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News Archive CLICK HERE for the printer-friendly version of this page. • Adventists
Participate in Memorial Ceremony for UN Staff Adventists Participate in Memorial Ceremony for UN Staff
New York, NY, USA... As part of the events marking United Nations day on October 24, Adventists participated in a memorial ceremony at UN headquarters in New York that honored fallen UN staff. The newly-constructed memorial was unveiled by Patel Noble, the only Seventh-day Adventist serving on the UN Security Staff. "Remember here those who gave their lives for peace," are the words inscribed in six languages on a wall of crystal glass that is the centerpiece of the memorial that also includes 191 stepping stones, one for every member state. "It is an ideal space for contemplation and for paying tribute to our fallen colleagues," said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during the ceremony. "After more than half a century of UN field operations, we finally have a site fit to honor our heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. In the increasingly high-risk environment in which we operate, there is no more serious or solemn duty than our responsibility to protect UN staff in the field."
Echoing the same theme, Mrs. Nane Annan commented that "it is our responsibility as colleagues and friends to salute the memory of the fallen; to carry forward their legacy, to continue their work, and to be inspired by their example." "Adventists applaud the contributions of those who work for the betterment of humanity," comments Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Adventist church. "We share in the tragedy of loss as those who are committed to helping their fellow human beings lose their lives in service, and continue to pray for their families and colleagues."
Kelly Razzouk, Adventist church liaison officer based in New York and the only non-UN staff participant, commented that, "As I stood there, I thought of the three ADRA workers who were killed in Liberia this year. To my mind, this memorial is for them too." Earlier this year, Annan condemned the killing of three ADRA workers, Emmanuel Sharpulo, Kaare Lund and Musa Kita, who died while attending to humanitarian needs in Liberia. Celebrated every year on October 24, UN day marks the birth of the organization in 1945. The ceremony was attended by UN security personnel and distinguished diplomats from around the world. [Viola Hughes] Adventists
Support UN Call for Eradication of Poverty Secretary General Annan also commented that "an essential component is a trading system that is both free and equitable." Annan expressed disappointment in the failure of a recent World Trade Organization meeting to reach an agreement on reducing and ultimately phasing out tariff barriers. These barriers "shut out many developing countries from the markets of developed countries." Keynote speaker, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, pointed to the statistics. Approximately 1.2 billion people survive on less than a dollar a day, and an estimated 840 million suffer hunger pains. As many as 24,000 people, many are children, die each day as a result of hunger-related causes. "Far too many children are still dying," she said, adding that "eradicating hunger makes political sense," since it alleviates the stress that leads to conflict and violence. The Queen encouraged the U.N. to step up efforts outlined in the Millennium Development Goals especially the goal to reduce by half the number of hungry people in the world by 2015. She appealed to those present to "Give the next generation the security of knowing they will never be hungry again." Also playing an important role in coordinating this event was Mrs. Nane Annan, wife of the U.N. secretary general and a strong supporter in the fight against poverty. "We are a team, and we need each other," she observed. "Adventists have consistently worked to end poverty and to ensure food and resources for all, irrespective of race, nationality or religion," comments Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "We recognize that we have a God-given responsibility to help those less fortunate, to improve their lives and conditions in this world of great need." A statement on poverty issued by the Adventist world church in 1990, reads in part: "In a world ravaged by sin, the bitter fruits of greed, war, and ignorance are multiplying. Even in so called 'affluent societies' the homelessness and the poor are growing populations.... In effecting Christ's ministry today, we must do as He did, and not only preach the gospel to the poor, but heal the sick, feed the hungry, and raise the downcast... Christ's own example is determinative for His followers." Representing the Adventist church at the meeting was UN Liaison officer Kelly Razzouk, who spoke of the moving effect the event had on her and others present, adding that "I think it served a great purpose in challenging members of the United Nations to take action to eradicate poverty." The U. N. is sponsoring many worldwide projects to help combat hunger including the Hunger Project that seeks to teach people in rural areas how to grow their own food and provide for their families. Although the U.N. still has a ways to go in achieving the development goals, General Assembly President, Jilian Hunte, is confident that they are working towards achieving "a world free from hunger." [Viola Hughes] UN Child Soldiers Documentary Welcomed by Adventist Representatives
