Green Humanist in Hong Kong

Green Christmas

2011-12-25T12:16:00.000-08:00

small gathering of friends of the Community of Silo's Message 22 December, 2011

2011-12-16T21:02:00.000-08:00

There is to be an evening gathering of the Mui Wo Community of the Message, 22 December, 2011. Anyone interested phone Tony on 90487639 or email tonyhen1@gmail.com

PFJ

Tony

International humanist party statement on world situation

2011-12-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

In this moment of history, and as a political party inspired by the current of Universalist Humanism, we find it necessary to analyse the present situation in order to develop proposals for action in the present global context.

When humanists observe and participate in social, political and economic processes around the world, we cannot but reflect about the relevance to this moment of history of the Statement of the Humanist Movement written by Silo in 1993*. From its reading we can understand to what degree the path of history has confirmed the tendencies that this document explained and to what degree - today more than ever - the union of all humanists of the world has become necessary so that the deepest human aspirations may be turned into reality.

THE ANALYSIS

The emergence of new generations

In recent times around the world different social movements have sprung up and surprised analysts and opinion formers who had been suggesting the end of history.

Social expressions, varied in their causes and demands in countries as diverse as Tunisia, Egypt, Iceland, India, Spain, Chile and the USA, have in common that their protagonists have been the new generations. Thousands of young people have started to take to the streets to show their outrage at the unjust world they've inherited, accepting the challenge of becoming the protagonists for social change and adopting Active Nonviolence as a methodology of action.
The expression of these young people, added to the best efforts of previous generations, is starting to give rise to the birth of a new planetary sensibility.

This is a new sensibility that makes a void to leaders accustomed to manipulating everything. It not only speaks of horizontality but also exercises it on a daily basis in its different forms of self-managed organisation. It is a new sensibility that doesn't just tolerate diversity but accepts it and drives it forward; comprehending that such diversity is necessary if the requirement is to produce real changes. It recognises the banks and speculative capital as the real adversaries who have hijacked representative democracy making plain the need to advance towards Direct Democracy.

This is a new sensibility that is no longer surrendering its subjectivity to the official communication media in the hands of Financial Capital but rather is using and appropriating new technologies and social networks in order to communicate, inform, denounce, organise and take to the streets.

And, perhaps, the most important thing is that this new sensibility's intuition tells it that at the base of social injustice, physical, economic, racial and religious violence is to be found. And therefore its response to repression and defamation is a void, non-confrontation and civil disobedience, in sum: Active Nonviolence.

This new sensibility is a sign of the new world that is being born in the midst of an old world that, with great violence and repression, is trying to stay put.

* The "Humanist Statement" forms part of the "Sixth Letter to my Friends", written by Silo on the 5th of April, 1993, included in his Collected Works, Volume 1, Page 488, Latitude Press, USA.

Towards the Universal Human Nation

Over the last 20 years, global communication and interconnection have been increasing and certain aspects of this phenomenon have been defined as "globalisation." But humanists, as internationalists and aspiring to a plural and diverse world, see in this globalisation the signs of anti-humanism. Because it happens that global economic power has tried to direct this process in accordance with its own interests, creating a Parastate at both a national and global level. This Parastate operates within national borders by buying or blackmailing governments and manipulating public opinion through control of the mass media. And it also operates internationally, having at its service economic institutions such as the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO; creating international courts along the way such as ICSID; using the USA's and NATO's armies as the world's police force; and covering all of its misdeeds with a veneer of legality by controlling the decisions of the United Nations. Public opinion is also manipulated through the international press.

So what happens is that the people of the world not only have to confront the problems within their own borders, but they also feel that many of their problems are generated globally, and that they don't have the means to resolve them. And just as humanists say that within our borders we must take power through Real Democracy in order to have representatives that genuinely represent us; so also at a global level we must work to dismantle this Parastate that covers itself with a cloak of respectability through organisms that are mere proxies of global economic power.

Therefore, the image of advancing towards a Universal Human Nation must not only be a luminous utopia guiding the struggles of the people, but also a strategic conception from which tactical actions arise that lead to the power of this Global Parastate being disassembled, while simultaneously the pillars of a truly Universal Human Nation are being built. Because this Universal Human Nation, which might seem to be a mere expression of desires for older generations, is already appearing as a visible horizon for the new generations and for this new sensibility.

From now on, between the present situation and the horizon that is approaching, we must travel a path of action, and some of these actions are those that we propose in this document.

A change of economic paradigms

In a world in which money has become the central value of existence, we shouldn't be surprised by the consequences of such denial of meaning of human life. We are not surprised by the growing inequity in the distribution of wealth as we are dealing with individualistic competition in which there has to be winners and losers by necessity. We are not surprised by the successive financial crises and their correlate of recession in a system that can only be sustained by growing debt. We are not surprised by wars over scarce natural resources in a world preyed upon by the consumerism of the most well off. We are not surprised by social violence when increasing numbers of people feel like failures and are marginalised, in contrast to the paradise offered by consumerist advertising. And we shouldn't feel surprised by nihilism, madness and suicide when existence has lost its meaning, and material success is supposed to replace it.

Of course there are procedures to transform this inhuman economic system; improving the distribution of income, disciplining the financial system, and advancing towards sustainable development that allows a dignified life for every human being without devastating the planet. But it would be naïve to expect the spontaneous application of such procedures without previously driving forward a genuine change of paradigms in the conception of the economy based on a profound change of cultural values.

There are those who believe that, due to the mere fact that economic crises affect many people, there will be a majority convinced of the need to change the economic system. But it's not so, because individualism has permeated deeply and the fact that many individuals converge in protest in the face of a generalised crisis does not mean that individualism has been transcended, and so it's not so simple to move on to other organisational forms that can really replace the system.

So the proposal for transformation of the economic system cannot be proposed just in terms of technical feasibility or in terms of convenience for the majority. It must be proposed from a social mystique that has the ethic of coherence as a banner, which in economic terms means to place the resolution of the basic needs of all inhabitants of the world before the interests of any other sector or individual.

We know that today we have the conditions to resolve the basic needs for the whole world. There are more than enough examples of what could be done with the resources that are today destined to weapons, financial speculation, the production of luxury goods and irrational consumerism. This should be enough to change the direction of the economic forces themselves and, in a short time frame, convert and multiply the means of production, so ending up with less weapons and more food, less resources going to speculation and more into production. But the direction of economic forces will not change just because we ask those who live at the top of the pyramid to dismantle it. It will change when a good part of those of us who act like bricks in this pyramid stop sustaining it, and this will be achieved when we stop believing in the pyramid. And this means new values, new paradigms, and a social mystique that implants them in the hearts of human beings.

In fact the degree of growing perversion in the relationship between capital and labour is possible thanks to the fact that a reigning individualism in the population prevents joint responses and leaves the vast majority unarmed in front of a powerful economic minority. But this absurdity is so great that awareness is rising in increasingly large sections of the population. The Humanist Party around the world must work to organise and give analytical elements to the greatest possible number of people. Our response, active nonviolence, shows us that the first step is to denounce those who should not be collaborating with those who use violence. Just as at the right time we will have to press for non-collaboration with violent States, also we will have to advocate for non-collaboration with capital that mistreats the population. In some moment workers (and consumers) will have to take on social development projects built without the intervention of capitalist partners (or with those who allow for a fair and reciprocal relationship). In some moment the population will stop demanding their needs from capital and will decide to resolve them as a whole. "We don't want your loans or your jobs, or your products or your services." This will only be possible when reciprocity starts to take the place of individualism.

Towards Real Democracy

As humanists we reject totalitarianism and dictatorships of all kinds because we think that the freedom of human beings to decide their own destiny, without lords, or bosses is an unalienable right in all circumstances.

But we also denounce the hypocrisy of formal democracies, in which the powerful of the economic-political-media corporation use their capacity for manipulation to leave the population with false electoral choices, leaving them to choose between the "least bad" executioner and the supposed chaos of institutional instability.

It is clear that in today's world not all freely elected governments are the same; there are those more progressive and those more conservative. But whether through complicity, inability, or the limitations imposed by economic power, they have not wanted or not been able to put the process into reverse. Because one thing is having the good intention of "compensating" those least favoured by this system (despite which marginalisation increases anyway), and another is to transform the very structure of the system so that it stops being a machine for marginalising people. And since the failure of real socialism, there have been no new alternatives to the present situation.

In any case, the possibility for people to intervene in public politics is barely more than electing their supposed representatives in elections. So if we want substantial transformations in the world, we must achieve greater participation of citizens in the decisions that affect them most, and not be at the mercy of the markets or the authorities.

In concrete terms, among other things, all of this means binding popular consultations for decisions of certain relevance, it means participatory budgets, it means direct elections for all positions of authority and the possibility to recall people from their positions at any time.
But it's evident that just as we cannot pretend that those at the top of the economic pyramid are going to change the rules of the game by themselves, neither can we hope that those entrenched in political power thanks to formal democracy will legislate in order to give greater, real participation to the people in central decisions. So it will be necessary to promote the practice of Real Democracy right in the heart of society, supporting with our votes only those who commit themselves to implementing the necessary democratic transformations. And if there are no candidates with this commitment or those with it are not worthy of trust, then we will have to infiltrate the system with candidates of the people, at the same time as we organise non-collaboration and civil disobedience when enough organised people have become aware that this system is irreparable. However, there is no other way out of this trap of formal democracy, at least in the path that humanists propose, than through nonviolent struggle.

PROPOSALS

These proposals, besides being perfectible in their breadth and depth, and besides representing only a few examples of what could be done, may also be received in diverse ways by those who coincide with them according to their possibility to act. For some these may be ideals to be reached and used as a guide in the hour of choosing their governments. For others they may be mobilising images, a basis for organising to demand that governments take care to make them happen. Others will better see the option of participating politically and having such proposals in their own electoral platforms. And those that today have any modicum of power-political or economic - and genuinely aspire to a better world, perhaps may try to apply some of them.

Proposals for governments, advancing towards a confederation of national states with those who commit to these proposals

1.    To establish at a constitutional level the obligation of the State to guarantee in concrete terms the coverage of the basic needs of the population with tax policies in accordance with this priority. Establishing, on the basis of the coverage of such needs, a percentage of the budget destined to helping less fortunate countries.

2.    Dismantling all nuclear arsenals. The progressive reduction of conventional weapons by states. The renunciation of war as a means to resolve conflicts.

3.    State control of the financial system. Creation of national and regional banks without interest, with a mixed administration including the participation of users and workers. Regulations that punish speculative practices and usury. International agreements to ensure productive reinvestment of company profits, the dismantling of tax havens and all evasive or speculative manipulation by private capital.

4.    Free circulation and equality of rights in all countries, for all inhabitants of the planet. Freedom and equality of rights for all cultures and religions, guaranteeing the respect for diversity.

5.    Implementation of mechanisms for a Real Democracy: binding consultations, direct elections to the three State powers, decentralisation, representation of minorities, the ability to recall mandates, political responsibility and participatory budgets in all State levels. Use of the mass media for informing people and debating issues to be decided, guaranteeing the plurality of opinions under equal conditions. International consultations for all inhabitants involved in regional or global politics.

Proposals for social mobilisation, to put pressure on governments and to build alternatives to the de-facto power

1.    The demanding of popular consultations for every decision that governments must take in relation to economics, politics or social policy, denouncing non-consulted measures as anti-democratic.

2.    The promotion of interchange, debate, education and circulation of information so that society as a whole may be able to form an opinion about all issues that should be subject to popular consultation. The utilisation of physical forums and social networks; demanding the media gives space for this and denouncing those who don't as the accomplices of formal democracy.

3.    The elaboration of draft laws, the demanding of their consideration, and their promotion by the social-political alternative being constructed. A Law of Real Democracy (with the incorporation of all its mechanisms). Tax reforms that guarantee the redistribution of wealth and the productive reinvestment of profits. An Employee Ownership Law in business. State control of the financial system and the creation of interest-free banks.

4.    Permanent mobilisation for two fundamental rights, Education and Healthcare, so that they may be public, free, universal and of high quality; demanding not only their existence but also a budget commensurate with their importance.

5.    The promotion and publicising through all possible channels of the paradigms of a new culture for the Universal Human Nation: nonviolence, non-discrimination, reciprocity, liberty, social justice and meaning in life. While denouncing the values of individualism, consumerism, violence, xenophobia and war as retrograde steps.

THE ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL HUMANIST PARTY

As members of the IHP we have been working for years, in all countries where we are present, on the issues that we have referred to here. But in this moment of history, we are highlighting - as never before - a growing predisposition of the population, and in particular in new generations, to mobilise for this end. We also highlight a growing affinity for some of these issues in a few progressive governments; those with which we have had some measure of closeness.
Nevertheless, the mere current coincidence with some of our historical proposals should not confuse us as we define our present and future role. Surely we cannot pretend to make ourselves out to be the "clear vanguard" of social processes, not only for reasons of scale, but above all because such a position would respond to schemes that are obsolete and vertical. Surely our role should be to place ourselves in a position of parity, establishing relationships of reciprocity with those with whom we coincide. But this horizontal placement, devoid of manipulating intentions, should not be incompatible with a willingness to take on the challenge of giving clear references about the world we aspire to and the steps to take in order to achieve it. Such references can in no way be imposed by vertical power, but neither should they be weakened, relativised or given up, due to the fear of being confused with manipulators, or because we believe that, because of our scale, we have no right to speak firmly, or because we think that somehow a revolutionary process will mature in the world naturally.

These are moments in which to give a very clear signal from, and a very defined profile to, the Humanist Party. The new generations are emerging; they seek the tools and ideas needed to consolidate. If, because of an apparent situational advantage, we dilute our message with that of other groups who are similar but different, we could be weakening the understanding of our proposal and the necessary inspiration to carry forward a political, economic, social, cultural, ethical, psychological and spiritual revolution.

There is no guarantee that massive discontent with the consequences of the economic system alone will oblige governments to carry out structural changes.

There is no guarantee that discontent with formal democracy will lead governments to carry out transformations that go beyond cosmetic changes.

There is no guarantee that progressive governments will manage to pass from well-intentioned measures to a real change of the foundations of the system themselves.

There is no guarantee that all those who say they are working for a better world, genuinely seek a revolution, not only in its material aspects, but above all in its existential foundations.

What we can guarantee is that while the world is not yet a Great Universal Human Nation, there will be increasing numbers of humanists working genuinely for this aspiration; an aspiration millions of human beings are clamouring for, sometimes in silence.

15M MOVEMENT: “YOUTH MANIFESTO”

2011-10-15T22:41:00.001-07:00

15M MOVEMENT:

“YOUTH MANIFESTO”

FRIENDS:

“Our call for change unites us.

We want a new society that gives people priority over economic and political interests.

We want to demonstrate that society has not gone to sleep, and that we will keep fighting for what we deserve by peaceful means.

We want all this, and we want it now.” (Sol, May 2011).

YOUTH MANIFESTO: EVERYONE TO THE STREETS!

A ray of Sun, oh oh oh! Against Opression, oh oh oh!

A ray of Sun, oh oh oh! For liberation, oh oh oh!

LET’S LAUNCH A REVOLUTION TOGETHER THAT IS PARTICIPATORY, JOYFUL, INCLUSIVE AND PEACEFUL:

Stéphane Hessel says, “Get outraged!... for a peaceful uprising… Nonviolence is the path we must learn to follow. I am convinced that the future belongs to nonviolence, and to reconciliation among different cultures.”

We want the pending revolution: HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL. Dignity, education, healthcare, employment, housing, culture… FUTURE FOR ALL!! We are acting coherently through Active Nonviolence, which is a courageous stand denouncing all forms for violence that outrage us: physical, economic, racial, sexual, ideological, psychological, etc. “NONVIOLENCE IS OUR STRENGTH.”

“IF YOU DON’T LET US DREAM, WE WON’T LET YOU SLEEP”:

“We need to give a response to social and personal conflicts. But in a new way. Not with values that we don’t want, but with joy, good humor, and a good spirits among the people. With respect, with caring, encouraging unity and connection among all of us. We must give a clear signal, powerful and concise, a new attitude that we want to express in the world. Our action is born of the human need to overcome our limits, to liberate ourselves, and to create the type of society we really want.” With the Force that unites us, LET US THINK ABOUT WHAT WE TRULY NEED.

WE THE PEOPLE COME FIRST:

“Nothing above the human being and no human being above any other.” Not money, the banks, financial capital, the corrupt political powers or their leaders – none of them above the human being. They laugh in our faces with their pockets overflowing. Now IT IS TIME FOR ALL OF US TO LAUGH. “We have awoken, and now we want breakfast!” “We want happiness and freedom to grow in ourselves and in those around us.”

TO BE HAPPY, WE ALL NEED THE FUTURE:

Nelson Mandela tells us: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”

But why study? Why should we make an effort? Most of us are unemployed or earning poverty wages. For how much longer?

They are leaving us “with no future, no work, no house, no pension… without fear.” “We want to see ourselves dancing toward the future with the light feet of joy!” WE WANT THE FUTURE NOW!!

CITIZENS OF THE WORLD, UNITE: WE ARE A UNIVERSAL HUMAN NATION.

Martin Luther King said: “I have a dream that one day… injustice and oppression will be transformed into freedom and justice… and the whole human race will unite in a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.”

Everywhere we have problems: in Egypt, Tunisia, Morrocco, Iceland… and they have begun to fight by agreeing on a change. Now in the rest of Europe and the Americas, and soon in every country on the Planet, in every town and city. EVERYONE TO THE PUBLIC SQUARES!

We want uncensored internet all around the world. We want a worldization that supports all ethnicities, languages, customs and beliefs - a convergence of cultures.

WE HAVE FAITH AND HOPE THAT ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE:

We want a world where we live together in happiness, all of us and not just a few. A WORLD WITHOUT WARS, WITHOUT WEAPONS, WITHOUT HUNGER, WITHOUT POVERTY, AN ECOLOGICALLY SOUND WORLD FULL OF SOLIDARITY… with equal rights and opportunities for all human beings. “To struggle for the rights of the minorities is to struggle for the rights of all.” “No human being is illegal.”

REAL DEMOCRACY NOW!

Enough hypocrisy. Money is everything: it buys the governments, the laws, the communications media… We say enough!! We want RESPONSES TO THE REAL NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE. WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO STATE OUR OPINION AND DECIDE TOGETHER, instead of having a few decide for us.

Politicians who have been elected through direct democracy must faithfully represent the will of the citizens and be at their service. Sovereignty resides in the people, and we the people must be continually vigilant. We aspire to have all laws undergo Referendum. So that we are not betrayed, we demand THAT ELECTORAL PROMISES BE FULFILLED, that they cannot be changed by the financial interests of the powerful.

THE POWERFUL DO NOT REPRESENT US.

The politicians of the system want to silence our voices (sometimes by force and violence), so that they can keep living at the expense of our silence. The politicians have gone to the rich from the “monster” of the capital market. Let them resign and join this revolution.

GIVE US FULL EMPLOYMENT AND DIGNIFIED WORK!

José Luis Sampedro said: “I urge you to move forward in the struggle for a more human life… you will find many obstacles in your path, but it is your future that is at stake. May 15 must be more than an oasis in the desert; it must be the beginning of an arduous struggle so that finally we no longer are – or are seen as – ‘merchandise in the hands of the politicians and bankers.’ We say NO TO FINANCIAL TYRANNY AND ITS DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES.”

NO TO ECONOMIC VIOLENCE. No to speculation and usury. No to fiscal paradises. No to the scandalous sharing of benefits among those who control capital and business, without considering the workers and the unemployed. No to the scandalous differences in salary in the same business, in the same country, and in different countries and regions of the planet.

We need a bank that serves the people. “The Bank always makes a profit and never gives us any of it.” Democratize all businesses. Let the workers also come together and organize in assemblies. Support businesses that organize dignified strikes. Support cooperative societies and businesses and worker self-management.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY:

Gandhi said: “Violence only engenders more violence.”

If we wish to reach common agreements, we have to respect creativity and diversity, and not impose our own point of view. Any kind of imposition is violence, and such violence only limits us, and is unnecessary.

The violence of the states and entrenched powers against the people and their manipulation of us is an outrage. “Against your violence, my peace; against your nightstick, my word.”

WE ASK THE SUPPORT OF ALL THE PEOPLE, ORGANIZATIONS AND COLLECTIVES THAT ARE ALREADY WORKING FOR A BETTER AND MORE HUMAN WORLD.

LET’S CHANGE HISTORY: LET’S SAY YES TO HISTORY!!

We give thanks for the example and inspiration of all who have fought actively and peacefully down through History, so that we might arrive at this point. We ask the support of all who feel solidarity with us so that we can continue in this task. Struggling together we will leave a much better world for everyone. We have the capability and the strength to change history. This is the moment to act.

THE PUBLIC SQUARE IS A SYMBOL OF THE SPIRIT THAT UNITES ALL HUMAN BEINGS:

WE DO NOT WANT EMPTY WORDS.

Together we have generated a unique new process which, if we apply ourselves, can lay the foundations for a true cultural, social and personal revolution. A revolution of all and for all, in which the central value is the human being, and the methodology is active nonviolence.

If this is to endure over time we need to organize. We need an organization that is not bureaucratic, but based on human communication: communication that enriches us and allows us to grow together. Communication that does not lead us to despair or separation; communication based on respect, communication that incites to us action.

That is why we propose, here and now, that we take a moment to think about all the difficulties we’ve had, and everything we have learned from those difficulties…

And now let us remember those good moments that neither we nor the world will ever forget …

BECAUSE THIS IS NOT UTOPIA, THIS IS REALITY

LET’S ALL PARTICIPATE!!

THE FUTURE IS OURS!!

EVERYONE TO THE PUBLIC SQUARES!!

Video: You tube Manifiesto de l@s jóvenes tod@s a las plazas (Everyone to the Public Squares – Youth Manifesto) http://youtu.be/zhI-qK_klJM

Contact: manifiestodelosjovenes@gmail.com

Facebook: Manifiestodelosjovenes Todosalasplazas

The Humanist newsletter - Hong Kong - among friends of Silo’s Message of Universal Humanism, Number 33 - September 2011

2011-09-03T21:32:00.000-07:00

The Humanist newsletter - Hong Kong
- among friends of Silo’s Message of Universal Humanism,
Number 33 - September 2011
**********************************************************

Page 1 - EDITORIAL - Engage the Space
Page 2 - Non-violent campaign against corruption in India, headed by Anna Hazare
Page 3 - Regarding the situation in Libya
Page 5 - To read Asia-related submissions from our team to Pressenza
Page 5 - Contact information

Editorial,

Engage the Space: Today we celebrate in the neighbourhood of Mui Wo Kau Tsuen the blessed end of the Islamic Ramadan, mostly among Indonesian friends. Last week we updated the activities of the Hong Kong chapter of the India Against Corruption campaign on our international press agency website, Pressenza. Last week too word came from our Silo School member Gemma, who resides in the Philippines but is visiting Ulan Bator, about the latest endeavours of our friends in Mongolia as they establish our Message there - of non-violence and non-discrimination. New additions to our Parks of Study and Reflection continue to take place, the latest in South America at this juncture *. Today, as I write, there is a Dogs Walk for Peace initiative taking place in Tiendesitas, Pasig City, Manila. Last weekend there was a local book launch at our affiliated-friend’s Fieldwork Centre in Mui Wo with great conviviality. Last Tuesday we - in this case meaning me (as part of the we) - added our input to the Green Party Hong Kong executive planning meeting in Lai Chi Kok, on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. A report came to us from humanist friends in Iceland titled: the Pots and Pans Revolution and it´s Aftermath in Iceland, giving their point of view (see below for link **). Our stand on Libya was declared, in concordance with World without Wars and Violence (WwW)***, and relayed to pals on Humanize Asia and the local Lantau Forum email lists of Humanist-related news. In India, Humanist Movement national spokesmen Parimal Merchant inaugurated a fast that will continue till the end of Anna Hazare's agitation, in co-operation with a plethora of other organisations and fronts taking part in a relay agitation - the fasts are conducted in support of Anna Hazare's actions in Delhi Jandar Mandir. Returning locally, our Garden-to-Kitchen website was also updated - and there’s an open day planned for October 16. Thus the ramifications of all our works continue to enliven the planet - and this was just last week!

Peace, Force and Joy
Tony

**********************************************************************
New Park of Study & Reflection
* Saul and I would like to ask you for help on behalf of a group of masters, humanists and messengers in the south of Chile. They are accepting donations until 8/30/11 from Chile and elsewhere to buy a 1.5 hectare of land for a park of study and reflection 17 kilometers from Valdivia, about 10 - 12 hours south from Santiago. This is a beautiful place and much needed in the long, long country that is Chile.
newyorkparispincoya@gmail.com

****************************************************************************
Tao Yuan
** From Garden to Kitchens, from ingredients to creativity, from cookery to sharing, from thanksgiving to friendship, from fast to slow... follow the natural flow, to taste in real.

http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/neighbourlygardencookery

**************************************************************************
Letter: To Consulate General Hong Kong
August 21, 2011

NON-VIOLENT CAMPAIGN AGAINST CORRUPTION IN INDIA, HEADED BY ANNA HAZARE

Dear Sirs,
We understand from our humanist volunteers across India and the mass-media that a Campaign Against Corruption is being carried out by hundreds of thousands of people and that the campaign has spread across 5,000 locations in India so far.

India has been at the forefront of Cultural and Social change for centuries, showing new direction to the world at different and often crucial times, and we feel this movement against corruption, that is fast becoming a people's non-violent movement, will soon demonstrate a new direction to the world for that real change the world needs urgently, to steer us towards a new human-being centred world of non-violence - thus ending all kinds of violence and discrimination that we now see among and against major sections of people and society.

We are pained to note that the current government of India, that has the Congress Party leading it, is failing to read the pulse of the people who want the Jan Lok Pal Bill (People's Ombudsman Law) to achieve accountability in governance. It pains us, specially because it is the same political party that was at the centre of India's Freedom struggle. This demonstrates the deterioration of values in the Congress Party. This is similar to what is happening across the world, where different governments comprising political parties of varying ideologies, have been looting the wealth of people in more or less the same way. It appears that mis-appropriating people's wealth by the few, led by the banks, has been successfully globalized under the control of what has every appearance of a Mafia (that includes the Banks, Multi-National Corporations, Crime Syndicates and the weak and selfishly co-operating Politicians) operating across the world.

The protests of people that started as a wave from Tunisia and spread over to the whole of Middle-East into North Africa, Europe, the USA (Wisconsin), and recently the UK and elsewhere, is now showing its strong manifestation in India. Indian campaigners are demonstrating once again, in the most commendable and respectable way, the only useful power rests in non-violence and not in force-of-arms. This will go into the future as a strong reference to guide the common people across the world on how to conduct oneself to bring permanent change into the compromised system - from violence to non-violence, from discrimination to true equality, from mis-appropriation to true co-operativism, thus building a new world that would be rightly called a "UNIVERSAL HUMAN NATION".

Through this humble submission of ours, we would like to inform your government, the Government of India, headed currently by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, that the whole world of Humanists, and the world of selfless-responsible people, the world of common people that counts at 80% of the population of planet Earth, is strongly supporting the Campaign Against Corruption led so well by Anna Hazare and his team. Granting that the Government of India's claim to be an honest Government, we request the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take a stand at the level of the highest reference as exampled by Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and so many other great-souls of India - and leave behind the negativity and egoism, to humbly discuss the best methods of implementing a strong Jan Lok Pal Bill (People's Ombudsman Law) without even a day's delay and to demonstrate that the current Congress Party remains at heart living proof of those principals that are a worldwide new and developing reference today. Also, to show that Mahatma Gandhi's demand to disband Congress in 1947 was not the right advice.

It is important for the government of India and the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to realize now that the mood of the people in India is changing very fast, as human consciousness is growing beyond its previous limits as a part of a ramped up human evolution owing to education and communication factors taking hold. The only approach these days is to flow in line with this expansion in human consciousness and not to go against it.

We look forward to positive and visible actions from the government of India and the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This would show a bright direction for the whole world to follow and demonstrate that changes can happen and in a peaceful manner.

Meanwhile, please note that all peace-loving non-violent and non-discriminatory humanists and other like-minded people and organizations across the planet Earth, are coming together to steer the world towards the formation of a "UNIVERSAL HUMAN NATION".

