do away with. Within this general theme, every year the Festival depicts a subject to help in the investigation on the different approaches of faiths and cultures.

For the tenth edition, the theme is:

"Compassion - conflict and compassion in the paths of the faith",

For 2008 film makers are invited to work on "The scandal of evil".

Besides the cinematographic contest, RT offers cinematographic professionals and experts of different faiths and nationalities a 'workshop of cohabitation'. Moreover, RT organizes international workshops, exhibits, shows, and meetings for the schools.

In the wandering spirit that has been one of its distictive features since the beginning, the Festival, during the past nine years has travelled through Italy reaching also London, Jerusalem, Teheran, Timor and Zamosc, is now going to celebrate its tenth birthday with a dense program distributed over Trento, Rome, Milan, Bozen, Ferrara, Arco (TN) and Nomadelfia (GR).

http://www.religionfilm.com/homeENG.htm
###

The Points of Light Foundation National Conference - July 16 to 18th 2007

2007-06-05T16:15:00.000-07:00

Points of Light Foundation National Conference

The Power of We

This year in Philadelphia, PA

Make plans for the National Conference on Volunteering and Service

July 16-18, 2007

Details at: http://www.volunteeringandservice.org

© 2007 -
National Conference Headquarters
1400 I ("Eye") Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: 202-729-8000
Fax: 202-729-8105
E-mail:

Introduction to Zoroastrianism -- Dallas, Texas

2007-05-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

What: "INTRODUCTION TO ZOROASTRIANISM"

When: SUNDAY 27th May 2007
From 6 PM to 9:00 pm

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel NORTH DALLAS-ADDISON
14315 MIDWAY ROAD, Addison, Texas 75001
http://cp.hotelsvalued.com/tx-crowne-plaza/addison.html

Presented by: Poras Balsara and Firdosh Mehta

There is NO charge for attendance.

Networking opportunities with light refreshements
after the formal presentation

Open to all members of the public

Health Fair - Sunday May 6th 2007

2007-04-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

Annual Free Health Screenings

Organized by

ASSOCIATION OF INDIANS IN AMERICA
(WASHINGTON METRO CHAPTER)
INDIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
SRI SIVA VISHNU TEMPLE
INDO-AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION

SUNDAY MAY 6, 2007

9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Sri Siva Vishnu Temple
6905 Cipriano Rd., Greenbelt, MD
(301) 552-3335

FREE TESTING/EVALUATION/COUNSELING

HEIGHT, WEIGHT, DIABETES, ALLERGY
BLOOD PRESSURE, ORAL CANCER, ASTHMA
VISUAL TEST, HEARING TEST
DENTAL EXAM, AYURVEDA
URINE ANALYSIS, NUTRITION, COUNSELING
ACUPUNCTURE, ACUPRESSURE

Laboratory blood tests offered at nominal cost (optional).
For cardiac risk profile 12 hours fasting required.

Dr. N. Saini 301 469-8349
Dr. S. Bhathena 301 949-5207
Dr. G. Kapadia 301 983-9653
Dr. U. Kumar 301 320-2353
Dr. D.G. Patel 301 424-1687
Dr. J. Joshi 301 540-1414
Dr. N. Rustagi 301 983-3057
Dr. P. Akolkar 240 683-1228
Mr. V. Patel 410 465-2791
Dr. G. Shroff 301 217-0822
Dr. S. Wanmali 301 309-8931
Dr. J. Prasad 301 306-5200

Directions: From Beltway take exit 22A (Baltimore-Washington Pkwy towards Baltimore). Exit immediately to NASA Goddard Space Center. Turn Left on Greenbelt Road (193East). Go 1 mile and turn Right on Cipriano Road. The temple is on the left.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

ZAMWI Contact: Sam Bhathena sambhathena@verizon.net

EVERYBODY IS WELCOME

Anacostia River Clean up: Saturday April 21st 2007

2007-04-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

ZAMWI's Annual Earth Day celebrations

Anacostia River Clean Up

Saturday - April 21st 2007

8:30 am to 12:00 noon

We will be celebrating earth day on April 21 by participating in the Anacostia river clean up, which is sponsored by the Anacostia Watershed Society.

We will be meeting at the Northwest Branch Park, just off the West Hyattsville metro.
Directions to the site are below:

From West Hyattsville Metro Station:

Head southeast on Jamestown Rd. toward Queens Chapel Rd.; go0.2 mi
Use the pedestrian crossing to cross Queens Chapel Rd. and
enter the Northwest Branch Park.

For detailed information, driving directions and sponsors visit:
http://www.anacostiaws.org/Programs/Honor/EarthDay/earthday2007tmp.html

Let us join together in giving back to the community

by participating in this event.

Contact:
Zal Damkevala
zaldamkevala@yahoo.com
Phone: 814 574 7452

ZAMWI Board of Trustees
www.zamwi.org

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Vibha: Helping Underprivileged Children

2007-04-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

Vibha: Helping Underprivileged Children

Vibha has a vision to ensure that every underprivileged child attains
his or her right to education, health and opportunity.

http://wiki.vibha.org

The Vibha DC Chapter is currently recruiting volunteers
to help plan and participate in upcoming activities.

Contact:
Suchitra Natrajan
suchi_arien@yahoo.co.in

Upcoming activities include:

Vibha Walk ( August)

Vibha Shobhana Concert (September)

Thanks
Firdosh Bhathena
1-240-447-7742
http://webmail.aol.com/25045/aol/en-us/mail/display-message.aspx#

Vibha's Mission Statement
Our mission is to educate, empower and enable every individual who wishes to make a positive difference in the life of the underprivileged child.

Founded in 1991, today Vibha has a volunteer network of 400 volunteers spread across 10 Action Centers (Atlanta, Austin, Bay Area, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Sacramento, Washington DC) and several other cities across the US and India.

So far, we have supported more than 160 projects in India and 10 projects in the US.

Vibha is a 501 (c) (3) organization, registered as Help Them Grow, Inc., in the State of New Jersey.
Vibha's Tax id is 22-3122761.

*Source: http://www.indianngos.com/, **Source: UNICEF India

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Shayan Italia on Tour - May/June 2007

2007-04-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

Shayan Italia
will be touring the UK in
late May and early June 2007

The entire tour spans 17 dates and plays to over 50,000 people across the UK.

This tour will coincide with the official release of Shayan Italia's debut album DELIVERANCE which is now available for pre-order at Amazon

Shayan Italia Tour Dates & Venues (G4 Support Act)

21 May Ipswich The Regent
22 May Bournemouth International Centre
23 May Portsmouth Portsmouth Guildhall
24 May Brighton Brighton Centre
26 May Birmingham National Indoor Arena
27 May Sheffield City Hall
29 May Harrogate International Conference Centre
30 May Scarborough Futurist Theatre
01 Jun Newcastle City Hall
02 Jun Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
03 Jun Blackpool Opera House
05 Jun London Royal Albert Hall
06 Jun Cardiff International Arena
07 Jun Plymouth Plymouth Pavilions
09 Jun Manchester Manchester Apollo
10 Jun Liverpool Empire Theatre
11 Jun Nottingham Royal Theatre

To book tickets to see Shayan Italia perform live
visit the TOURS section at www.shayanitalia.com

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Bel Air Hospital, Panchgani, India

2007-04-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

Bel Air Hospital

In September 2006, FEZANA donated $3000 to Bel Air Hospital in Panchagani, India for treament of patients with HIV/AIDS. This hospital is built on land donated almost 100 years ago by late Dorab Tata, originally for treatment of patients with tuberculosis by another famous Zarathushti doctor, Dr. Rustom Bomanji Billimoria. Over the years, the hospital has undergone a number of ups and downs, management changes and was almost closed down. Then donations by Mr. Lala and Mobed Mehraban Zartoshty rejuvenated it and today it is treating over 300 patients for various deseases including HIV/AIDs and is adding a school for training nurses. It is an inspiring story of collaboration between the Parsis, a Christian order, and many dedicated doctors and nurses. Several individuals in the US are involved in the project -- notably, Dr. Mehroo Patel and Porus Dadabhoy of Chicago. I would like to hear from others who may have visited this hospital or have helped.

The Bel Air Hospital story is now available on a video (19 minutes) at:
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v259531Md5yFp6s

Rustom Kevala
FEZANA President

Days of Interfaith Youth Service

2007-04-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

The 4th Annual
Days of Interfaith Youth Service

SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2007

Celebrate Earth Day and join us at the Riverside Center (5200 Foote Street NE, Washington, DC 20019) for a shoreline cleanup on the Anacostia River, D.C.’s “forgotten river” running through historic African-American neighborhoods.

SATURDAY, April 28, 2007

On Saturday, April 28, help plant trees and build homes with D.C. Habitat for Humanity at a site in the Northeast Boundary neighborhood where there is an affordable housing crisis. (53rd & Clay Streets NE) with DC Habitat for Humanity and Casey Trees
Contact Mike Goggin, mikeg@ifcmw.org, 202.234.6300 x202

The 2007 DIYS will bring together religiously diverse young people across the nation to serve their communities. They will explore and act upon the impulse of service in their religious traditions and work towards better inter-religious understanding.

