News

The Conference of Secretaries of the Christian World Communions Meet

October 20-26, 2003. The Conference of Secretaries of the Christian World Communions (CWC) met in Nicosia, Cyprus for sharing and exchange of information. Representing the Seventh-day Adventist Church were Dr. John Graz, director for the department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, and Dr. Bert Beach, general secretary for the Council on Interchurch Relations.

Dr. Beach who served as secretary to the CWC stepped down after 32 years. Newly elected to serve as secretary is Dr. Graz.

Hosted by His Grace Bishop Nikoforos, Abbot of the Monastery of Kykkos, the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, discussions included ecclesiological issues and the rethinking of inter-church relations in our time, how to promote dialogue and deepen and expands relationships. (Viola Hughes)

Adventists Participate in Memorial Ceremony for UN Staff

The newly-constructed memorial was unveiled by Patel Noble, the only Seventh-day Adventist serving on the UN Security Staff. "Remember here those who gave their lives for peace," are the words inscribed in six languages on a wall of crystal glass that is the centerpiece of the memorial that also includes 191 stepping stones, one for every member state.

"It is an ideal space for contemplation and for paying tribute to our fallen colleagues," said UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during the ceremony. "After more than half a century of UN field operations, we finally have a site fit to honor our heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice. In the increasingly high-risk environment in which we operate, there is no more serious or solemn duty than our responsibility to protect UN staff in the field."

Echoing the same theme, Mrs. Nane Annan commented that "it is our responsibility as colleagues and friends to salute the memory of the fallen; to carry forward their legacy, to continue their work, and to be inspired by their example."

"Adventists applaud the contributions of those who work for the betterment of humanity," comments Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Adventist church. "We share in the tragedy of loss as those who are committed to helping their fellow human beings lose their lives in service, and continue to pray for their families and colleagues."

Kelly Razzouk, Adventist church liaison officer based in New York and the only non-UN staff participant, commented that, "As I stood there, I thought of the three ADRA workers who were killed in Liberia this year. To my mind, this memorial is for them too."

Earlier this year, Annan condemned the killing of three ADRA workers, Emmanuel Sharpulo, Kaare Lund and Musa Kita, who died while attending to humanitarian needs in Liberia.

Celebrated every year on October 24, UN day marks the birth of the organization in 1945. The ceremony was attended by UN security personnel and distinguished diplomats from around the world. [Viola Hughes]

Adventists Support UN Call for Eradication of Poverty

New York, NY, USA... With millions struggling to survive on less than a dollar a day, the United Nations highlighted the need to eradicate poverty in a special meeting on October 17, 2003. Kofi Annan in his message to developing nations said, "The problem depends on many things, but none is more vital than forging a truly global partnership for development."

Secretary General Annan also commented that "an essential component is a trading system that is both free and equitable." Annan expressed disappointment in the failure of a recent World Trade Organization meeting to reach an agreement on reducing and ultimately phasing out tariff barriers. These barriers "shut out many developing countries from the markets of developed countries."

Keynote speaker, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, pointed to the statistics. Approximately 1.2 billion people survive on less than a dollar a day, and an estimated 840 million suffer hunger pains. As many as 24,000 people, many are children, die each day as a result of hunger-related causes.

"Far too many children are still dying," she said, adding that "eradicating hunger makes political sense," since it alleviates the stress that leads to conflict and violence.

The Queen encouraged the U.N. to step up efforts outlined in the Millennium Development Goals especially the goal to reduce by half the number of hungry people in the world by 2015. She appealed to those present to "Give the next generation the security of knowing they will never be hungry again."

Also playing an important role in coordinating this event was Mrs. Nane Annan, wife of the U.N. secretary general and a strong supporter in the fight against poverty. "We are a team, and we need each other," she observed.

"Adventists have consistently worked to end poverty and to ensure food and resources for all, irrespective of race, nationality or religion," comments Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "We recognize that we have a God-given responsibility to help those less fortunate, to improve their lives and conditions in this world of great need."