#####

World without Wars and Violence (WwW)
http://www.worldwithoutwars.org/

Regarding the situation in Libya
31 Aug 2011

The Arab Spring continues to spread throughout the Arab world. Another dictator has gone and Libya, which has been ruled by one of the longest-lasting and most bloodthirsty dictators, is turning the page on an era characterised by the reign of one individual and one family without any respect for democracy and even basic standards of human rights.

Nevertheless, we would not be coherent with our deepest convictions in the strength of nonviolence if we were not to denounce the use of violence by opposition and NATO forces to achieve this revolution and not least because NATO has expressed nothing but indifference and deafness in the case of the people of Yemen and Bahrain—too close to Saudi Arabia and too dangerous to upset—whereas in oil-rich Libya they have intervened with full force!

Libya has been left on the edge of a precipice of revenge and more revenge, in a cycle of violence that will be very hard to stop. Entrenched positions on both sides of the armed conflict will not cease to seek revenge for past violence, thereby ensuring that revenge will also stain the future.

Today those in control of Libya stand at a crossroads: they can choose the path of doing what’s best for the Libyan people or they can choose the path of doing what’s best for the rotten and immoral economic system which is waiting with drooling lips to feed on Libya’s resources and her people. To choose the latter will be disastrous for the long-suffering Libyan people.
We in World without Wars express:

- Our anguish at having watched the violence and horror unfold across Libya as violent factions on both sides sought to murder each other.
- Our sympathy and condolences to all those who have lost loved ones or who have been injured in conflict
- Our condemnation of the NATO hypocrisy
- Our hope that from the ashes of this disaster will emerge a democratic, reconciled and prosperous country which can be a beacon of everything good about North Africa and her people.
We declare:

- Our support for the Libyan people in their efforts to rebuild Libya on the basis of real democracy, the rejection of war as a means to solve disputes, the separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary and the values of human rights.
- Our total disagreement with any moves by NATO to deploy troops on Libyan soil under any pretext.
- Our total rejection of any moves to make the people of Libya pay for the war which has been unleashed upon them by forcing Libya to give away oil concessions.
We call for:

- all conflict in the country to cease immediately and for all weapons now widely distributed in the hands of citizens to be handed in for destruction under the supervision of specially appointed UN peace keeping forces.
- the creation of a democratically elected Constituent Assembly to gather the requirements of all sectors of Libyan society so that this may guide the writing of a new constitution which will lead to elections in which all Libyans may peacefully and freely express their political choices.
- the creation of a commission of national reconciliation so that disputes and grievances may be heard and justice can be seen to be done, so that Libyans can get on with their lives in peace and nonviolence.

#####

To read Asia-related submissions from our team to Pressenza International Press Agency
http://world.pressenza.org/?region_id=2

We recommend:

Pakistan - where lie your dormant Hazares?
http://world.pressenza.org/npermalink/pakistan-where-lie-your-dormant-hazaresx

Unwanted Missiles for a Korean Island
http://world.pressenza.org/npermalink/unwanted-missiles-for-a-korean-island

India - action front to get decent roads
http://world.pressenza.org/npermalink/india-action-front-to-get-decent-roads

Hong Kong Indians in support action for Anna Hazare and Jan Lokpal
http://world.pressenza.org/npermalink/hong-kong-indians-in-support-action-for-anna-hazare-and-jan-lokpal

Hong Kong’s domestic helpers fighting for right of abode
http://world.pressenza.org/npermalink/hong-kongxs-domestic-helpers-fighting-for-right-of-abode

Peace March from Gujranwala to Lahore in Pakistan
http://world.pressenza.org/npermalink/peace-march-from-gujranwala-to-lahore-in-pakistan

Human rights activist “Pepe” Manegdeg’s widow continues appeal
http://world.pressenza.org/npermalink/human-rights-activist-xpepex-manegdegxs-widow-continues-appeal

Ray of hope in Nepal’s peace process
http://world.pressenza.org/npermalink/ray-of-hope-in-nepalxs-peace-process

** The “Pots and Pans revolution” in Iceland and its aftermath
http://world.pressenza.org/npermalink/the-xpots-and-pans-revolutionx-in-iceland-and-its-aftermath

#####

Banahaw Park
...of Study and Reflection
http://parkebanahawphilippines.org/

#####

Contact:
Material from this newsletter may be freely reprinted with this attribution: Source: The Humanist Newsletter - Asia-Pacific - or the bylined writer.

TONY HENDERSON E-mail: tonyhen1 @ gmail.com/
Blog1-personal interest: http://hall-inner-light-china.blogspot.com/
Blog2-GreenHumanist: http://tonyhen-humanisthongkong.blogspot.com/
Web: http://home.pacific.net.hk/~tonyhen/

The Green Spirituality of Universal Humanism

2011-07-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

Date: July 16, 2011
The Green Spirituality of universal humanism
For us Green signifies Life. It is the colour of the Life Force. It is the mid-range colour in our spectrum, with red at the lower end and blue at the higher end. Red is the physical-sexual and blue is the contemplative-intuitive. There’s Green, right in the middle, central to both ends and that is the position of Man, the place of Man emboldened with the vitality of the Life Force.

To enhance or deepen or heighten that Green Force of Life it is proposed by the universal humanists that we get our ordinary life sorted out. We have to achieve a personal and ‘internal’ coherence where what we are is a function of our harmonised thoughts, feelings and actions. Meaning, practically, that we are doing what we deeply want to be doing and we feel very good about that and a sense of meaningfulness permeates our life.

Immediately there is a caution - the systems and societies we are living under are not intended to allow us to be thus free. Because that is precisely what meaningfulness feels like, a sense of freedom. Free of fears of future, free of any dark echo from the past, free of any blocks in the present - of course we all have the common problems - we could always do with an extra few dollars, but these don’t stop us!

Today’s systems are born of an industrial age and just when humanity was emerging from the European Dark Ages, and just as the European Renaissance was laying its searching fingers upon those early societies, a flip occurred as the sciences of astrology took the course of leading into astronomy, and alchemy went into metallurgy and chemistry, numerology became mathematics, and all that can be seen as good - and indeed it is good - however, important issues were cast aside and materialism came to the fore. The innate spirituality of Man was neglected and indeed abandoned. Materialistic and competitive societies were the result. Mechanical Man replaced ‘natural’ Man.

All that which was allied to the best features in Man, that which makes the human being, a sense of place within a beautiful living world of fellow creatures, an innate sense of a being without limit - not even limited by a supposed personal death - the possibility of achieving love, on the level of this life with a couple and on the cosmic-universal level with what’s variably termed the Mother, the Creator, the Great Tao, The Unborn...

It is therefore worthwhile to regain what was taken away by others, one’s spirituality. To wake up from the illusion imposed by a consumer oriented society’s collective consciousness and see the real behind the slight, the facade.

This happened to Buddha when he came to realisation. That was a transforming experience as was the gradual dawning of Jesus as he took up ‘his Father’s work’. This was so with all the saints and holy men only that their seeing was through the looking glass of their particular culture and interpreted by us under terms likely foreign to their terms and are thus so fraught with error.

This is why we have to see the real for ourselves. We have to clarify the senses, the emotions, the thinking process, by looking at the personal history, the present situation, and thereby open up the future. This is the Second Coming. This is being reborn.

Tony Henderson email: tonyhen@humanist.org.hk Phone: 29840094

Green Institute Hong Kong launches Green Ambassadors

2011-07-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

Green Institute Hong Kong launches Green Ambassadors

Tony Henderson

“How to get each one of us or as many as possible to start thinking and doing Green? As a start we are initiating a Green Ambassador project to form people with a Green Heart to bring into birth a green culture where people can rethink everything and come to understand what being Green is all about,” Albert Oung, Green Party Hong Kong.

Image by: Chris Li

City University student interns presenting report on recycling

Environment and Ecology

Green Institute Hong Kong launches Green Ambassadors

7/7/11

Pressenza
Pressenza International Press Agency Hong Kong,
7/7/11

"The Green Ambassador programme envisages people, or people one at a time, a person, accepting to be a Green Ambassador, and likely starting or being part of a group, a community, maybe Green Councils with aims of greening the whole community,” continued Albert Oung, chairman of the Green Party Hong Kong.

This organisation launched the Green Ambassador programme through its newly initiated Green Institute Hong Kong.
There was a lively first meeting on 6 July, 2011, where a variety of pretty-much spontaneous presentations were given. Among them, one by a team of City University interns-to-the-Institute who are carrying out a study on the state-of-play of recycling in Hong Kong.
The entire endeavour is a mission - act locally and think globally as is said, which is a useful saying as, a wide perspective means a broad awareness and that grants the vision to act locally in a wise manner.

anti nuclear demonstrations in Hong Kong June 11 2011 Tony Henderson

2011-06-14T05:55:00.000-07:00

anti nuclear demonstrations in Hong Kong June 11 2011
Tony Henderson

About thirty Hong Kong citizen groups combined forces Saturday afternoon 11 June 2011 to gather to protest against the use of nuclear energy to generate power by the power company China Light and Power. The groups agreed that it was an absolute ban that was needed - other than for medical and research. Of particular concern was the power plant at nearby Daya Bay.

Environment and Ecology
anti nuclear demonstrations in Hong Kong June 11 2011
6/13/11

Pressenza
Pressenza International Press Agency Hong Kong, SAR,
6/12/11
Participating in the demonstration were the traditional parties who have long time protested over rights abuses in general. Among the 'old faces' were the likes of father Mellor, Christian activist.

Anarchist rocker Lenny Kwok was there to add his guitar vibes and disgruntled voice; Mok the protest theatre activist; Man see wai and co under the nonukes banner, also the Legco anarchist extraordinaire Leung Kwok-hung or 'Long Hair'.

Mostly though it was all the young faces that showed the potential for the future and in case anyone is interested, yes, jasmin buds did somehow arrive in one's hand!

The 6.11 No Nukes Declaration by “Hong Kong People Against Nukes” — A Coalition of 36 Citizens’ Groups reads as follows:

**We stand in solidarity with all fellow citizens of this Planet to say NO, clearly, loudly and determinately, to the use of nuclear power, because this so-called energy is destroying us and the ecosystems. What is visibly destroyed by the invisible radiation hardly scratches the surface of the destruction if the damages it inflicts on genes of humans, vegetation, and animals are taken into account. The destructive forces of abnormal genetic mutation, raging on when our sojourns on this Planet have long ended, will continue to bring about countless untold sufferings to many generations to come.

The urgency to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons applies with the same intensity and immediacy to nuclear power plants. It is high time that we should wake up to the reality that if the dominance of the Military-Industrial Complex continues, the risks and evils attending to the (gradual or explosive) destruction by radiation is only tips of the iceberg of the other related evils of the same origins; such as wars, oppression, genocides, dispossession and irresponsible scientific researches, to name just a few.

The reckless exploration and exploitation of nuclear power since the 1940s has brought dramatic increase in pre-mature deaths and a multitude of diseases such as cancers, heart diseases, lung diseases, blood diseases, congenital physical and mental disabilities, among other kinds of suffering.

Three month ago, the nuclear power plants at Fukushima were stricken by tsunami. Among the 6 nuclear reactors in the Daiichi plant, three experienced core meltdown, and another one has been undergoing the same process since. Facing the imminent catastrophe of unimaginable and unmanageable proportion, there is only deafening silence from the self-styled political leadership and scientists worldwide as to what we can meaningfully do to prevent the destructive radioactive isotopes from spreading – in the air, soil, oceans and the food chain. The empty rhetoric is hardly reassuring except to those accustomed to self-delusion.

The disaster that struck the Fukushima nuclear power plants was not an “act of god” as the protagonists of nuclear power would like to portray. There is no safe way to harness nuclear power. The sweet talk of “civilian use of atomic power” cannot hide the fact that radioactive fission products are essentially weapons against life. Deceptions, cover-ups, and manipulations of safety standards to protect so-called national security and interests are built-in practice of the nuclear industry.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), ostensibly a coordinate and supervisory body to ensure responsible use of nuclear power (assume that is feasible), is in fact the puppet created by the relevant corporations to give the otherwise criminal undertakings a façade of legitimacy and respectability. Since 1959 the IAEA had reached agreements with 6 United Nations bodies* to suppress research and research findings that may cast the development of nuclear power in negative light. The relentless propaganda of “safe” nuclear power plant roams the social space and dominates the discourses of the matter. Consequently, things run wild to the extent that nuclear power plants are allowed to be built in patently unsuitable locations like seismically active zones such as in Japan, Taiwan and more recently Yangjiang in Guangdong.

The Fukushima disaster is the last tolling of the bell to which we have to wake up. Homes of millions should not be put at risk of becoming exclusion zones one of these days, or be like the many sacred lands of aboriginal peoples which have been irreversibly polluted by nuclear waste stored there “permanently”. Or, no one would like to bear witness to the disappearance of all species in the sea which one’s forebears have harvested, like the fisherfolks at Daya Bay. And all the while people become more and more sickly, and babies die prematurely.

The Chinese government through its state-owned enterprises plans to construct 240 nuclear reactors by 2030. There are 6 reactors in Daya Bay and the nearby Ling Ao nuclear power plants and construction is underway in Tai Shan and Yang Jiang. The number of reactors in Guangdong province will be 32 upon completion of these projects. The population density in the vicinity of these plants is the highest among nuclear power plant sites in the world. We demand that these power plants be stopped from operation or construction to prevent disasters exceeding the scale of Fukushima’s from happening. We also call for the Hong Kong-listed company, China Light & Power Co. Ltd., to stop the unethical corporate conduct of investing in Daya Bay and Yang Jiang nuclear power plants.

Instead, people must strive for an energy policy that reflects social needs and responsibilities, and which is not dictated top-down. Such policy would focus on conservation, appropriate technology and scale that echo indigenous wisdom of communities, anti-consumerism, sustainability and a lifestyle that recognizes and respects nature.

Peoples of European countries and North America have woken up from the dark age of nuclear power. While they press their governments to permanently absolve from the deadly technology, the business target of the Military-Industrial Complex automtically shifts to countries in Asia and the Third World. Peoples of these places must be fully prepared to fend off re-colonialism by these overseas corporations and their national counterparts, avoiding the genocidal consequences that are brought about.

We must stand against the Great Leap Forward of nuclear power to be launched in China and particularly in Guangdong. Without a total abolition of the monster technology and its institutions, there is no future for our children, and all life forms will fall under the curse of death. Until the last nuclear facility stops operating, our fight will go on.**

Germany gives up on nuclear power

2011-06-13T22:53:00.001-07:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13592208

Swiss cabinet goes for nuclear phase out

2011-06-13T22:48:00.001-07:00

Humanize Asia
Swiss cabinet goes for nuclear phase out
25 May 2011

Nuclear development may be put on hold in Switzerland after a cabinet
decision not to allow replacement of existing reactors. If the policy
gets through parliament, the last nuclear energy could be generated in
the mid-2030s.

Beznau (Axpo)
Beznau
A decision was taken to review energy policy as a direct reaction to the
Fukushima nuclear crisis, said the cabinet, which decided that a
worsening of public opinion combined with an expected rise in commercial
costs of nuclear power would make it unviable for commercial operators
in future.

This came despite a February referendum that supported replacement
reactors, and a report this month from Switzerland's Federal Nuclear
Safety Inspectorate (ENSI) that found no immediate danger for Swiss
nuclear plants in light of the Fukushima accident. Being landlocked,
Switzerland is notably isolated from tsunami risk, and Swiss nuclear
operators were instead warned to prepare for the failure of nearby
hydroelectric dams.

On 23 March reports were ordered from the Federal Department of the
Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications on three future
scenarios: The early replacement of older nuclear plants to ensure
safety; the non-replacement of current plants; and the early
decommissioning of current units. Today the cabinet chose the second
option, aiming for the end of nuclear power generation in 2034, based on
50-year operating lives for the country's five reactors.

The move would be a total reversal of a 2007 energy policy that not
only focused on nuclear, energy efficiency and renewable sources but
also called for the operating nuclear units to be replaced in due course
with new ones. The country is anticipating an annual energy shortfall of
25-30 billion kWh by 2035 - around half the country's current generation
- thanks to rising consumption and the retirement of older power plants.

Nevertheless, the cabinet said today that this "gradual abandonment is
technically possible and bearable from an economic point of view" and
proposed to replace the 40% of electricity that comes from nuclear with
a program of energy efficiency, the expansion of hydro from its current
56% of supply and more fossil fuels "if necessary." To carry out this
restructuring would cost about 0.4-0.7% of the country's gross domestic
product, said the cabinet - about $1.28-2.25 billion.

The ambitous new policy remains to be submitted to parliament for
approval. "After the summer session, this strategy will be reworked in
light of parliamentary decisions."

Given operating lifespans of 50 years, the first Swiss reactor to shut
could be Beznau 1 in 2019, followed by Beznau 2 in 2021. Taken together
these smaller units would remove only 730 MWe from supply. Another 372
would be lost with the shutdown of Mühleberg around 2022. The largest
units are Gösgen with 985 MWe and Leibstadt with 1165 MWe, which would
likely close in 2029 and 2034 respectively. Swiss utilities have been
planning in recent years to build replacements for Beznau and Mühleberg
as well as a new unit at Niederamt.

Industry reaction

The utility Axpo said it 'deplores this fast, high-pressure political
decision' not based on 'carefully clarified, substantiated facts' such
as could come from participating the European Commission's stress tests.
Furthermore, it would lead to energy security problems as well as
'massive state intervention and high costs for citizens.'

Switzerland's largest utility, Alpiq, said it has 'taken note' of the
cabinet decision as the start of a process of policy debate that would
last several years and involve several referendums. It said it "the main
focus must be on energy security" and that "until voters have had their
say on the future of nuclear power - which is unlikely for several years
- it will no longer drive forward plans to build new nuclear power
stations."

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org NP_Swiss_cabinet_goes_for_nuclear_phase_out_2505113.html

Nuclear Power - why "NO"

2011-04-12T18:21:00.000-07:00

Vera Fan’s letter, “Stick with nuclear power” (SCMP 11 April) appears reasonable and has a good point but about power stations being built in the wrong places. Whether they are safe or not though, that’s another question, and it’s not the only question.

It is true that using nuclear power to generate electricity does not create greenhouse gases but those stated problems of inherent danger and disposing of the radioactive waste, are not minor, if fact they are huge problems.

First point is that only by generating energy by means of nuclear power is it possible to have the explosive materials for nuclear weapons making - no nuclear power stations, no nuclear bombs.

That to our Association is enough to insist closing down all nuclear power generation stations and turn to other means.

Also, nuclear power stations are soft targets for terrorists.

A nuclear explosion contaminates the entire planet earth, poisoning everything: the air, the sea the land. There is no escape, for us humans or for all creatures alive today. There is a danger of gradual ineradicable build-up.

As radioactivity around us increases, so does negative mutations and cancers. It’s our children and coming generations that we are protecting by leaving the short sighted path of dependence on nuclear power.

Also, technology today has no solution in sight to safely process nuclear waste into environmentally non-hurtful materials and it has to be restated that the natural detox takes tens of decades and more.

We have to see and dig out the facts of the huge investments in the nuclear industry, in each country, which is why the pro lobby is so strong. Just watch the case in Japan!

The five largest shareholders in TEPCO, owners of Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, are: Japan Trustee Services Bank, Ltd; The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited; The Master Trust Bank of Japan, Ltd; Nippon Life Insurance Company; and Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

This is why the citizen’s of Japan did not read in the local press that 15,000 people were, had, demonstrated at one of the largest anti-nuclear demonstrations ever seen in Japan! Because Big Business and Government own the media and big government and business are heavily invested in nuclear power.

Thus the calls for transparency in regard to the Daya Bay plant on our doorstep and gradual substitution of nuclear power by renewable energies and other power sources leading to shutdowns of all nuclear power plants, everywhere in the world.

Tony Henderson, chairman, Humanist Association of Hong Kong

Muammar Gaddafi - Pity, he had a lot to offer!

2011-02-23T02:17:00.001-08:00

Muammar Gaddafi - Pity, he had a lot to offer!
By Tony Henderson

I was working in Libya as a technician at the ship-shore radio station, Tripoli, when Muammar Gaddafi led the bloodless coup in 1969. I was on the overnight shift when the new regime, headed by the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC), abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the new Libyan Arab Republic - thus launching Mr Gaddafi onto the grand stage.

Dodging bullets on the way back to my residence, it was the equivalent of house arrest for a month or so then a limited work regime until I was sent out of the country. There was one quite ‘fun’ incident at work when the cross-eyed and skinny young janitor stole the security guard’s rifle and held us all at bay till his revolutionary ardour subsided enough for us all to sit down to have chai - tea.

It was a fearful time as the British were enemy number one. We would listen to the BBC overseas news and began to understand the difference between sitting at a home hearth listening, and being on-the-spot, where announcements brought people onto the streets decrying one’s nation with intimations of bloodletting! I have followed the exploits of this interesting fellow ever since.

Oil-rich Libya's eccentric leader has held the country in a tight grip since he led that bloodless coup in 1969. The man, Gaddafi, is known for his eccentric style, rebellious public pronouncements and an insistence on wearing an ethnic garb, and nowadays for his female bodyguards, much more than for his repressive domestic rule.

In power since that revolution in 1969, Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is the longest-serving leader in both Africa and the Arab world.

He toppled King Idris, at the age of 27. Neither King Idris nor his designated heir, Hasan ar Rida, who was taken into custody at the time of the coup along with other senior civil and military officials of the royal government, countered with any strong intentions. Within days of the coup, Hasan publicly renounced all rights to the throne, stated his support for the new regime, and called on the people to accept it without violence.

It was a worthy revolution though as the country had rampant poverty and corruption. After the initial chaos - army personnel at road intersections were happily drunk as there was no prohibition prior to Gaddafi and mini-roadblocks were set up as villagers sought out felons guilty of local transgressions - he has since maintained tight control of his oil-rich country by clamping down on dissidents. Dissidents abroad were even hunted down and killed. The present unfortunately bloody uprising posed the most serious domestic challenge to his rule.

In the very early days the new government negotiated with the USA to remove its foreign base from Libya. The Wheelus base agreement had just two more years to run, and in December 1969, the USA agreed to vacate the facility by June 1970.

Among his many eccentricities, Gaddafi is known to sleep in a Bedouin tent guarded by dozens of female bodyguards on trips abroad. Very recently he was well publicised camping at billionaire Donald Trump’s park-like residence, handy for commuting to the UN show in New York.

His UN speech at that time was supposed to be 15 minutes, but exceeded an hour and a half. He tore up a copy of the UN charter, accused the Security Council of being a terrorism body similar to al-Qaeda, and demanded US$ 7.7 trillion in compensation to be paid to Africa from its past colonial rulers.

Gaddafi was born in 1942 - the same year as this writer - in the coastal area of Sirte to nomadic parents; his family belongs to a small tribe of Arabized Berbers, the Qadhadfa, stockherders with holdings in the Hun Oasis. Strangely, he was anti-Berber. I was born in Blaydon-on-Tyne of Irish-Scot ancestry and went to South Shields Tech, then joined the Merchant Navy. I quite like my own tribe, the Geordies. He went to Benghazi University and studied geography but dropped out to join the army. Our parallel development ended there. Clearly he was meant for bigger things.

After taking power, Gaddafi developed a pan-Arab, anti-colonial-imperialist manifesto that brought in aspects of Islam. He permitted private control over smaller companies, while the government controlled the larger ones. He was an admirer of the Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser when he was activating an Arab socialist- nationalist ideology across the Middle East.

The RCC made clear Libya's dedication to Arab unity and support of the Palestinian cause against Israel. In this same regard I was active at the time in correspondence from Tripoli with the Palestine Liberation Organisation advocating their cause but denouncing the violence, proposing use of non-violence with PLO secretary a Mr Abu. His was a non-committal reply underscored with a simple, “Revolution until Victory” slogan, by his signature.

It is worthwhile recalling that in the earliest days of Palestine problem the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) had declared that its goal was to: ‘create a people’s democratic Palestine, where Arabs and Jews would live without discrimination, a state without classes and national oppression, a state which allows Arabs and Jews to develop their national culture.’

Gaddafi’s writing in the New York Times, January 21, 2009, is worthwhile reading on this topic to get acquainted with his interesting thoughts on how to resolve the problem - his ‘Isratine’ single state proposal.

Following the revolution in Libya the RCC showed strong uniformity in political and economic views and in dedication. Fellow members were loyal to Gaddafi as group leader not because of subservience to his dictatorial style, but because they were in agreement with him and with the revolutionary Arab nationalist ideals he stood for.

In one moment Gaddafi tried, though without success, to federate Libya, Egypt and Syria. A similar attempt to unite Libya and Tunisia ended in very poor relations.

In 1977 Gaddafi changed the country's name to the Great Socialist Popular Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah (State of the Masses) and seemed to be allowing people to air their views at open gatherings. At a later date, around the world the term embassy was replaced by, Libyan People’s Bureau. However his critics dismissed his leadership as a military dictatorship, accusing him of repressing civil society and ruthlessly crushing dissidents.

Later shunned by a number of Arab states for his extreme views on how to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, among others, Gaddafi's foreign policy shifted from an Arab focus to an African focus.

In the West, Gaddafi is strongly associated with terrorism, accused of supporting armed groups including FARC in Colombia and the IRA in Northern Ireland.

How sad it is that Muammar Gaddafi did not take to the path of non-violence at some moment in his volatile career. He needed to recall the way King Idris bowed out. Pity, he had a lot to offer.

Humanist postscript to the Egyptian revolution.

2011-02-11T22:09:00.000-08:00

Humanist postscript to the Egyptian revolution.

As Palestinian friend Mazin Qumsiyeh stated recently in our columns in regard to Tunisia, “Getting rid of dictators is not enough. Building a civic participatory society is not easy (Europe's enlightenment did not come just from removing a few dictators).”

He continued with: “People's expectation raised for change will dash against the reality that it will take decades to create systems of governance, accountability, economic justice, etc to allow for unleashing the great potential in the Arab world.”

I would disagree about the time-line. People cannot wait that long. What needs to be done has to happen quickly, harnessing all this unleashed energy.

Now is the time.

But how?

The powers must revert to the locality, the street, the block, the district, the region; only then can a country be stabilised.

What are called today ‘ the minorities’ - whether culturally ethnic or religious - have to be granted their own space to be what they are, and in parallel, brought into the larger system of government so they can be without those old discriminations.

In one sense yes it is the time for independence, for autonomy of peoples from larger and overwhelming forces but on the other hand, the root cause of that need for separation from the wider fold has to be recognised and if it is a selfishness - because ‘we have the oil’ for example, or ‘we have the fertile lands’, then that is a disqualifier.

Justice will be served by being just, not by revenge or actions based on, ‘now it’s our turn’.

We must surpass the too evident tribalisms.

We must stop the powerful State imposing its strictures on lesser peoples then allowing capital rich companies to plunder the land and seas.

However, a cohesive group’s need for its traditional values and lands have to be respected.

With this forethought in mind there remains to be stated that which our International Humanist Party has continuously espoused, the need for:

the decentralization of political power down to the base of society, extending guarantees of respect for minorities and making effective the principle of equal rights and opportunities for all.

Universal access to free, high quality Education and Healthcare at all levels is the priority for the Party.

To uphold the principle of choice as the concrete political expression of liberty and, thus, it struggles against all forms of authoritarianism and economic, organizational and ideological monopolies.

We consider that all coherent policies must have two basic conditions:

1. Permanent renovation of juridical and political institutions, based on the idea of the new replacing the old, and

2. Transparency in the political procedures employed.

Related to the latter, which would be quite an innovation, would be a Law of Political Accountability, making politicians actually carry out their election proposals or they would lose their post!

With these words we continue to wish everyone a Happy Revolution!

Tony Henderson,
Chairman, Humanist Association of Hong Kong.

Congratulations to the people of Egypt

2011-02-11T20:51:00.000-08:00

You did it, you stuck to your intentions. Eighteen days, some downs and ups, but in the end you did it! It's great to see the images of jubilation in the streets - thanks to Al Jazeera. It's goodbye to Maburak and hopefully the System that held him in place.

It's hello to all things new.

Peace, Force and Joy

Tony, speaking for the Humanist Association of Hong Kong

Welcome! 歡迎來到 Neighbourly Garden Cookery！

2011-01-30T17:38:00.000-08:00

Winter is always welcome by Hong Kong gardeners as, the heat of summer gone, the climate moves into its most generous for most plants and importantly, the humidity is down a bit. By December, lots of vegetables are growing nicely, potatoes, peas, lettuce, tomatoes and all the greens.

