CSVGC History
On 24 October 2002 Member Organizations in Geneva in consultative status with ECOSOC applied to CONGO for the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns to be made a standing Committee of CONGO. The application was supported by the regulatory number of over twenty Member Organizations which submitted it to the CONGO Board at its Meeting in Vienna on 30-31 October 2002, where it was discussed and adopted. For more information about the CSVGC at the United Nations in Geneva please visit: http://www.csvgc-geneva.org/
On February 27, 2004 the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns (NY) was accepted as a committee at the United Nations in New York. Below is an overview of the early stages of formation of the CSVGC at the United Nations in New York.
Early History of CSVGC-NY
February 12, 2004
Informative meeting about the possibility to establishing a NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concern at the UN in New York. The groups included leaders from like minded committees and caucuses including the Committee of Religious NGOs, the Values Caucus, the Spiritual Caucus, URI-UN, the Earth Values Caucus and others, who brainstormed possible themes they would hope this committee could address. They included (but not limited to): Arts, Conscious Communication, Conscious Education, Culture of Peace, Earth Stewards, Global Ethics & Universal Values, How do we empower the Representatives of the Governments of the World with the Concept of Spirituality?, Human Rights, Human Values Trainings, Informal Gatherings & Networking with like-minded colleagues, Inner Work, Calendar of spiritual and values events on our website, Millennium Development Goals, Nature, Partnership between Government and Civil Society, Reform of the UN, Research Spiritual History of UN, Sacredness, Service Projects, Spiritual Dimensions in Global Public Policy (at the International Political Level), Spiritual Exchange with other countries, Spiritual and Universal Values and International Law, Spirituality and Science, Spiritual Dimensions in Health, Spiritual Practices in Daily Life, The Power of the Human Spirit series, The Power of Prayer, The Spiritual Aspects of Sustainable Development, UN Document Drafting, Universal Ethics, Universal Health Care, Universal Laws, Win-Win Solutions, Youth Forum on Inner Happiness & Your Place in the World
February 19, 2004
Meeting to begin to work on drafting the committee’s vision and mission statement which is below:
Evolving Vision Statement
The NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns envisions a global culture of peace, solidarity, inclusiveness, shared responsibility, harmony, cooperation, goodwill and reverence for the sacredness of all life through active peaceful engagement. Infused with a foundation of spirituality and values which are universal in nature, transcending the boundaries of religion, ethnicity, gender and geography, the Committee is resolved to help bring about a culture in which we, the peoples of the world, can address together our common global concerns in an holistic, positive and transforming way and ‘live together in peace with one another’ – thus realizing the core objectives and universal principles stated in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Evolving Mission Statement
The Committee aims to integrate spirituality and values into all areas of the United Nations agenda and of public policy. We aspire to support the spiritual principles, global ethics and universal values such as respect, justice, peace, dignity, freedom, responsibility and cooperation, that underlie the work of the United Nations as reflected in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
In order to fulfill the promise of the United Nations to create a more peaceful, just and sustainable world, we support the recognition and acceptance that spirituality and adherence to universal values are key factors in providing solutions to global concerns. This committee recognizes the importance of connecting with our divine essence, inner wisdom and the oneness of life. We believe that an increased awareness and application of the importance of a value, spirit and soul conscious dimension at all levels of society particularly at the United Nations will allow for the finest and the highest levels of human potential to flourish for the benefit of all.
February 27, 2004
Diane Williams presents an application at the CONGO board meeting in New Yorkto create a branch of the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Almost 70 NGOs accredited with ECOSOC and DPI signed on to become members of this new committee and CONGOagrees to accept this new committee as the latest member of the CONGO family.
ECOSOC Founding NGO Members
Academy for Future Science , Airline Ambassadors, Al-Khoei, Andhra Pradesh United Nations Association, Art of Living, Association of World Citizens, Center for Psychology & Social Change, Center for Women, the Earth and the Divine, Centre for the World’s Religions, Congregations of St. Joseph, Fraternite Notre Dame, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Global Ecovillage Network, Global Education Associates, 3HO, Information Habitat: Where Information Lives, Institute of Global Education, Institute of International Social Development, Institute for Planetary Synthesis, International Alliance of Women, International Association of Educators for World Peace, International Association of Human Values, International Council for Caring Communities, International Federation at Settlements & Neighborhood Centers, International Federation of Social Workers, The International Public Policy Institute, International Shinto Foundation, Inc. (ISF), Legion of Goodwill, Loretto Community, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Pathways to Peace, Pax Christi International, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur , Soka Gakkai International (SGI), Temple of Understanding, The Tinker Institution on International Law & Organizations (TIILO), Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, World Christian Life Communities.
