In This Section
- GEIFN | Aspiring
- UN | COMMEMORATING | International Day of Peace | 21 September
- UNHCR | UPDATING | Forcibly Displaced, Refugees & Stateless | Figures at a Glance | 18 June 2021
- Engaging Privilege, Inequality, Equity and Society
- Supporting Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods
- Sharing Downloadable PDF Statements
- Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering with Vajrasattva Mantra
GEIFN | Aspiring
GEIFN was formed in early 2011 with representation from many faith groups. Currently in caretaker mode with Carey Rohrlach attending. In keeping with these simpler times, please note the new geifn website and email addresses.
- Promoting harmony and respect for faiths, values, cultures and traditions in our shared community.
- Providing opportunities for dialogue, understanding, harmonious interaction, co-operative community service and events that highlight positive contributions in the community.
- Demonstrating respect for others belief’s, cultures and traditions. This desire arises from our common humanity and our being people of faith.
- Recognising neighbours, that we have responsibilities to ourselves, community and the world.
- Encouraging citizens, all to put aside intolerance, prejudice and divisiveness to attain peaceful and fruitful co-existence.
- Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Port Phillip, Glen Eira and surrounds are the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation.
- Respecting past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savour and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully in our place called home.
This annual supplement is a curation from information in public domain. Thankyou to all the many exemplars who have shared their aspiration, experience and results to be the peace making they wish to see in the world. Received with gratitude.
UN | COMMEMORATING | International Day of Peace | 21 September
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
In 2021, as we heal from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are inspired to think creatively and collectively about how to help everyone recover better, how to build resilience, and how to transform our world into one that is more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and healthier.
The pandemic is known for hitting the underprivileged and marginalized groups the hardest. By April 2021, over 687 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered globally, but over 100 countries have not received a single dose. People caught in conflict are especially vulnerable in terms of lack of access to healthcare.
In line with the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire last March, in February 2021 the Security Council unanimously passed a resolution calling for Member States to support a “sustained humanitarian pause” to local conflicts. The global ceasefire must continue to be honoured, to ensure people caught in conflict have access to lifesaving vaccinations and treatments.
The pandemic has been accompanied by a surge in stigma, discrimination, and hatred, which only cost more lives instead of saving them: the virus attacks all without caring about where we are from or what we believe in. Confronting this common enemy of humankind, we must be reminded that we are not each other’s enemy. To be able to recover from the devastation of the pandemic, we must make peace with one another.
And we must make peace with nature. Despite the travel restrictions and economic shutdowns, climate change is not on pause. What we need is a green and sustainable global economy that produces jobs, reduces emissions, and builds resilience to climate impacts.
The 2021 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world”. We invite you to join the efforts of the United Nations family as we focus on recovering better for a more equitable and peaceful world. Celebrate peace by standing up against acts of hate online and offline, and by spreading compassion, kindness, and hope in the face of the pandemic, and as we recover. More
COVID-19 Response
This is a global health crisis unlike any other — one that is spreading human suffering, destabilizing the global economy and upending the lives of billions of people around the globe. Vulnerable populations in countries with weaker health systems, facing existing humanitarian crises are at great risk. The United Nations is committed to ensuring all people have access to all the tools to defeat COVID-19. Global solidarity is not only a moral imperative, it is in everyone’s interests. More
UNHCR | UPDATING | Forcibly Displaced, Refugees & Stateless | Figures at a Glance | 18 June 2021
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, other forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
At least 82.4 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them are nearly 26.4 million refugees, around half under the age of 18.
There are also millions of stateless people, who have been denied a nationality and lack access to basic rights such as education, health care, employment and freedom of movement.
At a time when 1 in every 95 people on earth has fled their home as a result of conflict or persecution, UNHCR's workis more important than ever before.
UNHCR personnel are the backbone of UNHCR. As of 31 December 2020, UNHCR employed 17,878 people, of whom around nearly 91 per cent are based in the field.