Water becomes a problem as the late months of the year see little rain and the mountain water streams dry up. It’s the time of year for cleaning the garden, clipping bushes and pruning trees.

In time occasional cold winds blow down from the north and wind-burn on leaves can occur and there’s nothing much that can be done about that. Also, the bul-buls start taking garden stuff whereas previously they seemed content with foraging elsewhere, even hot red peppers are not immune so it’s best to harvest these before the birds!

We dry them in the sun for a few days, so easy with so many sunny days, then grind them into bits for storage in jars as a rough chilli powder.

Last year we planted kohl rabi this year and last and though for us it’s a new vegetable and we thought it was something new, apparently it has been around for years. Anyway, it is quite easy to grow in Hong Kong and worth doing. Rocket as well seems to enjoy this climate.

Rocket goes in salads and we learned not to throw it in soups because the strong taste is accentuated to the point of being distasteful. Kohl rabi can be used everywhere, throw in a stew, make a kimchi. And good for making salads, raw.

Our mint has lasted long enough in jars ready to use until now with the growing season is well underway and its green heads are appearing in strong patches again.

Robbie’s (Tony’s dad) mint sauce recipe - for roast lamb English dinners:

Chop up the mint leaves roughly, a few handfuls.
Mix in near equal amounts of salt and sugar - a bit more sugar.
Scrape into a jar and add malt vinegar.

See original site with pictures:

http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/neighbourlygardencookery/article?mid=71&prev=81&next=64

Tony

Not just hoarding

2011-01-20T19:40:00.001-08:00

January 17, 2011
Not just hoarding
(also published today in South China Morning Post)

In many cases food is produced in one place then sent to the nearest big city where it is rechannelled and repacked then returned to that place of origin where it sells at a much higher price.

It’s the middlemen who always take their slice and such middlemen are not a necessary part of the distribution system. That puts the price up.

A local co-operative marketing system controlled by local people with participation of local farmers and wholesalers-retailers could decide to supply locally first with the surplus sent out of their district to supply cities and exports.

It is much more profitable though for a producer to just sell the foodstuff to a ‘major buyer’ and forget such community sentiments.

Thus the spiralling prices because then the speculators come in and play their devastating part on the international commodities market which is a sort of gambling that arbitrates the final cost of foodstuff worldwide.

While big companies hoard foodstuff in a more sophisticated manner by withholding supplies to the international market and releasing same after a threshold price raise to get their undeserved profits, local hoarders play their part too, squeezing that extra dollar out of their poor neighbours.

This is another way whereby the rich get rich and the poor get even poorer.

Iran - aside to "No law to curb HK firms that defy sanctions"

2011-01-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

From: Humanize Asia

Echo from the recent past: a letter from our Association to the South
China Morning Post regarding Iran was posted on the SCMP website today (Jan 16, 2011)as a side-post to the issue of sanctions against Iran for its nuclear
weapons programme - we re-iterate, what programme? There is no evidence
of such programme.

Here's our original letter published April 26, 2007

Hypocrisy in Iran protests

The Asia-Pacific humanists are watching the declarations from European
and United States leaders against the Iranian nuclear programme with
dismay. It is estimated that the US nuclear arsenal in Europe alone has
reached 480 warheads.

To these numbers must be added the 350 warheads of France and the 185 of
Britain. Therefore, we are talking about a Europe from which more than
1,000 nuclear weapons could be launched to any point of the planet.

The US controls an arsenal of over 10,500 nuclear weapons.

We denounce the hypocrisy of political leaders from the European Union
and the US who protest against the Iranian nuclear programme.

All these countries have signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT), while not even respecting the commitment to dismantle their own
arsenals.

We insist that the only solution is to apply the same criteria to
everyone.

We denounce the fact that the real escalation of conventional and
nuclear armament is paid for with money that nations should be investing
in health care and education.

We invite the governments of India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea to
ratify the NPT and, together with the governments of the US, Russia and
China, dismantle their arsenals.

Simultaneously, we invite the Iranian government to renounce their
nuclear ambitions and instead invest in renewable energy sources to
safeguard their oil reserves if this is their desire.

We ask that a proportional and progressive disarmament plan be defined
by the UN, with deadlines for the dismantling of nuclear arsenals, with
appropriate, independently verifiable checks and controls.

The nuclear powers should be legally bound to respect this plan and
expect to receive sanctions for non-fulfilment.

May the Asia-Pacific region play its part in building a peaceful world,
the vanguard of a universal human nation, based on non-violence and
solidarity.

Tony Henderson, chairman, Humanist Association of Hong Kong

Humanist Manifesto - India

2011-01-09T16:27:00.001-08:00

PROGRAMME FOR A HUMANIST GOVERNMENT

Education, Peace & Progress for all

The Humanist Party of India (HP) is thankful to all Organizations and Individuals who participated in the preparation of the Humanist manifesto. We have formally adopted the People's Manifesto 2009 by the civil society organizations.

These proposals that the HP advances are a direction that the Humanist Government will develop and implement. The HP is well aware that such proposals always reflect the vision of its makers and the situation of society at the time of making the proposals.

Thus, the HP rejects fixed and closed blueprints which asphyxiate further developments according to the advancement of society and individuals.

Therefore, more than a formula, the HP programs will be pointers in the direction of humanization. In no case, programs will suffocate further corrections, debates, feedback or initiative, and the proposals will always take into account popular consensus and acceptance, rather than compulsion.

We invite our members and collaborators/supporters, to contribute to its enhancement. Humanist Party treats all humans beings as a central value. Hence, a suitable policy and environment will be built immediately to ensure that all citizens can live without fear and discriminations and with equal rights. We will guarantee life with dignity, freedom from fear of violence, and peaceful coexistence. We will ensure Equal rights to all sections of society, ending all kinds of discrimination existing today. This will be implemented immediately with top-priority.

THE YOUTH

The HP denounces the generational violence exercises on youth, which is held back by the monopoly of older generations in the organizational field and in the social decisions.

Thus, the HP asserts the youth's right and capacity for an active participation in the modification of the social and personal conditions imposed on youth, without being subjected to suspicion, marginalisation or persecution. Hence, the HP proposes:

*

Abrogation of every legislation that limits the participation of youth.
*

Integration of youth for any directive and decision-making post under conditions equivalent to those of any other individual.
*

Reduction of working hours while maintaining equal salary for the young worker who studies or trains.
*

Incorporation of youth in housing, production, service and consumption co-operatives with state credit.
*

National and Asian integration of youth through scholarships for labour, student, cultural, political research and personal exchange.

THE WORKERS

The Humanist labour policy is oriented towards a model of society based on solidarity and cooperation. The following are some of the measures to be taken and implemented immediately.

*

Jobs for all and a reasonable unemployment pay to those who cannot be given jobs immediately. Employment will be made a fundamental right. Enact National Minimum Wage Policy, ensuring that the daily wage worker gets a minimum living wage of Rs. 300 a day.
*

Raising of salaries according to inflation levels.
*

Participation of the labour sector in health, housing and education government projects.
*

Single trade unions as per activity with participation of minorities.
*

National confederation of workers.
*

Election and assemblies in workplaces.
*

Permanent labour training.
*

Free organization of trade unions with social and cultural facilities.
*

Promote rural development instead of developing only towns and cities.
*

Provide Equal opportunity, Interest-free loans to small enterprise, encouraging Self-employment and Cooperative small-enterprise to overcome Unemployment problem.
*

Ensure labour-rights and labour-protection by effectively implementing labour laws in private and public companies.
*

Repeal Special Economic Zones Act and make industrialization more farmer-friendly, ensuring both land rights and opportunities for advancement in life and earning. No industry will be allowed on Agricultural land, unless agreed and participated by the land-holders. No acquisition of land will happen without the informed consent of the Gram Sabhas, local communities, farmers, particularly the women. We will not allow the creation of foreign territories on Indian soil.

THE WOMEN

Nowadays, women are discriminated against by centuries of legal, social, cultural, economic and psychological immobility. In order to overcome this situation, the HP will implement the following measures so as to promote women's participation to directive, consultative and decision making posts:

*

State support of maternity in any civil status.
*

Abrogation of every civil, penal and labour legislation that discriminates against women.
*

Equal wages for equal work.
*

Legal equality of marriages in law and de facto.
*

We will ensure stringent and prompt action to punish those found guilty of sexual harassment in the work places and elsewhere.
*

We will enact Domestic Workers law to ensure their rights, dignity and security and prevent exploitation by the agencies that recruit domestic workers.
*

We will take stringent and prompt action to prevent the trafficking of women and children.

THE STATE

The Humanist conception of the state is one of decentralization, contrary to the ideologies that place it above the human being (its only meaning for existing).

Humanism warns of the danger of sustaining immobilistic models of the state - such as the liberal or the totalitarian - which correspond to capitalistic imperialism and social imperialism, respectively. Therefore, and corresponding to a dynamic conception of History, the HP deems it necessary to redefine the model of state, with the direct consultation and participation of all the people. For a transitional model of state, the HP proposes:

*

We will take immediate steps to ensure equal participation of all sectors of society in the functioning of Real Democracy at all levels.
*

Popular debate for reforming the constitution through referendum, plebiscites and popular veto, towards a direct democracy.
*

Reduction of government interference in and monopoly of the mass media.
*

All Public-interest information will be provided free of cost to people through the websites. RTI process will be made completely transparent, quick and accountable. No information can be kept away from citizens. All public officers (of all/any levels) must declare their assets/income and legal status every year in a pre-defined format enacted by the Parliament.
*

Participation of people in actual daily working of the Government will be built and ensured without delay.
*

All long pending griviences of people, Government employees and other sections of society will be met through war-footing resolutions by way of actual participation of all involved, without any discrimination and within the parameters of the Humanist policies.
*

We will strengthen the office of Comptroller and Auditor General and Conduct periodic social audit of the all government departments as a public exercise.
*

We will promote transparency and accountability in governance by effectively implementing of RTI both in the private and public sector.
*

We will initiate and strengthen Lokpal, Lokayukta and form independent vigilant bodies at every governing structure to stop corruption and ensure transparency; Penalizing the bureaucrats, government officials including the members of judiciary and legislature, when found guilty of corrupt practices.
*

We will speed up the judicial reforms to reach justice to the poor. We will appoint the vacant posts of Judges and clean up the corrupt system.

*

Those communities and groups which are seeking political space in and through identity assertion movements, will not be perceived as a threat to national integrity and countered with arms, rather the state will dialogue acknowledging the needs and aspirations of the communities, bringing them into the mainstream of life.

*

The state will be in charge of:
o

Developing the basic industries,
o

Administering the coordinating enterprises and organisms necessary to liberate the country in economic terms,
o

Progressively decentralizing the national economy

*

No Big dams. Small environment-friendly hydro-electric dams will be extensively built.
*

Land for land, of atleast of the same quality, will be the basis for rehabilitation. Referendum & public hearings will be conducted before acquiring land from people, always ensuring the minimal quality of life for all involved.
*

Ensure profit to all Farmers on their produce and provide Comprehensive Crop-insurance. We will promote agri-produce cooperatives for the better marketing of the agricultural produce.
*

There will be no development at the cost of any section of society including the so-far deprived dalits and adivasis. We will stop development induced displacement and make necessary laws to ensure this.
*

Ensure the participation and partnership of indigenous communities in the developmental process and make them owners of the land, water, forest and mineral resources; Recognize and acknowledge Indigenous Peoples’ contribution to nation building.
*

Create a Central University to develop and preserve dalit and adivasi culture, languages and identity.

THE STATE AND THE POLITICAL PARTIES

The function of the state will be that of:

*

Guaranteeing the freedom of organization and expression of all the political sectors without any discrimination whatsoever.
*

Providing the political parties with sufficient resources for their development and for keeping the population informed.
*

Encouraging the popular clarification through the political parties.
*

To modify the law of Political Parties (or whatever it is now) in order to overcome the organizational monopoly of a few parties, to make the financially accountable, to make their membership verifiable, etc.
*

Enact laws to ensure the Upper age-limit for all Elected Political posts (President, P.M., Minister, C.M., Mayor, Governor, etc.) to be maximum 70 years.
*

Enact laws such that no one can occupy an elected political post (President, P.M., Minister, C.M., Mayor, Governor, etc.) more than twice.
*

Enact laws to ensure that a Referendum is taken, before deciding any major policy.
*

Enact the “Law of Political Accountability” to ensure that every elected member will have to be compulsorily re-confirmed by the voters every 6 months. People will have the Right to recall their elected representatives at all levels under this law.
*

Under the Law of Political Accountability, the Source of Funding of Campaigns, Candidates, and Parties will compulsorily be made public, alongwith Annual public declaration of Assets and legal/Criminal records of the Parties and their Candidates. “Clean politics equals corruption-free politics” in all respects. Healthy and Real Democracy has no place for hate politics. This will ensure Transparency in Politics.

THE STATE AND THE RELIGIONS

The state will be detached from religious matters providing freedom for all religious expressions and for atheism.

*

Ensure implementation of suitable law and provide environment to immediately (within a year at the most) end all forms of communal and caste violence and to curb states/institutions overtly and covertly engaging in communal and caste violence. Take effective measures to deal with individuals as well as organizations involved in communal and caste violence.
*

Ensure Equal rights to all sections of society, ending all kinds of discrimination existing today. This will be implemented immediately with top-priority.
*

Ensure that all the victims, of all previous violence, are rehabilitated as dignified human beings without any delay.
*

Ensure that Religion is kept strictly as a personal affair.
*

Any attempt to offend religious sentiments, respect for the other or to distort the history and cultural diversity of India in the minds of young in educational system will be appropriately dealt with.
*

Ensure equal respect for all cultures and religions without making them the point of differences and discrimination.
*

Initiate unbiased and meaningful discussions with all arms-using groups and separatists tendencies, to ensure that all citizens of India get dignified life immediately, thus bringing them to the mainstream of life and socio-political activity.

THE STATE AND DEFENCE

*

Ministry of Peace and Non-violence will be established by the Humanist Government to create the new consciousness of Peace & Non-violence.
*

Agreements for a progressive and proportional reduction of armament supervised by other countries of the region.
*

Non-alignment in defense matters (or any other).
*

No to production and/or use of nuclear weapons.
*

Progressive and proportional disarmament in the world.
*

UN ban on military use of outer space and treaty against space weapons signed by the superpowers and other nations.
*

Denunciation of the likely extinction of humanity by a nuclear war as an immoral threat imposed by the superpowers on the rest of the planet's population.
*

Sincere and exhaustive use of all diplomatic means for promoting all sorts of possible cooperation among Asian countries as a means of building up mutual trust and as a pre-requisite for peace and disarmament.
*

Government to renounce the use of violence for resolving any conflict.
*

We will promote friendly relationship with neighbouring countries, bringing down defence budget and promoting national security by mutual dialogue.
*

We will protect common persons from arbitrary arrest and illegal detention and being subjected to torture and inhuman treatment. We will abolish capital punishment, and remove the legal impunity that police and other agencies now enjoy.
*

We will repeal 'The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act’ and all draconian laws like POTA, NSA, COFEPOSA, COCA etc. and dismantle 'Salwa Judum' immediately.
*

We will stop using Anti terror law against the poor and minorities and human rights movements.
*

We will ensure right to free expression, association, assembly and democratic dissent.
*

We will promote peace and harmony across the multi-ethnic, multi religious, multi-cultural communities based on justice.
*

We will bring the National Security expenditures and defence budget to a level lower than that of education and health care budget.
*

No Nuclear arms. We will Cancel the 123 agreement. Comprehensive Peace and No-war agreements with all neighbouring countries will be initiated and proportionate disarmament of conventional as well as nuclear arms with a time-frame will be targeted.
*

We will ensure the participation and partnership of indigenous communities in the developmental process and make them owners of the land, water, forest and mineral resources; Recognize and acknowledge Indigenous Peoples’ contribution to nation building.
*

Manual scavenging will be immediately abolished and alternative employment will be provided.
*

We will provide homestead land to dalits and adivasis and ensure minimum of 3 acres of cultivable land to all.
*

We will restore all the alienated lands of the tribals and other sections.

CULTURE

The Humanist Party understands education as an instrument at the service of people's formation and information, and culture as an instrument to create environments for expression and freedom. Therefore, the HP will propose a new cultural model which, though complementary, will be clearly separated from the educational model.

The Indian cultural renaissance and leap forward will start with the promotion of a great debate around the subject of which way of life and society people aspire for, since the building of such a society will be the instrument to be used for producing culture.

And within this context, there should be discussions around the outdated, violent, nihilistic cultures and the possibility of a leap forward that, acknowledging the positive contributions of the past, imagines not a return to the vedic ages, but an even more humane India of the future.

A new and complete image of the world is what is required, and not only some token modifications of TV programs or the film industry. Thus, regarding this subject, the HP disqualifies the proposals advanced by all the other parties, if any, as well as the cultural implications of their other policies, stands, and philosophies.

*

Development of culture, parallel to the education of children.
*

It will include the development of their motor abilities as well as their aesthetic sense through, for instance, arts, music and poetry.
*

Promotion of cultural development of children and youth through diverse educational institutions and cooperatives.
*

Government support for self-managerial cultural projects.
*

Neither the country nor the states will be enclosed by a cultural chauvinism. An internal interchange among states as well as an international interchange will be promoted for a cultural debate.
*

No cultural models will be imported.
*

The mass media will be at the service of the cultural debate.

EDUCATION

In order to produce the necessary re-structuring of education, a law will be promoted that will make compatible the national and state regulations with the demands of the present times. This law will arise from a great national debate, with the participation of teachers, students, graduates and parents, taking into account the following general principles:

*

Free & Compulsory Secular Education of equitable quality to all from nursery stage to Class XII, as Fundamental right of all Citizens. Common school system as per 1966 Kothari Commission recommendations will be implemented, providing additional funds for the same. The Humanist Government should not shirk its constitutional responsibility to provide education for all. We will establish and support a mechanism to assess quality of education.
*

Co-government of students, teachers and administrative staff, including parents at the elementary level.
*

Modification of teaching methods, banning authoritarianism, compulsion and separation of sexes.
*

Guarantees for freedom of conscience and non-discrimination for students. And, in order to guarantee indispensable conditions for education:
*

Stability, just retribution and objective selection of teachers and administrative staff.
*

Construction of new educational buildings.
*

Improvement of the teachers to students ratio.
*

Free distribution of texts and materials, canteens and hostels for students.
*

Free transportation.

IN THE UNIVERSITY

*

Decentralization of universities, establishing colleges and polytechnics in the areas relevant to the subjects taught.
*

Four-party co-government (students, teachers, administrative staff and state).
*

University canteens.
*

University cooperatives for consumption, credit, production, housing and research.
*

Increase of scholarships and subsidies.
*

Creation of fully cooperative colleges supported by the government, where no capitation fees will be levied.
*

Accountability of capitation fees in private colleges.

STATE AND JUSTICE

Humanism is based on a conception of the human being and society whose highest value is life. Thus, coercion, punishment and death applied by some on to others are repugnant to Humanism. Especially, if the intention of the punishment is to give an exemplary penalty to an individual or social behavior.

*

We will guarantee life with dignity, freedom from fear of violence, and peaceful coexistence.
*

There will be no death penalty in the Humanist Government.
*

Law of Political Accountability and Law of Political Parties.
*

Quick trials.
*

Free legal assistance and comprehensive improvement of the judicial system.

COOPERATION AND NATIONAL ECONOMY

In a program of transition from the present economic system (mainly capitalistic) towards a future cooperative system, it is necessary to develop a self-sufficient national economy and based on modern science and technology. Cooperativism, such as proposed by the HP, is a whole program of economic and political renewal which will begin with the modification of the present law of cooperatives.

These modifications and the experience of cooperative development will be the reference in order to raise cooperativism to the level of a political and economic system, which will be the system of Humanism.

*

To modify the present law of cooperatives in order to restore their genuine cooperative characteristics, prevent distortions, etc.
*

Promotion of genuine cooperative banking.
*

To achieve industrial development independent of multinational corporations.
*

To overcome poverty and unemployment by promoting cooperatives in all economic fields.
*

Government support for turning into cooperatives the bankrupt (sick) enterprises or those which compromise the present or future of their workers/employees.
*

Promotion of a national industry useful to the domestic and Asian markets.
*

Equal opportunity, Interest-free loans to small enterprise, encouraging Self-employment and Cooperative small-enterprise to overcome Unemployment problem.
*

No to speculative activities of earning money from money.
*

Generation of regional centers of development through settlement of industries in the areas where raw material is produced.
*

Promotion and development of renewable and alternative energy resources.
*

Commercialization of the agricultural production through genuine cooperatives that eliminate intermediaries.
*

Development of infrastructure for a regional storage of resources.
*

We will provide excellent standard Public transport system for the whole country at affordable rates so that people can travel comfortably without personal vehicles.
*

We will provide Transportation and Communication facilities to 100% population with comfort and on affordable rates on no-profit basis.
*

It will be the top priority of Humanist Government to prioritize the basic amenities/living standards of life, for 80% population that is below poverty line.
*

Extensive research and usage of Solar, Wind and Fusion technologies for sourcing energy needs will be undertaken.

FORESTS

*

Rights to tribals living in forest areas.
*

Promotion of species of industrial utility.
*

Recuperation of soil, substitution of felled trees and expansion of forests.
*

Cooperatives for exploiting wood.
*

We will ensure Adivasi access to forest and Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP) and dalit, traditional communities’ access to common property resources.

FISHING

*

Creation of fishing harbours and ports along the whole coastline with a parallel development of cold storage industries.
*

Creation of cooperative shipyards.
*

Traditional fishing rights as mentioned in Coastal Regulation Zone will not be amended and diluted. Coastal Management Zone will be scraped by the Humanist Government.

MINING

*

Rights to tribals living in mining areas.

*

Creation of mining and oil drilling cooperatives coordinated and advised by the state in technical matters.
*

Promotion of mining towards the substitution of imported minerals and increase of exports.

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY

*

Development without taking loans from the IMF or the World Bank.
*

To leave the discriminatory WTO and work for an equitable non-discriminatory global trade and currency system.

*

Common Asian Market

1.

Creation of an organization integrated by representatives from governments, political parties and trade unions of the different Asian countries in order to research on, plan and coordinate the regional economy.
2.

Cooperation for technological development.
3.

Elimination of customs barriers among Asian countries for products that affirm the zonal independence.
4.

Exploration of common natural resources in solidarity.

FOREIGN TRADE

*

Creation of a government organism that guarantees the free trade with all countries in collaboration with national cooperatives and enterprises.
*

Incentive to exports according to priorities of the national economic policy.
*

Orientation towards substituting imports of basic industries and those related to health with national production.
*

Elimination of all unessential imports.
*

Guarantee of seriousness in the commercial export dealings.

FOREIGN CAPITAL AND INTERNATIONAL BANKING

*

Application of foreign capital in specific areas of national interest under strict safeguards and security for the country.
*

Nationalization of the foreign banking and commerce.
*

Special treatment for Asian banks and financial/institutions that are integrated to the regional economy.
*

No sell-off of National banks and other PSUs.

INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

The HP will carry out an international policy of solidarity and non-violence, based on these principles.

*

Respect for the free determination of peoples and for non-intervention.
*

Pacific relationship will all countries.
*

International activism in solidarity with those countries struggling for their liberation.
*

Progressive and proportional disarmament of the world and the region.
*

“No” to the use of nuclear energy since its dangers have been adequately proven to be far more than any benefits that may have been there.

In Asia:

*

Signing of permanent peace treaties.
*

Accelerated and proportional demilitarization of the region.
*

Elimination of Asian customs barriers.
*

Asian Common Market.
*

Asian Parliament with representation of political parties.
*

Permanent commission of Human Rights with a character or Asian Tribunal.
*

To link the signing of the Non proliferation treaty (NPT) to the signing of treaties for denuclearization of Asia (Indian Ocean), progressive and proportional reduction of armament, etc.

HEALTH

Health, made of profit making instrument within an inhuman system and, therefore outside the reach of a great sector of the population, should become the right independent of the individual economic situation.

*

We will take immediate and effective measures to prevent starvation deaths, suicide by farmers and traditional crafts workers, deaths of malnourished children and women particularly in rural areas.
*

We will enact laws to promote food security and protect food sovereignty through comprehensive farmer/landless peasants/agricultural workers centric agrarian reforms.
*

We will make the PDS, a transparent and well-functioning system to provide food security to the weaker sections of society, including millets, pulses and edible oil.
*

We will make the old age and widow pension Schemes more effective and operational.
*

We will ensure quality and free health-care to all with special focus on rural areas, women and children.
*

We will revitalize the largely non-functioning Primary Health Centers. We will establish AIIMS standard of hospitals in all districts of the country within 5 years, connecting them to the PHCs for live consultations.
*

We will give priority to promote indigenous and alternative health care system and provide financial and institutional support for research in this area, integrating them into the Integrated Health system for the Nation as a whole.
*

We will ensure safe drinking water to all people across the country, since most of the diseases are water-borne. We will treat water as a National and common resource and stop all privatization or sale of water bodies like river, tanks, ponds etc., making it freely available to all.
*

Solution of health problems related poverty like child malnutrition, infections illness etc. as the first priority.
*

Integral planning of health integrating government services and community services, until achieving a system of free social medicine.
*

Free medicines provided by Government and community services.
*

Participation of technicians, professionals, users medical students and the Government in a plan to overcome hunger and malnutrition.
*

Elimination of hospital fees.
*

Immediate increase in the budget for health.
*

Promotion of technological development for enlarging the national pharmaceutical industry.
*

Promotion of cooperative laboratories for achieving self-sufficiency in medicines.
*

To eliminate unnecessary intermediation in the commercialization of medicine.
*

Elimination of medicine which do not comply with safety regulations and controls.
*

Construction of new hospitals of the size/expertise level of AIIMS in all districts within five years.
*

Increase in the public attention in the hospitals and clinics.
*

Elimination of repressive medicine: closing of mental asylums and creation of open assistance centers.
*

Social health insurance for the unemployed.
*

Elimination of outdated and inhuman medical treatments (e.g. electroshock).
*

Cooperative community social services (trade unions, etc.)
*

Asian Cooperation for technological research and development.

HOUSING

The housing policy will aim at fulfilling the constitutional right for a dignified housing through plans impelled by cooperative systems and government action. It will tend to solve, to begin with, the urban and rural settlements in emergency situations, which lack minimal living conditions. At the same time, an integral plan will be developed in order to solve the national housing deficit.

Especial importance will be given to the technology, resources, labour and materials of the region. Professionals, students, technicians and users will have participation in the planning designing and construction, tending towards a progressive decentralization.

*

Housing is a human right. We will provide minimal basic Housing for all.
*

Discouragement of unoccupied housing.
*

Encouragement and protection for renting.
*

Promotion and protection for cooperative housing projects.
*

Close collaboration of universities, cooperatives and government for the design, direction and construction of housing.
*

Design of a minimal model for a house which take also into account the aspects of services, transportation, medical facilities, schools, etc.
*

Credits for improving and enlarging existing houses.
*

Law of proportion between family income and rent.
*

Close cooperation and exchange with the non-aligned countries regarding indigenous housing technologies.

ENVIRONMENT

*

Law of preservation, conservation, improvement and recuperation of the environment, penalizing the ecological crime.
*

To diminish and prevent urban environmental pollution.
*

Preventive programs in areas of recurrent natural disasters.
*

Development project will not be sanctioned at the cost of environmental damage.
*

We will actively support and expand organic farming, and ban with immediate effect the Genetically Modified seeds.
*

We will strictly implement the environment protection laws as they apply to industrial effluents and disposal of hazardous materials.
*

We will appoint a commission to look into the effect of alcohol and tobacco products on the health of the nation and formulate policy on their sale with the purpose of eventually banning them.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Humanist Party considers the breakthroughs and developments in science and technology as the patrimony of humanity. Therefore, the laws of patents and licenses will be modified, promoting sharing of knowledge as the key factory in all areas of science & technology.