DPI Founding NGOs Members (please note some of these groups are ECOSOC and DPI)
Airline Ambassadors (DPI & ECOSOC), Aquarian Age Community, Association of World Citizens (ECOSOC & DPI), Center for Psychology and Social Change (ECOSOC & DPI) , Children of the Earth, Congregations of St. Joseph (ECOSOC & DPI), Dhammakaya International, Findhorn Foundation, Fraternite Notre Dame (both ECOSOC and DPI), Global Security Institute, ICIS/Rivertides – (International Center for Integrative Studies), International Federation of Settlements & Neighborhood Centres (IFS) (ECOSOC & DPI), International Institute of Integral Human Sciences, International Mahavir Jain Mission, International Relief Friendship Foundation, Inc. (IRFF), The International Shinto Foundation, Inc. (ISF) (ECOSOC & DPI), Lama Gangchen World Peace Foundation, Lifebridge Foundation, Loretto Community (ECOSOC & DPI), The National Service Conference of the American Ethical Union, Operation Peace through Unity, Pax Christi International (ECOSOC & DPI), Pathways to Peace (ECOSOC & DPI), Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (ECOSOC & DPI), Symphony for the United Nations, Temple of Understanding (ECOSOC & DPI), Tribal Link Foundation, Inc., URI UN, US Servas, World Council of Peoples for the UN, World Peace Prayer Society, Wyndom Foundation
March 25, 2004
Organizational meeting to establish the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns with Jackie Shapiro, First Vice President of CONGO who welcomed us as a new committee and gave us an overview of the CONGOrules and procedures.
April 8, 2004
Held a meeting to dialogue -“What do we hope to accomplish as a Committee?” At this meeting we had a report from the nominations committee (Monica Willard and Faye Feller). Shortly after this meeting a request for nominations went out via email to all ECOSOC NGOs. The nominations committee reported back the results of the nominations and the following candidates were place on the elections ballot.
Diane Williams, Templeof Understanding, Chairperson, Nickolai Parker, Institute for Planetary Synthesis, Vice Chair, Emily Peck, International Association for Human Values, Secretary, Sat Jivan Singh Khalsa, 3HO, Treasurer.
May 27, 2004
Elections were conducted by the Nominations and Elections committee. (the results are below) It was agreed that the committee would sponsor a mid-day workshop at the 8-10 September 2004 DPINGO Annual Conference about the Ethical and Spiritual Dimensions of the Millennium Development Goals. A retreat for this Committee was set for 12 September 2004which would include more substantive sharing between participants about their goals for this Committee and discussions about formal details for committee dues, council membership roles, committee promotion/outreach, and development of substantive sub-committee projects. The sub-committees and/or working groups for this Committee will include Universal Ethics, Conscious Education, Power of Prayer, Earth Stewards, Spiritual Foundations of the UN, and other initiatives to be further elaborated during the retreat. It was also agreed that these working groups will relate to the UN schedule of conferences and special days.
May 2004 Elections for June 2004 - June 2006 term
Report from the elections committee:
Elections of the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns were conducted on May 27th, 2004, the results are:
- Diane Williams of the Temple of Understanding was elected Chairperson and received the vote of all 35 ECOSOC organizations voting.
- Nickolai Parker of the Institute for Planetary Synthesis was elected Vice Chairperson and received the vote of all 35 ECOSOC organizations voting.
- Emily Peck of the International Association of Human Values was elected Secretary and received the vote of 33 ECOSOC organizations voting.
- Sat Jivan Singh Khalsa of 3HO was elected as Treasurer and received the vote of 34 ECOSOC organizations voting.
Congratulations to these newly elected officers!
