Martha Gallahue, Georgina Galanis, Deborah Moldow, Leslie Gatan, Kiran Bali, Monica Willard, Laurence Singer, Denise Scotto, Nina Meyerhof, Kay Dundorf. Front Row: Kelly Egan, Jean Trudel, Debbra Gill, and Princess Ukaga
Thanks to Deborah Moldow for this report on the URI-UN CC’s meeting following a presentation for the UN Commission on the Status of Women that URI co-sponsored.
URI-UN Meets at the United Nations
Monday, March 9th marked the opening day of the 59th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations. URI joined with the World Peace Prayer Society, SMVA Trust and FIFCJ/International Federation of Women in Legal Careers to launch the CSW59 at 8:30 a.m. with “Women’s Spiritual Empowerment: The Spirit of Beijing,” held in the 8th floor Boss Room of the Church Center for the United Nations across from the UN.
Guest speakers were:
- H.H. Amma Sri Karunamayi, SMVA Trust
- Kiran Bali, MBE JP, United Religions Initiative Global Council Chair
- Deborah Moldow, The World Peace Prayer Society
- Denise Scotto, FIFCJ/International Federation of Women in Legal Careers
- Ann Smith, Circle Connections
- Monica Willard, United Religions Initiative
The room was filled with more than 75 people, who shared prayers and intentions to empower all the delegates and all of the millions of women and girls they represent. The prayers were formed into a colorful paper chain, and everyone placed their hands on the Peace Pole to add their energy to its prayer for peace.
In honor of both this special event and also the visit of our esteemed URI Global Council Chair, Ms. Kiran Bali, the United Religions Initiative team at the United Nations hosted a meeting of members, visitors and friends. The venue was the beautiful suite Monica and Deborah had been given at the ONE UN Hotel when the doubles were all taken – a timely gift indeed.
URI UN Representative Monica Willard welcomed everyone with enthusiasm and improvised refreshments. Kiran Bali gave a warm greeting and an update on the URI Global Council. Deborah Moldow offered a brief history of the URI at the United Nations, acknowledging several people in the room who were present at the Charter-signing ceremony at the UN that was simultaneous with the official one held in Pittsburgh on June 26, 2000.
Monica then introduced the UN team’s newest member, Amb. Leslie Gatan, formerly of the Mission to the United Nations of the Philippines. Amb. Gatan stewarded the launch of the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace, a pioneering group inside the UN system comprised of governments, UN agency staff members, and NGOs, all with an equal place at the table. He is interested in reviving this innovative group, which has foundered since a change in his government. He and Monica discussed ways in which the Tripartite Forum could perhaps be reconstituted.
Monica then read to everyone a prayer for nuclear disarmament written by Bishop William E. Swing, founder of the URI.
Monica discussed the United Nations Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that is set to be reviewed in April 2015. She and Amb. Gatan would like to visit national Missions to the UN in the hopes of garnering support for a strong call from the United Nations to eliminate nuclear weapons, which Bishop Swing calls “a moral imperative.”
Monica discussed plans for April. URI will be participating in the Peace and Planet Conference in New York City, just prior to the 5-year review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at the UN. There will be a special panel at the UN on April 9 featuring Bishop Swing, “The Moral Compass and Nuclear Abolition.”
The meeting closed with a shared prayer, May Peace Prevail on Earth – and a joyful photo op!
The panelists pose for a photo op
The group sharing ideas at the at the ONE UN Hotel
Monica Willard, URI UN Representative, reads Bishop Swing's "A Prayer for Those Whose Hearts Carry the Weight of Nuclear Weapons"
Kiran Bali MBE JP, URI Global Chairperson, addresses the group