*

Coherent coordination of scientific and technological plans with the social, cultural and economic areas.
*

Sustained development in this area through the permanent capacitation of our youth and the coordination of foreign technological transfers.
*

Promotion of state and district initiatives.
*

Interdisciplinary institute for the coordination and development of sciences.
*

Strong promotion to the teaching of informatics.
*

Data banks at all levels.
*

Scientific and technological cooperation with Asian and non-aligned counties and whenever there are no political and military strings attached to that cooperation.
*

Science and technology will be primarily directed towards improving the living conditions covering the basic needs and raising the levels of education and information.

TERRORISM

There has been enough violence caused by all sides. The HP believes that a “Healing touch” is necessary and calls on all people struggling against the state to leave the path of violence and join the Humanist forces, to build the Humanist society for all. Violence is not the way out and this has been adequately demonstrated in the society. “An Eye for and Eye will leave Everyone blind” needs to be well understood by all. Since the Government, run by the corrupt, will not change its ways and will continue creating terror, it is the moral-responsibility of common-honest people to change the Government through Non-violence and build a just system for all.

Foundations for the Economy of a New Civilisation

2010-12-23T18:28:00.001-08:00

Foundations for the Economy of a New Civilisation
Guillermo Sullings

Here we transcribe the whole of Dr Guillermo Sullings' lecture from the Second International Symposium organised by the World Centre of Humanist Studies in the virtually interconnected Parks of Study and Reflection. Sullings, an Argentinean Economist, presented his work in the Punta de Vacas Park of Study and Reflection, Mendoza, Argentina.

Economy
Foundations for the Economy of a New Civilisation
12/19/10

Pressenza
Pressenza International Press Agency
Buenos Aires, 11/6/10

The challenge of thinking about how a new civilisation would be, can be very attractive because one could get carried away with ones imagination and in theory design a new utopia, like the one imagined by Thomas More; author of the book [Utopia] which gave a name to social ideals. This literary exercise is valid in itself, though it could not go any further than the events shaped on the page with all the naivety and incongruence of the writer and his era.

It is also possible for someone with a vocation for power to imagine what a society under their control could be like: how trying to have control over the smallest detail of its workings would be. We have seen this in practice, in the field of the economy, in the frustrating experiences of real socialism, which after 70 years accepted its failure and gave in to the old and well known, capitalism.

Maybe we would have to think of the organisation of a new civilisation as a joint construction: the product of the interrelation of numerous different imaginations, many points of view, as well as many aspirations. If this were the case we could discern a certain common direction, a certain sensitivity common to that to which the human being aspires, and based on this; trace in broad strokes a path which could then with time become a more adequate shape, changed and enriched.

When we speak of Economy it is not difficult to identify common denominators that the majority of us want: better wealth distribution, fairness, harmony with the environment, a good quality of life for all, relations of solidarity, good working conditions, and many others. There may be minor differences, but the majority of us would agree on certain fundamental objectives. There is so much coincidence that we feel superfluous even when it comes to topics such as political proposals, because they all say the same.

We could say that differences begin with the question of “how”. How to organise the economy in a society to obtain that fruit which so many of us aspire to. And while we could say that future aspirations are fundamental to our acting in the present leading us to build paths towards them; we can also say that if the question of “how” is left unanswered, often the aspirations end up as compensatory daydreams which do not mobilize transforming actions.

Looking for the roots of what could be the foundation of the economy of a new civilisation, we start to find after the “what”, the “how”. And how can have at least two levels: one being “how should the organisation of the economy be in order to achieve the aspirations of the majority?”. And the other “how should we go about changing the type of organisation that we have today into the new type that we aspire to?”. Because it is possible that between many we agree and find the formula to organise a new economic system which fulfils the proposed requirements but which at the moment of application is rejected, by those who have the power to do so, because it would go against their own interests. And what if those affected by their petty interests are not only minorities, but also important portions of the population?

Maybe we should descend one more step of the ladder to look for the foundations and think of certain general conditions; such as the favourable ground on which to start the changes. Because to build a solid building, the foundations are really important, but underneath those foundations is the ground on which they will rest and if we build the foundations in a swamp, the building will sink. In society this is related to looking at cultural foundations, along with the value system and the collective attitude.

It would be difficult to build an economy based on solidarity within a society where individualism is prevalent. It would be difficult to build an economy based on environmental sustainability and rational consumption within a society where consumerism is its style of life. It would be difficult to effect the necessary political transformations to apply a new economy within a society without commitment towards participation in management and decision making.

Today most of the world works under the rules of globalised capitalism, and this is set up around Darwinian social behaviour, individualism and an eagerness for consumerism. Although there are many people who are starting to have a different type of sensitivity, the mechanism continues to work, and continues to feed the materialist culture. However, this new sensitivity, which is gradually appearing in many people, though not enough to change the system yet; helps highlight the contradictions and it is there that room is made for a ray of hope.

So we could say that as an initial basis for the economy of a new civilization, there needs to be a deepening of the sensitisation in terms of the need for a deep rooted change of paradigms. And although the image of how this new economy that we are striving towards would be does need to be traced, to be as close as possible to the collective image, what is essential is that through this image new cultural values are born, in harmony with the new born sensitivity, to the point that a new social mysticism is developed.

The valuing of reciprocity as a mode of relations between people, and therefore also of economic relationships, could be encouraged as a certain attitude to life, and this would bring a transforming dynamic to relationships. Unlike simple humanitarian solidarity which not only tends to naturalize the system of relationships between the “helpers” and the “helped” but also it is unlikely to establish itself in most people outside of formal rhetoric.

A critical and self-critical attitude towards irrational consumerism should incorporate itself in this new society as a code of social worth. In the decadent culture of materialism, having and exhibiting objects are synonymous with “being a winner”; in a new culture it could start to be synonymous with “being an idiot”.

Selfishness, lack of social responsibility and animosity against taking part in all things collective, an indifference to the pain of others, and many other tendencies, which today are common currency, allow individualists to justify themselves and pass unnoticed; in future this will be recognised as more and more obviously appalling behaviour.

Starting with this first principal, that of a new culture of values, which corresponds to the new sensitivity which is being born, it will be possible to raise the pillars of a new economy.

One of those pillars is the generation of channels of direct democracy in various spaces for peoples participation. Otherwise, how could the people who want to transform the economic system operate under the rules which regulate them? People should be able to participate in the decision making which administers public budgets, and they should be able to take part in the decision making involved in the creation of laws which modify the rules of the game of the economy with the aim of a fairer distribution of wealth. Workers also need to have the power to make decisions about the management and administration of companies. A society with a culture of political involvement, and with a project to transform the future cannot fall on the dead tracks of formal democracies, often associated with concentrated economic power, but needs viable channels of decision making.

Another of the pillars of a new economy, and which has to do with a change of paradigms, is the application of the principle of “equal opportunities for all”. The state should guarantee that everyone will have equal opportunities for their economic development. Then it will be left to each person to decide how to use these opportunities, but they should be available for everyone. Starting by guaranteeing public and free education at all levels for everyone, continuing with financial help, and dismantling the pockets of power which condition economic relations.

Of course, over the pillars of a new economy there should be a whole raft of legislation and new procedures for a mixed human scale economy. Themes such as workers participating in the shared ownership of companies, interest free state banking, tax reforms, shared budgets, and others, will need a detailed technical analysis to work out the viability of its implementation. But this analysis will be difficult for technocrats academically formed with a vision in which money and the economy have been the central value.

It will be necessary, a foundation of an economic science at the service of the human being, to modify the current conception of the economy as “an exact science, with some social interferences”, and to move onto the conception of the economy as a social science, which uses technical instruments. It would no longer be necessary to look for the balance of the market at the cost of social sacrifice but to achieve a social balance based on the principle of equal opportunities and adapting the techniques to such a principle. And it will no longer be possible to gauge growth and development with money as the unit of measure, but to weigh up the indices of human development, putting the economy at the service of such indicators.

Finally, we should say that as global problems need global solutions, and it will not necessarily be the powers which generate them which will take care of solving them, it will be fundamental to be able to count on a level of world resolution for such problems. The extreme poverty of many countries, global warming, the collapse of energy and food supply, and other world scale scourges, cannot be solved country by country, but rather as a whole. The nations which maintain and respect their cultural diversity and independence, should work as a great Universal Human Nation, to coordinate the solving of world problems.

Translated by Viviane Fathimani

Nuclear option not acceptable

2010-11-07T18:16:00.000-08:00

Nuclear option not acceptable
South China Morning Post Monday November 8. 2010

I agree with Gloria Chang, of Greenpeace ("Increasing reliance on nuclear energy is not the answer for HK", November 4) and want to add another reason for not using nuclear energy - its link with nuclear weapons.

We should say no to nuclear power stations and material like plutonium, which is used through special reprocessing as fuel to make terrible bombs.

This, of course, applies to all the nuclear weapons nations, in the first place the United States, but including China.

They are all now upping their nuclear power supply capacities and are therefore all overproducing the very material that goes to make weapons.

The nuclear rationale that because they have them, we also need them, is very dated. It harks back to prehistoric man and clubs. We have to move on and aim to go green and clean.

We must get rid of nuclear weapons and the military sales mentality that sees acceptable profits from equipment and machines that kill and that make money.

Tony Henderson, chairman, Humanist Association of Hong Kong

2010-10-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

Notice One

Latest newsletter August 2010

Notice Two

Humanist Association of Hong Kong

chairman Tony Henderson

*****

Notice Three

To engage in the Works of Levelling that underpin the Disciplines get in touch with Tony Henderson as the nearest contact in Hong Kong, China, otherwise get in touch with the Philippines:

http://parkebanahawphilippines.org/

or

India

http://www.asianashram.in/

Please understand that there is no opening for further works leading to the Disciplines at this time nor can any assurance be given that such will be possible in the near future. The Levelling works though are valuable in their own right to bring about equilibrium and development leading to truly human being.

________________________________

Since that August newsletter was published the School works have continued and will be closing in January 2011

--------------------------

It is expected that the Humanist Association of Hong Kong will be revamped in early 2011

--------------------------

The Humanist - Hong Kong - among friends of universal humanism, Number 31 - August 2010

2010-08-07T19:44:00.000-07:00

The Humanist - Hong Kong
- among friends of universal humanism,
Number 31 - August 2010
**********************************************************

Page 1 - EDITORIAL
Page 2 - REGISTRATION
Page 2 - THE PARKS
Page 4 - contact information

Editorial,
Let me begin with a newsy quote from Silo.net: "…The theme is when to start the leveling for the fourth group. We will begin it next 14th of August (remember today is the 1st of August). Those who attend will follow in the tracks of the fourth group. The leveling could be shorter; two months. Each disciplinary step is worked for one week. The first quatern is given at the first meeting of the disciplinary process. Once again, we recommend doing these works at the Parks. By mid January 2011 we will have everything assembled. Masters with the works done and elected. Masters are Masters, whether they come from the first, second, or fourth group. And we can do the Final Examination and give the Ascesis with all of them, simultaneously. There we close that entire stage.…"

I like that word ‘recommend’ and it could be that the Levelling works can be given locally, in Hong Kong for instance. In that case expect to hear from me again very soon as the sessions of retreats would than take place in our neighbourhood instead of those interested having to fly off overseas - to nearby Philippines or India closest.

However, it is likely that the work in the Disciplines would entail travel to one our Parks.

In that quote the latter part deals with Masters passing into School, in mid-January, and that means everyone taking the works and accepted are invited, no matter when they completed the Disciplines, last year, before that, or December 2010.

It would be great to get Chinese entering this process and it’s an anomaly that while India is producing healthy numbers of Postulants and Disciples, China has zero to date! How to click with that Chinese mind and that Chinese culture, because, the Buddhist Way is valued, and the Taoist Way, also the Folk Way which is the preponderance of spirituality among the Chinese.

It may simply be a lack of penetration of this message and possibility of doing what the Buddha did, for example. Maybe the parallel is not seen. Maybe enlightenment is placed on that High Shelf, out of reach, as if meant for some Higher Being, some specially endowed personality.

There will not be any political solution to today’s problems unless the person’s wielding political authority are acting out of the best interests of all, the same in economics, the same in all affairs - so what needs attending to primarily? That very person, or, in my case - me.

How apt this study, this Path. To establish oneself concretely in one’s own life and live according to one’s own dictates, with past transgressions reconciled and with an open future - that’s what’s going to resolve things. With that centre of gravity and a humanly sensitized look the others in our lives are treated as we would like to be treated and all’s well!

That’s where we are going on this spiritual path treaded by some very wonderful personalities who have always beckoned to us to forge our own destinies and play a part in the inherited scheme of things, changing what we will.
Peace, Force and Joy
Tony

#####

Registration now taking place until August 14, 2010.
Personally
Just get in touch

#####

The Parks

1 Red Bluff USA San Francisco www.redbluffpark.org info@redbluffpark.org
2 Hudson Valley USA New York
3 La Unión Colombia Bogota,Choachi www.parquelaunion.org parquelaunion@gmail.com
4 Montecillo Bolivia Cochabamba www.parquemontecillo.org parquemontecillo@gmail.com
5 Caucaia Brasil Sao Paulo www.parquecaucaia.org contato@parquecaucaia.org
6 Piribebuy Paraguay
7 Manantiales Chile Santiago www.parquemanantiales.org contacto@parquemanantiales.org
8 Punta de Vacas Argentina Punta de Vacas www.parquepuntadevacas.org parque.pdv@gmail.com
9 La Reja Argentina Buenos Aires www.parquelareja.org info@parquelareja.org
10 Carcaraña Argentina Rosario www.parquecarcarana.org contacto@parquecarcarana.org
11 Chaco Argentina Resistencia www.parquechaco.org parquechaco@gmail.com
12 Patagonia Norte Argentina Neuquen,Centenario www.patagonianorte.org parquedeestudiopatagonianorte@gmail.com
13 Toledo España Madrid www.parquetoledo.org parquesdeestudioyreflexiontoledo@parquetoledo.org
14 Attigliano Italia Attigliano www.parcoattigliano.eu center@parcoattigliano.eu
15 Casa Giorgi Italia Milan www.parchicasagiorgi.org parchicasagiorgi@gmail.com
16 la Belle Idee Francia Paris www.parclabelleidee.fr info@parclabelleidee.fr
17 Mikebuda Hungria Budapest www.mikebudapark.org commission@mikebudapark.org
18 Berlin Germany
19 Kandharoli Ashram India Mumbai www.asianashram.net nowsonali@gmail.com
20 Banahaw Filipinas Dolores, Quezon parkebanahawphilippines.org parkebanahaw@gmail.com

August 2010

The Parks

The Parks of Study and Reflection are spaces dedicated to the study and reflection about the Human Being and evolutionary possibilities toward a nonviolent world without discrimination of any kind. Here a new sensitivity and the best in ourselves can be expressed.

Centre of Work
...as a place for retreats and personal works

Centre of Study
as a place in which the Works of the School are developed, here the Masters and Disciples do their practices and studies.

#####

Philippines

http://parkebanahawphilippines.org/

India

http://www.asianashram.in/index.htm

for materials and information

http://www.silo.net/

In Hong Kong
We continue to seek a place to use as a Small Hall, in time leading to the establishment of a Centre of Work, a place of some seclusion and quiet, and a place to bring together people interested in a deeper self-study. Some disused annex of a monastery is ideal and this will help to keep spiritual retreats available for so-inclined people instead of commercial firms buying up those places for use selling urn space at exorbitant prices. Any introductions welcome.
In the quest for the eventual setting up of a Park of Study and Reflection (Hong Kong) the forming of an interest group is now underway.

Contact:
Material from this newsletter may be freely reprinted with this attribution: Source: The Humanist Newsletter - Asia-Pacific - or the bylined writer.

TONY HENDERSON,
My phone (852) 29840094
G/F, 49 Kau Tsuen, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
E-mail: tonyhen @ gmail.com/
Web-blog: http://hall-inner-light-china.blogspot.com/

Not Getting Lost in the Mix

2010-06-26T18:54:00.000-07:00

Not Getting Lost in the Mix

Tony Henderson

Gypsies have been universally discriminated against because, as nomadics, they were seen as strangers everywhere and that attitude is only slowly changing. Valery Novoselsky tells his story and how, despite that Israel is very keen on building up its resident population in general, for him it was the same story played out yet again.

Pressenza

Tel Aviv, 2010-06-26

Activist Valery Novoselsky’s grandmother was Ashkenazi Jewish with roots in Lithuania while grandad was a Roma from Eastern Ukraine. His mother was part-Romani and part-Chinese without any Jewish background. His maternal grandfather was from Shanghai, and the family was originally from Shaanxi Province, close to Mongolia and Xinxiang.

Her grandad was killed by the Nazis for one reason only - for being a ‘gypsy’. Her Chinese father had to bribe the Nazi administration, in the Kursk region of Central Russia, so that his Romani wife and children would not be killed on racial grounds... A reminder that the Nazi Holocaust also affected Roma people and to the same degree as it affected Am Israel.

Over the 1930s and 1940s the Nazis of the Third Reich imprisoned and murdered to the order of up to 1,500 000 Roma. They continue to be victims of persecution, especially in the Central European countries of the former "soviet block".

Till the age of 12 Valery Novoselsky lived mostly with the parents of his father, a family that spoke Yiddish between themselves.

“The street where I grew up and mostly lived till my emigration (aliyah) to Israel was considered as a ‘Jewish street’ by the residents of the city Dniepropetrovsk, a city considered by people from nearby cities as "Dniepro-Jewisk"... as ten percent of the local population was ‘somehow Jewish’,” says Valery Novoselsky.

Having developed an almost consuming interest in his destiny Valery Novoselsky has become something of an authority on minorities, on Roma, and on the intricacies of conversion to the Jewish faith. He informs Pressenza that today only 45,000 officially registered Jews remain there. “The overall population of a city of 1,200,000 persons, where the local Jewish community is very strong, both economically and politically.”

“Before my move to Israel I was living in Moscow, between the years of 1993-95, and I made appropriate efforts to convert into Orthodox Judaism, through the ‘giyur’ (conversion) process. However, despite my efforts by 1996 I still was not welcomed by the rabbi’s due to my Romani background and the negative feelings toward our people, ‘the gypsies’. Thus I got to know first-hand that these same feelings exist even among the Jews and Arabs, even if to a lesser degree then among the Gentile Europeans,”

Mr Novoselsky continued, “Can you imagine: I went through the circumcision process and still the rabbis behaved disrespectfully toward me. That`s why I dropped out from that painful racist process of conversion. Rabbis are happy and even proud when the grandsons of Nazis become Jews, but they are not happy at all when the grandsons of Jews return to the Jews... especially when these grandsons are partly ‘Gypsies’.”

For the major part of his life Mr Novoselsky has lived either among diaspora Jews or Israeli Jews, and he has kept his Roma identity. “I associate myself with the international Romani movement. And there are, at least, 11,000 of our folk in Israel-Palestine these days, according to statistics. We can recognize one another in a crowd. Even so, it is considered that Roma in Israel are a kind of "invisible minority" - since there is no strong difference between Roma and Jews looking at physical features. The Romani identity is strong and, we know ‘’who is who’,” he insists.

“In any case, I do not pretend to be either hero nor anti-hero. I am simply a product of our historical epoch trying to contribute positively to human history through the international Romani movement.”

Valery Novoselsky uses a Romani ethnic passport issued by the International Romani movement. Though not fixated on his say quarter-Chinese origins, since Roma and Jewish people are also from Asia, he considers himself an "Oriental".

There is now a clear consensus of opinion that the modern day Roma of the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Americas originated in Northwestern India. There is also a general consensus regarding the approximate timing of their emigration; the 11th century.

Cai Hongsheng, a history professor from Sun Yat-sen University in South China's Guangdong Province, says: “Gypsies set foot on Chinese soil some 200 years earlier than on European soil. To be exact, during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), when they got to Northwest China's Shaanxi and Gansu provinces."

Valery Novoselsky’s colleagues may wonder why he has such items as The Three Wise Men (Cantonese: Fuk Luk Sau - these Deities represent the three most important manifestations of health, wealth and happiness) in his room and as his computer wallpaper: “I do not give them any direct answer on this, I just smile,” he quips. Suitably enigmatic, very Oriental!

“While I embrace my Roma background, I never forget that a small part of me relates to a ‘Great Country in the East’.” In company with the famed television personality “Yan Can Cook”, his emailed correspondence ended with the flourish: “Tzai tzen!”

The Humanist - Hong Kong - June 2010

2010-06-16T22:34:00.000-07:00

The Humanist - Hong Kong
- among friends of universal humanism Vol II, Number 30 - June 2010
**********************************************************
Page 1 - EDITORIAL
Page 2 - "In the Parks of Study and Reflection many issues are being worked on." Interview.
Page 5 - contact information

Editorial,

In the effort to establish a Parks of Study and Reflection (Hong Kong) I am inviting my family and friends to take some active part and here send this circular with the intention of informing one and all of the details.
This ‘Park' intends to be a place of meeting, discussion and involvement of ordinary people who are disenchanted with the usual offerings of this mechanical-materialistic society that is out of control on every front.
This means, what began as a fairly understandable request to ‘Keep off the grass' in some moment and some places, by government, has become authoritarian and anti-people (though posing as precautionary-protective).
There is today no escape from the influences of the insanity that we see in wars, threats by Big Powers, extremism, terrorism, land and border conflicts, occupations by foreign troops, down-trodden ethnic groups, marginalised minorities, ecological disasters owing to industrial abuse, increasing mental illness because of poverty and in-human urbanised living , centralised governance that always misses the point, child medications (oh, he's over-active!) and so on.
Locally, while the government does run an excellent health service, education for non-Chinese is unaffordable for many, the twits in Legco are always quarreling, local councillors need more executive powers over real affairs, transport costs have to be brought down, low-carbon infrastructures are needed, etc
The answer to all this mess can only be gradually applied so will take time but the question is, how to remain safe and sane and with a feeling of, "well at least I am trying to do something about it and I am not alone”?
The activities associated with the Parks (an ‘s’ because there are thirty Parks extant today across the planet) strike at the root of all of such issues.
In the first place because the guided studies allow each one of us to understand our self and situation better and to begin rectifying the personal afflictions, while strengthening all that is good.
In the second place - but actually on par with the first - messages and actions of active non-violence are initiated by the people of the Park in order to address the injustices, in our immediate environment of family and friends, and to wider society according to our interest, ingenuity and influence.
However, I am not saying we need to be political. The parks are not political, nor commercial, nor a religion of any sort. But if a member wants to develop or engage in a political activity, or belong to a religion, why not as it is a personal choice, and that sector can benefit from the member’s balancing input to that sector.
The thrust of the endeavour in the Parks is personal enlightenment quite in the sense achieved by such as the Buddha, though without the trappings of Buddhism or other religious orthodoxy. The aim is to reach that deep understanding that appears following contact with what we can call the Profound which spontaneously erupts with a letting go of the dross.
The dross I speak of arrives to us because like it or not, we are all caught up in the hypnotic systematization of an imposed way of life that accords with where we were born and the demands of an industrial society where the bottom line is money-personal power.
To break free, we have to reconcile with the past, solidify what’s good in the present and open up the future. That's the aim of the initial ‘levelling’ works and studies for anyone wanting to engage in the running of the Parks; affiliates can simply join in the activities as they wish.
Peace, Force and Joy
Tony
#####

First Meeting Sunday June 20, 2010
2pm to 3pm
Fieldwork Centre
Mui Wo
Tea and chat till 3.30 or 4pm

#####

Interview with Hugo Novotny (resident at the Punta de Vacas Park):
"In the Parks of Study and Reflection many issues are being worked on."
By Marta Icarte - for Pressenza International press Agency:
Punta de Vacas, 2010-04-15
We have been talking to Hugo Novotny about the Parks of Study and Reflection and what is being lived in them by those who do the work of levelling, as well as those who develop a process in one of the four disciplines: the material discipline, the energetic discipline, the mental discipline and morphological discipline.
Why is it called a Park of Study and Reflection? What is being studied and reflected upon? What do you do there and why have you built Punta de Vacas Park in the middle of the mountains?
Punta de Vacas Park of Study and Reflection, is one of many similar parks that are already in use in different countries and continents. There the works of the Communities of Silo's Message and those of members of the Humanist Movement are developed, works that are related to the coherent development of the human being as well as works that allow the achievement of states of profound inspiration, states that allow us to gradually create the best conditions for the emergence of a new, truly human and non-violent civilization.
All this is being developed through meetings, seminars, retreats, and gatherings, which take place in the Centre of Work located next to the portal which marks the entrance to the Park. This Centre of Work is also where the activities of the various organisms of the Humanist Movement and the Communities of Silo's Message in relation to the personal development of their members take place, as well as activities of levelling open to all persons interested in postulating for the Works of School.
The works of school, directly linked to achieving states of profound inspiration, are developed in the Centre of Studies which is located behind the Sacred Mount and facing the source of the Mendoza river.
This Park of Study and Reflection has a very special relationship with the landscape that frames it. The fact of being located at the intersection of three great mountain ranges and near the source of a river, are things that, as many know, make it a highly inspiring place with a special energy.
Each person, once they have completed the levelling work, can choose the discipline that most resonates with their inner world. The energetic, mental, morphological or material disciplines are all ways to access those profound inner spaces where we encounter the Unnameable and all existence becomes Meaningful.
Precise and comprehensive information about the four disciplines can be found at the website www.silo.net, as well as information on the previous work of levelling, registration for which is open until late December, 2010. The only requirement for participation is to be 18 years of age at the time of registration.
How does one register? Simply send an email to the following address: NivelacionParquePuntadeVacas@gmail.com You will receive a return mail containing a link where you can enter your personal data to complete the registration process.
Inscriptions can also be made on the websites of the various parks of Study and Reflection, which as we have already said are presently located in different countries.

For more information write to parque.pdv@gmail.com

Additional note on the Parks

Banawa Park (Philippines): levelingparkebanahaw@gmail.com

Khandaroli Park (India):
http://www.asianashram.in/index.htm (use general email address NivelacionParquePuntadeVacas@gmail.com for the moment, or parque.pdv@gmail.com

Montecillo Park (Cochabamba, Bolivia): nivelacionparquemontecillo @
gmail

Carcarañá Park (Rosario, Argentina): nivelacionparquecarcarana@gmail.com

Parque Punta de Vacas (Mendoza, Argentina):
nivelacionparquepuntadevacas@gmail.com

Park Chaco (Chaco, Argentina): nivelacionparquechaco@gmail.com

Parque La Reja (Buenos Aires, Argentina):
nivelacionparquelareja@gmail.com

Park North Patagonia (Neuquén, Argentina):
nivelacionparquepnorte@gmail.com

Manantiales Park (Chile), through the website: www.parquemanantiales.org

Piribebuy Park (Paraguay): parqueparaguay@gmail.com

Caucaia Park (Brazil): nivelacaoparquecaucaia@gmail.com

La Union Park (Colombia): nivelacionpostulantes2010@gmail.com

Red Bluff Park (United States) through the website: www.redbluffpark.org

Park Toledo (Spain): nivelacionparquetoledo@gmail.com

Aloasí Park (Ecuador), through the website: www.parquealoasi.org

Attigliano Park (Italy): nivelacionparqueattigliano@gmail.com

Holit Park (Israel) through the website: www.holitpark.org

Marracuene Park (Mozambique), through the website:
www.parquemarracuene.org

La Belle Idee Parc (France): miseaniveauparclabelleidee@gmail.com

Casa Giorgi Park (Italy): livellamentoparcocasagiorgi@gmail.com

Mikebuda Park (Hungary): leveling2010_may@mikebudapark.org

The Parks

The Parks of Study and Reflection are spaces dedicated to the study and reflection about the Human Being and evolutionary possibilities toward a nonviolent world without discrimination of any kind. Here a new sensitivity and the best in ourselves can be expressed.

Centre of Work
...as a place for retreats and personal works

Centre of Study
as a place in which the Works of the School are developed, here the Masters and Disciples do their practices and studies.

#####

http://parkebanahawphilippines.org/

&

http://www.asianashram.in/index.htm

#####

http://www.silo.net/

In Hong Kong
We continue to seek a place to use as a Small Hall, in time leading to the establishment of a Centre of Work, a place of some seclusion and quiet, and a place to bring together people interested in a deeper self-study. Some disused annex of a monastery is ideal and this will help to keep spiritual retreats available for so-inclined people instead of commercial firms buying up those places for use selling urn space at exorbitant prices. Any introductions welcome.
In the quest for the eventual setting up of a Park of Study and Reflection (Hong Kong) the forming of an interest group is now mooted.