A statement on poverty issued by the Adventist world church in 1990, reads in part:

"In a world ravaged by sin, the bitter fruits of greed, war, and ignorance are multiplying. Even in so called 'affluent societies' the homelessness and the poor are growing populations.... In effecting Christ's ministry today, we must do as He did, and not only preach the gospel to the poor, but heal the sick, feed the hungry, and raise the downcast... Christ's own example is determinative for His followers."

Representing the Adventist church at the meeting was UN Liaison officer Kelly Razzouk, who spoke of the moving effect the event had on her and others present, adding that "I think it served a great purpose in challenging members of the United Nations to take action to eradicate poverty."

The U. N. is sponsoring many worldwide projects to help combat hunger including the Hunger Project that seeks to teach people in rural areas how to grow their own food and provide for their families. Although the U.N. still has a ways to go in achieving the development goals, General Assembly President, Jilian Hunte, is confident that they are working towards achieving "a world free from hunger." [Viola Hughes]

Religious Freedom Leads Annual Council Agenda

Delegates to annual council reconstituted as the legal meeting of the International Religious Liberty Association began Monday with a brief report from secretary general John Graz on 110 years of promoting religious freedom and human rights.

Receiving visiting ambassadors, participation in major international conferences, lobbying and representational work at the US Congress and the United Nations are all part of IRLA’s work, Graz reported. New national religious associations formed in 2003 included Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Tahiti, Chile and Brazil. Recent major IRLA-sponsored meetings included conferences in Kazakhstan and Chile, with board of experts meeting in Washington and Belgium. Union president G Quinteros reported on the IRLA Congress in Chile with a video presentation.

Chaired by vice president Eugene Hsu, delegates heard that upcoming international congresses for 2004 include Ukraine, Taiwan, Trinidad and Brazil, while the major World Congress is provisionally scheduled for February/March 2007 in Cape Town, South Africa, reported IRLA treasurer Don Robinson, who also gave details of the Association’s finances.

UN liaison representative Jonathan Gallagher reported that the IRLA was awarded UN Consultative Status by the UN Economic and Social Council. It took several years for IRLA to get approval. Gallagher shared briefly that those that sit on the review committee were representatives from countries who did not support religious freedom.

This status provides opportunity for the IRLA to attend UN meetings and commissions, to speak up directly on issues of religious freedom and human rights. Such interventions become part of the official record of any UN meetings and commissions that we attend.

As editor of the IRLA’s journal, Fides et Libertas, Gallagher appealed to delegates to use the magazine around the world among high-level officials in their respective countries. This introduces the IRLA as promoters of religious freedom.

US liaison representative Attorney James Standish shared his vision of the legislative work downtown. The first Liberty dinner organized by IRLA as co-sponsor and held in the Senate Caucus Room placed the Association in the center of high-level US state officials, with additionally many representatives from 30 different countries also attending. IRLA works hand in hand with the North American division IRLA affiliate, the North American Religious Liberty Association, Standish reported.

The delegates unanimously accepted the reports and re-affirmed their commitment to the cause of religious freedom.

UN Child Soldiers Documentary Welcomed by Adventist Representatives

New York, NY, USA... A United Nations film on the plight of child soldiers brought a strong response from Seventh-day Adventist church representatives.

The graphic documentary depicts the lives of child soldiers in Uganda, Sudan, Burma, Colombia, and Sierra Leone. Among those invited to watch the first showing was Adventist United Nations Liaison officer, Kelly Razzouk, who commented: "It was incredibly heart wrenching to see these children being thrust into battle and forced to look death in the face at such a young age."

Razzouk was one of 400 people present at the October 6 premiere in the UN Trusteeship Hall, attended by high ranking U.N. officials as well as the film's producer Andrew Ogilvie and director, Alan Lindsay who flew in from Australia.

"As Christians committed to children and families, we have strong views against the exploitation of children as soldiers, forced to fight in violent conflicts," responds Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Adventist church. "We deplore the ongoing tragedy of lost childhood, physical suffering, and mental cruelty that these poor children are forced to endure. We support action to bring such inhuman practices to an end."

The film tackles the hard issue of children forced into combat situations. According to Shashi Tharoor, United Nations Under-Secretary for Communication, thousands of children are captured each year and forced to become child soldiers. Despite newly enacted laws prohibiting the use of children in combat, many are still being used.