We work in 132 countries and territories, with personnel based in a mixture of regional and branch offices and sub and field offices. Our teams work hard to help the displaced, specializing in a wide range of disciplines, including legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs and health.
UNHCR is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, with 85 per cent from governments and the European Union. Three per cent comes from other inter-governmental organizations and pooled funding mechanisms, while a further 11 per cent is from the private sector, including foundations, corporations and the public. Additionally, we receive a limited subsidy (one per cent) from the UN budget for administrative costs, and accept in-kind contributions, including items such as tents, medicines and trucks. For up to date information about UNHCR’s financial needs visit Global Focus website.
- Forcibly Displaced, Refugees & Stateless | Figures at a Glance
- Are you a refugee, asylum-seeker or stateless person looking for help? Visit UNHCR HELP site for information on asylum, legal assistance, education and other services in the country of your interest. Click here
Engaging Privilege, Inequality, Equity and Society
ABC: Australian Story: Spanish flu vs COVID-19: An Australian perspective of a pandemic (33 mins)
Kings and Generals: Muslim Schism: How Islam Split into the Sunni and Shia Branches (19 mins)
History of China: The Qing Dynasty Harem System - Imperial Concubines (14 mins)
Origin of Everything: Why Did Europeans Enslave Africans? (10 mins)
Xuan Zang (2 hours)
Chinese + English Subtitles
A reconstructed account of the historical 16th CE Chinese monk who journeyed to the West (India).
Supporting Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods
- Badges
- Photocards
- Coffee Mugs
- Contemplations
- Inspirations
- Sharing Downloadable PDF Statements
- Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering
- Update Your Contact Details
Badges
Pack Contains: 20
Cost: $40 until stocks last
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
OR download free digital version here for adding to your documents:
Photocards
Reconciliation? “I know that women deserve the right to choose their own future. Whether black or white.” Emily Wurramara, Wanindilyakwa Woman, From Minya Birran Interview April 2020
High quality high gloss 1 sided on photographic paper
Individual Size: 15x10cm
Pack Contains: 10 cards
Cost: $6 until stocks last
OR download free digital version here:
Coffee Mugs
White ceramic 325ml mug with wrap-around image
Pack Contains: 1 Mug
Cost: $20 ea until stocks last
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
Contemplations
Take Away Contemplation (Front):We give thanks for the precious nature
of life.
We give thanks for the precious nature
of the lives of those we care for
and who care for us.
We give thanks for the precious nature
of the many interconnected conditions
that come together today
to allow us to enjoy this place,
this company,
this purpose,
this potential,
this time.
We give thanks for the precious nature
of all Teachers, Teachings and Opportunities to Share.
We give thanks for the precious nature
of my/your/our life.
May all beings enjoy such benefits
or if not, have less Suffering until planting the seeds for growth.
For the benefit of all, thankyou.
Daily, before meals or anytime
Contemplating Departure (Back):
Please forgive me
For anything I did or said
Or failed to do or say,
That hurt you or upset you,
Whether I did them intentionally or unintentionally
I forgive you
For anything you did or said
Or failed to do or say
That hurt me or upset me,
Whether you did them intentionally or unintentionally
May all live in Peace, Wellbeing and Happiness
Daily, after meals or at the closing
Description:
High quality laserprinted 2 sided leaflet
Individual Size: 21x10cm
Pack Contains: 12 leafs
Cost: $6 until stocks last
OR download free digital version here:
Inspirations
Be Aspiring, Change View (Front):Found Peace. If it was easy then everybody would be enjoying it.
Beat Time, Check Source (Back):
Re:lig:ion = again/back : join/unite : energy
Description:
High quality laserprinted 2 sided leaflet
Individual Size: 21x10cm
Pack Contains: 12 leafs
Cost: $6 until stocks last
OR download free digital version here:
Sharing Downloadable PDF Statements
Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering
Update Your Contact Details For GEIFN:
Glen Eira Interfaith Network (GEIFN)Email: caretaker@geifn.org
Website: www.geifn.org