New York, NY, USA... A United Nations film on the plight of child soldiers brought a strong response from Seventh-day Adventist church representatives. The graphic documentary depicts the lives of child soldiers in Uganda, Sudan, Burma, Colombia, and Sierra Leone. Among those invited to watch the first showing was Adventist United Nations Liaison officer, Kelly Razzouk, who commented: "It was incredibly heart wrenching to see these children being thrust into battle and forced to look death in the face at such a young age." Razzouk was one of 400 people present at the October 6 premiere in the UN Trusteeship Hall, attended by high ranking U.N. officials as well as the film's producer Andrew Ogilvie and director, Alan Lindsay who flew in from Australia. "As Christians committed to children and families, we have strong views against the exploitation of children as soldiers, forced to fight in violent conflicts," responds Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Adventist church. "We deplore the ongoing tragedy of lost childhood, physical suffering, and mental cruelty that these poor children are forced to endure. We support action to bring such inhuman practices to an end." The film tackles the hard issue of children forced into combat situations. According to Shashi Tharoor, United Nations Under-Secretary for Communication, thousands of children are captured each year and forced to become child soldiers. Despite newly enacted laws prohibiting the use of children in combat, many are still being used. Many rebel groups use child soldiers because they are easy to recruit, cheap to keep and can be easily intimidated. Commanders use brainwashing techniques as well as drugs to manipulate the minds of their child captors. Female children often receive the worst treatment because they are used as both soldiers and sexual slaves. The film's director, Alan Lindsay, hopes the film will educate viewers as well as compel them to action. "Awareness is the start of change," he says. He challenged the United Nations and all of its non-governmental organizations to answer the cries of children around the world and "stop this barbaric process." The film will be seen by millions of Americans when it is publicly broadcast on HBO on October 8. [Viola Hughes with Kelly Razzouk] United Nations Religious Committee Hears Adventist Religious Freedom Concerns
NY, NY, USA... Attorney Mitch Tyner, representing the Adventist Church, spoke to the UN Religious Committee and highlighted concerns addressing religious freedom and international law. "Religious liberty is an individual right which needs greater protection," said Tyner, adding, "courts and judges should not be allowed to mandate what religion is and to define religious activities." Tyner also commented that international documents that appear to protect religious liberty are weak and rarely protect religious minority observances because of the lack of protection against unintentional burdens to practice religion. The requirement for governments to either show the burden is really necessary or make accommodation for religious practice. Tyner spoke to the Non-governmental Organizations Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief held at the United Nations Church Center on September 25. In attendance were representatives of many religious-based and other civil organizations Dr. Don Shriver, President Emeritus of Union Theological Seminary, spoke on the theme of the development of religious freedom throughout history. "Religions out of power demand liberty, religions in power demand uniformity," stated Shriver. "Our challenge is to keep our variety of religious beliefs in some kind of unity." Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations Liaison Director for the Adventist Church, who was also in attendance commented, "Religious liberty concerns are important to both the Adventist church and the wider society. Through our presence at the United Nations we are able to share our convictions regarding religious freedom and to support such fundamental human rights." The UN/NGO Committee on Religion or Belief was recognized by the UN Economic and Social Council in 1991. One of its goals is to support the UN special rapporteur's initiatives against intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief; and appeal to the UN Sub-Commission on the Prevention and Protection of Minorities and the UN Commission on Human Rights to take appropriate actions against intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. This Committee also helps in the development of an annual report on the worldwide situation of freedom of religion or belief. [Viola Hughes/Kelly Razzouk] |
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