The Art of Living Foundation -- Kennedy Center - March 28th 2007

2007-03-20T17:21:00.000-07:00

The Art of Living Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary gala on March 28 to highlight the critical role human values play in the eradication of violence and stress. The event is a platform for prominent leaders and decision makers in the fields of politics, business and civil society to draw attention to what leaders and ordinary citizens can do together to achieve a Violence-Free, Stress-Free America.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007,
7:30 pm
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington DC

Keynote addresses by distinguished leaders
· Unveiling the "Universal Declaration of Human Values"
· Wisdom and Meditation by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
· Symphony for World Peace by more than 60 Indian musicians

Confirmed Speakers include:

The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Majority Leader, 110th Congress

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

Ambassador Vijay Nambiar
Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary General, United Nations

Attire for the Event:
Business Formal: Dark suits or blazers for him and a tailored dressy suits or dresses for her. (tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses)

Directions:
from Northern Virginia from Maryland and Northwest DC from Downtown DC

The Art of Living Foundation is dedicated to serving society by strengthening the individual by offering programs that eliminate stress, create a sense of belonging, restore human values, and encouraging people from all backgrounds, religions and cultural traditions to come together in celebration and service. As a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), The Foundation works in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.

The Art of Living Foundation
2401 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
USA

1-202-747-0234
1-877-ARTOFLIVING

Peace Building and Development Institute

2007-03-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

There are a limited number of need-based tuition scholarships available. The scholarship will pay for one week of tuition, and participants will be responsible for paying for the second week...

http://www.american.edu/sis/peacebuilding/2007/tuition.htm

Peacebuilding & Development Institute
Summer 2007 Professional Training Program at
American University
Washington, D.C. U.S.A.

The Peacebuilding & Development Summer Institute is one of the first academic programs specifically organized to bridge the two issues of peacebuilding and development. The Institute fosters knowledge, practical experience and skills for practitioners, teachers and students involved in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance and development. It will focus on various approaches to mediation, negotiation, facilitation, reconciliation and dialogue, particularly in conflict-torn and developing regions. Participants will explore innovative methods of promoting cultural diversity with respect to public policy, community and religion, war and post-conflict environments while expanding their knowledge and skills in a participatory and interactive learning environment. In addition, participants in the Summer Institute will be exposed to leading national and international professionals in the fields of public policy, peacebuilding and development.

The Summer 2006 Institute welcomed nearly 150 participants from 35 countries. They came from a wide range of backgrounds: professionals from international agencies such as the UN, World Vision, CARE, Mercy Corps, and USAID; Master’s degree students from the School for International Service at American University; and scholars and practitioners from a variety of other fields. The diversity of participants is one of the most important and unique components of every Summer Institute.

In order to attend the Institute, participants must fill out the online application (link below). On the application, participants will select one class each week, and may attend any one, two, or all three weeks. For course descriptions please go to this link: http://www.american.edu/sis/peacebuilding/2007.htm

The courses are:

Week 1: June 18-22, 2007

Religion & Culture in Conflict Resolution
With Mohammed Abu-Nimer

Positive Approaches to Peacebuilding & Development
With Mark Chupp

Applied Conflict Analysis & Resolution
With Ron Fisher & Anthony Wanis-St. John

Week 2: June 25-29, 2007

Training for Trainers in Peacebuilding & Development
With Mohammed Abu-Nimer

Practical Approaches to Peacebuilding & Development in Conflict Areas
With Erin McCandless

Reconciliation & Forgiveness in Post-Conflict Environments
With Eileen Borris

How Can Educators Build Peace in Their Own Communities?
With Patricia Mische

Week 3: July 2-7, 2007

Building Monitoring & Evaluation into Program Operations: Methods for Peace Builders and Development Workers
With Sarah Cohen

Youth, Conflict & Peacebuilding
Trainer TBA

Online Application: http://www.american.edu/sis/peacebuilding

For more information, please contact:
Phone: 1-202-885-2112
E-mail: pcrinst@american.edu

Intercultural Trip -- May 7th to 22nd 2007 -- To Turkey

2007-03-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

INTERCULTURAL TRIP TO TURKEY

May 7th-22nd, 2007

In the periods of 7 to 22 May 2007, the Rumi Forum will organize an intercultural trip to Turkey. By hosting American intellectuals on a trip to Turkey, the Rumi Forum hopes to build bridges of understanding and tolerance between diverse cultures and faiths.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Turkey through its rich cultural and religious history. They will also meet with some of Turkey's community leaders and citizens to experience Turkey's unique culture and world famous hospitality.

The cities that will be visited on this trip will be Istanbul, Bursa, Manisa, Izmir (Ephesus), Cappadocia. The Rumi Forum has organized 9 trips to Turkey in the past years and each trip has yielded very positive results with respect to bridging gaps between diverse cultures and faiths.

Rumi Forum believes that the upcoming trips will be both eye and heart opening.
Click here to see Turkey Pictures.
Click here to see advertising films of Turkey

The Whirling Dervishes of Rumi - Live performance

2007-03-15T13:15:00.000-07:00

LIVE PERFORMANCE - THE WHIRLING DERVISHES OF RUMI
March 17th, 2007

... a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through mind. Turning towards the truth, ... arrives to the "Perfect." so as to love ... the whole of creation....

The Whirling Dervishes represent a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through mind and love to "Perfect." Turning towards the truth, the follower grows through love, deserts his ego, finds the truth and arrives to the "Perfect." He then returns from this spiritual journey as a man who has reached maturity and a greater perfection, so as to love and to be of service to the whole of creation....

PLACE:
Washington Hebrew Congregation
3935 Macomb Street NW,
Washington, DC 20016

DATE: March 17th, 2007

8:00 p.m.

TEL: 703.288.1811
email: Dervishes@RumiForum.org

Victory Arts Foundation

2007-03-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

Victory Arts Foundation

VAF is a not-for-profit organization committed to making dance a meaningful experience for 'all' without any discrimination. VAF endeavors to use the power of 'performing arts', especially dance, to bring joy to theunderprivileged, specially challenged, visually impaired and others.Bringing a smile on their faces and adding a bounce in their stride, VAFtakes the mission of Have Feet, Will Dance, one step further:

Have Spirit.Will Triumph!

With a motive to help the young and the young at heart discover and enjoy creative expression through dance, Shiamak Davar's Institute for The Performing ArtsTM or SDIPAT, as it is popularly known, continues to teachJazz, Hip Hop, Rock N Roll, Afro Jazz, Salsa, Shiamak's Indo Jazz andShiamak's Bollywood Jazz styles of dance.

SDIPA conducts dance classes in thirteen cities in India, reaching out to thousands of students (4 to 84 years old, all shapes and sizes, specially challenged, visually impaired ---
one and all are a part of this disciplined, professional but most of all 'fun' institute.

Have Feet. Will Dance!

In November 2001, Shiamak Davar's Institute for the Performing Arts (SDIPA)along with Committed Communities Development Trust (CCDT), entered into a partnership to implement Dancing Feat (DF). With a goal to enhance the ability of high-risk vulnerable children to respond effectively to situations that place them at risk to HIV/AIDS, DF has adopted a unique child friendly strategy which combines popular dance forms along with group counseling and life skills education. Shiamak's Victory Art Foundation (VAF)Through VAF funded programs, SDIPA Instructors continue to share the joy ofdance with various NGOs all over India, including the following:

* The Society of Education for the Crippled (Mumbai)
* Spastics Society of India (Mumbai)
* Helen Keller's Institute for the Deaf And Deafblind(Mumbai)
* Sankalp School For the mentally challenged(Mumbai)
* Jariwala Orphanage for Muslim Girls(Mumbai)
* Project Udaan for slum children(Mumbai)
* Umang (Jaipur)
* Ishwar Foundation (Delhi)
* Tamanna(Delhi)
* Freedom Foundation (Bangalore & Chennai)
* Baldwin Opportunity (Bangalore)
* Sweekar Upkar (Hyderabad)
* Sanskriti Shikhar (Hyderabad)
* St.John's(Pune)

We are happy to share this information with you and look forward to you and your support to VAF so that we can continue to 'pay it forward' and share the joy of dance and performing arts with many others.

Warm regards,
Kainaaz Mistry
Manager - Victory Arts Foundation
C-19, Everest Building,
J Dadaji Road, Tardeo,
Mumbai-34
Tel: 65286583/ 23537930-7/9821541068

"The Power of Forgiveness" -- a Film with the Film-maker

2007-03-08T13:19:00.000-08:00

The Power of Forgiveness

a film from the filmmaker of Bonhoeffer

with a discussion by the film-maker, Martin Doblemeier

on Wednesday, March 14th 2007

at 7:30 pm

Stories
with Thich Nhat Hanh,
Elie Weisel
and
features from the
Amish, Ground Zero,
Belfast and Beirut

FREE ADMISSION

Washington National Cathedral
Wisconsin and Mass Avenues
NW, Washington DC
Phone: (202) 537 2221

March 15, 2007
Knotts AuditoriumMount St Mary’s College
13600 Old Emmitsburg RoadEmmitsburg, MD
7 PM
Info at 301-447-7435

March 18, 2007
Daylesford Abbey
220 S. Valley RoadPaoli, PA
6 PM
Info at 610-688-8588

March 19, 2007
Leffler Auditorium,
Elizabethtown CollegeOne Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, PA7 PM
Info at 717-361-1467

March 22, 2007
St. James Lutheran Church
427 S. Main Street
Verona, WI
7 PM
Info at 608-845-6922

March 23, 2007
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
306 S. Prospect StreetPark Ridge, IL
7 PMI
nfo at (847) 823-4126

March 24, 2007
Quad Cities Unitarian Church
3707 Eastern AveDavenport, IA
Time to be announced
Info at 563-359-0816

March 25, 2007
Christ Church Cathedral
318 East 4th StreetCincinnati, OH
5 PMI
nfo at 513-842-2052

March 26
Location and time to be announced
Indianapolis, IN

March 29, 2007
Second Presbyterian Church
342 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC
6 PM
Info at 843-723-9237

March 30, 2007
Wall Auditorium,
Coastal Carolina University
119 Chanticleer Drive EastConway, SC
7 PM
Info at 843-349-4101

April 1, 2007
First Presbyterian Church
33 Gleason StreetDel Ray Beach FL
Time to be announced
Info at 561-276-6338

April 2, 2007
Lutheran Church of the Cross
4545 Chancellor St., NE
St. Petersburg, FL
Time to be announced
Info at 727-525-8364

April 3, 2007
St. Margaret Mary Church
526 Park Avenue
NorthWinter Park, FL
7 PMI
Info at 407-644-6812

April 5, 2007
Askew Student Life Center
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Time to be announced
Info at 850-222-6320

April 28, 2007
Lesley UniversityCambridge,
MA
Location and time to be announced

www.journeyfilms.com

Major Funding from the Fetzer Trust and the John Templeton Foundation

Religion and Human Rights -- Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affaris - March 15th 2007

2007-03-06T18:38:00.000-08:00

Conference on Religion and the Global Politics of Human Rights

Keynote Address
by Kenneth Roth
Executive Director of Human Rights Watch
Thursday, March 15,
7:30pm-9:00pm
Copley Formal Lounge
To RSVP for the Keynote Address, click here.

