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An Interfaith Moment of Prayer for Peace at UN Headquarters. Credit: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the gathering was taking place at a unique moment: on the last Friday of Ramadan, as Christians celebrate Easter, Jews mark the end of Passover, and Sikhs enjoy the festival of Vaisakhi. “Even the calendar is sending a message of unity,” he remarked. “Today, at this blessed moment of renewal across faiths, let us lift our hearts and voices for peace – our guiding star and our most precious goal.” April 2023

NEW YORK, Jun 28 2023 (IPS) – For the last 30 odd years, I have maintained that religions matter. I noted the reasons for why they matter, and always listed how they matter —as social service providers, as first responders in humanitarian crisis; as mediators in tensions and conflicts, as upholders of common good and the values of humanity; as protectors of children and of the most vulnerable; and even as political actors.

All to name but a few. I still feel amused when some of those I trained among the UN staff and the faith-based NGO community, quote something I said, in public – albeit without even being aware they are quoting (I am trying to be kind here) – such as: “we should not be talking about whether religions matter, but how they matter”.

In 2007, while at UNDP, I was told, more than once, “we do not do religion”. By the time I left the UN in 2020, after building two bodies – an Interagency Task Force on Religion and its Multi Faith Advisory Council – it was clear that almost all UN entities were competing to ‘do religion’. In fact, some UN entities are competing for religious funding.

While I have not lost that faith in faith itself, over the last years, I have grown increasingly incredulous of those who would speak in the name of ‘religion’. It is hard not to feel distinctly bemused, when versions of ‘if religious actors/leaders are not at the [policy] table, they will be on the menu]’, are being told in one gathering after another.

Often by the same kinds of speakers, among the same kinds of audiences, albeit meeting more and more frequently – and often more lavishly — in different cities around the world.

The reason for bemusement, is not disillusion with the unparalleled roles that various religious institutions and communities of faith play. Far from it. These roles are, in short, vast. In fact, they are as impossible to quantify, as they are implausible to assume full comprehension of.

After all, how do you accurately measure the pulse of our individual spiritualities – let alone our collective sense thereof? Religious leaders, religious institutions, faith-based and faith-inspired NGOs (FBOs) – let alone faith communities – are massive in number, and permeate all the world’s edifices, peoples and even languages. Faiths, and expressions of religiosity, are likely as numerous as the hairs on an average head (not counting those who may be lacking vigour in that department).

No, the reason for bemusement is disillusionment with the trend of commercialisation of religion, the business of ‘doing religion’. The emerging marketplace of “religion and [fill in the blanks – and anything is possible]” is reminiscent of not too many decades ago, when so many academics, consultants, think tanks, NGOs, worked on the business of democracy and/or good governance and/or human rights. Then, as now, projects, programmes, initiatives, meetings, and more meetings, were hosted.

A global emerging elite of ‘experts’ in the above (or variations thereof) permeated the four and five-star hotel meeting rooms, gave business to caterers and conference centres as they traipsed the ‘conference circuits’ from north to south, populated proposals to governments, philanthropists and various donor entities.

They defined the missions of for-profit consultancies claiming to enable the strategic capabilities, to inform the media presences, to refine the narratives, to provide the leadership coaching, to jointly express the common values, to uphold the good in public service… And so on.

We are not living in better democracies now, in spite of all that business. Will we have more faithful societies? Will people pray more, for one another and serve more selflessly now that ‘religion’ is in? Somehow, I doubt it.

By the time we realised the extent of the commercialisation of democracy and human rights, the commercial nature had corrupted much of the sagacity – and the necessary courage – there was. Even autocrats bought into the business of doing democracy and human rights, and used the narratives to enhance their respective agendas.

Few democratic actors worked together, and even fewer collaborated to serve – and save – the whole of humanity. As with any business venture, the motive of profit – and power – of some, dominated.