Contact us:
Material from this newsletter may be freely reprinted with this attribution: Source: The Humanist Newsletter - Asia-Pacific - or the bylined writer.

FEEDBACK
TONY HENDERSON, editor/correspondent
My phone (852) 29840094
G/F, 49 Kau Tsuen, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
E-mail: tonyhen @ gmail.com/
http://tonyhen-humanisthongkong.blogspot.com/
My personal Web page: http://home.pacific.net.hk/~tonyhen/

#####

BOOK

Walking Hong Kong to the Water
by
Tony Henderson
a Hong Kong humanist’s story
penultimate update to March 2010
download in PDF format from:
http://home.pacific.net/~tonyhen/

of course we can change to a nuclear-free world

2010-05-26T22:58:00.001-07:00

Dear editor, South China Morning Post

6 May 2010

The columnist Sergei Karaganov writing on Destructive idea of a nuclear-free world, (SCMP May 05, 2010) is showing his ‘set mental form’ in this writing and is a clear example of what happens to a person, a whole group of persons and indeed a certain strata of a society that becomes moribund, nay crystallised.

It is a dangerous condition because people of the Karaganov ilk are in highly paid positions in governments, in multinational privately owned firms, mainstream academia and in the most old guard type military units and are functioning at the will of the today powerful - those who refuse to give up power and who refuse transparency in affairs and any accountability.

So black and white is their thinking and so self-contradictory is their activities that they see a nuclear bomb as a solution leading to peace and arsenals of nuclear bombs as a sure worldwide protective shroud.

The only meritorious sentence in the article is his statement that: “To reject nuclear weapons and strive for their elimination is, no doubt, a moral aim, at least in the abstract. But it is feasible only if humanity changes”. But sadly the he does not believe humanity can change.

Thus he and his fellows are stuck.

Happily, the rest of the world moves on and the increasing momentum of the anti-nuclear activists of all ranks and creeds and colours that are advancing hour by hour prove that people and their demands are changing.

Tony Henderson, chairman, Humanist Association of Hong Kong

A Wall Far Too Far - in Palestine

2010-05-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

A Wall Far Too Far
For Pressenza International Press Agency
4 May 2010

Bridges are for communicating, walls are for segregating, and this is all too clear in the wall of apartheid built by Israel in Wad Rahal village, Palestine. “This wall means Israel has in effect confiscated 120 dunams of our village land (a dunam is 1,000 square metres). This has led to the inability of landowners to work in cultivation of crops or livestock,” cries villager Shado Mohmmad, who is also Coordinator of the Division of Resistance to the Wall in the city of Bethlehem.

Wad Rahal replants olive trees while Israeli forces attack!

On March 30, 2010, Israeli forces shut down a day of voluntary work in this southern Bethlehem village of Wad Rahal: “The day was organized by the Palestinian Center for Peace and Democracy, to replant uprooted olive trees that was damage done in works related to that nearby Israeli settlement of Efrat and for the construction of a dividing Wall,” explains Shado Mohmmad. “Israeli soldiers beat several of the volunteers who were helping in the planting. It was the occasion of Palestinian Land Day.”

At the time participants held banners declaring against the occupation and in support of the 32nd anniversary of Land Day.

Land Day is seen as a pivotal event in the struggle over land and in the relationship of Arab citizens to the Israeli state and body politic. It holds significance in that it was the first time since 1948 that Arabs in Israel organized a response to Israeli policies as a Palestinian national collective. Today it is an important annual day of commemoration in the Palestinian national political calendar, it is marked not only by Arab citizens of Israel, but by Palestinians all over the world.

The banners used on that day also highlighted the decision in the Hague against the Wall - by the International Court of Justice, principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

The advisory opinion was given on 9 July 2004 under the title: Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. “The Court finds that the construction by Israel of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and its associated régime are contrary to international law.”

The legal consequences arising from that illegality were stated:

A - ... contrary to international law”;

B. Israel is under an obligation to terminate its breaches of international law; it is under an obligation to cease forthwith the works of construction of the wall ... to dismantle forthwith the structure”;

C. Israel is under an obligation to make reparation for all damage caused by the construction of the wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem”;

D. All States are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction;... to ensure compliance by Israel with international humanitarian law”;

E. The United Nations, and especially the General Assembly and the Security Council, should consider what further action is required to bring to an end the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and the associated régime, taking due account of the present Advisory Opinion.”

Participants in the protest reported that guards from the Efrat Settlement surrounded the volunteers. Soldiers fired at Wad Rahal school children who had started throwing stones.

For its part, sources from the Palestinian Centre said all efforts are geared toward the 2004 International Court of Justice ruling against the Wall in hopes that it will some day be honoured via the United Nations Security Council.

In brief, the ruling stated that the Wall must be removed and that Palestinians must be compensated for their losses.

The Palestinian Centre for Peace and Democracy (PCPD) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation inspired by the principle that the future of Palestine lies in an independent democratic state in which there is full respect for human rights, acknowledgement of the importance of freedom of expression and assembly, recognition of every human's innate right to participate in governance and a vibrant civil society as stipulated in the Palestinian Declaration of Independence of 1988.

“Respect for human rights, tolerance towards each other, participation by all, accountability and the rule of law are the pillars upon which our Centre's work is founded, ended Shado Mohmmad. ““We welcome anyone who wants to support the Palestinian people to come to visit Palestine and see the situation and how the villages suffer such a lot due to the presence of the wall that separates the Palestinians and Israelis.”

Writers: shado mohmmad - wad.r@hotmail.com, and Tony Henderson

Ban on Iranian women footballers - FIFA

2010-05-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

Ban on Iranian women footballers
22 April 2010

Our association would like to point out the contradictory actions of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in the organisation at first inviting the Iranian women’s team to take part in the 2010 Youth Summer Olympics, Singapore, then, unexpectedly, deciding to forbid wearing the hijab (Islamic head covering) in the games.

Had no one seen them play?

There are two opposing forces at work in today’s world, the one relating to increasing globalization, standardisation, privatisation, and cultural domination by majority populations or power-holders, as against planetisation, cultural and religious diversity, regionalisation and socialised services and a will to go beyond tolerance to real acceptance of differences according to the ‘others’ likes and dislikes.

President of Iran Football Federation Ali Kafashian has pointed out to FIFA that due to religious beliefs the Iranian women team will participate in the competitions only if they are allowed to observe the Islamic dress code. The hijab is related to Islamic culture and many Muslim women can't take part in social activities without it and due to religious beliefs the Iranian women team will participate in the competitions only if they are allowed to observe the Islamic dress code.

It’s really a case of freedom of choice, any dress-coded sisterhood of nuns would also be hard put to get a team together under these rules. What’s next, a ban on footballers with beards because they are clearly Al Qaeda-Taliban linked?

Sincerely,

Tony Henderson, chairman, Humanist Association of Hong Kong

Confucius is their man...

2010-05-04T20:14:00.001-07:00

Regarding the article, “A unique fusion of Confucius and Aristotle, (SCMP Thursday 15 April, 2010), methinks Po Chung is idealising the situation here in Hong Kong, which is more of a mishmash than a blend of cultural influences.

However, given that the Chinese Communists are seeking a moral savior in Confucius, which means they don’t find virtues in what Communism presently offers, it may be useful to hark back to South Korea’s Kim Dae-jung who not so long ago challenged Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew’s view of the worth of the West-imposed political systems (meaning democratic systems) on to societies that are ill suited to them, a view then supported by China, also Malaysia.

Kim listed people and institutions from Mencius to the Korean religion of Tonghak, saying: “there are no ideas more fundamental to democracy than the teachings of Confucius, Buddhism and Tonghak.”

There are two schools of thought on Confucian education prevalent in China: one positive extolling the virtues of self-discipline and hard work; the other which has dominated educational thought in mainland China since the May 4 Movement of 1919 - as a major obstacle to progress.

Gu Mingyuan, author of, Education in China and Abroad, extolls Confucianism’s remarkable capacity for accommodating other cultures in that Confucianism is still here after thousands of years!. This is seen in the high degree of integration in the way different streams of thought are combined within its framework; and, its secular character - rather than dealing with other-world matters.

Another educator, and former pupil of Mr Gu, Wang Yingjie, also reveals his pukka Asian-ness when commenting on the western-style industrialisation that demands an education where separation of knowledge transmission from the cultivation of character is the norm.

Mr Wang wants an integration of humanity with the universe granting balance between individuals and society, between humanity and the natural environment; an integration of learning with life; integration of morality with knowledge; integration of knowing and doing; besides the integration of teaching with learning in a dialogue approach.

Chinese thought has always tended toward humanism rather than spiritualism, rationalism rather than mysticism, and syncretisms rather than sectarianism.

But those olden days are long gone and cannot be recaptured and rather than attempt the Confucian ideals advocated we had better adhere to the more tangible measures of democratic elections, rule of law and accountability.

While it’s not that the answer lies in the past we would do well by studying what is worth studying in the past, then China can readily identify those currents that flow closest to its modern heart. The term universalist humanism is dynamically applicable to today’s plight in China, in Asia, and all across the world.

Confucius can be viewed as the first humanist in China's recorded history so the Chinese Communists are on a good thing choosing Confucius as their man.

Sincerely,

Tony Henderson, chairman, Humanist Association of Hong Kong

"In the Parks of Study and Reflection many issues are being worked on."

2010-04-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

Interview with Hugo Novotny: "In the Parks of Study and Reflection many issues are being worked on."

Marta Icarte

We have been talking to Hugo Novotny about the Parks of Study and Reflection and what is being lived in them by those who do the work of levelling, as well as those who develop a process in one of the four disciplines: the material discipline, the energetic discipline, the mental discipline and morphological discipline.

Pressenza
Punta de Vacas, 2010-04-15

Why is it called a Park of Study and Reflection? What is being studied and reflected upon? What do you do there and why have you built Punta de Vacas Park in the middle of the mountains?

Punta de Vacas Park of Study and Reflection, is one of many - presently 21 - similar parks that are already in use in different countries and continents. There the works of the Communities of Silo's Message and of members of the Humanist Movement are developed, works that are related to the coherent development of the human being as well as works that allow the achievement of states of profound inspiration, states that allow us to gradually create the best conditions for the emergence of a new, truly human and non-violent civilization.

All this is being developed through meetings, seminars, retreats, and gatherings, which take place in the Centre of Work located next to the portal which marks the entrance to the park. This Centre of Work is also where the activities of the various organisms of the Humanist Movement and the Communities of Silo's Message in relation to the personal development of their members take place, as well as activities of levelling open to all persons interested in postulating for the works of school.

The works of school, directly linked to achieving states of profound inspiration, are developed in the Centre of Studies which is located behind the Sacred Mount and facing the source of the Mendoza river.

This Park of Study and Reflection has a very special relationship with the landscape that frames it. The fact of being located at the intersection of three great mountain ranges and near to the source of a river, are things that, as many know, make it a highly inspiring place with a special energy.

Each person, once they have completed the levelling work, can choose the discipline that most resonates with their inner world. The energetic, mental, morphological or material disciplines are all ways to access those profound inner spaces where we encounter the Unnameable and all existence becomes Meaningful.

Precise and comprehensive information about the four disciplines can be found at the website www.silo.net, as well as information on the previous work of levelling, registration for which is open until late December, 2010. The only requirement for participation is to be 18 years of age at the time of registration.

How does one register? Simply send an email to the following address: NivelacionParquePuntadeVacas@gmail.com You will receive a return mail containing a link where you can enter your personal data to complete the registration process.

Inscriptions can also be made on the websites of the various parks of Study and Reflection, which as we have already said are presently located in 21 different countries.

For more information write to parque.pdv@gmail.com

[additional note on the Parks:]

Banawa Park (Philippines): levelingparkebanahaw@gmail.com

Khandaroli Park (India):
http://www.asianashram.in/index.htm (use general email address NivelacionParquePuntadeVacas@gmail.com for the moment, or parque.pdv@gmail.com

Montecillo Park (Cochabamba, Bolivia): nivelacionparquemontecillo @
gmail

Carcarañá Park (Rosario, Argentina): nivelacionparquecarcarana@gmail.com

Parque Punta de Vacas (Mendoza, Argentina):
nivelacionparquepuntadevacas@gmail.com

Park Chaco (Chaco, Argentina): nivelacionparquechaco@gmail.com

Parque La Reja (Buenos Aires, Argentina):
nivelacionparquelareja@gmail.com

Park North Patagonia (Neuquén, Argentina):
nivelacionparquepnorte@gmail.com

Manantiales Park (Chile), through the website: www.parquemanantiales.org

Piribebuy Park (Paraguay): parqueparaguay@gmail.com

Caucaia Park (Brazil): nivelacaoparquecaucaia@gmail.com

La Union Park (Colombia): nivelacionpostulantes2010@gmail.com

Red Bluff Park (United States) through the website: www.redbluffpark.org

Park Toledo (Spain): nivelacionparquetoledo@gmail.com

Aloasí Park (Ecuador), through the website: www.parquealoasi.org

Attigliano Park (Italy): nivelacionparqueattigliano@gmail.com

Holit Park (Israel) through the website: www.holitpark.org

Marracuene Park (Mozambique), through the website:
www.parquemarracuene.org

La Belle Idee Parc (France): miseaniveauparclabelleidee@gmail.com

Casa Giorgi Park (Italy): livellamentoparcocasagiorgi@gmail.com

Mikebuda Park (Hungary): leveling2010_may@mikebudapark.org

Pressenza, an international news agency dedicated to news about peace and nonviolence with offices in Milan, Rome, London, Paris, New York, Madrid, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Santiago and Hong Kong. Find out who we are and get in touch with us.

Postulant to Disciplines extension

2010-04-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

Those who wish may enter the Postulant process (see below for explanation) by journeying to the Philippines or India and participating in the one day studies on 29 May 2010, starting 8am and ending 8pm.

2010-02-11T07:35:00.000-08:00

The door is open

http://Silo.net

(Sent to you via your contact Tony Henderson)
December 20, 2009

Dear friends,

Attached is a text "The process of the School in the present time", which is related to the registration dates for registering for the second round of leveling 2010 and for registering to Disciplines.

Warm regards.
on behalf of the School

Francisco Granella

The process of the School in the present moment

“Those who wish to pursue this process will register with the School before the 28th of February 2010. If they are accepted, they will begin their work with a first meeting on Saturday the 20th of March. They will continue with a second meeting on Saturday the 19th of June, concluding this stage of meetings on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of September. Those wishing to enter the School remain in a period of 'waiting and reflection'. If this proves to be the case they will need to choose a Discipline and begin their work as Apprentices with 2 hours of work every Saturday until their mentors consider them in conditions to participate as Disciples. When the Disciples successfully conclude their disciplinary process and the activities suggested by their mentors, they may present themselves for an 'examination of work'. With this, the 'second
round' of 2010 will be completed.”

On the 20th of March 2010 the second round of works of leveling will begin.

Those interested in these works can register, as of now, and before February 28th, at the following address:

nivelacionpostulantes2010@gmail.com

With this round, the process, which has contemplated the work of two rounds, will close for a long time.

All of the works of School will be carried out in the Parks.

Works of leveling for Postulants to the School

Vision of the School

Since ancient times there have existed procedures capable of carrying people to exceptional states of consciousness in which the greatest amplitude and mental inspiration is juxtaposed with the dulling of the normal faculties. Those altered states have similarities with dreams, drunkenness, some forms of intoxication and dementia. Frequently the production of these anomalies was associated with personal and animal “entities” or perhaps natural “forces” that were manifested precisely in those special mental landscapes.

As the importance of those phenomena began to be understood, explanations and techniques were honed with the intention of giving direction to processes that, in principle, were out of control. Already in historical times mystical schools in diverse cultures (frequently in the shadow of religions) developed that practiced their particular ways of accessing the Profound.

Even today, in the material culture, in myths, legends and literary productions, one can recognize fragments of conceptions, as well as group and individual practices, that were very advanced for the times in which these people lived.

The Period of Leveling

The interest of these works of leveling, which will last six months, is focused on attaining a basic uniformity of comprehension and language. We are speaking of preparatory works of the School. This period of leveling does not imply any commitment. Those dedicated to these works are not undertaking any commitment and neither is the School.

The Form of Work

We wish to stress that there will not be individual follow up. Rather only general orientation will be given to those who are working alone or in small groups. Some may wish to hold retreats at the Centers of Work in the Parks, or in places where there are no parks. However, these activities will be done without instructors.

1. Guidelines for the meeting on March 20th, 2010.

The first meeting for Postulates will be on Saturday, March 20th, and will be carried out simultaneously in the Parks of Study and Reflection at: Punta de Vacas, La Reja, Manantiales, Attigliano, Toledo, Kandhroli Ashram, Red Bluff, La Union, Carcaraña y Caucaia. Additional parks in formation will be added and announced in a timely manner. The meetings will begin at 8 in the morning and last until 8 at night. Participation will be limited to those registered by February 28, 2010. Disciples and Masters may also assist.

The first stage of the work, which will last until the 19th of June, will be explained. It will include the works about relaxation; psychophysics; self-knowledge and guided experiences. The recommended bibliography consists of: the book of Self-Liberation; the Guided Experiences; the talk on Guided Experiences (Collected Works I, Book Presentations, El Ateneo, Madrid, Spain. November 3, 1989); Relax and Guided Experiences CD; the material “Description, summary and synthesis” (silo.net); and Psychology I and II from the book Psychology Notes.

2. Guidelines for the meeting on June 19th , 2010.

The second meeting for Postulates will be held on Saturday, June 19th, and will be carried out simultaneously in the different Parks of Study and Reflection at: Punta de Vacas, La Reja, Leos Manantiales, Attigliano, Toledo, Kandhroli Ashram, Red Bluff, La Union, Carcaraña and Caucaia. Additional parks in formation will be added and announced in a timely manner. The meetings will begin at 8 in the morning and last until 8 at night. Those who were present in the May 20th meeting may participate.

The Postulates will bring a summary and synthesis of their work, in digital format, clearly identified, in one of the five languages that have been agreed upon (Spanish, English, French, Italian and Portuguese) and be given to the Masters or Disciples who are present.

The second stage of the work, which lasts until the 19th of September, will be explained. It includes the works about the general outline of the Epilogue of the book Self Liberation and the general outline of operative (excluding Self-transference).

The recommended bibliography for this stage is: the book of Self Liberation and Psychology III and IV from Psychology Notes.

3. Guidelines for the meetings on the 19th and 20th of September

The third meeting for Postulates will be held during two days on the 19th and 20th of September and will run from 8 in the morning until 8 in the evening. It will be held simultaneously in the Parks of Study and Reflection at: La Reja, Los Manantiales, Attigliano, Toledo, Kandhroli Ashram, Red Bluff, La Union, Carcaraña and Caucaia. Additional parks in formation will be added and announced in a timely manner. Participation will be limited to those who were present in the previous meetings of March 20th and June 19th.

The Postulates will bring the summary of their work about Psychology III and IV. If they wish they can also bring their work from the Epilogue and Operative.

The four Disciplines will be explained and a printed copy of the same material will be distributed. On the other hand, monographs and field studies produced by some Masters will be distributed.

The bibliography will consist of: “The Four Disciplines” and “Monographs and Investigations”.

I request you to do your best to extend our open invitation to all friends - members or not - to join the next and final batch of Postulants. Joining is simple done by duly registering themselves by
sending email to the right email address within the given deadline. Mind you, this procedure is personal and not by proxy or hearsay.

The work with the Disciplines is NOT a privilege reserved for a few; but something meant for all without any discrimination or requisite whatsoever. All our members and adherents have the right to know about this opportunity. Many may still be unaware of it, and this is also our responsibility. Let us not decide on their behalf; let them decide on their own once they have the right information. You do not worry about the difficulties they may have to carry out the work, e.g., language, distance, educational background, etc. We will jointly find solutions for them.

I will not mince words: the process of Asia (and India) depends on having a big number of Postulants, and, ultimately, Masters.

I send you a warm hug, wishing you the very best.

Fernando Alberto Garcia

The Universal Humanist Newsletter - Asia-Pacific - among friends of universal humanism Vol II, Number 27 - December 2009

2010-01-06T08:00:00.001-08:00

The Universal Humanist Newsletter - Asia-Pacific
- among friends of universal humanism
Vol II, Number 27 - December 2009
**********************************************************

Page 1 - EDITORIAL
Page 1 - World March for Peace and Non-Violence
Page 2 - "Charter for a world without violence"
Page 5 - HUMANIST PARTY (India) Promotion Team
Page 5 - The Israel-Palestine Question - one humanist’s statement and proposal
Page 6 - Nuclear Power
Page 7 - Subscription to PRESSENZA - IPA, International News Press Agency
Page 8 - Centre of Work
Page 9 - Contact information

Editorial,
The World March for Peace and Non Violence is drawing to its grand finale at Punta de Vacas in the great Aconcagua, or Andes, on the Chilean side of Argentina. Our hearts and thoughts with be with all our valiant friends who will be there celebrating with joy. The event is a triumphal climax for all the work Silo has accomplished over all these years. A marvelous work in the true meaning of the term. An extraordinary man who has done an extraordinary thing and the entirety is now launched into a more splendid future than any of us could have imagined. However, it’s done... and it’s a Work In Progress!
The Humanist Movement has changed in terms of its structure and working relations. India has its Promotional Team established so let us see how that develops. The first in Asia under the new conditions.
Here in Hong Kong we have our Humanist Association, as mentioned in the previous newsletter, founded in the same moment as the Humanist Parties worldwide, therefore want to join the federation of humanist parties under the International Humanist Party title. We held one meeting hoping to revamp our executive committee in concert with these changes but only two people came to the meeting so this is still a task. We need to develop the Chinese side, not just the international membership. Do consider becoming an active member of this committee.
I myself am moving at a tangent to what went before in relation to the activities of the Universalist Humanists by moving my attention over to the efforts at establishing a local Park of Study and Reflection (Hong Kong). As this is a big and long term project, first efforts are going into establishing a Centre of Work, later to become a Centre of Studies. In relation to that endeavour I am applying for an apprenticeship in one of the Disciplines of School: Materials, Energetics, Mental, and Forms. See: www.silo.net for details. If you have an interest to start the levelling studies prior to following this same path then do get in touch. The final article of this newsletter tells about that activity.Tony Henderson
Editor
World March for Peace and Non-Violence
"So that the voices of millions who yearn for peace can be heard as they call for the end of war and all forms of violence."
Began in New Zealand October 2, 2009 and concluded in the South American Andes Mountains, January 2, 2010.
World Without Wars - and without violence
International co-ordinator Rafael de la Rubia - rafael@marchamundial.org http://www.worldmarch.info/ http://blog.theworldmarch.org/
http://www.worldmarchhongkong.org/
"Charter for a world without violence"

The "Charter for a world without violence" is the result of several years of work by individuals and organizations that have won the Nobel Peace Prize. A first draft was presented to the 7th Summit of Nobel Prizes in 2006 and the final version was approved in the 8th Summit in December 2007 in Rome. Its viewpoints and proposals are very similar to those of the March.
On November 11, 2009, during the 10th World Summit to be held in Berlin, the Nobel Peace Laureates will present the Charter for a World without Violence to the promoters of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence who will act as emissaries of the document as part of its effort to raise the global consciousness about violence. Silo, the founder of Universalist Humanism and the inspiration for the World March, will speak about the meaning of Peace and Nonviolence in the present moment.

CHARTER FOR A WORLD WITHOUT VIOLENCE

Violence is a preventable disease
No state or individual can be secure in an insecure world. The values of nonviolence in intention, thought, and practice have grown from an option to a necessity. These values are expressed in their application between states, groups and individuals.
We are convinced that adherence to the values of nonviolence will usher in a more peaceful, civilized world order in which more effective and fair governance, respectful of human dignity and the sanctity of life itself, may become a reality.
Our cultures, our histories, and our individual lives are interconnected and our actions are interdependent. Especially today as never before, we believe, a truth lies before us: our destiny is a common destiny. That destiny will be defined by our intentions, decisions and actions today.
We are further convinced that creating a culture of peace and nonviolence, while a difficult and long process, is both necessary and noble. Affirmation of the values contained in this Charter is a vital step to ensuring the survival and development of humanity and the achievement of a world without violence.
We, Nobel Peace Laureates and Laureate Organizations,
Reaffirming our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ;
Moved by concern for the need to end the spread of violence at all levels of society and especially the threats posed on a global scale that jeopardize the very existence of humankind;
Reaffirming that freedom of thought and expression is at the root of democracy and creativity;
Recognizing that violence manifests in many ways, such as armed conflict, military occupation, poverty, economic exploitation, environmental destruction, corruption and prejudice based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation;
Realizing that the glorification of violence as expressed through commercial entertainment can contribute to the acceptance of violence as a normal and acceptable condition;
In the knowledge that those most harmed by violence are the weakest and vulnerable;
Remembering that peace is not only the absence of violence but that it is the presence of justice and the well-being of people;
Realizing that the failure of States to sufficiently accommodate ethnic, cultural and religious diversity is at the root of much of the violence in the world;
Recognizing the urgent need to develop an alternative approach to collective security based on a system in which no country, or group of countries, relies on nuclear weapons for its security;
Being aware that the world is in need of effective global mechanisms and approaches for nonviolent conflict prevention and resolution, and that they are most successful when applied at the earliest possible moment;
Affirming that persons invested with power carry the greatest responsibility to end violence where it is occurring and to prevent violence whenever possible;
Asserting that the values of nonviolence must triumph at all levels of society as well as in relations between States and peoples;
Beseech the global community to advance the following principles:
First: In an interdependent world, the prevention and cessation of armed conflict between and within States can require the collective action of the international community. The security of individual states can best be achieved by advancing global human security. This requires strengthening the implementation capacity of the UN system as well as regional cooperative organizations.
Second: To achieve a world without violence, States must abide by the rule of law and honor their legal commitments at all times.
Third: It is essential to move without further delay towards the universal and verifiable elimination of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. States possessing such weapons must take concrete steps towards disarmament, and a security system that does not rely on nuclear deterrence. At the same time, States must sustain their efforts to consolidate the nuclear non-proliferation regime, by taking such measures as strengthening multilateral verification, protecting nuclear material and advancing disarmament.
Fourth: To help eliminate violence in society, the production and sale of small arms and light weapons must be reduced and strictly controlled at international, regional, state and local levels. In addition there should be full and universal enforcement of International disarmament agreements, such as the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, and support for new efforts aimed at the eradication of the impact of victim-activated and indiscriminate weapons, such as cluster munitions. A comprehensive and effective Arms Trade Treaty needs to be enacted.
Fifth: Terrorism can never be justified because violence begets violence and because no acts of terror against the civilian population of any country can be carried out in the name of any cause. The struggle against terrorism cannot, however, justify violation of human rights, international humanitarian law, civilized norms, and democracy.
Sixth: Ending domestic and family violence requires unconditional respect for the equality, freedom, dignity, and rights of women, men and children by all individuals, institutions of the state, religion and civil society. Such protections must be embodied in laws and conventions at local and international levels.
Seventh: Every individual and state shares responsibility to prevent violence against children and youth, our common future and most precious gift. All have a right to quality education, effective primary health care, personal safety, social protection, full participation in society and an enabling environment that reinforces non-violence as a way of life. Peace education, promoting non-violence and emphasizing the innate human quality of compassion, must be an essential part of the curriculum of educational institutions at all levels.
Eighth: Preventing conflicts arising from the depletion of natural resources, in particolar sources of energy and water, requires States to affirmatively and, through creation of legal mechanisms and standards, provide for the protection of the environment and to encourage people to adjust their consumption on the basis of resource availability and real human needs.
Ninth: We beseech the UN and its member states to promote appreciation of ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. The golden rule of a non-violent world: Treat others as you wish to be treated.
Tenth: The principal political tools for bringing into being a non-violent world are functioning democratic institutions and dialogue based on dignity, knowledge, and compromise, conducted on the basis of balance between the interests of the parties involved, and, when appropriate, including concerns relating to the entirety of humanity and the natural environment.
Eleventh: All states, institutions and individuals must support efforts to address the inequalities in the distribution of economic resources, and resolve gross inequities which create a fertile ground for violence. The imbalance in living conditions inevitably leads to lack of opportunity and, in many cases, loss of hope.
Twelfth : Civil society, including human rights defenders, peace and environmental activists must be recognized and protected as essential to building a nonviolent world as all governments must serve the needs of their people, not the reverse. Conditions should be created to enable and encourage civil society participation, especially that of women, in political processes at the global , regional, national and local levels.
Thirteenth: In implementing the principles of this Charter we call upon all to work together towards a just, killing-free world in which everyone has the right not to be killed and responsibility not to kill others.
To address all forms of violence we encourage scientific research in the fields of human interaction and dialogue, and we invite participation from the academic, scientific and religious communities to aid us in the transition to non-violent, and non-killing societies.
Nobel Signers:
• Mairead Corrigan Maguire
• His Holiness the Dalai Lama
• Mikhail Gorbachev
• Lech Walesa
• Frederik Willem De Klerk
• Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu
• Jody Williams
• Shirin Ebadi
• Mohamed ElBaradei
• John Hume
• Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo
• Betty Williams
• Muhammad Yunus
• Wangari Maathai
• International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
• Red Cross
• International Atomic Energy Agency
• American Friends Service Committee
• International Peace Bureau
Supporters of the Charter:
• Mr. Walter Veltroni , Former Mayor of Rome
• Mr. Tadatoshi Akiba , Mayor of Hiroshima, President of Mayors for Peace
• Mr. Agazio Loiero , Governor of Calabria Region, Italy
• Prof. M. S. Swaminathan , Former President of the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, Nobel Peace Laureate Organization
• David T. Ives ,Albert Schweitzer Institute
• George Clooney, actor
• Don Cheadle , actor
• Bob Geldof, singer
• Peace People – Belfast (Northern Ireland)
• Memoria Collettiva, Association
• Basque Governement
• Hokotehi Moriori Trust, New Zealand
• World without wars and without violence
• World Center for Humanist Studies (WCHS)
• The Community (for human development), International Federation
• Humanist Association of Hong Kong
#####