Conference Panels
Friday, March 16,
10:30am-5:30pm
Copley Formal Lounge
To RSVP for all three sessions, click here.

To RSVP for individual sessions, click on the links below:

10:30-12:00pm
First Conference Session: Latin America and Africa
1:45-3:15pm
Second Conference Session: Islam in Transnational Perspective
3:45-5:30pm
Third Conference Session: Russia and Asia

Religion intersects with global human rights agendas in multiple ways. Are “universal” human rights in fact an imposition of western or Christian ideas? Is democracy, the “rule of the people,” compatible with God’s law? How does religion inform – and impede – the struggle for human rights around the world? The conference on “Religion and the Global Politics of Human Rights” brings together leading anthropologists, sociologists, historians, and political scientists to explore these and related questions. It breaks with the dominant “top down” approach centered on the principles found in sacred texts and authoritative theological and legal interpretations. Participants will grapple with the issue “bottom up” – the interaction of human rights and religion in practice and the challenges they pose for national and international politics.

The juxtaposition of key cases from around the world will deepen our knowledge about the interplay of religion, politics, and society, and provide signposts for policymakers in Washington, DC, and elsewhere grappling with an increasingly salient issue area.

This conference, convened by Thomas Banchoff, Director of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University, and Robert Wuthnow, Director of the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University, is the third in a series. In April 2005 Georgetown University sponsored a conference on “The New Religious Pluralism and Democracy.” In March 2006, the Berkley Center’s inaugural conference addressed the “The New Religious Pluralism in World Politics.”

Two books based on the conferences are forthcoming with Oxford University Press.

Participants
Thomas Banchoff, Georgetown University (co-convener)
Robert Wuthnow, Princeton University (co-convener)
Rogaia Mustafa Abusharaf, Brown University
Marjorie Mandelstam Balzer, Georgetown University
Paul Freston, Calvin College
Yvonne Haddad, Georgetown University
Robert Hefner, Boston University
Riva Kastoryano, Institut d'Etudes Politiques, Paris
Charles Keyes, University of Washington
Pratap Mehta, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi
David Ownby, University of Montreal
Alfred Stepan, Columbia University

Georgetown University
Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs
3307 M. St., Washington DC, 20007
berkleycenter@georgetown.edu 202.687.5119
Search Site Index Site Map Directory About
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Faith, Diplomacy and Foreign Policy -- March 28th 2007

2007-03-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

The InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
announces a conference by

American University’s School of International Service

Faith, Diplomacy and Foreign Policy

Wednesday, March 28, 2007
2-4:30 PM

reception to follow

Kay Spiritual Life Center
American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016

Admission is free, but RSVP required
contact: Mike Goggin 202 234-6300 x205
mikeg@ifcmw.org
###

Krista Tippett - "Speaking of Faith"

2007-02-23T14:18:00.000-08:00

Speaking of Faith

Krista Tippett , host of the program “Speaking of Faith”
on American Public Media, discusses some of the deep questions that compelled her to create and launch the nation's premiere public radio program on religion. In her book, Krista describes how her understanding of religion and spirituality as a force in the modern world have been shaped by her conversation partners and intellectual heroes from Elie Wiesel and Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Zen monk Thich Nhat Hanh and Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai.

Her book is revealing and analytical, at once a journalistic and theological exploration of the reasons religion has moved front and center in our culture since the radio program began to pilot in the late 1990s.

March 1, 2007 (7 p.m.)
Twin Cities The Fitzgerald Theater 10 E Exchange Street St. Paul, MN
651.290.1221

March 6, 2007 (7 p.m.)
Philadelphia Free Library of Philadelphia 1901 Vine Street Philadelphia, PA
215.567.4341

March 7, 2007 (7 p.m.)
New York Barnes & Noble Broadway + 82nd Street New York, NY
212.362.8835

March 8, 2007 (7 p.m.)
Washington, DC Olsson's Books & Records 2111 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA
703.525.4227

March 9, 2007 (7:00 p.m.)
Atlanta Carter Center Cecil B. Day Chapel 453 Freedom Parkway NE Atlanta, GA
404.865.7100

March 12, 2007 (Noon)
Chicago University Club 76 East Monroe Street Chicago, IL
312.696.2208

March 12, 2007 (7:30 p.m.)
Chicago Borders Books and Music 101 Rice Lake Square Wheaton, IL
630.871.9595

March 13, 2007 (7 p.m.)
St. Louis Ethical Society of St. Louis 9001 Clayton Road St. Louis, MO
314.367.6731

March 20, 2007 (7 p.m.)
Twin Cities Barnes & Noble 2100 North Snelling Avenue Roseville, MN 55113
651.639.9256

April 28+29, 2007 Los Angeles Book Festival

Krista will be talking about her journey as a thinker, journalist and national radio conversationalist.
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European Council of Religious Leaders meet in Birmingham, England from - 12 to 14th February 2007

2007-02-19T15:04:00.000-08:00

Birmingham: Cardinal Daneels at European religious leaders conference

Cardinal Godfried Danneels, Archbishop of Malines-Brussels, was one of the keynote speakers at the fourth European Council of Religious Leaders Conference, on the theme Muslims in Britain, held at a Sikh Gurdwara situated in Soho Road, Birmingham, from Monday 12 to today, 14 February, writes Peter Jennings.

The European Council works within the framework of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, which since 1970 has brought people together across religious boundaries including Christians, Jews and Muslims.

The first UK conference of ECRL was held in the new conference centre at the impressive Sikh Gurdwara (GNNSJ), at the invitation of Dr Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, its distinguished Spiritual Leader and Chairman.

Cardinal Danneels, who was appointed Archbishop of Malines-Brussels in 1979 by Pope John Paul II and given the red in February 1983, introduced the third session, Religious in the public sphere. During his paper Cardinal Danneels, who was born in June 1933, said: "It seems impossible, even pretentious, to determine and define what one might call the European genius, the European mentality, or the European sensitivity."

Archbishop Dr Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania, Head of the Holy Synod of the Albanian Orthodox Church, introduced the second session, on the complex issue, Terror and fear, that was closed to the media in order to allow a frank exchange of views. In 1992, following the fall of the Communist government, Dr Anastasios was appointed Archbishop of the newly established Albania Orthodox Church.

Imam Dr Ataullah Siddiqui, from the Islamic Foundation in Leicester, and Vice Chair of the Christian Muslim Forum, introduced the first session of the conference, Muslims in Britain - What's the problem?
The previous evening, Mr Bill Ozanne, Secretary, Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue, in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, gave a short address, Birmingham as a Multicultural City.

Mr John Battle MP, (Leeds West since 1987), the Prime Minister's Envoy to the Faith Communities, was among the observers at the conference, meticulously organized by the Oslo, based ECRL Secretariat and assisted by the helpful and efficient volunteer members of the Gurdwara.

Meanwhile, members of the Birmingham Faith Leaders' Group, including Archbishop Vincent Nichols, sent a special message of welcome dated 12 February, to the delegates and observers attending this important conference.

The message said: "It is especially opportune that the conference, focusing on Muslims in Britain, is being held in Birmingham at this particular moment.

"As leaders from the City's faith communities we are aware of the feeling of isolation and vulnerability among many in the Muslim community, following the recent action to arrest nine men and subsequently charge six individuals, on suspicion of involvement in the planning of terrorist acts. We believe our faiths should lead to a more peaceful and stable society where all members of the community, of whatever background, can participate fully.

"We are united in supporting the police and other public authorities in the investigation of suspected plans to undermine the security of individuals and communities. We believe those investigations and resulting judicial processes should be carried through with fairness and transparency.
"Terrorist activity is about criminality and we have consistently condemned such activity and the damage it causes. We regret the sensational nature of much of the media coverage which has exacerbated the difficulties faced by local communities."