And rather than a consolidated civil society effort holding decision makers accountable for the sake of the most vulnerable, and collectively and successfully eliminating the tools of harm, we are living in the era where money, weapons – including nuclear ones – control over resources, and war (including war on this earth), dominate.

Today, some of the most authoritarian and self-serving regimes, and some of the most power-seeking individuals, and their retinues, are vested in the business of ‘religion’. And why not? It is among the most lucrative domains of financial, political and social influence.

Decades of study, however, point to some simple questions to ask, to distinguish the transactional nature of ‘religious affairs’ claiming to be for the good of all, from those actually serving the common good.

The questions include the following:

How many of those engaged in the work of religion (whether as religious or secular actors) actually give of or share, their varied resources, to/with one another (including those from other/different religions, entities, age groups, countries, races, etc.)?

How many different religious organisations plan and deliver, jointly, the same set of services to the same set of needs, in the same neighborhoods or in the same countries?

How many ‘religious actors’ actually partner with ‘secular’ civil society organisations to hold institutions of political and financial power equally accountable – if need be, at cost to their own welfare. In other words, how many stand on principle, irrespective of the cost?

And, my personal favourite: what are these religious actors’ respective positions on women’s rights, on gender equality and/or on women’s leadership?

The more diplomatic way to frame that is also one of the most powerful litmus tests: which human rights do these actors working on/with/for religion, value more? You see, those who are engaged in transactional practices wearing a religious garb, will invariably prioritise some rights, or some privileges, over others.

The answer to this question therefore, will indicate the difference between a coalition of religious fundamentalists (including secular power seekers and some religious and political leaders), and a multilateral alliance dedicated to serving the common good – for each and all, barring none, especially in the most challenging of times.

Azza Karam is a Professor of Religion and Development at the Vrij Universiteit of Amsterdam and served as a member of the UN Secretary General’s High Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism.

IPS UN Bureau

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WE’RE ALL FOCUSED ON AVOIDING THE CORONAVIRUS, BUT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT NEGLECT THEIR OTHER HEALTH NEEDS. THAT’S BECAUSE UNDERLYING CONDITIONS ARE LINKED TO MORE SEVERE ILLNESS FROM COVID-19. Website: https://www.globalliver.org/
·https://www.fattyliverfoundation.org/
NASH IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON DISEASES THAT INCREASE YOUR RISK WITHCOVID.
INTERNATIONAL NASH DAY IS JUNE 12TH, DESIGNED TO RAISE AWARENESS OF A TYPE OF PROGRESSIVE LIVER DISEASE THAT AFFECTS ABOUT 20-MILLION AMERICANS.
HERE TO TALK ABOUT INTERNATIONAL NASH DAY, AND THE NEED TO RAISE AWARENESS, ARE WAYNE ESKRIDGE, FOUNDER OFTHE FATTY LIVER FOUNDATION AND CIRRHOSIS PATIENT, ALONG WITH DONNA CRYER, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE GLOBAL LIVER INSTITUTE.
BIO-Donna R. Cryer, JD, is the founder and CEO of the Global Liver Institute (GLI), the only patient-driven liver health non-profit operating in the US and Europe. She has channeled her personal experience as an IBD patient and 25-year liver transplant recipient into professional advocacy across a career in law, policy, consulting, public relations, clinical trial recruitment, and nonprofit management. Donna is a graduate of Harvard-Radcliffe Colleges and GeorgetownUniversity Law Center.
GLI convenes the NASH Council, LiverCancers Council, International NASH Day(TM), and the Advanced Advocacy Academy, equipping liver patients to be effective advocates. www.globalliver.org @globalliver
BIO-Wayne Eskridge, FattyLiver Foundation President and CEO
Wayne Eskridge, an electrical engineering graduate from the University of Idaho, worked in software and electronics through a 50-year professional career. He served in many technical and managerial roles beginning as a computer programmer, through multiple levels of technical and managerial positions in businesses of all sizes. He held executive positions in both public and private corporations with worldwide responsibilities, and from startups to Fortune 500firms.
In 2015Wayne was diagnosed with stage 4 NASH with cirrhosis. He had no symptoms and didn’t know that his diet, typical of so many Americans, was unhealthy and damaging to his liver. As a result of his own experiences, he became aware of the acute need for educational resources for patients. While there is currently no medical treatment for NAFLD/NASH, lifestyle changes can be effective. Wayne believes that prevention through education is the only practical solution today. His desire to help others avoid his experiences led him to the decision to become a patient champion and to create the Fatty Liver Foundation.