HUMANIST PARTY (India) Promotion Team
Group promoter:
SUDHIR GANDOTRA , DELHI , INDIA - sudhir@sudhirgandotra.org
Members:
RAGHAVAN V, COCHIN, INDIA - Raghavan@humanistparty.org
MAYA RAMACHANDRAN, CHENNAI, INDIA - Maya@humanistparty.org
JOE WINSTON, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA - jwinston@humanistparty.org
JAYNA SHAH, MUMBAI, INDIA -
Jayna@humanistparty.org

#####

The Israel-Palestine Question - one humanist’s statement and proposal
By Tony Henderson
As I noted, or came to understand while listening to Ahmadinejad in situ, in Tehran 2008 during a conference on Gaza, people are not listening clearly to his words. He is not denying the holocaust, he is saying the Zionists are overplaying it, harping on about it, thus justifying their ‘defensive’ occupation of Palestine.
Ahmadinejad makes it clear that his stand is not against Jews or the Jewish faith, but against the Zionists, and that Zionism does not have any religious base. Regarding the words 'wiping out', the Parsee was mistranslated. The reference was 'off the map' meaning Israel should not exist at all and was an entity placed on top of, smothering, Palestine.
This was done by a hegemonic western clique that happened to have the power to do so and ignored what would happen to already present Palestinians and what has happened and is continuing to happen - the strategic Suez Canal was a focus then, until oil took over, bringing in the West’s motive.
Sadly, the Jewish peoples have suffered from repression as recorded from long ago for whatever reason to more recent times when they were banned from taking up crafts and trades in Europe - for example in the jewellery industry - and were thereby forced to become moneylenders. Economically herded like that they stuck to their own much as many do today in many countries and the term ghetto came into use.
Even my mother would whisper, "He's a Jew," for her own reasons as our local watchmaker mused over the broken watch he was asked to mend. I only felt an odd bewilderment. Our Jewish family doctor was a well appreciated man and his son's were well spoken and cultured and I came to understand that is common among Jewish people - something interesting there.
However, to view Ahmadinejad's statements as anti-Jewish confuses Zionism with being Jewish, the majority of Jews are not Zionists, just like the majority of British are not ardent nationalists, they are patriotic but not extremists or racists to think their culture is more worthy than that of others.
Speaking of removing Israel from the map means there should be no such place and thus, the two-state solution was not welcomed by those taking a strong stand on Palestine. They say Palestine can stand on its own and can be a home to Moslems, Jews and Christians who can live together peacefully as they have done for generations - actually, until the Christian Crusaders arrived with their violent discriminatory religiosity.
This is why the referendum by all the people of that region was called for by Iran's spokesman. Given there is an Islamic majority of course this will bring what this group favours into play but that is the way of democracy - with the proviso that the minorities have their voice and be cared for as an integral part of the whole.
Israel must leave the territories it unlawfully-illegally occupies, namely, those outside of Israel proper, the Golan Heights, the West Bank and the Gaza strip.
Although generally portrayed as a democracy, de facto discrimination of its minorities and its actions in the occupied territories is criticized by the international community and human rights groups inside and outside these territories.
The UN has criticised Israel’s, 'excessive emphasis upon the State as a 'Jewish State'' adding it, ‘encourages discrimination and accords a second-class status to its non-Jewish citizens.' "This discriminatory attitude is apparent in the continuing lower standard of living of Israeli Arabs as a result, inter alia, of higher unemployment rates, restricted access to and participation in trade unions, lack of access to housing, water, electricity and health care and a lower level of education, despite State party's efforts to close the gap."
Since the second Intifada began in September 2000, ordinary freedoms in the occupied territories have been constricted, making life impossible, mainly affecting the West Bank that is restricted by hundreds of checkpoints, roadblocks, barriers and the Separation Wall that has taken 10% of Palestinian territory on the pretext of security.
Movement restrictions have split the West Bank into six geographic units - North, Centre, South, the Jordan Valley, the northern Dead Sea, and East Jerusalem. Movement is severely restricted within and between them, with grave impacts on normal economic life - Palestinians are effectively prisoners in their own land.
In the Gaza Strip, the Rafah crossing to Egypt, the only entry and exit point for the 1.5 million Palestinian residents, was kept completely or partially closed by Israeli authorities for most of the year. The passage of goods was similarly restricted with prolonged closures of the Karni merchandise crossing, the only one permitted.
What is needed is trust between the parties so the process of reconciliation can start. That will entail a huge effort. However, when the other side (Iran) is saying something it is better that people listen clearly.
Before I went to Tehran I was not open to these different angles, these different perspectives. Having sat through and participated to some degree and befriended such a wide variety of characters of the like not ordinarily encountered, from widely divergent cultures as Uganda, North Africa, Lebanon and Afghanistan - of course Iran itself, I have a new-found respect for the Islamic-Arab group of peoples - of course, that's why travel is such a good thing.
We humanists need to call on all our friends: Jewish, Muslims and Christians and all those from the Middle East and Arabic speaking lands to promote the needed dialogue and positive interchanges with Israel to start building those roads that lead to peace.
Further, most countries started off with a situation of grey-area legality as they were formed under pressures of war and colonising imperialistic actions and likewise Israel has a controversial birthright but it is likely that the situation cannot now be reversed so the reality today demands that a two-state solution be the goal. Confederation could be brought into play as part that solution.
As for the historical appeal by some Zionists that the Palestinians in residence across the territory were descendants of the early Jewish predating the Common Era made by the protagonists of Zionism - such as David Ben-Gurion, who immigrated to Ottoman Palestine in 1906, shocked by the pogroms and anti-Semitism of life in Eastern Europe, there is no historical backing for such claim.
To hark back to ancient times misses the point besides covering up the present reality which demands that people live in harmony and co-operate and settle matters without violence and indeed with compassion for those in dire straights - which is the situation of a lot of Palestinians and not a few among the Israeli people.
Simply speaking, it would be easier if the demand for a Jewish state be dropped and a secular state of Israel be accepted, and, instead of carving Jerusalem into sectors of creed, make it an open city which doubles as the joint capitals of Palestine and Israel, with shared responsibilities.
If anyone is unfamiliar with the close ties between Islam and Judaism at the time of the birth of Islam (as I was) Karen Armstrong’s fine book Muhammad - a western attempt to understand Islam is a worthy read. The two religions with their one God can easily live side-be-side despite being on different ‘sides of the hill’.

#####
NUCLEAR POWER
Letter to the Editor, South China Morning Post, published Sunday 6 December, 2009.
Re: Why power companies must clean up their act, by Andrew Brandler, CEO of Chine Light & Power Holdings who states: "...and have begun to build more nuclear and natural gas, alongside renewables, in Asia." (SCMP 24 November, 2009)
We are not mentally ready for nuclear power and we are already abusing our access to today-cheap energy sources like coal, oil and nuclear energy, in the way these are costed today.
The governments run everything, in all countries, and people have no choice nor do they have a say in their own affairs so power companies - for example - can do what they want and put to the media statements that are biassed and speak from a commercially-interested providers point of view only.
Nuclear power is touted as cheap and clean. It is neither.
No nuclear power - means no nuclear weapons.
We are dumping nuclear waste because we don't know what else to do with it. This is a nuclear time bomb dropped on future generations.
If we had unlimited amounts of energy we would massively produce an even greater quantity of non-essential consumer products for the economically developed nations upper stratas which would pollute to an even greater extent our Earth.
That drive for overt spending would further fuel the haves capability to consume in greater quantities the fruits of the Earth, causing even more depletion of the common flora and fauna, and deepen the problems of over-fishing and niche habitat depletions which is a problematic indicator of wholesale killing of entire species.
Megacities need mega solutions thus the rise of agribusiness but it is these monstrosities and their insatiable demands that are at root of the major problems of food and water shortages today. We are ruining the countryside to sustain the unstustainable.
Given that this argument about nuclear power has been ongoing for decades it is clear that big business tied into systematised government behaviour is unlikely to change, unless ordinary people come out in strong opposition.
The way forward is to consume less, demand government transparency to achieve adequate and affordable medicare and housing, go the way of public transport systems, build regional co-operation in regard to energy supplies, ferment regional trade, de-centralised marketing and distribution where producers meet their own needs locally and then supply outside the territory, and scale down everything from irrigation dams to government control where a municipality decides for itself within the federated framework - and controls its own budget in entirety.

Dear Tony,
Your very good letter, for which I thank you, establishes a clear link between humanism and environmentalism, between mankind and the Earth as well as making the point that the likes of power companies and agrobusinesses are working in favour of neither.
Best
Fabian

#####
The News Agency for Peace and Nonviolence
Ref: Subscription to PRESSENZA - IPA International News Press Agency
PRESSENZA IPA, an International Press Agency, specializes in news and information related to the subject of Peace and Non Violence.
PRESSENZA - INTERNATIONAL PRESS AGENCY seeks to provide a renewed atmosphere of human understanding and cooperation and expand the broadcasting space that focuses events, persons and initiatives who promote Peace and Non-Violence.
We invite you to be our Partner, subscribing to our Agency and reproducing our material. Also suggesting material of your own, which could be useful from the optic of Peace, Disarmament and Non Violence. This is an opportunity to help in building a new worldwide consciousness of peace and understanding, so necessary in this very delicate historical moment.
The entire contents of our news can be used by our subscribers for free, provided the source is mentioned.
You will also find additional information about our Agency at http://www.pressenza.com/main/aboutUs
Please, do not hesitate to contact us, at info@world.pressenza.org
Sincerely, Mrs. Silvina Sotelo
On Behalf of the Department of International Relationships
Pressenza International Press Agency
http://world.pressenza.org/

#####

Hong Kong
Centre of Work project, looking at a future
Small Hall -
of the network of
Parks for Study and Reflection -

Dear friends,
We have received the first memorandum from the 21st and 22nd of November gatherings at Punta de Vacas (Argentina) that had input from the commissions of the main Parks.
This is just a further note to make sure people in any form of contact locally are kept up-to-date with the news.
As mentioned we seek a quiet place where we can continue with the studies of School that have been initiated in the Regional Parks. We are reminded that the local centres are autonomous and not dependent on any other Park.
Now we need first a Centre of Works, with a meeting room and lodging for a maximum of 12 people (for overnighting). Later this can be developed into a Centre of Studies. We need high-speed Internet connection.
The Parks are used for leveling work, by the postulants of School that want to be accepted as apprentices, disciples and masters of School.
They are also used to work with the Formative Manual for Members of the Humanist Movement, and, Manual of Silo’s Message, besides being open for meetings, gatherings, etc. of the Humanist Association of Hong Kong and Silo’s Message members. Use is coordinated under a booking calendar. Everyone to pay, no exemptions.
Whereas I have been traveling to the Asia Region Park, the Khandaroli Ashram, outside Mumbai, with some regularity it is impractical economically to expect people to go so far and the idea is from now to do the studies locally, but for this we must have the proper conditions.
March 20 is the next milestone when the works will be implemented in Hong Kong.
This engagement is not a therapy, not a humanitarian-type effort nor a charity, it is revolutionary, it is a Way of Self Liberation, thus an ongoing process without limit.
Please make yourself known if you want to participate.

Peace, Strength and Joy
Tony - 29840094
http://www.asianashram.net/
http://hall-inner-light-china.blogspot.com/
http://www.silo.net/

********************************************

The Humanist Association of Hong Kong newsletter - Asia-Pacific.
Want to receive this newsletter among friends of the new universalist humanism regularly? Email: tonyhen @ humanist.org.hk
Humanist Association of Hong Kong, membership fee HK$50 a year, due each January.
Material from this newsletter may be freely reprinted with this attribution: Source: The Universal Humanist Newsletter - Asia-Pacific - or the bylined writer.

FEEDBACK
TONY HENDERSON, editor/correspondent
My phone (852) 29840094
G/F, 49 Kau Tsuen, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
E-mail: tonyhen @ humanist.org.hk
http://humanistassociationhongkong.yolasite.com/
MyWeb: http://home.pacific.net.hk/~tonyhen/

Iran - internet chat withpal in Iran, an Iranian

2010-01-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

Humanize Asia
MyPal

hi there
22:04

tony?

i'm YourPal

from Iran

how is it going?

22:06

Tony

yes, fine, how great to hear from you
22:08

long time no see
22:09Tony

that's right - hope you are keeping your head down with all the stuff
going on
22:12

sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
22:13Tony

i follow iran in the news these days - before I knew nothing, now a
little

I loved my visit there
22:13

unfortunately

i'm in MS

hard times
22:14Tony

did the job finish?
22:15

yes but for now
22:15Tony

what next?
22:16

god knows
22:16Tony

so bad eh!

but you are very capable
22:16

and u?
22:17Tony

freelence writing just ok, not great, but survive
22:20

how much have u heard about things going on here?
22:21Tony

The Ayatollars are divided, the people are divided, the tough security
guys are putting
people in jail
22:22

and????????????????
22:23Tony

new sanctions

the usual opposition from US and Britain
22:23

youth are fucked over

no hope

just jail
22:25Tony

our maxim or saying in this case: do not oppose a great force, retreat
until it weakens then advance with resolution
22:25

in fact the usual opposition from US and Britain are deceving all the
world

Tony

what do you want to tell the world?
22:25

if they decide to change things they will
22:28

i wanna say the whole world to not to think to their own benefits and
stop their import and export with iranian government.

22:29Tony

so more harder sanctions?
22:30

sure

sth like that
22:30Tony

some people say sanctions only hurt ordinary people - are the people
ready for harder times?
22:32

people are used to such a hard times.

u know

eeee
22:34

if UK and UN are on our side they shoul stop shipping all the military
crap.

22:35Tony

shipping it to Iran or shipping it to everyone?
22:37

on one side they say Iran is under heavy sanctions, on the other side we
see new weapons and all this shit that they use against people every day

i mean, where the hell r these stuff really cummin from?
22:37Tony

ah, i understand, yes, where from - China?
22:38

that’s what they want us 2 believe

but
22:39

seriously, think about it, when there’s an open market where guns and
electric batons
sell like candy, do u really think other countries would sit back and
let china
take all the benefit???

22:39Tony

i don't suppose they would put a Made In UK sticker on either...
22:40

exactly

thats what middle markets are for

turkey, pakistan, singapore, vietnam....
22:41Tony

as you may know we - humanists - are shouting for banning arms sales etc
but that's
just on the higher strata side, it takes something more localised to get
that awareness
- thus our recent World March for Peace and Non Violence

it's to wake up people

only the people of Britain can influence their government to stop arms
sales
22:45

well i think irans situation has past that line.... from one hand our
goverment is doin all in
its power to silent us, they call us rebels, cons etc... and they’ve
even officially announced
that they’re going to heavily fight the so called "rebels"

22:49Tony

yours is a different situation, I meant the only real way to stop the
British selling arms is to
wake up the British for example but you on the receiving end of those
arms so you have
to be cautious, in England people can take to the street, no big problem

22:50

that’s the precise difference that makes iran a third world country
22:56

merry christmas then.........................
22:57Tony

well, how can I say merry christmas to you? I will keep watching and
commenting on
what's going on best I can. Let’s speak again my friend
22:58

ok

Humanist Association of Hong Kong - Elections to Executive Committee

2009-10-18T23:24:00.000-07:00

Humanist Association of Hong Kong - Elections to Executive Committee

Dear friends - notice...reminder...

Humanist Association of Hong Kong - Elections to Executive Committee

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Financial Secretary, Secretary General; Assistant Secretary plus Department Heads according to interests, for example: Refugees & Migrant Workers, the Environment, Culture, Asia-Oceania Affairs, Press & Public Relations, etc - your choice.
All positions open.
All interested persons please arrive 20 October, 2009, Open Air Café, rooftop, the Fringe, Central, Hong Kong. The list of candidates available at the table. In the new moment of our Association we would like to see a friendly informality that nurtures active participation in the affairs of Hong Kong. Aim: "Humanize Hong Kong"

--
TONY HENDERSON
My phone (852) 29840094
G/F, 49 Kau Tsuen, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
E-mail: tonyhen@humanist.org.hk 
Web: http://home.pacific.net.hk/~tonyhen/
World March - http://www.worldmarchhongkong.org/

Election to Executive Committee

2009-09-28T20:18:00.000-07:00

Want to take a Post? Send in your name and the Post by October 8th, then come to the Fringe, Central Hong Kong, rooftop, and your name will be on the voting list. We will all vote that evening.

The Universal Humanist Newsletter - Asia-Pacific - among friends of universal humanism Vol II, Number 26 - September 2009

2009-09-28T05:53:00.000-07:00

The Universal Humanist Newsletter - Asia-Pacific

- among friends of universal humanism

Vol II, Number 26 - September 2009

**********************************************************

Page 1 - EDITORIAL

Page 1 - World March for Peace and Non-Violence

Page 2 - World March for Peace and Non-Violence programs in Oceania and Asia

Page 7 - International film makers join hands to document peace march

Page 7 - Important message to members of the Humanist Movement

Page 7 - Humanist Association of Hong Kong - Elections to Executive Committee

Page 8 - Contact details for the organisms of the Humanist Movement

Page 9 - Overview of the Underpass - Silo and the Humanist Movement

Page 10 - Obama - UN security council summit

Page 12 - World March supports Obama suspending anti-missile shield

Page 13 - Burma - At least 110 political prisoners released

Page 14 - Subscription to PRESSENZA - IPA International News Press Agency

Page 14 - Contact information

Editorial,

The World March for Peace and Non Violence is at the forefront of the activities of the Humanist Movement and its organisms. We provide links to the March's various Internet portals so you can have a quick meander among the sites and see for yourselves what is taking place - far too much to give in synthesis in this little newsletter. However, we do provide a rough guide to the various events that will spring up on the passage of the World March Base Team across Asia as the team leave Oceania.

The Humanist Movement is undergoing a radical transformation and anyone wanting to join our ranks had better now proceed via one of the organisms, all details below.

Here in Hong Kong we have our Humanist Association, founded in the same moment as the Humanist Parties worldwide, therefore we are committing to join the federation of humanist parties under the International Humanist Party title. We are revamping our executive committee as well in concert with these changes. Do consider becoming an active member of this committee, see below for details.

Also included here is an accolade to Silo as he steps aside from any role directly influencing the Humanist Movement, where, in the past, he has played a pivotal role.

The most recent speech by President Obama at the UN was significant and reflects our priorities as seen in the campaigns we are waging against nuclear weapons. For this reason we repeat his words here, as a reminder to all of us engaged in the efforts to achieve this urgent need.

Tony Henderson

Editor

World March for Peace and Non-Violence

"So that the voices of millions who yearn for peace can be heard as they call for the end of war and all forms of violence."

Begins in New Zealand October 2, 2009 and concludes in the South American Andes Mountains, January 2, 2010.

World Without Wars - and without violence

International co-ordinator Rafael de la Rubia - rafael@marchamundial.org http://www.worldmarch.info/

http://blog.theworldmarch.org/

http://world.pressenza.org/

http://www.worldmarchhongkong.org/

World March for Peace and Non Violence

The world's first 93-day, six- continent peace march, has announced that Friday, Oct. 2, the

International Day of Nonviolence, is the start date for both its worldwide march and corresponding series of cultural, educational, and social events taking place in more than 100 countries to abolish nuclear weapons and reject violence of all kinds.

The march begins in Wellington, New Zealand with an international team of 25 marchers who will cross through Asia, Europe, Africa, and North and South America before reaching Punta de Vacas, Argentina, on January 2, 2010. The group will carry the Hiroshima Flame for the duration of the journey.

Launched by the international organization, World Without Wars, the World March has been endorsed by the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and other Nobel Peace Prize winners, Noam Chomsky, seven presidents, hundreds of world leaders, including President Obama's Kenyan grandmother and celebrities like Yoko Ono, Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen, thousands of organizations and more than a million citizens.

Locally in Hong Kong endorsers so far include Elsie Tu, the prominent social activist, and former elected legislator; Ronnie Tong Ka-wah, the human rights legislator; and Earthwalker Paul Coleman, who walked all the way to Beijing from Hong Kong in a China Greening only to be denied access to the Olympic Games owing to bureaucratic excesses.

http://www.worldmarchhongkong.org/

#####

WORLD MARCH PROGRAMS IN ASIA-OCEANIA

New Zealand

Complete details at:

http://www.fusecreative.co.nz/worldmarch/index.html

September 26, 2009

International team arrives in Auckland

The International team i.e. those doing the entire World March, will arrive in Auckland along with a number of mayors, celebrities and others participating in the New Zealand section. Join us to welcome them to New Zealand.

September 27 2009

Auckland Peace Walk Launch

Join the international team and celebrities for the launch of the Auckland Peace Walk – a walking route through the city visiting historic and contemporary peace heritage sites and monuments, ending at St Matthew-in-the-City, where Auckland was declared a Peace City on 23 September 2007.

September 28 2009

Tourist activities for International Team

The International Team enjoys some typical Kiwi tourist activities including a visit to Te Puia Thermal Village, Huka Falls, Taupo natural hot springs, a bungy jump at Gravity Canyon and a visit to Lindale agricultural centre and farm.

September 29/30 2009

Blessing at Rekohu (Chatham Islands)

The international team travels east to Rekohu – the first point in New Zealand to see the morning sun. There they will hold the World March opening blessing ceremony hosted by the Hokotehi Moriori Trust and commemorating the 500 year-old Moriori Peace Covenant.

October 1 2009

Civic reception Wellington

The international team and other visiting guests are welcomed at the Mayoral Chambers of Wellington – a declared Peace Capital and nuclear-weapon-free zone.

October 2 2009

World Peace March Starts

World Peace March starts from the Gandhi statue in front of the Wellington railway station and continues through key peace heritage sites in Wellington before heading off around the world.

#####

AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY

3rd October - 6pm Press Conference and Welcome Activity at Victoria Park, Broadway (next to the University of Sydney)

MAIN SYDNEY EVENT

4th October - 11 am arrival Peace gathering and the formation of the word "P E A C E" by participants on Bondi Beach (the south end), followed by a social gathering afterwards next to the Bondi Pavillion.

World March for Peace and Nonviolence Bondi Beach, Sydney, October 4, 11:00 am

Don't forget to change your clocks (daylight saving begins then)

5th October 10 AM - Farewell of the international team at Kingsford Smith International Airport

MELBOURNE

* Carlton Piazza/Argyle Square, Lygon Street, Carlton 2-4pm Saturday 3rd October

* Unitarian Peace Memorial Church, 110 Grey Street, East Melbourne if wet weather prevails

* Jonathon Welch's 150+ voice choir, speaker on meditation, and others (yet to be confirmed)

* Speakers for all aspects of "Positive Steps to Peace for self, family, community and The World"

* Longa Kanga Conga

* Face painting for children

* Bring a blanket to sit on and a lunch to munch on

The following are the speakers at Melbourne Event:

* Marco Inglessis, world environmentalist

* Francesca Izzo, international paediatrician

* Dr. Bill Williams, Director Med Assoc Prevention of Wars

* Susan Carew, international peace clown

* Marisol Salinas, racial harmony and justice activist

* Lilly Kitchen, meditation and peace practitioner

BUNDABERG, Queensland

A huge warm invitation to all who live in Bundaberg / Wide bay /Qld. An event is being organised for Oct 11.Further info & show of support in any shape way or form please contact:

Selina Williamson 0403 180 892

selinawilliamson@msn.com

many blessings on our journey to peace

CASTLEMAINE, Victoria

Castlemaine is 130 Km north west of Melbourne Victoria.

A Castlemaine March for Peace starting at Kaweka Park, entry in Hargraves Street where there are wattles planted by Japanese folk from Hiroshima - moving then to the Market Place and spelling out peace - concluding then on Agitation

Hill at the new war memorial/peace garden to conclude. Some singing at either end.

Timetable - 10 a.m. start, 10.30 Market Place, 11.00 a.m. conclude at Agitation Hill. 3rd October!

Rev Ken Parker will lead the March and Mayor Philip Schier will speak. All welcome to join for this brief interlude to reflect on Peace in the world,in the home and in community.

#####

Philippines - Manila

October 2: Mega Human Non Violence sign in Rizal High School.

5.10. Manila, Philippines

Arrival and social gathering with local World March team

6.10. Manila, Philippines - Activities in the metropolitan area of Manila:

8:00-10:00 Courtesy visit to Mayor of Pasig

10:30-12:00 Cultural event at Rizal Technological University

12:00-14:00 Symbolic March for Peace and Nonviolence

15:00-19:00 World March event at San Andres Sports Complex

16:00-20:00 Visit to the House of Representatives

7.10. The Philippines - Activities in other locations:

10:00-14:00 Events in Taguig

11:00-13:00 Events in Lucena City

Possibly participation in an event in Zamboanga City, Mindanao

#####

Malaysia

Highlights

6pm - 10pm

Street Festival at Jalan Bangkung with performances by Malaysian artists, exhibitions by NGOs, food stalls, and vendors.

8.30pm - 9pm

"Reclaiming the Night" Lantern Walk starting from Jalan Bangkung. Bring along your Lanterns/ Tanglungs and join us for this historic walk for peace and non violence!

9pm - 12am

Peace Dance at Leonardo's Wine Loft - Retro dance party. Come dressed in 60s and 70s style!

#####

Bangladesh

9.10. Dhaka

00:15 Arrival of Base Team members

9.10. Dhaka, Bangladesh

11:00-12:00 Press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity

16:00-17:00 March on the streets, Press Club – TSC, Dhaka University

17:20-Cultural Event in TSC, Dhaka University

19:10-Coffee Meeting with different groups, University Teachers, NGO's and World March organizing people.

10.10. Departure of BT members

#####

Nepal - Kathamandu

10.10. - 11.10.

Representative of the Foreign Ministry, Anjan Sakya, welcomes Base Team at Airport

Events in Kathmandu

Joseph Higher Secondary School Letters Competition topic Peace and Non violence in Kathmandu.

Activity with "Shanti Malika" a federation to 18 different organisations, including: "Jagaran Nepal", "Mahila Surikchya Dabab Samuha" "Gramin Swastha sikchy sewa guthi", "A.B.C. Nepal" "Ihricon", "Dakxin Asia adabasi mahila manch", "Nagaric Awaz", "Mahila Kanun Bikash manch", "Sathi", "CIWIN Nepal","CAC Nepal","Mahila Margadarsan","Sap Nepal", "Didi Bahini", "Samanata","Insec", "Sancharica Samuha", and "Dalit Mahila Sangh".

Same in Panauti from Sarswati School.