The message concluded: "In this regard, we stand together with the Muslim community of Birmingham during these difficult times. We are convinced that our faith traditions, working together, can provide an important vision for the cohesion and wellbeing of our City."
Source: Diocese of Birmingham

Service for the Soul: Volunteer Opportunities with Indicorps -- Application deadline April 1st 2007

2007-02-18T16:08:00.000-08:00

INDICORPS - FELLOWSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 1, 2007

Apply now to August 15 class of the Indicorps fellowship program at http://apply.indicorps.org

Indicorps seeks committed individuals with the experience, conviction and leadership potential to find constructive solutions to India's most pressing problems. As an Indicorps Fellow, you will join a community of individuals who constantly push their limits for both individual performance and collective impact. Although you may work in some of the most challenging circumstances, the Indicorps fellowship is a rewarding and transformational personal journey.

Visit the Indicorps website ( http://www.indicorps.org) for detailed information on the Indicorps vision, program, and application process.Applicants must be of Indian origin (by the definition of the Government of India) and have, at minimum, a university degree or five years work experience. Individuals must make a minimum commitment of one (1) year and are required to apply specifically to projects of their interest. The application deadline is April 1, 2007, 2007

For further information contact:
Roshni Kasad roshnikasad@gmail.com

Seminar for College Bound Students and their Parents -in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday 21st April 2007

2007-02-18T10:23:00.000-08:00

The Atlanta Zoroastrian Association
will host its third annual
Seminar for College Bound Students and their Parents

on Saturday, April 21, 2007

from 1 pm to 5 pm at Georgia Tech.

Topics are designed to help students and their parents answer the following questions:

When will I need to apply for college?
What are the criteria for my choosing a college?
How many colleges should I apply to?
How important are Advanced Placement courses in the admissions process?
How do I pick a major ?
engineering, social sciences, humanities, medicine?
How important are extracurricular activities in a college application?
When should I take the SAT?
How many times is enough?
What do I need to do to finance my education?

Panelists include distinguished faculty and professionals from the Atlanta area.

For further information and to register
please contact Sherry Unwala by April 15, 2007.
Telephone number 678-513-3750
or by email at: sherryunwala@yahoo.com
Cost: $20 per family.

Location :
Georgia Institute of Technology Institute of Paper Science and Engineering Building
Seminar Room 500 Tenth Street, NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0620
Directions:
Take the 10th/14th St. exit at the 75/85 Thruway in Midtown.
Go west on 10th street until you reach the intersection of Hemphill and 10thAtlantaGA-US
###

Scholarship available from Upakar - An Indo-American Community Foundation

2007-02-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

Upakar
An Indo-American Community Foundation

"When Upakar started in 1997, we had many skeptics question why a foundation was needed to provide need-based scholarships to Indo-Americans. The proof has literally been in the result. Over the last ten years we have granted almost 100 scholarships to students from 20 states who have attended a variety of educational institutions, ranging from public universities to community colleges to the Ivy League. In order to keep up with the rising cost of living, we raised our scholarship grant to $3,000 per year. The scholarship will renew each year during your education as long as you maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA. We have introduced a voluntary mentoring program for our Scholars- an outstanding opportunity to seek the advice of, and network with, other successful young professionals...."

Scholarship Application Form
Application Postmark Deadline - April 27, 2007
http://www.upakar.org/main/Application_2007.doc

Dr. Nirupma Rohatgi
Chair, Upakar Board of Directors
Visit: www.upakar.org

Habitat for Humanity - Fundraiser on 22nd March 2007

2007-02-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

A Season of Service: March 21st to April 22nd

Ms. Manor Will Party at Mate in Georgetown
March 22nd, 2007

Ms. Manor, a group of entrepreneurial women who have pledged to raise $150,000 to sponsor a DC Habitat for Humanity home in 2007, is hosting a Happy Hour at Mate, 3101 K Street NW, on March 22nd.

The evening will feature a select menu of martinis, beer, on the rocks drinks, white and red wine and Mate will donate 50% of the proceeds from all drinks purchased to Ms. Manor. A silent auction and music will add to the fun at this trendy and sophisticated venue.

When: March 22
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Where: Mate,
3101 K Street NW
Washington DC

DC Habitat for Humanity empowers low-income working families to buy affordable, volunteer-built Habitat homes, revitalizing their neighborhoods and strengthening their futures.

DC Habitat for Humanity

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Email: news@dchabitat.org
Phone: 202-882-4600
Fax: 202-882-9343
Web: http://dchabitat.org

The Collected Lyrics of Hafiz of Shiraz

2007-02-13T12:32:00.000-08:00

THE COLLECTED LYRICS OF HAFIZ OF SHIRAZ

Translator
Peter Avery

Publisher
Archetype in association with the Iran Heritage Foundation

Publication date
February 2007

Introduction
Hafiz (d.1389-90) is honoured as the greatest lyric poet of Iran and its greatest writer of ghazals, the form which he perfected, and the collection of his lyrical poetry, the Divan is without doubt one of the world's greatest literary achievements. Translated here into English from the edition of Parviz Khanlari, the 486 poems, which are capable of interpretation on many levels, have been rendered as literally as possible while at the same time the aim as been to try to convey some sense of the poetry to the reader who lacks knowledge of Persian. The collected lyrics are presented here with extensive annotation by one of today's most eminent scholars of Persian literature.Peter Avery, has devoted his life to Persian literature and history. Having taken a degree at the London School of Oriental and African studies, and after living in Iran and the Middle East until 1957, he became Lecturer in Persian Studies in the University of Cambridge. He is now retired but continues to live in King's College, Cambridge. His works include A translation of the Ruba'iyat of Omar Khayyam, with poet John Heath-Stubbs, and The Speech of the Birds, the Mantiqu't-tair of Faridu'd Din Attar.

Retail price
34.95 GBP Hardcover, plus 2.75 GBP postage and packing.19.95 GBP Paperback, plus 2.75 GBP postage and packing.

Orders and enquiries
For placing an order or additional information please email books@archetype.uk.com
###

ZAGNY participates in Annual Revlon Run/Walk for Women - May 25th 2007

2007-02-08T11:01:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, May 5th, 2007
the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York
will participate in
the annual Revlon Run/Walk for Women
in the fight to help eradicate women’s cancers.

Over the past five years, with the participation of ZAGNY members, their families and friends, we have raised close to $25,000 for this worthy cause. Once again, we will be participating as a “team” for this event.

The event is in New York City and participants can choose to run or walk this 5k race. It starts in Times Square and ends in Central Park. Our team usually meets at a specified location at 8:30 am. Exact location details will be sent to you via email 2 weeks prior to the event.

To register and join our team (Team #1109), please log onto the Run/Walk website. Our team name is Zoroastrian Association of Greater NY and the team number is 1109.

The Registration fee of $25 includes your registration fee, a t-shirt, and a gift bag. We encourage you, your family and friends to join our team to help raise funds for this very important cause and to support the thousands of women, who have fought this disease, are currently battling it, and the ones who have unfortunately lost their lives because of it.

We thank you in advance for your support. If you cannot participate in the actual event but would like to make a contribution by clicking here, then selecting a participant to sponsor on our team (Team #1109).

If you have any questions, please call
team captain Sheroo Kanga at 201-227-1890
or via email at kangavs@yahoo.com

Join us this year, and walk among thousands united by the power of the human spirit.

Symposium: Middle East Garden Traditions - April 27-28 2007

2007-02-08T10:41:00.000-08:00

SYMPOSIUM
SYMPOSIUM
SYMPOSIUM
The Middle East Garden Traditions:
Unity and Diversity Question,
Methods and Resources in a Multicultural Perspective

April 27-28, 2007
Meyer Auditorium
Sackler/Freer Galley
Smithsonian Institution
National Mall, Washington DC

The symposium will discuss the long lasting history of interlinked garden traditions in the Middle East, since Roman times, and in the Islamic world up to the present. It will highlight cultural continuities, variations and differences between gardens from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian plains.

Archaeologists and historians from the Mediterranean and Islamic worlds, Europe and the US, will bring together new sources for richly documented studies of gardens in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, the Ottoman world, Judea, Morocco and Moorish Spain. They will explore how conflicting influences operated, the form of cultural reception of gardens in religious and mystical societies, the political uses of gardens, and new directions of archaeological research. This conference will bring together new information and surprising results from the last fifteen years of research, at a remove from the clichés of Orientalism.
Program
Registration Form (PDF, 110 KB)

The symposium is cosponsored by Dumbarton Oaks and the Freer and Sackler Galleries.

Paid registration through Dumbarton Oaks is required.
To register, visit the Dumbarton Oaks Web site.

For more information:
please call Alison Maffry at 202- 339-6460
or email MaffryA@doaks.org.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Home Garden and Landscape Studies
Copyright © 2007, Dumbarton Oaks, Washington DC, Trustees for Harvard University,
All rights reserved.
Contact Webmaster

Freer + Sackler Galleries
Smithsonian Institution
202.633.4880. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Earth Day 2007 Bike Ride in Washington DC

2007-02-06T10:54:00.000-08:00

Sunday, Apr 22nd, 2007:

The word hazon is Hebrew for "vision."

Our vision is of a community that fosters people's journeys, that engenders compassion among its members...

Our vision is of a community in which people's lives are enriched through engagement and challenge: engagement across difference, with those of different ages or backgrounds or beliefs, and challenge, both physical and intellectual, a mechanism for learning, growing and acting.

Bike route features a range of settings, from charming country roads of western Montgomery County, Maryland to urban bike lanes of Washington, DC

Join the people of the bike!

A Quote from one of the bike riders last year:

"Hazon is
'be the change that you want to see in the world.'... "

For more information about the Bike Ride in Washington DC
contact Lindsey Paige Savoie, DC Ride Co-chair,
or Sabrina Malach, Hazon Program Assistant,
at 212-644-2332.