#donna #cryer #wayne #eskridge #nash #non-alcoholic #steatohepatitis #nonalcoholic #international #June #12 #awareness #fatty #liver #disease #impact #prevent #identify #treat #visible #symptoms #common #threatening #medical #health #media #covid #19 #global #institute #social #cancer #foundation #mission #duty #purpose #educate #coordinate #support #victims

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Are you concerned for our future — and for the future of generations to come?

As troubling and overwhelming as the events filling our news feeds are, as a human race, we actually have within us what it takes to transform our world…

We have the will, the intelligence, the resources, the heart, and the leaders to address and heal the areas of our planet that need it most…

In fact, there are brilliant changemakers all over the globe making meaningful progress on critical issues — the environment, health, human rights, women’s issues, economic justice, and peace, to name a few.

Now we’re being called to work in collaboration and partnership like never before, to create the comprehensive changes we need… for a world that works for all.

And Finding Common Ground, taking place August 7-9, offers a path forward…

Free Online Event
Finding Common Ground
August 7-9, 2018

https://shiftnetwork.isrefer.com/go/sop18CC/CCI/

We’re honored to invite you to join 30+ of the world’s leading peacebuilders and changemakers — including Caroline Myss, Marla Maples, Sister Jenna, Shariff Abdullah, Chief Phil Lane, Jr., Robert Thurman, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Deborah Greene, Shamil Idriss, Khalida Brohi, Daryl Davis and so many more — sharing cutting-edge peace practices for building bridges, closing gaps, and connecting and promoting agents for change who are working to create a comprehensive blueprint for global transformation.

This 3-day event will highlight changemakers and their personal stories of transformations that led them to authentic and powerful action. These stories include a Palestinian living in Bethlehem who turned to the ancient wisdom of Jesus (love your enemy) to learn how to love Israelis; a former CIA counterintelligence agent working with the U.S. military in the Iraq war who has created a global movement, “others into brothers,” turning enemies into allies; and an African American musician who befriended KKK leaders and engaged them in the work to end racism in America — and so many more.

I hope you’ll join us for this extraordinary FREE online event presented by The Shift Network.

RSVP here for Finding Common Ground — at no charge: https://shiftnetwork.isrefer.com/go/sop18CC/CCI/

Each day we’ll feature an incredible lineup of changemakers who will guide you in channeling your passion and purpose to make your most meaningful contribution to our world. They’ll share exactly how they’ve found common ground in their communities and created blueprints for change through their innovative peacebuilding work — that you can follow!

We invite you to join us each day of this summit as we take a deep dive into these life-changing, world-changing topics:

Day One: Personal Transformation How to prepare yourself to find common ground with others

Day Two: Interpersonal Transformation How to find common ground with anyone you’re looking at as “other”

Day Three: Collective Transformation How to find common ground in your community and our world

Together, we can create a peaceful, sustainable, transformed world.

RSVP here for Finding Common Ground — at no charge: https://shiftnetwork.isrefer.com/go/sop18CC/CCI/

P.S. Here’s just a peek at what a few of our brilliant speakers will be sharing with you:

Caroline Myss speaks to the importance of every one of our choices… because one clear choice, no matter how insignificant you might think it is, can redirect the course of your life in the blink of an eye.

Marla Maples and Dot Maver will highlight the key principles necessary to create “right human relations” in a time of great polarization and fear.

