Topics
- GEIFN | Aspiring
- UN | COMMEMORATING | International Day of Peace | 21 September
- UNHCR | UPDATING | Forcibly Displaced, Refugees & Stateless | Figures at a Glance | 16 June 2022
- Supporting Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods
- Sharing Downloadable PDF Statements
- Acknowledgments
- Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering with Sangye Menla (Medicine Buddha) Mantra
1. GEIFN | Aspiring
GEIFN was formed in early 2011 with representation from many faith groups. Currently in caretaker mode with Carey Rohrlach attending.
- 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, Bunurong 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.
2. 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.
But achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms. It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race.
As Secretary-General António Guterres has said:
“Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life in every society. It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality. And it continues to deny people their fundamental human rights. It destabilizes societies, undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and… the linkages between racism and gender inequality are unmistakable.”
As conflicts continue to erupt across the globe, causing people to flee, we have seen race-based discrimination at borders. As COVID-19 keeps attacking our communities, we have seen how certain racial groups have been hit much harder than others. As economies suffer, we have seen hate speech and violence directed at racial minorities.
We all have a role to play in fostering peace. And tackling racism is a crucial way to contribute.
We can work to dismantle the structures that entrench racism in our midst. We can support movements for equality and human rights everywhere. We can speak out against hate speech – both offline and online. We can promote anti-racism through education and reparatory justice.
The 2022 theme for the International Day of Peace is “End racism. Build peace.” We invite you to join the efforts of the United Nations as we work towards a world free of racism and racial discrimination. A world where compassion and empathy overcome suspicion and hatred. A world that we can truly be proud of. 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
3. UNHCR | UPDATING | Forcibly Displaced, Refugees & Stateless | Figures at a Glance | 16 June 2022
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 89.3 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them are nearly 27.1 million refugees, around half of whom are 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 accomodation security, education, health care, employment and freedom of movement.
At a time when 1 in every 88 people on earth has been forced to flee, our work at UNHCR is more important than ever before.
UNHCR personnel
UNHCR's backbone is its workforce. As of 31 December 2021, 18,879 people were employed, of whom around nearly 91% are based in the field.
We work in 137 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.
How is UNHCR funded
We are funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, with 85% from governments and the European Union. 3%comes from other inter-governmental organizations and pooled funding mechanisms, while a further 11% 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.
UNHCR was launched on a shoestring annual budget of US$300,000 in 1950. But as our work and size have grown, so too have the costs. Our annual budget rose to more than US$1 billion in the early 1990s and reached a new annual high of US$9.15 billion in 2021.
For up to date information about UNHCR’s financial needs visit our Global Focus website.
- Forcibly Displaced, Refugees & Stateless | Figures at a Glance
- Make a donation
- 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
Xavier Rudd & the United Nations - Come People
4. Supporting Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods
GEIFN exists to promote harmony and respect for faiths, values, cultures and traditions by global engagement in friendlier neighbourhoods.
In This Section
- Badges
- Photocards
- Coffee Mugs
- Contemplations
- Inspirations
- Sharing Downloadable PDF Statements
- Update Your Contact Details
- Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering
Badges
For equity: YES, I am
Description:
Size: 56mm diametre, safety-pin clasp
Pack Contains: 20
Cost: $40 per pack
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
OR download free digital version here for adding to your documents:
Size: 56mm diametre, safety-pin clasp
Pack Contains: 20
Cost: $40 per pack
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
OR download free digital version here for adding to your documents:
Photocards
Reconciliation? “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we all must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”
Maya Angelou, American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist (1924-2014 CE)
Maya Angelou, American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist (1924-2014 CE)
Description:
High quality high gloss 1 sided on photographic paper
Individual Size: 15x10cm
Pack Contains: 10 cards
Cost: $6 per pack
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
OR download free digital version here:
High quality high gloss 1 sided on photographic paper
Individual Size: 15x10cm
Pack Contains: 10 cards
Cost: $6 per pack
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
OR download free digital version here:
Coffee Mugs
View 1: Lost Piece in the midst of Desire, Envy, Anger, Pride and Confusion?
View 2: Found Peace: If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.
Description:
View 2: Found Peace: If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.
- White ceramic 325ml mug with wrap-around image
- Pack Contains: 1 Mug
- Cost: $25 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
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
High quality laserprinted 2 sided leaflet
Individual Size: 21x10cm
Pack Contains: 12 leafs
Cost: $6 until stocks last
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
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
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
High quality laserprinted 2 sided leaflet
Individual Size: 21x10cm
Pack Contains: 12 leafs
Cost: $6 per pack
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
OR download free digital version here:
5. Sharing Downloadable PDF Statements
6. Acknowledgments
Reconciliation
Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Cities of Port Phillip and Glen Eira are the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation. Respect is offered to 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, savor and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully with less effort in our place called home.Invitation to Support Content Creators
The music/stories/videos have been sourced from public domain. If you like any of the content, please consider buying directly from online marketplaces to support creators and truth telling in the public interest.Caretaker Disclosure
Words and concepts are conditional things that point to a 'reflection of experience'. They are limited and do not adequately describe the 'full lived experience'. Like the moon's reflection on a lake's surface, it is not the moon, nor the experience of gazing up at the darkened sky transformed by the presence of a full moon. It is in the eyes/ears/nose/mouth/touch/cognisance of the beholder.This curation is an interpretation of the universal basis of re:lig:ion (Latin = again:uniting:energy). This email invites a sharing of countless thoughts, words and actions wishing, causing and receiving less Suffering and more Happiness. For benefit initially of the individual increasing in beneficiaries until it includes all across the 3 times and 10 directions. Or not. As each case may be.
It is not personal, it just the way things are.
6. Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering
May all beings have happiness,
May all beings be free from suffering,
May all beings feel an ocean of happiness and joy
And may we live with the good heart
Feeling close to all.