Contact Information for Hazon
829 Third Ave, 3rd FloorNew York,
NY 10022212-644-2332
info@hazon.org
www.hazon.org
###

Hafiz and the School of Love in Classical Persian Poetry - 30th March to 1st April 2007

2007-02-06T09:42:00.000-08:00

HAFIZ AND THE SCHOOL OF LOVE IN CLASSICAL PERSIAN POETRY
Conference
30 March - 1 April 2007
University of Exeter, Exeter
This conference hopes to reveal, through the works of Hafiz, the historical, aesthetic, rhetorical, philosophical and theological bases of his love lyrics in the culture and civilization devoted to the School of Love in mediæval Persia.

Organised by
University of Exeter and the Iran Heritage Foundation.
Covened by
Dr. Leonard Lewisohn, University of Exeter & Prof. James Morris, Boston College.

Introduction
Recent research into Hafiz's romantic lyricism by Iranian scholars has revealed that in addition to his masterful use of poetic devices and his expertise in rhetoric and imagery, his verse is also deeply steeped in the philosophy and symbolism of the Persian Sufi love mysticism.

The speakers at this conference aim to explore the aesthetic theories and mystical philosophy of the classical Persian love-lyric (ghazal) as exemplified in the poetry of Hafiz, the greatest master of this genre (along with such other major figures as Rumi and Sa'di). To this end, Hafiz's rhetoric of romance will thus be situated-for the first time in the Western study of Persian Literature-within the broader literary context of what scholars refer to as 'Love Theory' in Arabic and Persian poetry in particular and Islamic literature in general. His symbolic vocabulary and lexicon of sophisticated technical terminology relating to wine and intoxication (both sacred and profane) will be analysed in depth...

Other speakers will examine the views of the famous commentators on his poetry in Safavid Iran, Mughal India and Ottoman Turkey, who interpreted his verse in the context of the 'School of Love' (madhhab-i 'ishq) in classical Persian literature. It is projected that the international roster of Iranian and Western specialists on Persian literature will thus reveal for the first time the historical, aesthetic, rhetorical, philo! sophical and theological bases of his love lyrics in the cultu! re and c ivilization devoted to the School of Love in mediæval Persia.

Exhibition
An exhibition of works by Jila Peacock entitled 'Ten Poems by Hafiz' has been organised in conjunction with the conference. The exhibition consists of silk-screen prints of calligraphic shape poems from Hafez in Persian, alongside their English translations. There will be an official exhibition opening to which all conference participants are invited on Friday 30 March, 2007 from 6.00pm-8.00pm. There will be wine, fruit juice and baklava available.

Registration and Accommodation
The following fee covers all conference sessions
(Both days: Saturday and Sunday), Buffet Lunch and Teas/Coffees on both days.-

Full Rate for Conference ONLY: 50 GBP- Student Rate for Conference ONLY: 25 GBPThe following fee covers all conference sessions (Both days: Saturday and Sunday), Buffet Lunch and Teas/Coffees on both days as well as B&B in an En-Suite Room (for description of the rooms see ‘Travel and Accommodation’ on the left column of this page).- Full Rate for Conference AND Accommodation (For the nights of 30th and 31st March and 1st April): 200 GBP- Student rate for Conference AND Accommodation (For the nights of 30th and 31st March and 1st April): 175 GBP-

Full Rate for Conference AND Accommodation (For the nights of 30th and 31st March ONLY): 150 GBP- Student Rate for Conference AND Accommodation (For the nights of 30th and 31st March ONLY): 125 GBP-

Full Rate for Conference AND Accommodation (For the night of the 31st March ONLY): 100 GBP-

Students Rate for Conference AND Accommodation (For the night of the 31st March ONLY): 75 GBPClick here for registration and/or accommodation form. You can pay by post, email or on-line through the University of Exeter website.

Additional information
Visit www.iranheritage.com/hafizconference/ for the conference programme, abstract of papers, bibliographies of speakers, and other information related to the conference.

Publication of proceedings
A volume of the conference's proceedings (edited by the convenors, under the same title as the conference: Hafiz and the School of Love in Classical Persian Poetry) should be ready for publication by 2008.

Race for the Cure in 2007

2007-02-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

60 Miles Closer to a World Without Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer 3-Day participants report intent to change behavior based on breast health messages learned on event

PHILADELPHIA – Jan. 24, 2007 – Registration is now open for the 2007 Breast Cancer 3-Day Series, a three day, 60-mile walk to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer programs.

The 2007 Breast Cancer 3-Day Series includes events in:

Boston (August 3-5),
Chicago (August 10-12),
Cleveland (August 17-19),
Twin Cities, Minn. (August 24-26),
Seattle (September 7-9),
Michigan (September 28-30),
Philadelphia (October 5-7),
Atlanta (October 12-14),
Tampa Bay, Fla. (October 19-21),
Dallas/Ft. Worth (October 26-28),
Arizona (November 2-4), and
San Diego (November 9-11).

The Breast Cancer 3-Day is not for everyone. It is unlike other events in that, for many, it is a life-changing journey that starts months in advance with training and fundraising. The journey culminates in a challenging weekend that requires participants to walk nearly the length of a marathon three days in a row, sleep in tents and eat under the stars. Sometimes it's hot. Sometimes it's rainy.

In the end, the challenge they undertake not only lends invaluable visible and financial support to the breast cancer movement, participants find the camaraderie the event fosters helps strengthen old friendships or create new ones that last a lifetime.â€œThe [Breast Cancer 3-Day] is just an amazing experience. It's three days of people being the way people should be. Everyone just makes you feel wonderful, said a 2005 Breast Cancer 3-Day participant.According to a 2006 Breast Cancer 3-Day survey, participants confirmed the event leaves an indelible mark.

Half of the respondents said signs along the route and in camp gave them new information about breast health. Of those people, two-thirds said they would change their behavior based on the new breast health information.

Nearly 75 percent of survey respondents say they want to participate in their cities' " Breast Cancer 3-Day" in 2007.
Seventy percent said actually participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day was more fulfilling than giving money. About the 2007 Breast Cancer 3-Day SeriesThe Breast Cancer 3-Day is an opportunity to educate tens of thousands of people about breast health, including the importance of early detection. Participants spend months training and raising the $2,200 required fundraising minimum in preparation for the event. Online support and coaches are provided when each participant registers to ensure a safe and memorable experience from start to finish.On event, participants travel an average of 20 miles a day during each Breast Cancer 3-Day, raising awareness for breast cancer throughout the streets.

All participants are provided meals, snacks, liquids, mobile showers, tents, safety guidelines, and 24-hour medical support. The events generate millions of dollars to fund critical breast cancer research and community outreach programs. Many people choose to travel outside of their hometown with a group of friends or family members to make the journey even more meaningful.

Proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day are used for breast cancer research and community outreach programs. As the primary beneficiary of the Breast Cancer 3-Day, Susan G. Komen for the Cure receives 85 percent of net proceeds and the remaining 15 percent goes to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

To register or for more information visit http://www.the3day.org/, or call 1-800-996-3DAY.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the worldâ€™s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the CureÂ® and the Breast Cancer 3-Days, the organization has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 1-800 Iâ€™M AWARE.

About the National Philanthropic Trust
The National Philanthropic Trust, the event manager of the Breast Cancer 3-Day Series, is an independent public charity dedicated to promoting and facilitating charitable giving by individuals, families and organizations while expanding their knowledge in the field ofphilanthropy. Founded in 1996, NPT is one of the 150 largest charities in the United States with$625 million in assets under management. Since its inception, NPT has raised over $1 billion in charitable assets and made more than 19,000 grants to U.S. and international charities totaling $540 million.Source: 2006 Breast Cancer 3-Day Post-Event Survey of nearly 18,000 participants conducted in Fall 2006

Contact Information:
Wendy Fitch, 402-934-5491
wfitch@barkleyus.com
Date: 1/24/2007Â
© Breast Cancer
http://www.the3day.org/site/pp.asp?c=pmL6JnO8KzE&b=2182495
###

Shared Security -- WCRP Secretary General's Update January 2007

2007-02-05T15:05:00.000-08:00

World Conference of Religions for Peace
Secretary General’s Update
January 2007

A major international initiative, the Helsinki Process, has adopted as a priority focus the theme of “shared security” from the Religions for Peace Eighth World Assembly.

Initiated in 2002 by the governments of Finland and Tanzania, the Helsinki Process promotes cooperation among governments, civil society organizations, and the corporate sector. It seeks to discover innovative and practical ways of building networks to tackle problems of globalization and encourages democracy, good governance, sustainable development, and mutual security.

At the Religions for Peace Eighth World Assembly in Kyoto, Japan, last year, 800 religious leaders from a hundred countries adopted a declaration on “shared security.” The Assembly indicated that—even on practical terms—each individual should be deeply invested in a notion of “shared security.” No one can build a wall high enough to protect himself or herself from vulnerabilities of others. This practical reason for shared security complements a more basic moral reason for it, supported by every religious tradition: the responsibility each of us has to care for our brothers and sisters and to treat others as ourselves. Finally, the Assembly emphasized that shared security is the collective responsibility of all sectors: governments, businesses, and civil society.

The Helsinki Process has partnered with Religions for Peace to convene three working sessions of an expert working group from a cross section of these sectors. Since August, this group has met three times: in Kyoto, Helsinki, and, just last week, in The Hague. Currently, the discussions are focusing on the unique ways in which religious communities can advance security by mobilizing their moral and spiritual heritages around security challenges. Religious communities have the tremendous additional advantage of being the largest social networks in the world.