The ECOSOC organizations which voted are listed below:
- Academy for Future Science
- Airline Ambassadors
- Andhra Pradesh United Nations Association (APUNA)
- Art of Living
- Association of WorldCitizens
- Centerfor Psychology and SocialChange
- Centerfor Women, the Earth and the Divine
- Centre for the World's Religions
- Congregations of St. Joseph
- Global Ecovillage Network
- Global Education Associates
- 3HO
- Ideal Spring
- Information Habitat: Where Information Lives
- Institute of Global Education
- Institute for Planetary Synthesis
- Instituteof InternationalSocial Development
- International Allianceof Women
- International Association of Educators for World Peace
- International Association of Human Values
- International Federation of Settlements & Neighborhood Centers
- International Federation of Social Workers
- International Shinto Foundation
- International Public Policy Institute
- Loretto Community
- Pathways To Peace
- Pax Christi International
- Society for Ecological Sensibility - UN Habitat
- Soka Gakkai International (SGI)
- Templeof Understanding
- Tinker Institute on International Law & Organizations
- Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources
- World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)
- World Christian Life Communities
- Women's Perspective
Respectfully submitted by the Nominations/Elections Committee:
Monica Willard and Faye Feller on June 15, 2004
May 2006 Elections for June 2006 - June 2008 term
Diane Williams, CSVGC Chairperson, Nickolai Parker, Vice Chair, Gayatri Naraine, Secretary and Desiree Hurtak, Assistant Secretary decided because of time constraints that they would not be able to serve for a second term. Sat Jivan Singh Khalsa agreed to stand for a second term. New Elections were conducted in May 2006 and the results are as follows:
Elections Results NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns (NY), a Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. (CONGO)
The New Executive Committee Voting Results Of the 18 eligible organizations that could vote, ten did so and below you will find the results of those votes. With this communication, we wish to express much heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Executive Committee who served us over the past two years and many good wishes and a hearty “Congratulations” to the new Executive Committee!
- CSVGC Chairperson: Audrey Kitagawa, World Federation of UNA — Received 10 Votes from: 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization), Academy for Future Science, Fraternité Notre Dame, Institute of International Social Development, International Association of Educators for World Peace, Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, Legion of Goodwill, The New Seminary, Pax Christi International, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
- CSVGC Vice Chairs - Three Vice-Chair Positions Are Open and You May Vote for all Three
- 1.) Danilo Parmegiani, Legion of Goodwill — Received 10 Votes from: 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization), Academy for Future Science, Fraternité Notre Dame, Institute of International Social Development, International Association of Educators for World Peace, Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, Legion of Goodwill, The New Seminary, Pax Christi International, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
- 2.) Rabbi Roger Ross, The New Seminary — Received 9 Votes from: 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization), Academy for Future Science, Institute of International Social Development, International Association of Educators for World Peace, Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, Legion of Goodwill, The New Seminary, Pax Christi International, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
- 3.) Thomas Downes, Pax Christi International — Received 9 Votes from: 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization), Academy for Future Science, Institute of International Social Development, International Association of Educators for World Peace, Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, Legion of Goodwill, The New Seminary, Pax Christi International, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
- CSVGC Secretary Sharon Hamilton, Institute for the Development of Education Arts and Leisure — IDEAL (Ideal Spring) & Institute of International Social Development (IISD)—Received 10 Votes from: 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization), Academy for Future Science, Fraternité Notre Dame, Institute of International Social Development, International Association of Educators for World Peace, Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, Legion of Goodwill, The New Seminary, Pax Christi International, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
- CSVGC Assistant Secretary Neil Altman, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues — Received 10 Votes from: 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization), Academy for Future Science, Fraternité Notre Dame, Institute of International Social Development, International Association of Educators for World Peace, Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, Legion of Goodwill, The New Seminary, Pax Christi International, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
- CSVGC Treasurer Sat Jivan Singh Khalsa, 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) — Received 10 Votes from: 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization), Academy for Future Science, Fraternité Notre Dame, Institute of International Social Development, International Association of Educators for World Peace, Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, Legion of Goodwill, The New Seminary, Pax Christi International, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Resptectfully Submitted, Ida Urso, Martha Gallahue, Rabbi Roger Ross, The Nominations Committee Additional Executive Council Members
Diane Williams - International Association of Educators for World Peace and Tribal Link Foundation (Chairperson Emeritus), Ricardo de Sena - Intereligious and International Federation for World Peace, Martha Gallahue - The National Service Conference of the American Ethical Union, Maria Malaman - Legion of Good Will, Deborah Moldow - World Peace Prayer Society
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