Robert Thurman will explore nonviolence and love as a pathway to common ground — focusing on the vital role of women in creating harmony and building a more sustainable future.

Shamil Idriss will provide the three steps in finding common ground with an adversary: choosing hope, building trust, and changing the underlying system.

RSVP here for Finding Common Ground — at no charge: https://shiftnetwork.isrefer.com/go/sop18CC/CCI/

The Charter for Compassion runs on your generosity. We work hard to provide support to our compassionate communities and partners. Please donate and make it possible for us to keep doing what we do!

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At 10:30 AM America’s Tenor, Daniel Rodriguez, will open the short program by singing. I will speak for a few minutes as well as Ret. Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton, Producer Stephen Clouse, Purple Heart & Bronze Star medals recipient Angelo Monaco, and Ken Fisher of Fisher House.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS

TONY LO BIANCO

Please “like” Tony Lo Bianco on Facebook to stay connected

Tony Lo Bianco | MNA Productions, Inc. | tonylobo@aol.com |tonylobianco.com

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YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENT.

At 10:30 AM America’s Tenor, Daniel Rodriguez, will open the short program by singing. I will speak for a few minutes as well as Ret. Brig. Gen. Loree Sutton, Producer Stephen Clouse, Purple Heart & Bronze Star medals recipient Angelo Monaco, and Ken Fisher of Fisher House.

PLEASE COME TO THE CNN & CLEAR COMMUNICATIONS SCREENS IN TIMES SQUARE AT 47TH AND BROADWAY AT 10:15 AM, TUESDAY, MAY 23. THE PROGRAM WILL START PROMPTLY AT 10:30 AM AND END AT 11 AM.

This event will be covered by the press, and we will have a Q&A after the showing.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS

TONY LO BIANCO

The post May 23 Times Square Press Conference & Showing of “Just A Common Soldier” appeared first on Good News!.

• Why the U.S. needs to raise the age for social security benefits
• How mandatory military and social service could cut down on student loan debt
• Why regulating too-big-to-fail banks will stop damage to jobs and small businesses
• Why “Right to Die” is important for improving healthcare costs and efficiencies

“Five Easy Theses sets out key issues of public policy easy to identify in concept but long unresolved in practice. Stone proposes sensible approaches to breaking the long-standing political deadlock. The specific measures to deal with budgetary balance, income inequality, public education, healthcare, and financial reform should provide a guide for constructive debate as we choose our next president.”
— Paul A. Volcker, Chairman of the Federal Reserve (1979-1987)
Current Chairman of the Volcker Alliance

At a time of political gridlock in Washington, Americans are eager to end infighting and find solutions.

FIVE EASY THESES: Commonsense Solutions to America’s Greatest Economic Challenges, is an urgent call to action to all of us and our leaders to find solutions to five of our most pressing economic and domestic public policy issues: Fiscal Balance, Inequality, Healthcare, Education, and Financial Sector Reform.

Highly praised by leading authorities in each of these five areas and from both sides of the political aisle including Paul Volcker, Edward O. Wilson, Atul Gawande, FIVE EASY THESES relies on straightforward common sense to liberate the public discourse from partisanship and focus it instead on what might really work to solve the economic problems most directly impacting our lives today.
James M. Stone, the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Plymouth Rock Group of companies, former Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner, and former Chairman and Commissioner of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, argues that it is time for the electorate to challenge the deadlocked status quo and pressure our political leaders in both parties to stop running away from the issues that really matter.