The working group will soon convene again in Alexandria, Egypt, to map out the roles that religious communities may play in building security in the Middle East. I look forward to sharing with you the ways in which the Religions for Peace family’s concern for shared security can be creatively linked to relevant commitments in the governmental and private sectors.

In peace,
Dr. William F. Vendley
World Conference of Religions for Peace

Hollow Reed Teahouse - February 25th 2007

2007-02-05T12:07:00.000-08:00

Hollow Reed Teahouse

In the Hollow Reed Teahouse (the name is inspired by the great Persian poet Rumi) you meet people from all over the world in a spirit of respect and harmony. Whatever your own religion, you can share your beliefs here, and in conversation learn about what others believe and hold sacred.

When: Sunday, February 25, 2007 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Where: Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009
Fees: Scholarship/Complimentary, Suggested Donation $10.00-@$25.00
To register: http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?5S,M3,7f5addeb-cead-414e-b6e2-ff9e66181673
Or URI-DC Hollow Reed TeaHouse

For more info call Greg Drury at 202-686-9813 or email URIDC@earthlink.net

First Annual Interfaith Film Festival, Washington DC

2007-02-01T10:28:00.000-08:00

The Interfaith Conference
www.ifcmw.org
will be inaugurating
the first Annual Interfaith Film Festival
of Metropolitan Washington in 2007.

Under the direction of Laura Seltzer, an IFC board member and documentary film maker, the IFC will coordinate a dynamic interreligious film series consisting of three evenings of programming. Each evening will feature a number of short films corresponding to a particular theme. The screenings will be accompanied by interfaith discussions and/or receptions.

It is our hope that the films and discussions at the festival will stimulate dialogue and deepen understanding, thereby supporting the IFC’s mission of building a just community—this time through the wonderful medium of film.

For more information including internship opportunities,
contact Laura Seltzer.
Click here to see the flyer for this event
###

Peace and Conflict Resolution - European University Center

2007-02-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

INVITATION TO STUDY PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
at the European University Center for Peace Studies (EPU),
Stadtschlaining, Austria
Website www.epu.ac.at,
Email epu@epu.ac.at,
Tel +43-3355-2498-515.
****************************************************************
We wish to invite you to join a select group of 44 students from around the world in an intensive course in peace and conflict studies at the European University Center for Peace Studies (EPU) in Stadtschlaining, Austria. All the courses are taught in English, by leading specialists in their field from around the world, including Johan Galtung, one of the founders of the academic discipline of peace research and frequent mediator in international conflicts. Studying with the founder of a new academic discipline is a rare opportunity, like studying physics with Isaac Newton. EPU offers students a well-rounded program covering Peace with Security, Development, Freedom, Nature and Culture.

The Program, established in 1988 by Dr. Gerald Mader, Founder and President of the Austrian Study Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution, received the 1995 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education.

In addition to attending courses, students get to know each other closely and conclude friendships for a lifetime. In spring of 2006, we had 42 students from 29 countries from five continents, half from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Many former students said that studying at EPU was the best time of their life. Peace Studies are a highly interdisciplinary and growing academic field. Students who have successfully completed our program are well grounded in both theory and practice to face the challenges of global conflict transformation. We are happy and proud that many of our former students now have thriving careers in international organizations, NGOs, businesses, universities, or work with their governments.

WHY STUDY AT EPU? We offer a number of advantages, among them: -EPU has a comprehensive program that covers ALL aspects of peace. -EPU combines theory with practical experience. Our professors work on practical applications in the field as well as on theory. -You live in a close community with people from all over the world. -EPU offers one of the oldest peace studies programs in Europe.

TOPICS INCLUDE: Introduction to Peace Studies, Peaceful Conflict Transformation, Mediation, Peacebuilding, Demilitarization, Nonviolence, Security, United Nations Reform, the Global Economy, Development, Human Rights, Governance and Participation, International Law, Safeguarding a Livable Environment, Cross-Cultural Communication, Peace Education, Peace and the Media, Reconciliation after Violence, Peace and Deep Culture. In addition, there are several academic excursions. A course calendar is listed below. For a more detailed explanation of the program and a catalogue with course descriptions, see www.epu.ac.at
Fall term 2007: 30. Sept. - 22. December (Apply by 15 Apr. 2007) Spring term 2008: 3. February - 26. April (Apply by 15 Sep. 2007) Summer term 2008: 1. June - 23. August (Apply by 15 Jan. 2008)

LOCATION: Stadtschlaining is a beautiful, small and quiet medieval town with a 766-year old castle hosting a peace museum, in the foothills of the Alps, between Vienna and Graz, surrounded by hiking trails, with a hot spring and spa nearby. Classrooms and 44 single rooms with private bath are located in a new building.

PEACE LIBRARY: next to the castle is a famous peace library with 25,000 books and many films, most of them in English.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: Students from any discipline interested in peace and conflict resolution, young diplomats, government officials, NGO members, teachers, journalists, lawyers, social workers, officers, psychologists, and anyone interested in solving conflicts by peaceful means. A first university degree (bachelors or equivalent) is required, and preferably some professional experience.

DEGREES: Those who successfully complete one trimester obtain a Certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies. Those who complete three trimesters (Fall, Spring and Summer) and write a thesis obtain a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies, approved by the Austrian Ministry of Education. Students can begin in any of the three trimesters. The three trimesters need not be taken in succession, they can be spread over several years if preferred.

