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The Sufi Women Organization is a department of the International Association of Sufism, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the United Nations. © Copyright: Sufi Women Organization and International Association of Sufism. All rights reserved. Site design by Soraya Chase Clow

 

SWO Articles and Documents

53rd Annual United Nations DPI / NGO Conference (2000)

The 53rd Annual DPI/NGO Conference was focused on the theme of Global Solidarity: The Way to Peace and International Cooperation. This Conference photobrought together United Nations NGO from around the world in an effort to build bridges among us to explore viable ways for civil society to generate action plans focused on development, peace, human rights and environmental issues.

The International Association of Sufism sponsored a workshop on Humanitarian intervention: Human rights, responsibilities and spirituality. The workshop was very well attended by representatives of NGO's interested in building bridges in terms ofpreventive diplomacy and creating standards for the relief of human suffering. Panelists included: Seyedeh Dr. Nahid Angha, Sonia Gilbert, Jonathan Granoff, and Dr. Nina Meyerhof of the Children of the Earth,Inc. Arife Ellen Hammerle was the coordinator for this panel. They all spoke eloquently about the importance of knowledge and ethics as the foundation for global peace in a civil society. Seyedeh Nahid Angha explored the importance of positive effective intervention rather than interference for motivations that are limited and often not in the interests of people. The workshop was a great success resulting in an affirmative call for the articulation of acceptable standards for humanitarian intervention.

Members of the IAS and SWO including Seyedeh Nahid Angha, Seyedeh Hamaseh Kianfar, Sonia Gilbert, Dr. Sharon Mijares, Jonathan Granoff and Arife Ellen Hammerle also participated in the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. This forum brought together leaders from around the world to make a unanimous commitment to peace, and sustainable development.

Both of these events were inspiring. Sitting in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations together with other members of NGO's and Spiritual and Religious Leaders gave one pause to allow the unity and peace to echo within the heart and embrace the pure wisdom of the meaning of these events. This inspiration is a message for all of us to work within our selves and share this inner peace with others, expanding the effect and building a culture of peace among humanity. The thread that weaves all of our lives together is our spiritual connection. The IAS United Nations Representatives continue to embrace the teachings from these events and facilitate affirmative actions with the grace of pure intention.

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