This book is not just for policy wonks but for anyone worried about their rising healthcare costs, the future of their Social Security and Medicare, the effectiveness of education to prepare their children, and how their prosperity might be affected by income inequality and recklessness in the financial sector.
In FIVE EASY THESES, Stone presents a researched analysis of each sector, offering the context needed to understand what got us to where we are, and proposes the potential solutions that will lead us on the right path. These include:

Fiscal Balance
Stone identifies the worst loopholes and sources of waste in today’s tax policy. The federal government should stop making commitments it has no plans to fund. This problem is most severe with respect to our Social Security promises to the next generation of elders. Congress should cease to offer expensive tax breaks that serve no useful policy purpose. The most wastefully extravagant of these tax expenditures is the deduction available to corporations and individuals for payment of interest on their debts. The Social Security system can be secured by ceasing to automatically expand benefits as life expectancies rise. The corporate and personal interest deduction should be flat-out repealed.

Income Inequality
The greatest threat to traditional American values today is the drift toward an aristocracy of wealth. It is harmful that the fruits of our recent economic growth have virtually all been taken by top 0.1% of the population. To remedy this, and restore the economic strength of the middle class while maintaining a safety net for those in need, we must take steps that may sound as radical as the income tax sounded a hundred years ago but are just as necessary. We must begin to tax unrealized gains resulting from investment asset appreciation, and we must stop cold the leakage from inheritance taxes brought about through trust loopholes and excessive exemptions.

Education
Our system of grade school education and our private-public balance of higher education are in need of major repair. The grade school curriculum is poorly serving those who will not be earning a four-year college degree. The costs of college are undermining the benefits of higher education to all but the wealthiest students. Our nation ranks no better than mediocre by international measures of educational attainment. A universal national service program would offer a powerful set of solutions to the educational shortcomings, while providing other social and economic benefits as an extra dividend. The book lays out an 8-point plan and a bold post-secondary program to make education more effective and affordable for both college-bound and work-bound young people.

Healthcare
The United States spends about 18 percent of its GNP on healthcare, while the rest of the developed world averages a little more than half that. Yet, our people experience worse health outcomes than those in other nations. The extra spending exceeds a trillion dollars a year, a vast amount you could put to many better uses. Only within the framework of a single-payer, single-negotiator, single-regulator system can we provide rationality, sensible incentives, and cost-effective administration. The gain to the public of a trillion dollars a year would be the largest available boost to the economy within reach today, and proper incentives would improve America’s health outcomes

Financial Sector Reform
With first-hand experience as a financial regulator, Stone shows how an out-of-control gargantuan banking, derivatives and hedge fund sector can be curbed to make finance serve, rather than dominate, America’s real commercial sector. The emergence of unmanageably large and complex banks whose failures would bring all of us down, the creation of hedge funds whose security and business practices remain beyond regulatory purview, and the rise of derivatives traded with nearly unlimited leverage, all contribute to the financial sector’s enrichment at the rest of the economy’s expense. The overall scale of the financial sector is out of proportion to its economic value. The current situation is at least as hazardous as before the crash. Banks should be downsized. Hedge funds should cease to exist outside of the successful and safe regulatory structure applied to mutual funds. And derivatives trading should be backed up by reserves that would reduce its volume to a tiny fraction of today’s unimaginable numbers.

While these theses are by no means “easy”, together they have the potential to break through political paralysis and transform the future prospects of America’s next generation. FIVE EASY THESES is the book that is needed now to inspire people on both sides of the political aisle to demand the solutions and leadership that it will take to set our country on the right path.

About the Author:
James (Jim) Stone is the founder, Chairman and CEO of the Plymouth Rock group of companies. He began his career by teaching economics, after earning a Ph.D. in economics at Harvard. He served as Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner from 1975 to 1979 and then as Chairman and Commissioner of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission for four years. On his return from Washington, he founded Plymouth Rock.

He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Boston Globe, and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Global Post, a web-based international news service. Jim is a member of the Board of Directors of two non-profit organizations, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Management Sciences for Health, for which he serves as Chairman of the Board. Jim has served as an advisor to governments in three developing countries, and he has authored a book and numerous articles on insurance and finance. Jim is married, the father of two children, and lives in Boston.

FIVE EASY THESES
Commonsense Solutions to America’s Greatest Economic Challenges
By James M. Stone

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