Sunday, July 28, 2013

New Cooperation Circles from Asia Region (South India - Sri Lanka Zone)

July 2013

Surya Thejas CC

Label: Cooperation Circle Info

20 Members


Traditions: Christian, Hindu, Islam Muslim


Action Area: Peacebuilding, Interfaith Dialogue and Action


Region: Asia

Label: Purpose & Activities
Surya means Sun.  Thejas means light. So the CC wants to resemble the Sun which is the source of all energy. They want to radiate the light of peace and harmony in society through Interfaith education, health education and bridge building. Sooranadu is predominantly a Hindu area which is famous for so many hospitals and health centers. The members of this CC have been very active in the field of education and social work for many years. They want to join the URI Movements in order to become part of an International Organization that is widely accepted all over the world.

Child and Youth Development through Inter Religious Initiative CC

Label: Cooperation Circle Info

20 Members


Traditions: Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islam Muslim


Action Area: Peacebuilding, Youth, Environment, Civic Engagement, Interfaith Dialogue and Action


Region: Asia

Label: Purpose & Activities
Our purpose is to transform the social behavior of our community by creating an awareness of the dignity of human beings and bringing about an understanding of religions.
This group is located in the Uva district in a remote area of Sri Lanka. The need for peacebuilding is immense in this war-torn area as people have suffered greatly during three decades of civil war. The members of this Cooperation Circle have years of experience doing social work. They gather together to elevate the dignity of each individual and bring religious understanding between their faiths. In addition to organizing social awareness and youth camps, this CC also offers microloans in collaboration with the Sarvodaya Movement.

June 2013

Social Development Initiative through Religious Cooperation

Label: Cooperation Circle Info

20 Members


Traditions: Christian, Hindu, Islam Muslim


Action Area: Peacebuilding, Youth, Women, Civic 


Engagement,Interfaith Dialogue and Action


Region: Asia

Label: Purpose & Activities
Batticalova is a city in Sri Lanka that experienced civil war for over three decades. Building harmony is essential as the community is completely fragmented from years of conflict. This group of 20 Hindus, Muslims and Christians have been working with Shanti Sena CC for over two years to build a new foundation based on peace. They have organized youth camps, film festivals, leadership training programs, and career guidance and micro financing workshops.

April 2013

Atma Darshana Yoga CC

Label: Cooperation Circle Info

10 (ten) Members


Traditions: Christian, Islam Muslim, Hindu


Action Area: Peacebuilding, Youth, Environment, Women, Civic Engagement, Interfaith Dialogue and Action


Region: Asia


Website: http://www.svyrht.org/

Label: Purpose & Activities
This Cooperation Circle, located in Bangalore, the capital city of the State of Karnataka, specializes in interfaith education, peacebuilding, and health care. Atma Darshana means ‘Introspection of the Soul,’ a title that reflects the group’s vision to transform society through yoga and spiritual practices.  The members of this CC have engaged in a variety of service activities and have successfully conducted many health and awareness camps as well.

February 2013

Prayas Cooperation Circle

Label: Cooperation Circle Info

15 Members


Action Area: Interfaith Dialogue and Action


Region: Asia


Website: http://prayasisd.org

Label: Purpose & Activities
The Prayas Institute for Social Development was registered as a secular, non-profit, voluntary organization in Hyderabad, in the State of Andhra Pradesh in 1994. It has a reputation of being an outstanding organization.
Its members, who are trained social workers of various faiths including Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and Christianity, come together and focus on development programs for the underprivileged sections of their society. They champion interfaith dialogue, reconciliation, peace building and the education, development and protection of children. They conduct campaigns to empower women by eliminating the violence and discrimination perpetrated against them. They run an adult education program where women learn skills that allow them to become self-reliant, and they promote youth development and exchange programs.
Prayas believes in the necessity of networking with national and international organizations to build strong alliances. To learn more about their work, visit their website at www.prayasisd.org.

