Brahma Kumaris at the UN (BKUN - United Nations)

Regarding the Brahma Kumaris United Nation's status, the following is taken from Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations 2007 regular session (27 January-2 February 2007): a quadrennial reports 2002-2005 submitted through the Secretary-General pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31. From: Notes by the Secretary-General. I understand that the BKs produced a glossy presentation to give to the UN.

I am very interest in the details of how the BK "helped to identify the immediate needs of Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka" and how they "took care .. to help build mental stamina in over 30,000 affected families in Colombo, Kandy and Batticaloa." 30,000 families ... that is may be 100,00 to 150,000 people. How did they "build mental stamina in 150,000 people (children and sick included). Do they mean offered free Raja Yoga classes? Some mega programmes?

Can we have details and an independent audit please? I mean, how much individuals did they have working on that? Tamasin Ramsay ... please? We read earlier that they did not go into the area until after two weeks after the tsunami hit.

The other female guru, Amma, followers organization committed $23,000,000 to help the Tsunami victims ... how much did the BKWSU give? One report mentioning Tamasin says 10 Lakhs ($20,000) where the UK accounts state £10,000s were collected. What was it ... over $100,000 alone? How much got to the end destination and how was it spent?

Some of it is farcical, e.g. in the light of recent claims that 'negative thoughts are causing global warming' ... "The Scientists and Engineers’ Professional Wing of the BKWSU engages the local officials and environmentalists in dialogue on issues of the state of the earth."

Some of it whacky, e.g. the video of multi-millionaire corporate chairman Nizar Juma and God possessing the body of Sister Gulzar to cut up a cake of Africa by way of their "Serve Africa" campaign.

Some of it even sick, e.g. in relationship to the recent documentation of abuses within the BKWSU by actions BKs, the idea of The four objectives are: Full employment, workers' rights, social protection; and social dialogue. The BKWSU leadership cannot even do that with its own followers (no rights, 12 to 16 hour days unpaid labour), nor critics (no correspondence, no dialogue, no change ... if all else sue them) but yet it considers itself an expert for what others should do.

In my opinion, a lot of it looks like exaggerated and referring to usual BK service programmes, the rest to talking shops and fluffing around "associations" and "partnership" talk, e.g. service front (some self servicing such the the hospitals and The Janki Foundation) ... and how can they promote themselves as "saving the environment" when they believe in an imminent and desirable total nuclear "Destruction" to "purify" this impure world?

Its worth remember that Dr Vinay Lakshmi had to fight against the objections of the leadership to carry out the Village Project too.

Anyone care to take up the case for the defence?

2. Brahma Kumaris WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY - (General Consultative Status granted in 1998)

Introductory Statement

The aims of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) include:

Offering to people of all walks of life a simple, and accessible education in spiritual and moral understanding, principles and values to build human capacity; to reaffirm the spiritual identity, inherent goodness, worth and dignity of the human being and bring about a positive change of awareness, attitude and behaviour as the foundation for the overall advancement and betterment of the human condition;
to foster long-term human-centred development, offering a spiritual perspective of contemporary issues of personal, community and world concern and facilitating a greater awareness of corresponding rights and responsibilities.

The BKWSU is a member of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO).

The University’s collaboration with other organizations include: Co-chair and member of Coordinating Council of the Values Caucus in New York. Member of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Values and Ethics Caucus, a working group set up during the preparatory meetings. Member of the Bureau of the NGO Committee on the Freedom of Religion and Belief and chaired a briefing on behalf of the Committee on "the Report of the Panel of Eminent Persons on UN and Civil Society Relations." Participates in the Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns and the Committee on Human Rights, and co-convenes the "Jumping the Fence task force" of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women. Cooperates with other organizations in the preparation of joint statements on UN-related issues.

The BKWSU's geographical membership has increased since 2002, in 18 more countries, giving it a presence in a total of 101 countries, territories and islands. During this quadrennial period the "Serve Africa" initiative has made a concerted effort to focus on that region. The BKWSU’s source of funding remained substantially unchanged during the quadrennial period.

Participation in the Economic and Social Council, its conferences and other UN meetings

2002

Commission on Human Rights, 58th Session, Geneva, 18 March - 26 April 2002
Commission on the Status of Women 46th Session, New York, 4 - 15 March 2002
UN Second World Assembly on Ageing, Madrid, Spain, 8 - 12 April 2002
Written Statement: "Ageing, Dignity and Spirituality", Oral Statement: "Dignity and Ageing"
UN Special Session on Children, UN Headquarters, New York, 8-10 May 2002
UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August- 4 September 2002. Written Statement: "Spirituality – The Heart of Sustainable Development ; Booklet on "Renewable Energy Projects".