Many rebel groups use child soldiers because they are easy to recruit, cheap to keep and can be easily intimidated. Commanders use brainwashing techniques as well as drugs to manipulate the minds of their child captors. Female children often receive the worst treatment because they are used as both soldiers and sexual slaves.

The film's director, Alan Lindsay, hopes the film will educate viewers as well as compel them to action. "Awareness is the start of change," he says. He challenged the United Nations and all of its non-governmental organizations to answer the cries of children around the world and "stop this barbaric process."

The film will be seen by millions of Americans when it is publicly broadcast on HBO on October 8. [Viola Hughes with Kelly Razzouk]

"Human Rights and Freedom Our Highest Goals" says Serbian Ambassador

Silver Spring, MD, USA... "In our struggle for democracy, human rights and freedom are our highest goals, and we remain very committed to live up to these standards," said His Excellency Ivan Vujacic, Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro to the United States.

Making his remarks at a meeting with church leaders at the Seventh-day Adventist world headquarters on September 30, Vujacic added that "We have moved a long way in a short time, but this is an area that takes time to change attitudes, to work for religious tolerance both in law and for the local population."

Vujacic was welcomed by Dr. Jan Paulsen, president of the Adventist church, who spoke on the denomination's societal agenda: "Our engagement with society is very deliberate, since we believe to be a Christian you have to take a direct interest in the well-being of others and to be committed to providing the best for people. We hope that the various services we provide are seen by nations as demonstrating our commitment to be good partners in society."

Vujacic in his speech to church leaders expressed appreciation for the contributions of the church and of ADRA in the recent conflicts that involved Serbia and Montenegro. "We are very grateful for the assistance from the Adventist church and from ADRA when we were shut off by sanctions and war, when we really needed it-this helped people survive in those terrible times."

Commenting on the attack in April on an Adventist pastor in Serbia, Dr. Vujacic said he was "so sorry for that incident. Sadly some are still infested with hatred and intolerance, and there remain groups that have not given up their extreme policies."

Pastor Radivoj Vladisavljevic, president of the Adventist church in the region, also commented on the incident, saying, "The government immediately recognized this incident as an attack on religious liberty and condemned it. The perpetrators were caught, tried and sentenced. Such attacks are not endorsed by the authorities or the Orthodox church leadership and the situation is now improving." [Jonathan Gallagher]

United Nations Religious Committee Hears Adventist Religious Freedom Concerns

L to R: M Tyner, Judith Hertz (moderator), D Shriver

NY, NY, USA... Attorney Mitch Tyner, representing the Adventist Church, spoke to the UN Religious Committee and highlighted concerns addressing religious freedom and international law.

"Religious liberty is an individual right which needs greater protection," said Tyner, adding, "courts and judges should not be allowed to mandate what religion is and to define religious activities."

Tyner also commented that international documents that appear to protect religious liberty are weak and rarely protect religious minority observances because of the lack of protection against unintentional burdens to practice religion. The requirement for governments to either show the burden is really necessary or make accommodation for religious practice.

Tyner spoke to the Non-governmental Organizations Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief held at the United Nations Church Center on September 25. In attendance were representatives of many religious-based and other civil organizations

Dr. Don Shriver, President Emeritus of Union Theological Seminary, spoke on the theme of the development of religious freedom throughout history. "Religions out of power demand liberty, religions in power demand uniformity," stated Shriver. "Our challenge is to keep our variety of religious beliefs in some kind of unity."

Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations Liaison Director for the Adventist Church, who was also in attendance commented, "Religious liberty concerns are important to both the Adventist church and the wider society. Through our presence at the United Nations we are able to share our convictions regarding religious freedom and to support such fundamental human rights."

The UN/NGO Committee on Religion or Belief was recognized by the UN Economic and Social Council in 1991. One of its goals is to support the UN special rapporteur's initiatives against intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief; and appeal to the UN Sub-Commission on the Prevention and Protection of Minorities and the UN Commission on Human Rights to take appropriate actions against intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. This Committee also helps in the development of an annual report on the worldwide situation of freedom of religion or belief. [Viola Hughes/Kelly Razzouk]