January 2013

Coimbatore CC

Label: Cooperation Circle Info

7 Members


Traditions: Christian, Hindu, Islam Muslim


Action Area: Interfaith Dialogue and Action, Other Action Areas


Region: Asia

Label: Purpose & Activities
Our purpose is to encourage interfaith cooperation and peace in the world.
Coimbatore is located in the State of Tamil Nadu in Southern India. Members of our Cooperation Circle volunteer regularly with community organizations to develop the city of Coimbatore. We have participated in offering free medical and eye camps, provided career counseling at no charge, and set up palliative care programs. We are also intent on promoting interfaith dialogue, in Southern India

December 2012

Santhwanam Cancer Care and Palliative Centre

Label: Cooperation Circle Info

30 Members

Traditions: Christian, Hindu, Islam Muslim

Action Area: Other Action Areas

Region: Asia

Website: http://santhvanam.org

Label: Purpose & Activities

This Cooperation Circle is formed by deeply committed people who have been engaged in community development and interfaith work for many years. They provide medical assistance primarily to those whose lives have been affected by cancer, yet care is extended to people suffering from tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other major diseases. The organization has assisted hundreds of patients since their doors opened in 2010. They provide ambulance services for those in need; plant trees every year to combat climate change and help women build skills to sustain a livelihood. For more information about their many activities, visit their website:http://www.santhwanamkarickom.org/

Source: www.uri.org

Alexander Marthoma Amity Award 2013


Dr Alexander Marthoma Award to Rev. Dr. M .J .Joseph


Kottarakara: The Alexander Marthoma Amity Award 2013 under the auspices of Dr Alexander Marthoma Centre for Dialogue will be presented to Rev. Dr. M. J. Joseph (Former Director of Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore and Former Principal of Marthoma Theological Seminary Kottayam). This biennial award is given in appreciation of the exemplary services rendered for promoting Interfaith Harmony and Peace.

            The Award will be presented on 1st October in connection with the Fifth International Holy Books Conference. Swami Chaturvedi, Chairman of the Ramanuja Mission Trust India will inaugurate the assembly at a function presided over by Thomas Mar Thimotheos Episcopa. Swami Sachidananda Bharati will release the Book “Life after Life”. Dr Abraham Karickam (Co Ordinator Ph: 9446593013) said that different scholars from various countries will attend.

                                                                                    Dr Abraham Karickam


 (Co-Ordinator)

PROGRAM SCHEDULE OF 5TH INTERNATIONAL HOLY BOOKS CONFERENCE

Fifth International Interfaith Conference on Holy Books (Intertextuality Series)
30th September to 2nd October 2013 at Karickam International Public School, Kottarakara, Kerala
Under the joint auspices of Dr Alexander Marthoma Center for Dialogue and Cosmic Community Center


Program Schedule

Sunday 29th September
Arrival of participants (Nearest Airport is TRIVANDRUM and nearest Railway Station is KOLLAM)

Monday 30th September
8.00   am
Breakfast (Karickam international public School)
9.00   am
Registration of participants (KIPS)
10.00 am
Opening worship
10.30 am
Welcome and introductory remarks – Rev Dr Ruwan Palapathwala, Dubai
11.00 am
Official launching of the program- Chaturvedi Swamiji (Chairman, Ramanuja Mission Trust, India)
11.30 am
Tea break
12.00 pm
Paper presentation- Rev. Dr. KV Mathew, Former Principal, M.T Seminary,Kottayam (Title- Life After Life: Biblical Concepts)
12.30 pm
Paper presentation- Tinumeran Ozukum, Tamil Nadu Seminary (Title- Life after life: Biblical Implications)
1.00 pm
Lunch break (KIPS)
2.00 pm
Paper presentation- K V V S Murthy (Andhrapradesh) (Title- Holy Books and Life after Life..)
2.30 pm
Paper presentation- Jayanthi Ranganathan Chawan  (Mumbai)                  (Title- The Eternity of Holy books and Life
Perspectives from Bhagavat Gita and Vedic Literatures)
3.00 pm
Paper presentation- Emmanuel Ande Ivorgba, Nigeria
(Title- Examining The Concepts Of God, Death And The Life Hereafter In African Traditional Religions)
3.30 pm
Tea break
4.00 pm
Paper presentation- Dr.Galina Ermolina, Russia { Title-Life after death (based on the text of Agni Yoga Teaching(Teaching of Living Ethics), given through the Roerichs’ family)}

