The United Religions Initiative at the United Nations

The United Religions Initiative emerged out of a vision, at the time of the 50^th anniversary of the United Nations in 1995, to bring the religions of the world to a similar common table.

Today, the United Religions Initiative is in a unique position at the United Nations because it is represented in two ways. The URI became an NGO affiliated with the Department of Public Information in 2001 and the Economic and Social Council in 2007. The main representative is Monica Willard, mbwillard@aol.com. The additional representatives are Deborah Moldow, Audrey Kitgawa, Martha Gallahue, Swamini Sri Lalitambika Devi, and Rabbi Roger Ross.

In addition, there is a Cooperation Circle of the URI at the UN comprised of the NGO representatives of various organizations and UN bodies. This Cooperation Circle serves as a bridge between the UN and the URI CCs around the world. 

THE URI-UN

The United Religions Initiative at the UN (URI-UN) is a Cooperation Circle of the URI based at the United Nations in New York. As a URI CC, URI-UN is committed to the Preamble, Purpose and Principles of the URI Charter.

• The purpose of the URI-UN is to provide an ongoing presence for the United Religions Initiative at the United Nations.
  
• The dream of the URI-UN is to bring the principles and visions of the URI Charter into the work of the UN, and to integrate the voices of the world’s faith communities into the arena of governance.
  
• The aspiration of the URI-UN is to engage the membership, including organizational members as well as individuals, and other religious, spiritual and like-minded groups at the UN, in activities and initiatives of the United Nations and of the United Religions Initiative. In addition, the URI-UN will help to expand the outreach of the UN through the URI network worldwide.
  

URI-UN LEADERSHIP

The leadership council members of URI-UN are:

• Rev. Deborah Moldow, The World Peace Prayer Society (facilitator)
  
• Ms. Audrey E. Kitagawa, The Light of Awareness International Spiritual Family (co-facilitator)
  
• Rev. Bernice B. Cousins, Actualism New York Star Center
• Ms. Martha Gallahue, American Ethical Union
• Sr. Anele Heiges, The International Public Policy Institute
• Ms. Michelle Kim, Franciscans International
• Swamini Sri Lalitambika Devi, Lalitamba Mandiram
• Rabbi Roger Ross, The New Seminary
  
• Mr. Laurence Singer, Global Family for Love and Peace
• Rev. Betsy Stang, The Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources
• Ms. Monica Willard, The United Religions Initiative (URI UN Representative)

PROJECTS

URI-UN warmly invites CCs worldwide to participate in the following projects: 

• Annual celebration of the International Day of Peace on 21 September

• Support of the UN Millennium Development Goals

• Support of the establishment of a UN Decade for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding, and Cooperation for Peace

• Energize the 2010 International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures
  

• Support the UN Environment Programme Billion Tree Campaign

• Encourage recognition of the UN Week of Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, around the time of UN Day (October 24^th) each year.

In addition, URI-UN aims to:

• Inform URI CCs about issues being addressed by United Nations conferences and special sessions, as well as issues of particular concern to the NGO community

• Enlist URI CCs in prayer support of regions where children are affected by armed conflict, as well as for other humanitarian emergencies

• Develop partnerships that will assist in the future of iCARE, multi-faith microcredit projects and other empowerment efforts that can also increase mutual understanding and respect among people of different faiths

PAST PROJECTS

2009 was an extremely successful year for URI-UN, which hosted numerous events highlighting the 2009 UN International Year of Reconciliation. Speakers included the URI Trail of Dreams CC, NGOs, UN staff members, representatives of various faiths, indigenous women and special guest Naomi Tutu. Please click here for details.

In 2008, URI-UN held a major conference at the UN of all sectors planning the 2008 International Day of Peace, including Ambassadors, UN agency and department representatives, and NGOs.

In February 2007 URI-UN hosted a luncheon for ambassadors, UN agencies and departments, and religious NGO representatives entitled: “Interfaith Partnerships for the Millennium Development Goals.” This lovely event was not only well attended but also an excellent showcase for the Appreciative Inquiry process that was instrumental in the development of the URI.

URI-UN co-sponsored a workshop at the 2007 DPI/NGO Conference at the UN on “The Ethical and Spiritual Response to Climate Change,” moderated by URI-UN facilitator, Deborah Moldow.

URI-UN events date back to the original Charter Signing of the United Religions Initiative in 2000.

May Peace Prevail on Earth