Events in Nepalgunj

#####

Hong Kong

2 October 2009 - Unitarian Universalists Hong Kong supports World March for Peace and Non-violence with a discussion on the topic: "Non Violence, the Legacy of Gandhi"

Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Place: World Peace Cafe, 21-23 Tai Wong St, East Wanchai, Hong Kong Island

Language: English and Cantonese

Discussion materials:

Gandhi's Non-Violence http://www.socialchangenow.ca/mypages/gandhi.htm

Application of Non-violence http://mkgandhi.org/nonviolence/phil4.htm

Religion Vs. No Religion http://mkgandhi.org/nonviolence/gstruggle3.htm

Unitarian Universalists Hong Kong http://uuhk.org

World Peace Cafe http://worldpeacecafe.hk

Dim-Sum Discussion

October 2, 9am, Mui Wo, Lantau Island

Dim-sum breakfast celebration at Silver Restaurant. Discussion about the World March for Peace and Non-violence - open invitation.

#####

INDIA

11.10.09 - Delhi: Arrival of WM Team From Dhaka & Kathmandu

Around 15 Members

12.10.09 - Prayer Meeting at Gandhiji's Smrithi Rajghat

By all Team

12.10.09 - March on the Streets From Rajghat to 30 Jan. Marg, New Delhi

By all Team

12.10.09 - Meeting with NGOs and Leaders at Gandhi Smrithi, New Delhi

By whole Team

12.10.09 - Classical Music Programe - Delhi

12.10.09 - Press Meet, Delhi

The team will divide into four

13.10.09 - One team goes to Kerala

13.10.09 - Second team goes to Chennai with programme around Tamil Nadu

13.10.09 - Third team goes to Amritsar

13.10.09 - Reception of WM Team & Prayer Meeting at Golden Temple & blessing of the SGPC, Amritsar

13.10.09 - Visit to Border to hold joint Peace Ceremony and an Asking to end conflicts and for the establishment of permanent peace between the two Nations - Waghah/Atari.

Fourth team goes to Mumbai

13.10.09 - 11am, visit place where Gandhiji stayed - Manibhavan Mumbai

13.10.09 - 4pm, inauguration of Painting by Artist Francis Jhangir Art Gallery Mumbai

13.10.09 - 6pm get together at SP Jain Institute, Bhavans College, Andheri, Mumbai

14.10.09 - Meeting with College Students/NSS Kalina Campus, Mumbai

14.10.09 - Meeting with College Students/NSS University Campus, Churchgate, Mumbai.

14.10.09 - Meeting with College Students/NSS, Central Mumbai.

14.10.09 - 11am, get together with Cultural Leaders at Trichur Kerala

14.10.09 - 6pm Public Meeting, Trichur Kerala

#####

Pakistan

8th Oct, 2009 World March Guests will be received from Wagha Border, Lahore.

9.00 PM Dinner with World March, Guests in Food Street, Purani Anarkali, Lahore (Informal discussion)

9th Oct, 2009: 10.00am, Dialogue with Students of University of the Punjab

02.00pm, Dialogues with NGOs/Political Parties/Groups

05.00pm, Press Conference

09.00pm, Football Match (Flood Light)

10th Oct, 2009 11.00am, Departure for India (Leave from Wagha Border)

Note 1: Tentative, a few changes might be made; note 2: If Najam Sheraz confirms participation, we can organize in Punjab Football Stadium, otherwise it will be in Model Town, Lahore.

#####

16.10. South Korea

Peace Pilgrim at the Neutral Zone, Gangwha Island: Press conference, festival

Life Peace Forum in Seoul

October 17: Kobe, Japan, Frank Chase giving a talk on Space Weapons at Wantage Books.

17.10. South Korea and Japan

Seoul, South Korea:

Participatory events by organizations

Peace march for the children and youth at the conflict zone

Fukuoka, Japan:

11:00 Welcome exchanges and a short march with citizens

Hiroshima, Japan:

14:00 Entrustment Ceremony of Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol

18:00 Peace and Nonviolence appeal in Candle Message event

18.10. South Korea and Japan

Gangwon Province, South Korea:

Peace concert and events in the demilitarized zone

Kyoto, Japan:

15:00 Peace and Nonviolence appeal at an anti-war rally

19.10. South Korea and Japan

Seoul, South Korea:

Lunch meeting with the WM Korea committee

Confession and meditation for peace and reconciliation

Seoul Peace Statement

Tokyo, Japan:

17:00 Peace message and song exchanges with youth and citizens

20.10. Seoul, South Korea

Visit to the National Assembly

Peace Talk Forum

#####

World March for Peace and Nonviolence:

International film makers join hands to document peace (video)

Courtesy of pressenza.com

On October 2, 2009 through January 2, 2010, filmmakers from several countries will join the World March for Peace and Nonviolence to document the march for peace across the world.

The film documentary project intends to chronicle the World March as it passes through 98 countries in six continents. It would be a documentary intended to account the impact of the march across borders, touching on stories from communities, highlighting cultural perspectives and community efforts towards attainment of global peace. The three-month long endeavor will also document any cross-cultural encounters as well as the highs and lows of the marchers, the forums and celebrations along the way, capturing the messages of the people to the world.

More countries could still step up to the challenge to film the World March as it progresses across their lands. For now, here is the line-up of participating directors for this global project representing nine out of 98 countries.

Gabor Dettre will film in Hungary as well as support the other European directors.

Eduardo Gozalo will film the passing of the Middle East leg of the World March through Alexandria, Egypt and is forming a group of directors in Turkey.

Maher al Sabbagh will film in Syria, touching on the Muslim vision of nonviolence with the same approach of filming from the perspective of the Hindu culture, as emphasized by Hitesh Gusani.

Luis Mandoki will film in Mexico, Mario Pozzi-Escot in Peru, Fredrico Dueñas in Colombia, and Julia Vargas in Bolivia.

The directors will create their own scripts focused on their particular interests.

These documentaries will be combined in a sole documentary as a unified recording of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence which will be presented at international film festivals.

#####

Humanist Association of Hong Kong - Elections to Executive Committee

Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Financial Secretary, Secretary General; Assistant Secretary plus Department Heads according to interests, for example: Refugees & Migrant Workers, the Environment, Culture, Asia-Oceania Affairs, Press & Public Relations, etc - your choice.

All positions open.

Please inform this office before 8 October, 2009 of your intent to stand for an office. Voting in person by all interested persons 20 October, 2009, Open Air Café, rooftop, the Fringe, Central, Hong Kong. The list of candidates available at the table. In the new moment of our Association we would like to see a friendly informality that nurtures active participation in the affairs of Hong Kong. Aim: "Humanize Hong Kong"

#####

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE HUMANIST MOVEMENT

Hello friends of the Humanist Movement.

Mailing list for the Humanist Movement:

worldmarch@humanism.org

We would like to encourage every member of the Movement to subscribe to the mailing list worldmarch@humanism.org.

This list will be our main communication means till January 2010, when it will be closed. All the old mailing lists of the Assembly, Councils, Co-ordination Bodies, etc. belonging to the previous stage will be closed soon.

All messages referred to the Movement and to the March will go through this list!

To subscribe, go to the website

http://worldmarch.humanism.org/list/

and register your name, surname, country of residence, and your email address.

A few minutes later you will receive an email to confirm your intention to subscribe to the mailing list and to confirm your email address.

If you wish to confirm your subscription to the mailing list, you should reply to that email by pressing "reply" with or without writing a message of your own. Doing so, you will remain already subscribed.

If you do not receive the confirmation email, try the process again or else send your data to muty@ciudad.com.ar or marco@makeko.com , and they will help you to subscribe.

This list will be operative till January 2010. During this period, the different mailing lists and email addresses of the organisms in formation will be made operative:

The Community mailing list:

info.lcmundial@gmail.com stating name, surname, and country of residence, expressing your willingness to join that mailing list.

Inquiries: juntaprommundial@lacomunidad.org.ar

Website of materials: http://lacomunidadmundial.blogspot.com/

Humanist Party International mailing list: hp-international@googlegroups.com

Exchange mailing list: hp-international@googlegroups.com

Registration: send an email to info.hp.int@gmail.com including name, surname and country of residence, expressing your willingness to participate in the mailing List.

Enquiries: epromo.ph@gmail.com

World without Wars and without Violence mailing list:

info-www@googlegroups.com

General mailing list (for information) : Hinfo-www@googlegroups.com

Registration: through: http://groups.google.com/group/info-www or by sending a message to admin.infowww@gmail.com

Exchange mailing list (for promoters): write a message to promo.eb.msg@gmail.com in Spanish or to wwwpromoteam@gmail.com in English. You should state your name, surname, country of residence and your email address.

Contact: wpt.www@googlemail.com

Convergence of the Cultures mailing list:

convergenceofcultures_world@convergenceofcultures.org

Informative mailing list:

convergenceofcultures_world@convergenceofcultures.org

Registration: Connect to:

http://www.convergenceofcultures.org

On this page web enter your name, surname, country of residence and your email address. After a few minutes you will receive an email to confirm your intention to subscribe to this list and to confirm your email address; if you want to confirm your subscription to the list, you will answer to that message with a Reply without adding anything else. With this you will already be inscribed.

Contacts: analiadellacasa@gmail.com and marco@makeko.com

World Centre of Humanist Studies mailing list

cmehumanistas@googlegroups.com

General list: cmehumanistas@googlegroups.com

Registration: web http://groups.google.es/group/cmehumanistas/boxsubscribe

Contact: equipopromotor@cmehumanistas.org

Website http://www.cmehumanistas.org

Thank very much,

Dario

World March for Peace and Non-Violence

Participation in the mailing list of the "World March."

· We also invite to this mailing list the supporters of the March who, while not belonging to the Movement, wish to support it actively so as to reach its maximum worldwide diffusion.

· The mailing list will be operative in different languages, and its objective is information and coordination of the different activities and initiatives that are being carried out regarding this joint action.

· To make the information of the March circulate through this mailing list will be made a priority.

· We propose that similar mailing lists are created in every country. Thus, whoever wishes so may subscribe to this list as well as to his/her own country mailing list.

If you want to participate in this mailing list, you should subscribe as follows:

Get in touch through: http://worldmarch.humanism.org/list/

In this website you should register your name, surname, country of residence, and your email address. A few minutes later you will receive an email to confirm your intention of subscribing to the mailing list and to confirm your email address. If you wish to confirm your subscription to the mailing list, you should reply to that email with a Reply. With it, you will remain already subscribed.

If you do not receive the confirmation email, try the process again or else send your data to Muty (muty@ciudad.com.ar) or Marco ( marco@makeko.com ), and they will help you to subscribe.

A strong hug,

Dario Ergas

Humanist Movement

#####

Overview of the Underpass - Silo and the Humanist Movement

By Tony Henderson

To speak of the Humanist Movement is to speak about a very open-ended urge from time past when people, us humans, started considering our core values as such, in an effort to understand more clearly what made us human as against another type of creature, horse for example, or whale.

Humanists are concerned with the bringing about of a society fitting humans that is harmonious, happy, egalitarian, just and progressive.

The term Movement points at a turning into the future of that investigation and effort and presumably a positive evolutionary development in the sense of better adaptation for humankind.

The deeper thinkers associated with this movement, those thinkers pertinent to certain epochs, to certain lands, were later called humanists - as against whatever other current was influencing human societies.

Harking back from today, in Europe, the most obvious humanist influences came at the time of the Renaissance, but further back in time, over in Arabia it was the likes of Abu-al-Ala al-Maarri (or Abu'l-'Ala al-Ma'arri) (973–1057), Arab writer and poet - see his "Quatrians..." who was noted as a humanist, distinguished by his hatred of injustice, hypocrisy, and superstition.

Long before that the Buddha had exhorted people to be rational, to be sensible and reasonable. He advised people to not waste time over distant matters like the origin and the end of the world, existence of God and an unchanging soul and so on, but to first attend to the immediate task of removing human misery.

The Chinese will reach back into their own history and will speak of Confucius, always the choice made when any thinking Chinese is asked for the first humanist of China.

It is this loosely knit humanist movement that was the target of the early Siloists in their endeavours to push, to nudge as it were, the set direction onto a course away from the abyss posited by the building of nuclear weapons, by the armies poised at the ready, by destructive and provocative invasions and annexed territories.

This realignment - away from the abyss and towards a happy life - is being accomplished by those so-intending protagonists that on the one hand are attending to the internal state of the so-engaged humans, the members of the Humanist Movement as it began to be called in the 1980s - previously it was simply the Movement - who by study and reflection are taking responsibility for their own ‘internal bomb of violence'. This source of suffering was built-in as a matter of course, over time, living in what was considered a normal life in a competitive, materialistic and aggressive industrial society - where even farming was gradually losing its local connections.

Also, on the other hand, simultaneously, by engaging in programs of change in proximate society to bring about a better life for other people, seeing our common need for a decent healthy environment, housing, life-long welfare, employment opportunities, security and all the usual ancillaries to a balanced life.

Fundamental to these latter efforts at transforming society, a doctrine was launched into the public domain, various aphorisms and seeds of ideas that are useful as references, ready for those moments when someone might want to get a better grasp on the situation ‘as is', in relation to ‘as could be'.

Forty years or so have passed since the launch of Silo's theme on surpassing suffering and by today multitudes of friends have taken part and a wide array of action fronts have sprang into activity. Formal organizations engaging with political and social issues are established and others of a more cultural dimension. These continue to act in the dynamics of the never-still human ferment today.

It is at this juncture that Silo has removed himself from that pivotal role of orientation of the entirety of the operation of our Humanist Movement, depositing Universalist Humanism, and leaving this flux of human life on planet Earth with the effects of that well-disposed nudge.

We bid him farewell and good fortune in his new prospects and of course shower him with our grateful thanks.

Meanwhile, the Humanist Movement careers on into the future at startling pace, the guidelines embedded in those who now take up the task of further nudging the avalanche-like progress of the human race, guiding it away from the darknesses, instinctively and intentionally bringing it toward the light.

http://www.silo.net/Index.php

#####

Remarks by US President Obama at the UN Security Council on Nuclear Non-Proliferation & Nuclear Disarmament on September 24, 2009

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

_____________________________________________________________________________

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT

AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL SUMMIT

ON NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION AND NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT

United Nations Headquarters

New York, New York

THE PRESIDENT: The 6191st meeting of the Security Council is called to order. The provisional agenda for this meeting is before the Council in document S/Agenda/6191, which reads, "Maintenance of international peace and security, nuclear proliferation, and nuclear disarmament." Unless I hear any objection, I shall consider the agenda adopted. Agenda is adopted.

I wish to warmly welcome the distinguished heads of state and government, the General -- the Secretary General, the Director General of the IAEA, ministers and other distinguished representatives present in the Security Council chamber. Your presence is an affirmation of the importance of the subject matter to be discussed.

The Security Council summit will now begin its consideration of item two of the agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2009/473, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations. I wish to draw Council members' attention to document S/2009/463 containing a letter dated 16 September 2009 from the United States of America, transmitting a concept paper on the item under consideration. In accordance with the understanding reached earlier among members, the Security Council will take action on the draft resolution before it prior to hearing statements from the Secretary General and Council members. Accordingly, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. Will those in favor of the draft resolution contained in document S/2009/473 please raise their hand? The results of the voting is as follows: The draft resolution is received unanimously, 15 votes in favor. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as Resolution 1887 of 2009.

I want to thank again everybody who is in attendance. I wish you all good morning. In the six-plus decades that this Security Council has been in existence, only four other meetings of this nature have been convened. I called for this one so that we may address at the highest level a fundamental threat to the security of all peoples and all nations: the spread and use of nuclear weapons.

As I said yesterday, this very institution was founded at the dawn of the atomic age, in part because man's capacity to kill had to be contained. And although we averted a nuclear nightmare during the Cold War, we now face proliferation of a scope and complexity that demands new strategies and new approaches. Just one nuclear weapon exploded in a city -- be it New York or Moscow; Tokyo or Beijing; London or Paris -- could kill hundreds of thousands of people. And it would badly destabilize our security, our economies, and our very way of life.

Once more, the United Nations has a pivotal role to play in preventing this crisis. The historic resolution we just adopted enshrines our shared commitment to the goal of a world without nuclear weapons. And it brings Security Council agreement on a broad framework for action to reduce nuclear dangers as we work toward that goal. It reflects the agenda I outlined in Prague, and builds on a consensus that all nations have the right to peaceful nuclear energy; that nations with nuclear weapons have the responsibility to move toward disarmament; and those without them have the responsibility to forsake them.

Today, the Security Council endorsed a global effort to lock down all vulnerable nuclear materials within four years. The United States will host a summit next April to advance this goal and help all nations achieve it. This resolution will also help strengthen the institutions and initiatives that combat the smuggling, financing, and theft of proliferation-related materials. It calls on all states to freeze any financial assets that are being used for proliferation. And it calls for stronger safeguards to reduce the likelihood that peaceful nuclear weapons programs can be diverted to a weapons program -- that peaceful nuclear programs can be diverted to a weapons program.

The resolution we passed today will also strengthen the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. We have made it clear that the Security Council has both the authority and the responsibility to respond to violations to this treaty. We've made it clear that the Security Council has both the authority and responsibility to determine and respond as necessary when violations of this treaty threaten international peace and security.

That includes full compliance with Security Council resolutions on Iran and North Korea. Let me be clear: This is not about singling out individual nations -- it is about standing up for the rights of all nations who do live up to their responsibilities. The world must stand together. And we must demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise, and that treaties will be enforced.

The next 12 months will be absolutely critical in determining whether this resolution and our overall efforts to stop the spread and use of nuclear weapons are successful. And all nations must do their part to make this work. In America, I have promised that we will pursue a new agreement with Russia to substantially reduce our strategic warheads and launchers. We will move forward with the ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and open the door to deeper cuts in our own arsenal. In January, we will call upon countries to begin negotiations on a treaty to end the production of fissile material for weapons. And the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in May will strengthen that agreement.

Now, we harbor no illusions about the difficulty of bringing about a world without nuclear weapons. We know there are plenty of cynics, and that there will be setbacks to prove their point. But there will also be days like today that push us forward -- days that tell a different story. It is the story of a world that understands that no difference or division is worth destroying all that we have built and all that we love. It is a recognition that can bring people of different nationalities and ethnicities and ideologies together. In my own country, it has brought Democrats and Republican leaders together -- leaders like George Shultz, Bill Perry, Henry Kissinger, and Sam Nunn, who are with us here today. And it was a Republican President, Ronald Reagan, who once articulated the goal we now seek in the starkest of terms. I quote:

"A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. And no matter how great the obstacles may seem, we must never stop our efforts to reduce the weapons of war. We must never stop until all -- we must never stop at all until we see the day when nuclear arms have been banished from the face of the Earth."

That is our task. That can be our destiny. And we will leave this meeting with a renewed determination to achieve this shared goal. Thank you.

In accordance with the understanding reached among Council members, I wish to remind all speakers to limit their statements to no more than five minutes in order to enable the Council to carry on its work expeditiously. Delegations with lengthy statements are kindly requested to circulate the text in writing and to deliver a condensed version when speaking in the chamber.

I shall now invite the distinguished Secretary General, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, to take the floor.

#####

WORLD MARCH PRESS RELEASE

SUPPORT FOR OBAMA IN SUSPENDING THE ANTI-MISSILE SHIELD

Today, the 17th September 2009, with just a few days to go before the start of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, US President, Barack Obama, has announced the suspension of the anti-missile shield project in central Europe, better known as "star wars".

It is a very important gesture of détente and peace by President Obama and we want to highlight it and applaud it around the world. We support all efforts of the US President to advance towards global nuclear disarmament.

We applaud the courage of the Czech people who have sustained the fight against the defence shield through recent years maintaining their opposition to the Defence project with protests, marches, hunger strikes and all forms of non-violent struggle. We recall the denunciation by Jan Tamas, leader of the non-violent movement against the bases in the Czech Republic when he explained that this is not a defensive project but rather an offensive one because it would allow nuclear attacks to be launched leaving an enemy unable to respond, something that would oblige Russia to start an arms race.

This gesture by President Obama shows that a great moral strength is being born to confront the violence of global economic powers and the power of the military-industrial complex that today operate out of the control of nation states.

We celebrate this news and we invite Barack Obama to support the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, something that has already been done by almost 20 National Presidents and Governments of the World.

Rafael de la Rubia, International Spokesperson of the World March

President of World without Wars

www.marchamudial.org

www.mundosinguerras.org

rafael@mundosinguerras.org

Tel: +34 665827072

#####

Burma - 20 September 2009

At least 110 political prisoners released - (Mae Sot – Thailand)

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) can confirm that so far 110 political prisoners have been released from 23 different prisons in Burma.

The 110 released include 38 members of the National League for Democracy, including 3 MPs; 20 women; 11 former political prisoners; 4 monks; 4 journalists; 10 members of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Network; 6 members of the 88 Generation Students; and 1 lawyer.

On the evening of September 17, 2009 in Rangoon, state-run MRTV carried a news bulletin announcing that 7,114 prisoners were to be released "on humanitarian grounds."

Tate Naing, AAPP Secretary +66(0)89-899-7161

Bo Kyi, AAPP Joint-Secretary +66(0)81-324-8935

U Aung Myo Thein - Assistant Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

Contact: info@aappb.org, info@fbppn.net

Web: http://www.aappb.org, http://www.fbppn.net

####

Latest World March for Peace and Non Violence newsletter:

http://www.theworldmarch.org/index.php?secc=boletin

#####

Stay in touch, join one of our Forums, participate!

Asia-Pacific:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/asianforum/

Hong Kong:

http://groups.google.com/group/HongKongNodeAsiaPacificForum?hl=en

Hong Kong Lantau island:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LantauForum/

Bangladesh:

http://www.bangladeshhumanistforum.org/

Nepal:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nepalhumanistforum/

#####

Twitter - tonyhen

go to twitter.com - sign on and follow tonyhen - simple

#####

The News Agency for Peace and Nonviolence

Ref: Subscription to PRESSENZA - IPA International News Press Agency

Dear Director or Editor in Chief:

With this letter, we intend to introduce PRESSENZA IPA, an International Press Agency that specializes in news and information related to the subject of Peace and Non Violence.

PRESSENZA - INTERNATIONAL PRESS AGENCY seeks to provide a renewed atmosphere of human understanding and cooperation and expand the broadcasting space that focuses events, persons and initiatives who promote Peace and Non-Violence.

Moreover, during this Year, the main focus of Pressenza will be the complete covering of the World March for Peace and Non Violence, an international event which will cross the whole planet and already counts on the support of thousands of personalities, institutions and organizations, among them several Nobel Prices.

We invite you to be our Partner, subscribing to our Agency and reproducing our material. Also suggesting material of your own, which could be useful from the optic of Peace, Disarmament and Non Violence. This is an opportunity to help in building a new worldwide consciousness of peace and understanding, so necessary in this very delicate historical moment.

The entire contents of our news can be used by our subscribers for free, provided the source is mentioned.

You will also find additional information about our Agency at http://www.pressenza.com/main/aboutUs and about the World March for Peace and Non Violence at http://www.theworldmarch.org/

Please, do not hesitate to contact us, at info@world.pressenza.org

Sincerely,

Mrs. Silvina Sotelo

On Behalf of the Department of International Relationships

Pressenza International Press Agency

http://world.pressenza.org/

#####

The Humanist Association of Hong Kong newsletter - Asia-Pacific.

Want to receive this newsletter among friends of the new universalist humanism regularly? Email: tonyhen @ humanist.org.hk

Humanist Association of Hong Kong, membership fee HK$50 a year, due each January.

Material from this newsletter may be freely reprinted with this attribution: Source: The Universal Humanist Newsletter - Asia-Pacific - or the bylined writer.

FEEDBACK

TONY HENDERSON, editor/correspondent

My phone (852) 29840094

G/F, 49 Kau Tsuen, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong

E-mail: tonyhen @ humanist.org.hk

Web: http://home.pacific.net.hk/~tonyhen/

Letter to my friend Isaias,

2009-09-14T22:06:00.000-07:00

Letter to my friend Isaias,

As I noted, or came to understand while listening to Ahmadinejad in situ, in Tehran recently, at a conference on Gaza, people are not listening clearly to his words. He is not denying the holocaust, he is saying the Zionists are overplaying it, harping on about it, thus justifying occupation of Palestine. Just as in war, there can be defensive wars, opposing the violence by focussing on the violent ones is not racism, it's pointing out the culprits.

He is clear that this is not against Jews or the Jewish faith, but against the Zionists, and Zionism does not have any religious base. Regarding the 'wiping out', the Parsee was mistranslated. The reference was 'off the map' byway of Israel should not exist and was an entity placed on top of, smothering, Palestine.

This was done by a hegemonic western clique that happened to have the power to do so and ignored what would happen to Palestinians and what has happened and is continuing to happen - the strategic Suez Canal was a focus, then oil took over.

Sadly, the Jewish peoples have suffered from anti-Semitism as recorded from long ago when they were banned from taking up crafts and trades in Europe - for example in the jewellery industry - and were thereby forced to become moneylenders. Economically herded like that they stuck to their own much as many do today in many countries and the term ghetto came into use.

Even my mother would whisper, "He's a Jew," for her own reasons as our local watchmaker mused over the broken watch he was asked to mend. I only felt an odd bewilderment. Our Jewish family doctor was a well appreciated man and his son's were well spoken and cultured and I came to understand that is common among Jewish people - something interesting there.

However, to view Ahmadinejad's statements as anti-Semite confuses Zionism with being Jewish, the majority of Jews are not Zionists, just like the majority of British are not nationalists, they are patriotic but not extremists or racists to think their culture is more worthy than that of others.

Speaking of removing Israel from the map means there should be no such place and thus, the two-state solution is not welcomed by those taking a strong stand on Palestine. They say Palestine can stand on its own and can be a home to Moslems, Jews and Christians who can live together peacefully as they have done for generations - actually, until the Christian Crusaders arrived with their violent discriminatory religiosity.

This is why the referendum by all the people of that region is called for by Iran's spokesman. Given there is an Islamic majority of course this will bring this group favours but that is the way of democracy with the proviso that the minorities have their voice and be cared for as an integral part of the whole.

What is needed is trust between the parties so the process of reconciliation can start. That will entail a huge effort.

When the other side is saying something it is better that people listen clearly. Before I went to Tehran I was not open to these different angles, these different perspectives. Having sat through and participated to some degree and befriended such a wide variety of characters of the like not ordinarily encountered, from widely divergent cultures as Uganda, North Africa, Lebanon and Afghanistan - of course Iran itself, I have a new-found respect for the Islamic-Arab group of peoples - of course, that's why travel is such a good thing.

We humanists need to call on all our friends: Jewish, Muslims and Christians and all those from the Middle East and Arabic speaking lands to promote the needed dialogue and positive interchanges to start building those roads that lead to peace.

Cheers

tony

Bangladesh - a note

2009-09-14T21:57:00.001-07:00

Dear friends,

We cannot leave all these important matters to the two governments.

No mention of protecting minorities and ethnic groups rights, no mention of their special needs given they traditionally farm and hunt in a manner peculiar to themselves, no mention of sending development money to these 'lesser' corners to bring decent livelihood and education for the children and care for the elderly and medical services. It will cost money to station troops out there and the locals will suffer yet again.

On sharing of river waters India needs to abide by international law regarding lower riparian states.... no compromise over these issues.

However, read this government propaganda, because that's what it is and the only way to go beyond it is for people in general to become informed and take active participation directly, through non violent means, of their own affairs. Point out to those local leaders the problems that locals are facing, apparently, they are the responsible ones. They must fight for their regions' peoples rights and needs.

PFJ

Tony

Bill Clinton Snapped with Teenage North Korean Flower Girl.

2009-08-04T18:18:00.001-07:00

Bill Clinton Snapped with Teenage North Korean Flower Girl.

For Pressenza, Tony Henderson, Hong Kong, 2009-08-05

There they were, Jong and Bill, in regular pose before the press in North Korea and the world gasped. The contradiction became a paradox of possibilities!

Springing a much needed surprise on the interested world August 4 2009, High Unofficial from the USA Bill Clinton suddenly plopped down in Pyong Yang, North Korea and met with Kim Jong Il.

He had come to bring home the distressed reporters Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters who work for best-pal Al Gore’s Current TV, who were arrested March 17 near - possibly over - the China-North Korea border.

While any link with President Obama has yet to be mentioned there is no doubt that under Obama a more open relationship has been secured which in itself is a tremendous change since the Bush Era.