COSTS: Euro 2500 tuition + Euro 1400 room rent per trimester, plus a Euro 700 fee for two thesis advisers for the Master of Arts program, or 12'400 Euro for the entire MA program. A few full scholarships for MA students are available for applicants from focal countries of Austria's development cooperation. Some partial scholarships are also available. You can indicate on the application form if you wish to apply for one of those scholarships. For those who can pay all or part of their tuition or raise funding from other sources, the chances of being accepted are higher than for those who apply for a full scholarship.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY: see www.epu.ac.at, and click on "European University Center for Peace Studies", second on the left. If you have further questions, please contact Anita Flasch, EPU Administrative Assistant , Tel +43-3355-2498-515 (mornings). We will be happy to answer your questions and help you.
EPU does not discriminate on the basis of (among others) gender, race, class, age or national origin.
With best regards, Dietrich Fischer, Academic Director, EPU
******************
Here is the EPU Course Schedule for 2007-2008
During some weeks, two courses are offered, one in the morning and one in the afternoon (each counting 2.5 credits of the European Credit Transfer System, ECTS), and during some other weeks only one course, meeting mornings and afternoons (counting 5 credits). Students are required to take 30 credits per trimester, but are welcome to listen to more courses it they wish. All courses are open to students in both the Masters and Certificate programs. For course descriptions and lecturers biographical notes: www.epu.ac.at
morning = 09:00-10:30 and 11:00-12:30 afternoon = 14:00-15:30 and 16:00-17:30
Seminars are every Wednesday 18:30 - 20:00, followed by a reception Films are shown every Tuesday and Saturday at 20:00
******************
FIRST TRIMESTER (30. September - 22. December 2007): Direct Peace
Week 1: 1-5 October mornings and afternoons Orientation for New Students and Formulation of Study Goals Fred Dubee, MA, United Nations, New York; Kaarina Dubee, MA, Goeteborg, Sweden; Mia Toerrissen, Sweden
Week 2: 8-12 October mornings Introduction to Peace Studies Dr. Zarko Puhovski, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Week 2: 8-12 October afternoons Peace and Business Fred Dubee, MA, Global Compact, United Nations, New York
Week 3: 15-19 October mornings Working for Peace in Conflict Zones Robert Rivers, MA, ARCA Project Co-Coordinator, PATRIR, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Week 3: 15-19 October afternoons Theories and Methodologies in Peace Studies Dr. Ronald H. Tuschl, Research Director, EPU
Week 4: 22-26 October mornings Nonviolence: From Philosophy to Practical Tool Prof. Jorgen Johansen, Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies, Coventry University, UK
Week 4: 22-26 October afternoons Social Justice and Equity in Education Dr. Diane Ross, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio, USA
Week 5: 29 October-2 November mornings Nonmilitary Approaches to Security Dr. Dietrich Fischer, Academic Director and Student Adviser, EPU
Week 5: 29 October-2 November afternoons Violence, Security and Demilitarization Prof. Biljana Vankovska, St. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Macedonia
Week 6: 5-9 November mornings Human Security: Health and Environment Dr. Alexander Lautensach, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Week 6: 5-9 November afternoons Human Security: Civil Society and Economy Dr. Sabina Lautensach, Editor, Australasian Journal of Human Security, Univ. of Auckland, New Zealand
Week 7: 12-16 November mornings Terrorism: Its Causes and Prevention Dr. Robin Poulton, Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Richmond, USA
Week 7: 12-16 November afternoons Overcoming the Domination System Dr. Jori Manske, Interim Executive Director, The Center for Nonviolent Communication, Santa Barbara, California, USA
Week 8: 19-23 November mornings Transition from Civil War to Peace Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, President, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka
Week 8: 19-23 November afternoons The European Union as a Peace Force Dr. Lutz Schrader, Editor, Welt Trends, Univ. of Hagen, Germany
Week 9: 26-30 November mornings and afternoons Peaceful Conflict Transformation Dr. Johan Galtung, Professor of Peace Studies, Director, TRANSCEND, a Peace and Development Network, Versonnex, France
Week 10-11: 3-14 December mornings Governance and Participation Dr. Tilman Evers, University Lecturer, Kassel, Germany
Week 10: 3-7 December afternoons Gender and Peace Gal Harmat, MA, Tel Aviv, Israel
Week 11: 10-14 December afternoons Negotiation, Mediation and Reconciliation Stella Sabiiti, Director, Center for Conflict Resolution (CECORE), Kampala, Uganda
Week 12: 17-21 December mornings Arms Control and Disarmament Bernardo Mariani, Project Manager, International Arms Transfer
Week 12: 17-21 December afternoons Structures of Peace Dr. James Calleja, Administrative Director, Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology
******************
SECOND TRIMESTER (3. Feb. - 26. April 2008): Structural Peace
Week 1: 4-8 February mornings and afternoons A Life-Sustaining Economy Dr. Johan Galtung, Professor of Peace Studies, Director, TRANSCEND, a Peace and Development Network, Versonnex, France
Week 2: 11-12 February mornings and afternoons Second Trimester Orientation Brittney Menzel, MA, Utah, USA
Week 2: 13-15 February mornings and afternoons Introduction to Structural Peace Brittney Menzel, MA, Utah, USA
Week 3: 18-22 February mornings Peace and the Global Economy Dr. Georg Frerks, Centre for Conflict Studies, Utrecht University
Week 3: 18-22 February afternoons Imagining Cultures of Peace: Research Methodology, Writing, Praxis Prof. Myler Wilkinson, Mir Centre for Peace, Selkirk College, Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada
Week 4: 25-29 February mornings and afternoons Peacebuilding: from the Local to the Global Level Kai Frithjof Brand-Jacobsen, MA, Director, Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania, PATRIR, Cluj-Napoca
Week 5: 3-7 March mornings and afternoons Human Rights Dr. Walter Suntinger, International Consultant on Human Rights, Vienna
Week 6: 10-14 March mornings and afternoons Working for Peace in Conflict Zones: Training for Trainers Gal Harmat, MA, Kibbutzim College of Education, Tel Aviv, Israel, and Robert Rivers, MA, ARCA Project Co-Coordinator, PATRIR, and Nonviolent Peace Force Trainer, Cluj, Romania
Week 7: 17-21 March mornings Democratization Professor Paul D. Scott, Kansai Gaidai University, Osaka, Japan
Week 7: 17-21 March afternoons Conflict Transformation and Deep Culture Dr. Wilfried Graf and Mag. Gudrun Kramer, Institute for Integrative Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding (IICP), Vienna
Week 8: 24-28 March mornings and afternoons Introduction to Conflict-Free Conflict Resolution Dr. Roshan P. Danesh, lawyer and consultant on conflict 5
Week 9: 31 March-1 April mornings and afternoons, 2 April morning Introduction to Education for Peace Dr. Hossain B. Danesh, President, Education for Peace International
Week 9: 2 April afternoon, 3-4 April mornings and afternoons Peace and Schools Synove Faldalen, The Social Pedagogic College, Norway
Week 10: 7-11 April mornings and afternoons Crises Prevention, Intervention, Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Reconciliation Dr. S. P. Udayakumar, Director, South Asian Community Center for Education and Research, Nagercoil, India
Week 11: 14-18 April mornings and afternoons The Design, Management and Evaluation of Peace Projects and their Context Dr. Bernd Baumgartl, International Consultant on Administrative Reforms, Education, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, Vienna
Week 12: 21-25 April mornings Global Civil Society and Global Governance Dr. Jody Jensen, Institute for Social and European Studies, Koszeg, Hungary
Week 12: 21-25 April afternoons Conclusion Dr. Diane Hendrick, Consultant, Trainer and Researcher in Conflict Transformation, Vienna
******************
THIRD TRIMESTER (1. June - 23. August 2008): Cultural Peace
Week 1: 2-3 June mornings and afternoons, 4 June morning Conflict Mitigation, with case studies Dr. Jan Oberg, Denmark, Director, Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research, Lund, Sweden
Week 1: 4 June afternoon, 5-6 June mornings and afternoons Cross-Cultural Communication and Conflict Transformation Dr. Diane Hendrick, Consultant, Trainer and Researcher in Conflict Transformation, Vienna
Week 2: 9-10 June mornings and afternoons, 11 June morning Global Mass Media, Information Warfare and Cyberwar Dr. Ronald H. Tuschl, Research Director, EPU
Week 2: 11 June afternoon, 12-13 June mornings and afternoons Mediation Dr. Sara Rozenblum de Horowitz, Univ. of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Week 3: 16-20 June mornings Sufism and Peace Ms. Mussarrat Bashir Youssuf, MPhil, MA, Independent Consultant to the World Bank and the United Nations, Islamabad, Pakistan
Week 3: 16-20 June afternoons Utopias of Peace in Literature Dr. Laszlo W. Farkas, EPU Faculty, Szombathely, Hungary
Week 4: 23-27 June mornings Peace Education Andria Wisler, MA, Columbia University, New York
Week 4: 23-27 June afternoons African Resources and Obstacles for Peace Prof. Saibou Issa, Centre for Peace Studies, Department of History, University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon
Week 5: 30 June-2 July mornings and afternoons Introduction to Nonviolent Communication (REQUIRED!) Eva Rambala, Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication, Budapest, Hungary
Week 5: 3-4 July mornings and afternoons Nonviolent Communication (REQUIRED!) Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, Center for Nonviolent Communication, Moehlin, Switzerland
Week 6: 7-11 July mornings Gender in Peace Support Operations Ina Curic, MA, Peace Action, Training and Research Institute of Romania, PATRIR, Cluj-Napoca
Week 6: 7-11 July afternoons Negotiation Dr. Raymond Saner, Centre for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development (CSEND), Geneva, Switzerland
Week 7: 14-18 July mornings and afternoons Deep Culture, Conflict Culture and Conciliation (REQUIRED!) Dr. Johan Galtung, Professor of Peace Studies, Director, TRANSCEND, A Peace and Development Network, Versonnex, France
Week 8: 21-25 July mornings and afternoons International Law and World Order Dr. Richard Falk, Visiting Distinguished Professor in Global and International Studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara, USA
Week 9: 28 July-1 August mornings Culture and Conflict Dr. Marc Howard Ross, William Rand Kenan, Jr., Professor of Political Science at Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA
Week 9: 28 July-1 August afternoons Religions and Peace Dr. Kamran Mofid, Founder, Inter-faith Perspective on Globalization for the Common Good, Coventry
Week 10: 4-8 August mornings Conflict Analysis and Resolution Dr. Cheshmak Farhoumand-Sims, St. Paul University, Canada
Week 11: 11-15 August mornings Peacebuilding in Conflict Zones Crina Resteman, MA, Nonviolent Peace Force, Sri Lanka, and PATRIR, Romania
Week 11: 11-15 August afternoons Peace Journalism Annabel McGoldrick and Jake Lynch, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, Universty of Sidney, Australia
Week 12: 18-22 August mornings Conclusion Fred Dubee, MA, United Nations, New York
****************************************************************

NAIN Connect, Richmond, Virginia, July 13 to 15 2007

2007-01-30T09:26:00.001-08:00

NAIN Connect 2007

The North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) is calling for papers and presentations for NAIN Connect 2007, scheduled to take place in Richmond, Virginia on July 13-15, 2007. The NAIN Connect 2007 program objective is to create an environment where the participants will develop a clearer understanding of Religious Freedom through examining current issues and presenting potential systematic solutions related to the issues of Religious Freedom, from regional, national and international perspectives.

Questions and submissions may be emailed to the NAIN 2007 Program Team at: NAINConnect2007@yahoo.com.

Even if you are not presenting, don’t forget to register for NAIN Connect 2007 here.
###

April 14th and 15th 2007, Crossville TN -- Medical Outreach for the Disadvantaged

2007-01-29T10:28:00.000-08:00

A Message from the Zoroastrian Youth of North America
Chairman, Nikan H. Khatibi, MBA

Board of Delegates: Farzin Avari (AZA); Zain Mavalvala (ZSBC); Shireen Cama (ZAGBA); Daryush Mehta (ZAGBA); Farzin Morena (ZAC); Ferzeen Chapgar (ZANC); Ramin Shahriari (CZC); Anahita Khosraviani (PZO); Tinaz Dhunjisha (ZAC); Keyarash Jahanian (ZAK); Kevin Mancherjee (ZSO); Rita Balaporia (ZAPA); Tina Mehta (ZAPNJ);

STUDENTS !

Come join ZYNA and dedicate yourself to serving mankind by providing free health care to people in remote areas of the United States. We are looking for 15 students and 3-4 licensed professionals to travel to Tennessee to provide healthcare to the underserved. This will be a wonderful learning experience for all students and what better way to learn than to be part of a group of Zoroastrian youth who will be providing outstanding community service!

Location: Crossville, TN
Date of Event: April 14-15, 2007
Housing: Will be provided by ZYNA
Food: Will be provided by ZYNA

For further information and to receive an informational packet,
please contact ZYNA at nikan2@aol.com.

