The Spiritual Caucus at the United Nations Geneva
What is the Spiritual Caucus?
A group comprised of Renate Bloem, Alfredo Sfeir-Younis, Werner Luedemann and Astrid Stückelberger met at the UN in Geneva in the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. They felt that the time had come to make the spiritual dimension visible in all the work of the United Nations. The Spiritual Caucus was set up on 24 October 2001. The success of the Spiritual Caucus at the UN in Geneva has been the basis to establishing the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns.
We summarize below the 2002 events, of which documents are available.
Please contact Astrid Stückelberger: secretariat@csvgc-geneva.org
Events of the Spiritual Caucus during 2002
• Creation of the Geneva Spiritual Appeal Group - April
• "The Geneva Spiritual Appeal: An Instrument for Peace?” - April
Public Conference during the Commission on Human Rights, United Nations Geneva,
- Reverend Dr William McComish, Dean of the Cathedral, initiator of the Appeal
- Steve Bernard, Director, Geneva Welcome Center, co-writer of the Appeal
- Hafid Ouardiri, UN representative of the Muslim World League, spokesman of the
- Islamic Cultural Foundation and Mosque of Geneva
- Venerable Mujin SUNIM, Woman Buddhist nun; Vice–president, International Buddhist Center
• "The Spiritual Dimension in Health" - May- Brainstorming Session during the WHO World Health Assembly, UN Geneva:
• "Religion, Spirituality and the Environment: A Key Component for Johannesburg?" - July
Two Panel Discussions during World Forum of Civil Society, International Center of Conferences Geneva,
Intergenerational Cooperation : Vital Backbone for Our Future 18 July 2002 (Draft document available)
• "Integrating the Spiritual Dimension of Sustainable Development into the Work of the UN" - August
UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2002
•“Prayers for Humanity” September - Ceremony: co-organisation of an Interfaith Ceremony at the Cathedral of Geneva
• “September 11: Self-Realization – as a Challenge to Expand Inner Peace to Humanity”; September - Panel Discussion, United Nations Geneva
• Peace Bell Ringing Ceremony at the United Nations Geneva, September - Ceremony in honour of the Intl Day of Peace,
• “Spiritual Leaders share Wisdom”, September - H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar; Founder Art of Living Foundation, at the Hotel President Wilson, Geneva
• “Spiritual Leaders share Wisdom” October - Dadi Janki, International Head of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, at the World Council of Churches, Geneva
• “Spirituality and Global Public Policy” November, Public Conference by Alfredo Sfeir-Younis, Special Representative of the World Bank Group to the United Nations and to the World Trade Organisation, United Nations Geneva
• "Path to Health, Traditional Medicine and Spiritual Dimensions in Health"
• "The Healing Breath" Dr Vinod Kochupillai
• Spiritual Education as a Human Right, panel discussion