2003

Commission on Human Rights 59th Session, Geneva, 17 March- 25 April 2003
Commission on the Status of Women 47th Session, New York, 3-14 March 2003
56th Annual NGO/DPI Conference, UN Headquarters, New York, 8-10 September 2003; Written Statement: "Human Security and Dignity: Fulfilling the UN Promise"
World Summit on the Information Society, First Phase, Geneva, 10-12 December 2003; Written Statement: "An Inclusive Information Society: Wisdom, Vision and Values"
57th Annual NGO/DPI Conference, UN Headquarters, New York, USA, 8-10 September 2004; Written Statement: "Millennium Development Goals: Civil Society Takes Action" Commission on Human Rights, 60th Session, Geneva, 15 March- 23 April 2004

2005

Review and Appraisal of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of the 23rd Special Session of the General Assembly, UN Headquarters, New York, USA, 28 February - 11 March , 2005
Commission on Human Rights, 61st Session, Geneva, 14 March - 22 April 2005; Written Statement: "Human rights = Inner rights". Informal Hearings of the Golden Age with NGOs, Civil Society and the private sector, New York, 23 - 24 June 2005
58th Annual NGO/DPI Conference, UN Headquarters, 7 - 9 September 2005; Written Statement: "Our Challenge: Voices for Peace, Partnership, and Renewal"
World Summit on the Information Society, Second Phase, Tunis, Tunisia, 16-18 November 2005; Written Statement: "Informed Individuals; Spiritual Societies"

Cooperation with UN bodies and specialized agencies

Decent Work Agenda, International Labour Organization (ILO): meeting co-sponsored by the ILO and the World Council of Churches, Geneva, February 2002. Written and oral statements made. Statement published by ILO in "Philosophical and Spiritual Perspectives on Decent Work.".
Roundtable on "Spiritual and Philosophical Perspectives of Decent Work", Geneva, December 2005, organized by the International Institute for Labour Studies.
Oral statement: "The Strength and Sustenance of Decent Work."

UN 60, in cooperation with DPI and UN Staff Recreation Council: The BKWSU, the Values Caucus and the Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, co-sponsored "The Spirit of the United Nations: Markings for the Future" to honour the UN 60 and the 100th Anniversary of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, UN Headquarters, October 2005.

Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit, jointly organized by UNDP, Government of Senegal and Global Peace Initiative of Women: "Providing a Global Platform for Africa’s Next Generation of Leaders in Achieving the Millennium Development Goals". Oral statement made at the Interfaith Service of the opening plenary, and paper presented at a panel discussion.

Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence, UNESCO: BKWSU continues its support through conferences, dialogues, seminars and workshops on peace, conflict prevention and non-violence. In Australia, a series of forums on "Dialogue among Civilizations" were initiated. In Uruguay, a research paper was prepared in consultation with and published by UNESCO on the topic of: "Values Underlying the Uruguayan Culture."

UN International Day of Peace: Through its network of centres worldwide, the BKWSU works with local communities and involves various sectors of society to focus on world peace on 21st September. Activities are done in collaboration with UN Information Centres, UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF and civil society organizations.

UN World Environment Day: The Scientists and Engineers’ Professional Wing of the BKWSU engages the local officials and environmentalists in dialogue on issues of the state of the earth.

International Year of Mountains 2002: In Moscow more than 200 sport veterans, including the first Soviet Mount Everest climbers, dialogued on "My Peak, My Olympus" highlighting values that help achieve great results and overcome challenges. A photo exhibit was held at UNIC in Moscow.

Other relevant activities: In Support of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Goal 1. Achieve Universal Primary Education: The Living Values Education Programme supported by the BKWSU focuses on primary and secondary levels. It is currently being implemented in more than 8,000 sites in nearly 80 countries. Other programmes include Activities for Refugees and Children Affected by War, Street Children and Drug Rehabilitation.

Goal 3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women: International Women’s Day is used to encourage the role of women through public forums, residential retreats, seminars and dialogues on processes of capacity-building, inner empowerment, gender equality and respect.

Goal 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other Diseases: In India, the Global Hospital and Research Centre, managed by the BKWSU, works in partnership with the World Health Organization in the STOP TB Campaign. The Hospital's Village Outreach Programme works to reduce child mortality and to improve maternal health by providing nutritional supplements, health checkups and the immunization of village children. An associate of the BKWSU, The Janki Foundation for Global Health Care’s initiative Values in Healthcare: A Spiritual Approach, offers personal and team development programme for healthcare practitioners.

Goal 7. Ensuring Environmental Sustainability: The BKWSU has spearheaded the installation and use of solar energy within rural communities. The research and development programme of the Department of Renewable Energy in operation at its headquarters covers: Hybrid alternative energy systems, Passive solar architecture, Photovoltaic power packs, Solar hot water plants, and steam cooking systems, and water recycling technologies.

Goal 8. Develop a Global Partnership for Development: The annual Call-of-the-Time Dialogue Series provides the space for policy makers to have conversations filled with insights, ideas and fresh perspectives so that the seeds of true partnerships are developed.

Emergency Relief

Tsunami Relief Activities: The BKWSU helped to identify the immediate needs of Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka. Basic requirements and medical supplies were transported to the camps while care was also taken to help build mental stamina in over 30,000 affected families in Colombo, Kandy and Batticaloa.