The Zoroastrian Tradition

2006-12-31T14:53:00.000-08:00

The Zoroastrian Tradition
An Introduction to the Ancient Wisdom of Zarathushtra

Farhang Mehr

This book is concerned with the doctrinal beliefs of the practising Zoroastrians examined within the frames of the Gothic principals. Variances in the current practice are considered. The doctrinal changes are explained in the light of socio-political forces operating in each distinct historical era. In this exercise no scholarly speculation is taken on face value. The common mythology of the Indo-Iranian people have been used to explain the process of reintroduction into the younger Avesta of the Indo-Iranian deities in the form of Yazatas. Our starting point is that Zoroaster preached a new religion. He broke away from the rituals associated with the worship of may deities and Daevas. He rejected the idea of the divine descent of the religious and civil leaders and rulers, and invited people to stand against injustice.The author outlines the forgotten spirituality of Zarathustra and shows how it has influenced the Abrahamic Religions. The reader is initiated into the Gathic principles of the Avestan and Pahlavi sacred texts, “Asha” the principle of God’s will, the moral dualism of good and evil, the creative Holy Spirit of Spenta Mainyu, the immortality of the soul, the principle of refreshment, and the final triumph of Goodness.Dr. Mehr was born in Tehran, Iran. He served as president of Pahlavi University of Shiraz under the late Shah, Deputy Prime Minister, and Governor of Iran in OPEC. He is a founder of the World Zoroastrian Organization and of the Ancient Iranian Culture Society. He was also president of Zoroastrian Anjuman in Tehran for twelve years. Dr Mehr is a Professor Emeritus of International relations at Boston University. He resides with his family in Newton, Massachusetts.
Specifications:2003: xiii+164pp, Index. ISBN:1-56859-110-1 (paper): $15.00
http://www.mazdapub.com/zoroastrian-tradition.htm
###

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Prayer Service -- January 14th 2007

2006-12-17T15:21:00.000-08:00

"So even though we face the difficulty of today and tomorrow,
I still have a dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up
And live out the true meaning of its creed...
That all men are created equal"

--- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Prayer Service
Each January, the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington coordinates the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Prayer Service. The service is the only multi-religious and multiethnic gathering in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the life of the civil rights pioneer. The event, which recognizes and emphasizes Dr. King’s principles and commitment to non-violence, highlights a particular theme for each service, a theme that is culled from the words of Dr. King himself. This theme guides the sermon of the featured preacher, the scriptural readings from many different faith traditions, the inspirational musical selections, and the participation of local non-profit organizations. The service draws between four hundred and one thousand people of different faiths from across the region. Each year, income generated through advertisements and the offering are donated to a different social justice effort.
This year's service will be held on Sunday, January 14th at 3:00 PM, at Israel Baptist Church, 1251 Saratoga Ave NE, Washington DC 20018 (13th and Rhode Island, NE). A reception will follow at 4:30. This year's theme, "Building the Beloved Community by Building Homes and Drug Free Neighborhoods" will be celebrated in song through interfaith adult and children's choirs. Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Mid-Atlantic Region will share a message during the service, and local non-profit organizations that are working to build the beloved community will be honored.

Proceeds will go towards DC Habitat for Humanity
and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the Mall.
For more information,
contact Rev. Clark Lobenstine at (202) 234-6300 x201
###

Gathas available on line with introduction by Erv Kersey Antia

2006-12-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

Gathas available on line with introduction

by Erv Kersey Antia

Web site with all the Gathas for your ipod or MP3 player http://web.mac.com/mariamas/iWeb/Gathas/

Mother of the Year® 2006, Washington DC - Sunday November 19th 2006

2006-11-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

Annual Interfaith Church Service

Honoring Maxine B. Baker
Freddie Mac Foundation Pres & CEO
Mother of the Year® 2006, Washington DC

For All the Good She Does in the Community & Country
Philanthropic Leader – Helped 1.7 million children
Co-Founder, Congressional Coalition Adoption Institute
Which Received “Angles in Adoption” Award
Sponsor, “Wednesday’s Child”

Speakers
Mayor Anthony A. Williams
Virginia E. Hayes Williams
Rev. Dr. Delores Carpenter

Sunday, November 19, 2006
At two thirty in the afternoon
Reception to follow

Michigan Park Christian Church
1600 Taylor Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017

RSVP 202-526-3355 ext.2
###

May 19th 2007 in New Jersey -- NAMC Seminar on "The passage of Time and its influence on Zarathushtrain Tradition"

2006-11-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

NAMC 'SEMINAR 2007'

Topic: "Passage of Time and its influence on Zarathushtrian Tradition"
Place: ZAPANJ - Zoroastrian Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Gibson House Community Center, Marlton NJ.

Date: Saturday May 19, 2007

THE PROGRAM
9:00-9:05 am Welcome -- President, ZAPANJ
9:05-9:10 am Introduction -- Ervad Jehan Bagli
9:10 am- 9:40 am Zarathushtrian Connection in Pishdadian and Kyanian era.
Speaker: Ervad Soli Dastur
9:40 am-10:10 am Q/A discussion
10:10-10:40 TEA/COFFEE BREAK
10:40- 11:10 Rise of Zarathushtrian faith in the Achaemenian Times
Speaker: Ervad Cawas Desai
11:10- 11:40 am Q/A discussion
11:40-12:00 pm Faroher episode of History of Iranashah Fire - Part I
12:00-1:30 pm LUNCH BREAK
1:30- 2:00 pm Zarathushtrian Faith: Revival in Sasanian era
Speaker: Ervad Brigadier Behram M. Panthaki
2:00-2:30 pm Q/A discussion
2:30- 2:40 pm On personal Experiences of Navar Ceremony and Thoughts on Future as Mobed
Speaker: Ervad Bezon Madon
2:40- 2:45 pm Discussion
2:45-3:15 pm TEA/COFFEE BREAK
3:15-3:45 pm Zarathushtrian Religion and its evolution in the post-exilic era in India
Speaker: Ervad Gustad M. Panthaki
3:45-4:15 pm Q/A discussion
4:15-4:40 pm Faroher episode of History of Iranashah Fire - Part II
4:40-5:10 pm Open Forum
5:10-5:20 Concluding remarks -- Ervad Adi Unwalla

5:20-6:20 pm NAMC AGM
7:00 -9:00 pm FAREWELL DINNER
###

Seed Money available for Sustainable Social Ventures

2006-11-09T16:43:00.000-08:00

The Youth Venture Program

is now accepting applications

from youth (ages 12-20) for

funding of up to $1,000/-

Application Submission Deadline:

December 18th, 2006 5:00pmEST.
For U.S. Applicants only

Spread The Word Flier: Print and Hand Out or Email to Friends

Frequently Asked Questions

National & Global Youth Service Day

THE YSA YOUTH VENTURE OPPORTUNITY IS OPEN TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 20 YEARS AT TIME OF ENTRY. ANY ENTRANT UNDER THE AGE OF 18 MUST OBTAIN A SIGNATURE OF A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN ON HIS/HER APPLICATION AND ON ALL LEGAL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CONTEST. VOID WHEREVER RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED BY LAW.

YSA Youth Venture Program:

1101, 15th St. NW

Suite 200

Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202.296.2992 ext 17

Email: amutima@youthventure.org

###

Grant Support Available for National and Global Youth Service Days April 20-22, 2007

2006-11-09T16:14:00.000-08:00

THE CAPITAL ONE YOUTH SERVICE FUND

(METRO DC APPLICANTS ONLY)

Capital One and Youth Service America (YSA)

are pleased to announce

grants of up to $500

to support service youth-led projects

in low/moderate income communities.

Applicants must be located in the metro DC area: Washington DC, Fairfax, Arlington, Prince George’s, and Montgomery Counties, and the city of Alexandria.

These grants support youth (ages 5-25), teachers, youth-leaders,

or organizations that engage youth in in implementing service projects for

National & Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007.

Projects can address themes such as:

the environment,
disaster relief,
public health and awareness,
community education,
hunger,
literacy,
and any issues that youth identify as a community need.

To learn more, download BOTH documents at www.ysa.org/awards.
Both documents are required for a complete application.
Questions? Email CapitalOne@ysa.org .

Receipt deadline: January 26, 2007.
###

FEZANA participation in the Commission on the Status of Women

2006-11-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

The Commission on the Status of Women
- 51st Session from 26 February to 9 March 2007.

"Lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Micro credit is one such means." -- Citation by Norwegian Nobel Committee, in awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 2006 to Muhammad Yunus, an economist from Bangladesh, founder of the Grameen Bank.[Oslo, Norway 13th October 2006]

The objective of FEZANA's participation at the United Nations as a Non-Governmental Organization [NGO] in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council is to promote world peace. The first ever seminar on behalf of the North American Zoroastrian community presented at the 48th Session of Commission on the Status of Women [CSW] in February-March 2004,was entitled "Microfinancing-a step to the Upliftment of Women" . This participation by FEZANA at the United Nations was prescient of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded in 2006. Kudos to the Zarathushtis who presented the seminar on a topic which served as a prelude to the Year of Microfinance in 2005 and has now been recognized in a very visible way. There is value to such participation which molds our thinking, and we are privileged to provide similar opportunities for our community, on an on-going basis.

The CSW will be holding its 51st Session from 26 February to 9 March 2007 at the United Nations in New York City. This meeting is focused on "The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child." The Working Group on Girls of the NGO Committee on UNICEF has requested our help to ensure maximum participation of girls in the CSW, by including girls on our organization's delegation for 2007. Please be aware that it is a UN regulation that girls under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The FEZANA UN-NGO Committee has an option to present a workshop on the related subject and would like to encourage Zoroastrians to participate actively as we have done in years past. It is not a requirement to be present for all 12 days. Individuals wishing to participate should communicate their intentions to the undersigned, no later than November 25, 2006 by e-mail and indicate convenient date(s) for attendance. Please include the name of the accompanying adult for minors planning to travel to New York. As this requires obtaining permission from the United Nations, your cooperation is requested to meet the UN deadline for registration.

Thank you,

Homi D. Gandhi, homidgandhi@gmail.com
Behram Pastakia, bpastakia@aol.com
Co-Chairs FEZANA UN-NGO Committee
###