4.30 pm
Paper presentation- Dr. Shanthikumar Hettiarachchi, Sri Lanka
(Title-The Living WORD in the Words of the Living)
5.00 pm
Cultural program
7.00 pm
Dinner (At the residence of Abraham)
Tuesday 1st October
8.00   am
Breakfast (KIPS)
9.00   am
Morning worship
9.30   am
Capturing of previous day
10.00 am
Paper presentation- Rev. Dr. M J Joseph, Kottayam (Title: Affirming the Power of Life)
10.30 am
Paper presentation- Ian Fry, Australia (Title: LIFE AFTER LIFE:
The Tripwire to More Questions than Answers)
11.00 am
Tea break
11.30 am
Paper presentation- Kesavadasa Swami, Argentina (Title: Holy Books: Life after Life:References from the Srimad Bhagavatam)
12.00 pm

Paper presentation- Sidhar Dr. B. Rajaram,Ph.D, Coibatore (Title: Holy Books  &  Life After Life – Interpretation)

12.30 pm
Paper presentation- Greshma P Raju, Punalur (Title: Holy Books and Life After Life)
1.00 pm
Lunch break (Motel Aram)
2.00 pm
Meeting with students of KIPS
3.30 pm
Tea break
4.00 pm
Official Inauguration, AMCD Award presentation and Book Release (Public Meeting)

Programs
1.      Opening hymn- Cosmic Community Choir
2.      Welcome- Dr. Abraham Karickam
3.      Over view of the Holy Books Conference- Dr. Ruwan Palapathwala, Dubai (Conference Manager)
4.      Introducing the award winners- Jiji P Mathew
5.      Reading of Mangalapathra- K C George
6.      Presentation of AMCD Award to Rev. Dr. M J Joseph
7.      Presentation of best CC award to Cosmic CC, Odanavattom
8.      Book release (Life after Life)
9.      Presidential remarks- Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Timotheos  Episcopa (President, AMCD)
10.  Felicitations- i) Ian Fry   ii) Jayanthi R Chawan iii) Swami Sachidananda Bharathi
11.  Reply speeches i) Rev. Dr. M J Joseph  ii) Cosmic Rajan
12.  Vote of thanks- Prof. John Kurakkar



Wednesday 2nd October (Gandhi Jayanthi and International Day of Peace Celebration)

8.00 am
Breakfast
9.00 am
Participation in the IDP Peace Procession
11.00 am
Tea break

11.30 am
Paper presentation- Dr. Meher Master Moos, Zoroastrian College, Mumbai (Title: Holy Books And Life After Life
From The View Point Of The Ancient Avestan Mazdayasnie Zarathushtrian Daena)
12.00 pm
Paper presentation- Ramanujadas, Ekanathdas and Lekshmipatidas- Argentina
(Title: Life After Life)-
12.30 pm
 Paper presentation- Bishop Kumara Ilangasingha (Sri Lanka)
1.00  pm
Lunch
2.00 pm
Paper presentation- Vasudeva Rao (Culcutta)
2.30  pm
Paper presentation- Prof. Dr. Waleboda (Sri Lanka)
3.30 pm
Paper presentation- Dr. Abraham Karickam (Title: Journey of the Soul)
4.00 pm
Evaluation      
4.30 pm
Trip to Kollam Beach and Dinner at Hotel Nila Palace