Discussions about normalizing ties went dead when George W. Bush took office in 2001 with a hard-line policy on Pyongyang. The Obama administration has expressed a willingness to hold bilateral talks though only within the framework of the six-nation disarmament talks in place since 2003.

North Korea announced earlier this year it was abandoning the talks involving the two Koreas, Japan, Russia, China and the US. The regime also launched a long-range rocket, conducted a nuclear test, test-fired a slew of ballistic missiles and restarted its atomic program in defiance of international criticism and the UN Security Council.

Last month, the US Navy tailed a North Korean cargo ship as it sailed south suspected of carrying cargo banned under a UN resolution on board until the vessel turned around and returned to port.

North Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator greeted Clinton when he landed in Pyongyang. Clinton is the highest-profile North American to visit North Korea since his own secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, went there in 2000. The trip marks President Clinton’s first diplomatic mission abroad for the Obama administration - do we see another Jimmy Carter here?

The welcome mat was unrolled as a sign of North Korea's "humanitarian and peace-loving policy," the Korean Central News Agency reported.

Whatever comes of this surprise package, even if nothing substantive on other issues is gained, the hand shakes and photo opportunity of Bill & Jong are giving Peacenicks the world over a real buzz. Anything is possible it appears when people with the power decide to give it a whirl.

Mandatory drug testing

2009-08-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

Dear Editor, Talkback - South China Morning Post

Mandatory drug testing in schools is not a healthy imposition by the administration. Students, pupils and children have rights to and we do not mean the right to abuse drugs, but they all have a right to own their lives and have privacy in affairs - they are innocent and can be brought to account if there is a clear problem but imposing drug tests will create further problems and tensions and further alienate youth. If they are not trusted they will in turn not trust anybody.

Israel’s Greatest Fear - Iran!

2009-08-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

sent to : South China Morning Post
c/o: Luisa Tam, Op-Ed Pages editor
Date: 3 August 2009

Israel’s Greatest Fear - Iran!
By Tony Henderson

Iran has stated repeatedly that nuclear weapons is not an option as it is an Islamic Republic; Israel’s political leaders repeatedly insist that Iran plans to built such hideously inhuman weapons. They are using every opportunity to scapegoat Iran and to psychologically soften opposition to a proposed military strike against Iran, already in advanced stages of preparation.

Israel has a lot to lose in any negotiated settlement, and, the Zionists see that for them everything is at stake, because the evolving political situation and the new information sources such as Aljazeera are making it increasingly difficult to get-away-with-murder. The blanket of naivete is lifting.

While Iran has a culture thousands of years old, Israel is an upstart illegitimate non-state yet to achieve legalised status and as an occupying power in its western powers gifted lands it has militarised from the very beginning of its existence. Thus the victories against neighbouring states in 1948 and 1967.

Israel’s early terrorism (using this term properly) resulted in the first use of suicide bombings and those incidents marked a line of demarcation between the Palestine Jews who had been living together with Arabs and Christians for millennia and the arrival of the European Jewish nationalists with their Zionist intentions.

Israel today is a stronghold of arrogance and is built on violence of all kinds, and fear. While the Zionists - for there is no other fitting name for the violent protagonists of that potential nation - have weakened and split the Palestinians into a wide if not total acceptance of a two-state solution, the Hamas stand is to have a single country, called Palestine, and all peoples that have a legitimate claim should live there with equal rights.

This means Moslems, Christians, Jews living as they prefer, where they prefer and how they prefer with the holy city of Jerusalem freely open and accessible to their various faithful, given that their respective sacred places of worship are in that city.

This brings us back to the fear the military of today’s Israel have of Iran, and, their so-far open-ended support offered by the USA, to the extent of allowing Israel nuclear weapons.

Oil and gas is the reason the US is interested in the Middle East. The entire industrial west is dependant on access to and the price of, oil and gas. Iraq is sitting on immense volumes of oil and Afghanistan is a strategically situated stronghold of independent minded people unaffiliated with the USA or the West thus posing a threat if alliances are made by Afghanistan with competing nations such as Russia or India or China.

While there is no oil in Afghanistan, that country’s territory forms a direct route to take the oil and gas from deposits in Central Asia to the Indian Ocean for transhipment. That would sidestep dependance on oil from the so far unresolvable problems of the ME.

American oil companies have acquired rights to a large percent of the output of the new fields in Central Asia, and the US and western governments see the area around the Caspian and in Central Asia as an alternative to dependence on oil from the Persian Gulf region.

US troops followed the signing of these contracts. US Special Forces began joint operations with Kazakhstan in 1997 and with Uzbekistan a year later, training for intervention especially in the mountainous southern region that includes Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and northern Afghanistan.

How to get the oil and gas from that landlocked region to the world market, that’s the question: not wanting to rely on either the Russian pipeline system or - the easiest available land route - to unconditionally befriend Iran and have access to the Persian Gulf.

Oil companies have explored alternative pipeline routes - westward through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey to the Mediterranean; eastward through Kazakhstan and China to the Pacific; and, southwards from Turkmenistan across western Afghanistan and Pakistan to the Indian Ocean.

Iraq is more complex but still oil is at the base of the military action. The universally condemned Hussein was in charge of an oil rich nation and that left an open door target for sufficiently sanctioned military operations that would leave the US-plus British and the West in general - or the developed industrialised nations altogether - in position allowing strategic leverage over events in the Middle East.

Control over Iraq is a trump card which also plays-in armed-to-the-teeth Israel, granting political space to that occupying power - put in place by the same forces with an eye on the Suez Canal - to expand and consolidate its territory at the expense of the divided forces of Palestine.

Iran poses a problem to those nations seeking local power positions in that the country is striking a highly independent stance that radically opposes US and western hegemony in the ME. Iran has legitimacy and lawfulness in its efforts to claim a strong role in the affairs of the ME as it’s physical situation impels it to look to these as local affairs.

Iran has a cultural depth stemming even further into history than those mighty pillars of its Islamic foundation. This brings it’s peoples through its government to demand the same rights any nations would expect. It cannot be walked over with impunity, unlike its famed carpets.

Whereas, the US, the British, the French, are acting far from home and anyone would wonder just why they have such pretensions far from the fold, veiled by democratic and humanitarian posturing.

It is oil, its accessibility and its transport, and securing an uninterrupted supply that provides the reason for the militaries of the more powerful nations to set up camp in the homes and on the doorsteps of Afghanistan and Iraq.

However, that oil is bypassing equally deserving though disadvantaged not-yet-economically developed nations, and that is a situation that needs addressing.

note at the end of July

2009-07-30T01:16:00.000-07:00

Today I placed a few writings and articles on this blog to give some context. Today's intention is to use this site to archive such writings and have a location other than our website where they can be accessed.

Now to the garden.

Cheers

Tony

Pressensa - SAARC moot Pak-Bangla train via India, Nepal

2009-07-30T01:11:00.001-07:00

SAARC moot Pak-Bangla train via India, Nepal

Tony Henderson, in Hong Kong: 30 July 2009.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation talks in Columbo on communications between the South Asia countries is a positive signal for regional peace while mainstream news focusses on US weapons sales.

SAARC transport ministers at their second meeting in Colombo on July 25 agreed to form an expert group for inking regional transit agreements giving priority to road and rail projects. Sri Lanka, is the present Chair of SAARC.

The talks seen a proposal by India to run a demonstration train between Pakistan and Bangladesh via its territory and that of Nepal, which proposal was welcomed by the SAARC member states.

The ministers agreed that the objective of providing connectivity is not just about upgrading transport links, but to unite the hearts and minds of the people of South Asia, officials said.

India and Bangladesh have resumed rail services from last year after a gap of 43 years, with the run of Moitree Express from Dhaka to Kolkata.

A war in 1965 between India and Pakistan, involving Bangladesh until 1971, stopped the cross-border passenger train service which covers a distance of 538 kms, with 418 kms in Bangladesh and 120 kms in India.

Train links between India and Pakistan have also been operational.

The Indian delegation at the meeting was headed by R P N Singh, Minister of State for Road, Transport and Railways.

New Delhi furnished status reports on upgrading the routes identified within India and proposed new programmes for strengthening intra-regional connectivity.

The proposals are for Lahore-Delhi-Kolkata-Benapole-Petrapole-Chittagong road links and Agartala-Akhaura-Chittagong rail links need further studies.

The South Asian nations also agreed to study Dhaka’s proposal for making Mongla Port a regional hub to serve landlocked Nepal and Bhutan, complementing the efforts at building greater connectivity within the region. Mongla already serves that function though its facilities are poor.

Pressensa - sustainable war in South Asia

2009-07-30T01:10:00.001-07:00

Pakistan-India leadership and sustainable war in South Asia

While engaged in dialogue intending to bring better relations to the India-Pakistan region and the region of South Asia generally, the arms sellers are following in the wake of the peace dealers reminiscent of the bible pushing pioneers in colonial Africa.

Pressenza Hong Kong: 2009-07-21 by Tony Henderson

Hong Kong, July 21(IPA): The Pakistan-India joint declaration at Sharm el Sheikh has brought the leadership of both the countries into closer touch with the issues leading to resolutions to obtain sustainable peace in the region but the ongoing exchanges appear much more likely to embrace a sustainable state of war.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir announced that Pakistan is hopeful that Indo-Pak negotiations would help open new vistas of peace, progress and prosperity of South Asian region. In a fast changing world regional cooperation needs to be enhanced.

Pinning hopes on next foreign secretary level talks with India he said all issues including peace, security, Jammu and Kashmir, Sir Creek border dispute, water disputes and terrorism would come under discussion.

Responding to a media question he said ‘external hands’ were involved in the unrest in Balochistan, FATA and elsewhere, not meaning the western powers which influence is clear, but more shady, lesser powers, and he mentioned that they are financing weapon supplies - ignoring the massive importation and negative trade exercised in the name of defence, from the very same west, which was not included in Mr Bashir’s ‘external hands’ remark!

Right on schedule, shortly after that Egypt trip, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton paved a path to expanding relations with India during her three-day visit there, announcing accords that secured multibillion-dollar contracts for US nuclear power-plant builders and that opened the door to billions of dollars in sales for American defence contractors.

Ms Clinton knows full well that the US can't neglect the issues that keep India and Pakistan rivals - especially Kashmir, besides sectarian extremism and nuclear competition. In fact, the attention lavished ‘so-suddenly’ on India is a cause of fresh tensions with Pakistan.

The India agreement will allow US military contractors to participate in India's updating of its mostly Soviet-era aircraft and other equipment - a five-year program that will cost India an estimated $30 billion.

No doubt about it, there’s money in munitions!

World March endorsed by Legislator Ronnie Tong Ka-wah

2009-07-30T01:07:00.000-07:00

Hong Kong legislator endorses World March at anti-government protest demo.

Intro: Amid the mild chaos, chants, singing and marching crowds showing their dissatisfaction with government there were also moments togetherness and solidarity in Hong Kong’s hot afternoon sunshine.

July 1 is the annual celebration of the return of the territory of Hong Kong from Britain to China and each year the supporters and critics of the local government and by reflection, of the Beijing central government which reputation continues to be tarnished by Tiananmen - 1989, take to the streets in a show of strength.

Although fewer protesters turned out than organisers had expected this year, it was still the biggest show of discontent since Donald Tsang Yam-kuen succeeded Tung Chee-hwa at the head of the government, in 2005.

Last night, the Civil Human Rights Front, organisers of the ‘anti' side, put the crowd at 76,000, while the police estimate was 28,000.

“Over the past few years, July 1 rallies have somehow evolved into a unique phenomenon; it's no longer just a straightforward political movement,” Legislator Albert Cheng King-hon commented to the South China Morning Post. “It's a special day for Hong Kong people to air their views and to vent their grievances. July 1 has become an annual social movement parade with Hong Kong characteristics.”

Executive councillor Cheng Yiu-tong, who is the Federation of Trade Unions president, was the organiser of the pro-Beijing parade in the morning and acted as chairman of the parade organising committee. In that procession more than 40,000 paraded to Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai accompanied by music, dragon dancers and children in opera costumes. There were singers and People's Liberation Army soldiers at the government
sponsored event.

However, in contrast, the protesters in their afternoon march expressed diverse demands, ranging from the early introduction of universal suffrage to alleviating poverty, protecting animal rights and introducing a minimum wage for all. Mr Tsang came under fire from many protesters, with some even urging him to step down.

The front had predicted 100,000 would join the march from Causeway Bay to Central. Last year the front said 47,000 marched. Protesters began filing out of Victoria Park at 3.30pm, many choosing white as a colour that symbolises democracy, freedom and peace. Those kept waiting under the hot sun complained, shade temperature in nearby Happy Valley at 3pm was a high humidity 31 degrees Celsius.

The mood of some was angrier than in years past. Dozens attempted to break through police barricades as the last of the Victoria Park crowd began to march at 5pm.

Unionist legislator Lee Cheuk-yan, an organiser of the protest, said people were angry because police gave the impression they were unnecessarily blocking the procession, leaving them to bake under the sun. Scores, including radical lawmaker "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung, protested late into the night outside government headquarters.

About a dozen political activists from the April Fifth Action group, including legislator Leung Kwok-hung, had attempted to stage a protest at the government's flag-raising ceremony earlier where they chanted slogans demanding the central government release mainland academic Liu Xiaobo, who was formally arrested last week - after months in detention - for allegedly inciting subversion.

In a happier moment, Legislator Ronnie Tong Ka-wah (QC and member of the Civic Party Executive Committee), assured proponents of the World March for Peace and Non Violence, who were marching on the day in solidarity with the marginalised, saying: "My name is Ronnie Tong and I endorse any march in support of freedom, in support of democracy, and in support of human rights."

Pressensa - Arrest of Liu Xiaobo

2009-07-30T01:05:00.000-07:00

CHINA: Critic's Arrest Signals Hardening Political Climate

Formal Arrest of Liu Xiaobo follows six months of incommunicado detention and the critic's arrest signals a hardening of the political climate in China

China - June 24, 2009 - The formal arrest of Chinese rights activist Liu Xiaobo on charges of subversion signals a hardening of the political climate in China, Human Rights Watch said today via the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).

Liu had been held incommunicado since his detention on December 8, 2008, after co-signing Charter 08, a document calling for greater democracy in China.

Liu was formally arrested on June 23 for “alleged agitation activities aimed at subversion of the government and overthrowing of the socialist system.” Subversion is punishable in China by up to 15 years in prison. The petition signed by Liu last December, Charter 08, urges putting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law at the core of the Chinese political system. Originally signed by 303 Chinese citizens, including rights defenders and legal activists, the document has been widely circulated online and has by today collected more than 8,000 signatures.

“Liu Xiaobo’s arrest indicates that the room for peaceful political dissent is shrinking in China,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Liu’s apparent ‘crime’ was that he exercised his right to freedom of expression,” which right is guaranteed by the Chinese Constitution, according to Mr Adams.

A former professor of literature, Liu spent nearly two years in prison following the crackdown on the June 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Following his detention in December, which surely violated the minimum procedural guarantees specified under Chinese law, a group of prominent signatories, including several Nobel Prize winners, sent an open letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao urging him to secure Liu’s release.

Liu’s lawyer, Mo Shaoping, has not been allowed to see him since December.

Liu’s formal arrest follows the disbarment of several leading rights lawyers in May, a tightening of media censorship around the 20th anniversary of the June 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, and a directive requiring computer manufacturers to include with all computers a new software – which will give the Chinese government the ability to increase its control of Internet communications – all to be completed by July 1.

“By jailing the country’s most prominent intellectual dissident, whose writing activities it had tolerated for many years, the Chinese government sends its citizens a clear signal of political hardening,” insists Adams. “But it also misses an opportunity to show the outside world that the government is confident enough to tolerate thoughtful and peaceful domestic criticism.”

Pressensa - Shirin Ebadi,

2009-07-30T01:04:00.000-07:00

Tehran: 24 June 2009:

Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian lawyer who won the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize, has urged her government, the Islamic Republic of Iran, to release the mass of people arrested following the protests in the aftermath of the country's presidential elections. The safety of protesters is the responsibility of security forces, she reminded.

The human rights activist was speaking at a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, and on the interview by Aljazeera, Ebadi spoke out for new elections to be held under internationally recognised institutions, including the United Nations, to calm the nation.

Ebadi insisted that peaceful demonstrations are allowable within the constitution and are lawful and should not be subject to violent suppression as happening in Tehran following the presidential elections.

She also stated that the killing of "Nedi" - the woman caught on mobile phone video immediately after she was shot by a non-uniformed person - needs to be investigated by the police. The killing took place at a time when both uniformed and non-uniformed security forces were actively and violently beating protesters and by association, bystanders. She was killed on spot, in the street, far from any protest.

In Shirin Ebadi's view the elections need to be annulled and re-run, not least because the Council of Guardians has admitted publicly that there were more votes than voters in many towns.

We congratulate WWW at UN

2009-07-30T00:57:00.000-07:00

Humanist Association
of Hong Kong

G/F, 49 Kau Tsuen, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong - Tel: 29840094
e-mail tonyhen@humanist.org Web page: http://home.pacific.net.hk/~tonyhen

Press release:
May 12, 2009
From: Humanist Association of Hong Kong

We congratulate the Spain-based organanisation World without Wars and Rafael de la Rubia, International Coordinator, for bringing the World March for Peace and Non Violence to the United Nations. Surely this will grant the campaign wide acceptance among conservative thinkers and groups to engender great participation in this important event that effects all people.

New York: United Nations panel promotes World without Wars campaign - World March for Peace and Non Violence - at the third Preparatory Committee
for the 2010 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, 4–15 May 2009.

full details at:
http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/legal/npt/NIR2009/No4.pdf

We welcome this high level promotion as this will boost the worldwide campaign's profile in each of the country’s carrying the message of peace and non violence, not least China and Hong Kong, where we are promoting local participation at all levels from Government to street.

We do not want to see China without participation and here in the Hong Kong SAR we will do our bit to make sure the people of this region have an opportunity to become more aware of the imperative for our general future of the absolute need for a dismantling of nuclear weapons. Also, for general disarmament and the removal of troops from foreign soils.

The aim of the World March is to raise the level of awareness among as many citizens as possible of the dire need for peace and non violence, which itself will trigger the social pressure putting governments on the right track to move our inter-dependent communities into a direction where our children can build the reality they love.
See:
http://www.worldmarchhongkong.org/

Peace, Force and Joy
Tony Henderson, chairman, Humanist Association of Hong Kong

Rafael de la Rubia's speech:
Dear friends
First of all, I’d like to thank the permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations, the host of this gathering, other delegations, individuals and organisations that are accompanying us and very specially the members of “World without Wars” and humanists from New York that have made this presentation of the “World March for Peace and Nonviolence” at the United Nations possible.

The first thing to answer is: what is this march? It’s an action at a global level, the first action of this scale, asking for Peace and Nonviolence. The WM emerged as a response to the increase in violence in all sectors and spheres of society, from inter-governmental levels down to the spheres of daily life. This is happening in all countries of the planet. We are in a violent world in which we have to find new paths that open the future for us as individuals, as nations and also as the whole of humanity.

The WM is trying to help to find these new responses stressing that we have to re-pose the concept of Peace. We have to go deeper in its conception.

It’s not possible that governments speak of peace at the same time as they have weapons factories fully functioning.

It’s not possible to speak of peace at the same time as invading countries.

It’s not possible that 3 trillion dollars are invested in weapons and nothing is targeted to stop the death of more than 165,000 people who are dying today, the product of global hunger. 60 million in 2008 according to data that came from here, the United Nations. When only 0.01% of that spending on weapons would be able to feed these people.

Humanity is clamouring for a world where these things don’t happen.

Besides, as E. Galeano said, “Wars need weapons and weapons need wars”. If we produce weapons they end up being used.

To advance in this situation we want to create a consciousness of the need for Peace. We have recent examples. Consciousness has been created about ecology over a short time, just a few decades. Today the whole world knows that it is not good to pollute. This was not evident a few years ago. We want to create a consciousness that we can modify things. We want to create a consciousness that the solutions are in the hands of the people. Governments are going to act if there is popular pressure, if there is social pressure, and better if it’s global pressure.

There are moments where politicians set the directions of nations and there are moments where the people have to set the direction for politicians.

So we should not only cry out that we want peace but rather that we are going to work to achieve and maintain it.

The march is the response to the seriousness of the world situation, with an economic crisis, all of whose consequences we still do not see, some of those will be very serious.

Equally serious is the situation of nuclear weapons. That’s why the works in these days by all social sectors here in the United Nations to prepare the next NPT conference in 2010 are very good.

So we have to mobilise. Each one can do what they can, some more than others. But with the contribution of many we can build this great social force.

How is the WM proposed? What will be done?

Starting on the 2nd of October, simultaneously in many cities all kinds of activities will start to take place: marches, festivals, forums, demonstrations, debates, cultural and artistic activities, etc. This same day, a small team of some 50 people, will start a sequential journey, a symbolic journey that, starting in Wellington, New Zealand, will end in Punta de Vacas, Argentina, after a journey through 6 continents including the Antarctic. To this sequential journey there have been added numerous new routes until the March has become a dense web.

What is the current situation of the WM today?

The World March is growing day by day with new contributions. It was started by the humanist association “World without Wars” with an initial journey through 40 countries and today there are over 90. These are the numbers: 300 cities, 700 initiatives, 800 personalities, 1800 organisations, 200 universities and educational centres, 150 mayors and councils, 4 Presidents (Bachelet, Kirchner, Mesic of Croatia, Ramos-Horta of East Timor). There are important Latin American presidents who are about to confirm their support.

Nobel Prize winners: the Dalai Lama, Rigoberta Menchu, Saramago; Intellectuals: Noam Chomsky, Federico Mayor Zaragoza and Eduardo Galeano.

All of you know artists such as Viggo Mortensen, Joan Manual Serrat, Noa from Israel and Juanes. Yesterday I found out that Penelope Cruz is endorsing. All of them decisively supporting this WM.

From another direction, the WM is being enriched with contents.

We are receiving contributions that we want to incorporate into the WM. Yesterday we met with Jonathan Granoff, co-author of the “Charter for a World without Violence”, a document endorsed by 19 Nobel Peace Prize winners.

We are convinced that adherence to the principles of nonviolence will usher in a more peaceful, civilized world order in which more effective and fair governance, respectful of human dignity and the sanctity of life itself may become a reality.

Our cultures, our histories, and our individual lives are interconnected and our actions are interdependent.

Especially today as never before, we believe, a truth lies before us: our destiny is a common destiny. That destiny will be defined by our intentions, decisions and actions today.

We are firmly convinced that creating a culture of peace and nonviolence, while a difficult and long process is a necessary and noble purpose. Affirmation of the principles contained in this Charter is a vital first step to ensuring the survival and development of humanity and the achievement of a world without violence.

We, Nobel Peace Laureates and Laureate Organizations,

Also yesterday we met here with Mayor Akiba, President of Mayors for Peace, who have endorsed the WM. They are advancing the “Hiroshima-Nagasaki Protocol”, of which this is an extract.

Desiring to establish an over-arching means of addressing nuclear disarmament in all its aspects so as to facilitate the fulfilment by States Parties of their obligations under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and with a view to all states fulfilling the nuclear disarmament obligation found by the International Court of Justice in their 1996 advisory opinion on the legality of the use or threat of nuclear weapons;

We take this opportunity to highlight the principle objectives of the WM:

*

Total elimination of nuclear weapons
*

Withdrawal of armies that are occupying foreign states.
*

Signing of non-aggression treaties.
*

Proportional disarmament, reducing weapons spending.
*

Renunciation of war on the part of States as a form of resolving conflicts, as is recognised in the new Bolivian constitution of Evo Morales.
This World March that we are presenting today in the headquarters of the United Nations has the basic objectives of creating consciousness that the only way is that of Peace and that it’s necessary to accompany this Peace with the methodology of Nonviolence so that we may truly enter into a new stage for humanity.

The WM is becoming a multiplying and simultaneous phenomenon in the whole world. We have indicators that we are going in the direction of becoming the biggest demonstration for peace in history. But we need the support of you all for this to succeed.

For this, it only remains for me to invite you to this great challenge: that together we disseminate and make this proposal known among all the delegations of the countries that are represented in the United Nations in such a way that they can decide whether or not to participate in it.

We have two important milestones. The first is the opening of the next UN Assembly in September where all Heads of States of the world will come together and the second is when the WM arrives at the United Nations on the 1st of December.

To finish, I have been asked to recall the text of the first global launch of the WM that was made last November.

… seeking food and shelter those first inhabitants penetrated deep into inhospitable and unknown lands, where they struggled against, beasts, elements and forces of nature. It was this way for millennia. At the end of that great age the whole planet was populated.

In another age, seeking wealth, possessions and adventures, a few people subjugated others. They massacred and enslaved, appropriating their goods, their resources, their bodies and their minds. So they have been travelling the whole world sewing subjugation, hunger, misery, illness and pain – a lot of pain.

But today times of renovation have arrived, in which the human being once more travels planet earth. Not to satisfy hunger, nor to enslave or rob others, but rather to extend a hand in recognition of a brother, to reconcile, to collaborate, to build the bases for a new culture, a new civilisation that has never before existed on Earth. So that we may decisively build the Universal Human Nation…

The times in which the human being, decided to stand up, converging from different races, beliefs and generations, for the first time in history in a common endeavour: a great march that travelled the world moving the human consciousness and heart…

Thanks for you attention

New York, 6th of May 2009

http://www.theworldmarch.org/

2009-07-30T00:41:00.000-07:00

Israel-Palestine
June 1 2009

At the outset of this comment on the Israel-Palestine situation we want all these hostile acts to cease immediately and strongly suggest that our stance of peace and non-violence be adhered to by all parties as the only way forward and, the way out.

The self-thought almighty group of people handling the affairs of Israel and hopefully in-charge of the military have given the green light for that military to bomb and blast the residents of the Gaza strip, that piece of territory occupied by Israel against the will of the citizens of Palestine and in particular, against the immediate will and interests of the families and residents of that expropriated strip of land.

The Hamas faction that is dug in there is not only under fire in a physical sense - even if that action means the killing of ordinary citizens - but their very existence is not wanted by those Israelis who are today in-charge. However, a considerable number of Palestinians see their future tied to Hamas because only Hamas is actively and coherently (though violently) fighting for the foreign invading armies to leave the Palestinian territories. Also, Hamas was voted into power under elections but that access to government was denied by the West - making any avowal to real democracy laughable.

People everywhere ask, why don’t Hamas stop sending those hardly effective missiles over into Israel - as if that would stop Israel’s expansion and expropriation - and the answer is because the people they are fighting for want an end to the sanctions, the fences, the economic discriminations that collectively are making life so miserable for so many people and for so long a time.

Israel must leave the territories it unlawfully-illegally occupies, namely, those outside of Israel proper, the Golan Heights, the West Bank and the Gaza strip.

Although generally portrayed as a democracy, de facto discrimination of its minorities and its actions in the occupied territories is criticized by the international community and human rights groups inside and outside these territories.

The UN has criticises Israel’s, 'excessive emphasis upon the State as a 'Jewish State'' adding it, ‘encourages discrimination and accords a second-class status to its non-Jewish citizens.' "This discriminatory attitude is apparent in the continuing lower standard of living of Israeli Arabs as a result, inter alia, of higher unemployment rates, restricted access to and participation in trade unions, lack of access to housing, water, electricity and health care and a lower level of education, despite State party's efforts to close the gap."

Since the second Intifada began in September 2000, ordinary freedoms in the occupied territories have been constricted, making life impossible, mainly affecting the West Bank that is restricted by hundreds of checkpoints, roadblocks, barriers and the Separation Wall that has taken 10% of Palestinian territory on the pretext of security.

Movement restrictions have split the West Bank into six geographic units - North, Centre, South, the Jordan Valley, the northern Dead Sea, and East Jerusalem. Movement is severely restricted within and between them, with grave impacts on normal economic life - Palestinians are effectively prisoners in their own land.

In the Gaza Strip, the Rafah crossing to Egypt, the only entry and exit point for the 1.5 million Palestinian residents, was kept completely or partially closed by Israeli authorities for most of the year. The passage of goods was similarly restricted with prolonged closures of the Karni merchandise crossing, the only one permitted.

That’s why Hamas is sending those missiles into Israel, like gnat’s attacking an elephant.