Thursday, 3rd October

Picnic to Palaruvi Water Falls



URI YOUTH CAMP AT SOUTH KOREA


Youth From All Over the World Gather in South Korea for URI Youth Camp


During the first week of July, URI Korea CC invited youth from all over the world to participate in an inter religious-intercultural youth camp in Seoul, South Korea. An annual venture first initiated in 2006, URI Korea CC’s youth camp’s aim is to mobilize a group of diverse youths, providing them with an opportunity to be engaged and be impacted by each other’s faiths. The hope is to shatter preconceptions built in ignorance, building individual bridges between people, their cultures, and their religions. 
Thanks to the help of organizers Dr. Jinwol Lee, Myun Shinok and YLP CoordinatorMatthew Youde, as well as support from the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 36 eager minds gathered in Seoul for orientations, lectures, cultural and religious site visits. Most of the participants were from South Korea; however, youth from the Philippines, Laos, Uganda, Romania, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, China, Nepal, Argentina, and United States were also present. They came from different backgrounds and faiths: Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Mormons, Agnostic. The participants ranged in age from 18-30 years old, and were comprised mainly of university students.
As part of the youth camp’s activities, participants visited historical and cultural sites in South Korea, which included Gyeong-bokgun (the “Palace Greatly Blessed By Heaven”), Dolmen statues from the neolithic age in Ganghwa (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, and the Dorasan train station near the DMZ. South Koreans hope that one day, Dorasan station will manage the customs and clearance of goods, trade, and people traveling among North Korea, China, Russia and South Korea. They also visited religious sites - such as the Seoul Central Mosque, Jeondeungsa Temple, and Myeongdong Cathedral - where they received guided tours and information on the respective religious practices. Most importantly, participants worked together in five groups of six to eight to incorporate what they learned during their religious and cultural visits, culminating in a presentation on the topic “For the Peaceful Multicultural Community.”
Ofelia Trevino, Executive Assistant at the URI office in San Francisco, was one of the participants at the youth camp in Seoul. Primarily involved in administrative work, she had never seen the impact of URI on the ground. “My time at the URI Korea youth camp was a life-changing experience,” she said. “It was magical to see stereotypes disappear by the end of our time together, and witness everyone come to the realization that we’re all one despite our differences.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013


Meet the Budget Busting B61 Nuclear Bomb



The U.S. is poised to spend $11.6 billion to upgrade a handful of nuclear bombs - with each bomb costing more than twice its weight in gold. The bombs were originally put in Europe to roll back a Soviet land invasion. With the Cold War over, the costly bomb upgrades would rack up more debt while adding no benefit to our security. 
Why are the bombs still around? What else could the U.S. buy with the money? How much gold are we talking about? See the infographic below.

The B61 costs more than twice its weight in gold.

Resources:
  • Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, 2014. (pdf)
  • Department of Energy FY 2014 Congressional Budget Request. (pdf)
  • Department of Defense FY 2014 President's Budget Submission, Air Force justification book. (pdf)
  • CNN Commodities. (Gold price at $1211.60 per ounce, as of June 28, 2013)
  • "Non-Strategic Nuclear Weapons" by Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists. May, 2012. (pdf)
  • "Nuclear Posture Review," meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations. April 8, 2010. (transcript)
  • SIPRI Military Expenditure Database, 2012.
  • "Throwing Money at Nukes" by The New York Times. May 26, 2013.
  • Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Request, "Program Acquisition Cost by Weapon System." (pdf)
  • "Dubai Opens World's Tallest Building" by Douglas Stanglin for USA Today. January 4, 2010.
  • "How America Pays for College 2012" by Sallie Mae. (pdf)
  • "Outcry Erupts over 1% Pay Raise Proposed for Military" by Gregg Zoroya for USA Today. April 24, 2013.
  • "American Red Cross FY11 Financial Results" (pdf)
SOURCE: 
 Art Direction and Design by Peter Fedewa