News

Senators Meet With Adventists & Other Church Representatives

September 18th was not only significant for Hurricane Isabel, it was also significant for the Adventist work on Capitol Hill. We were among fourteen representatives of religious organizations chosen for an hour and a half meeting with six leaders in the United States Senate on the morning the Hurricane was expected to reach Washington. In attendance were Senator Clinton (NY), Senator Daschle (SD), Senator Lincoln (AR), Senator Akaka (HI), Senator Bingaman (NM) and Senator Leahy (VT). It was a tremendous opportunity - as it is rare to get together with senators in such an intimate setting for such a long time period.

James Standish, director of legislative affairs for the Adventist Church, had the opportunity to have in depth conversations with Senator Clinton, Senator Leahy, Senator Lincoln and Senator Akaka before and after the event. During the hour and a half formal discussion, Standish gave a short presentation on the Workplace Religious Freedom Act and issues related to religious persecution overseas.

As moderator of the first morning session of the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Human Rights and Freedom of Religion and Belief on September 17, Gallagher reminded the participants that the treatment of minorities were a clear indicator of the state of freedom in any nation.

Illustrating the importance of religious freedom from history, Gallagher explained that "both from conviction and by circumstance, the early Adventist church recognized the vital importance of religious freedom as fundamental to all liberties. In developing a philosophy of human rights and religious freedom, and in becoming motivated to promote these ideas, Adventists were well ahead of the curve."

Gallagher also quoted an Adventist statement from 1893 that he claimed was ahead of its time in recognition of the fundamental right to freedom of conscience, produced well before the various declarations on human rights in the second half of the twentieth century:

"So far as earthly authority is concerned, we have full right to be religious or not religious, to worship or not to worship, to observe a day or not to observe it, according to the dictates of our own consciences and the convictions of our own minds."

He also appealed to the parliamentarians of the various national governments present not to criminalize any religion, but to treat every person and every organization as equal under the law.

The Inter-Parliamentary Conference, organized by the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, brought together parliamentarians from a number of national legislatures, including Egypt, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Italy, Croatia, Ukraine, Estonia, Russia, Romania, and Sweden, together with representatives of international bodies, religious groups, and non-government organizations.

The main themes addressed by the Conference focused on the violation of fundamental freedoms, the human rights of minorities, the theological understanding of religious liberty, the role of international covenants, religion and national security, anti-semitism, and woman's rights from a religious perspective. The Conference met from September 16 through 18 at the European Parliament in Brussels. [Viola Hughes]

International Day of Peace Commemorated by Mega-Concert at Adventist University

Chattanooga, TN, USA... Southern Adventist University took the lead in the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, organizing a large open-air concert on September 19 attended by over 2,000 people.

"In a time of war and conflict, taking time to reflect and celebrate peace is paramount," commented Dr. Gordon Bietz, University president.

Arranged in conjunction with Kelly Razzouk of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's United Nations Liaison Office in New York, the celebration in Coolidge Park, Chattanooga, was "testimony to the Adventist church's long history of promoting peace and non-violence," according to the Church's UN liaison director, Dr. Jonathan Gallagher.

"This program to commemorate the International Day of Peace was a tremendous opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the vital principles of peace, especially at this time of war and conflict," Gallagher added. "From the beginnings of our church we have consistently opposed violence and are delighted at this great demonstration of support for peace."

Organized by students of Southern Adventist University, the Spirit of Peace Concert provided "an opportunity for students and non-students to come together and promote our message of peace," said Razzouk, who has just begun her internship program at the United Nations on September 1, 2003. Also a gifted musician, Razzouk sang the concert's closing song, bringing the members of the audience to their feet with her song, "There Will Come a Day."

Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, the International Day of Peace has been designated as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. In his message on September 21, Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the United Nations, invited all nations and peoples to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the day. The Day of Peace should also be a "pause for reflection by the wider international community on the threats and challenges we face," Annan said.

In its 1985 Statement on Peace, the Adventist world church "urges every nation to 'beat its swords into plowshares' and its 'spears into pruninghooks' (Isa. 2:4)," recognizing that "men and women were 'created for the glory of God' and were 'called to love Him and one another, and to care for their environment,' not to destroy or hurt one another. Christ Himself said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God' (Matt. 5:9)."

"In a world filled with hate and struggle, a world of ideological strife and of military conflicts, Seventh-day Adventists desire to be known as peacemakers and work for worldwide justice and peace under Christ as the head of a new humanity," the statement concludes. [Viola Hughes]

Bracknell, England... Students at Newbold College in England are excited about the opportunities to make a difference on the world scene, reports Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations liaison director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

"After presenting the vision of what is possible at the UN, the interest and questions just kept coming," says Gallagher of the September 13 meeting. "It was hard to get away as students caught the vision of what they could do personally in making a positive difference on the international level. I shared the limited openings we have in our volunteer program, and if they all apply, we're in trouble! However, I can also see such students making tremendous contributions in such agencies as UNICEF, UNESCO, UNAIDS and other organizations that seek to help humanity in very positive ways."

The discussion meeting examined the situation of religion and religious freedom around the world, and looked at how participation in such gatherings as the UN Commission on Human Rights can address issues and highlight problems.

"In attending the Commission we do not seek to attribute blame, but to help solve human rights violations through effective change," says Gallagher of the Church's involvement. "Most of all, we want to share at the UN what we have-a commitment to the betterment of all humanity through health, education, and spiritual values that we are so privileged to possess."

Answering the question "Why Work at the UN?", Gallagher stated that it provides a unique opportunity to speak with high-level diplomats and leaders, to share the Adventist message and mission, and influence decisions that affect the whole world. It would be a tragedy to fail to make use of this opportunity to work together with a wide range individuals and organizations to make a real difference to so many people, he added.

"If we truly believe that we as Adventists have a program and message that is essential, then we cannot ignore the possibilities provided by access and participation at the UN and other global organizations," Gallagher concludes. "We are not called to work for one group or people alone, but to work for all people, and I am delighted that so many students here at Newbold College have caught that vision and want to be a relevant part of today's world." [Viola Hughes]

The US Senate community gathered together on September 11th to remember those lost two years ago. Dr. Barry Black, an Adventist minister and chaplain of the US Senate, presided over the memorial service, while musical selections were provided by Pr. Wintley Phipps and George and Anika Sampson, all of whom are Seventh-day Adventists. The Senate community rose to their feet at the conclusion of the Sampson's moving tribute to God, "Great is Thy Faithfulness."

The Senate majority leader, Senator Frist, and the minority leader, Senator Daschle, both gave moving tributes during the service. In addition, passages were read by Rabbi Shemtov and Imam Saleem. Rev. Coughlin, the US House of Representatives Chaplain, concluded the service with prayer.

The most poignant point in the service came when Chaplain Black invited members of the Senate community to come forward and explain what 9/11 meant to them. Many eyes were filled with tears as the impromptu speakers poured out their hearts about the pain they felt, the faith they retain, and the inspiration they take from the unselfish sacrifice displayed by so many men and women on that fateful day.

New York, NY, USA... Representatives from the Seventh-day Adventist Church along with other organizations from more than a 100 countries are working together at the United Nations as positive "agents for change" in contemporary society.

The 56th Annual UN DPI/NGO conference titled "Human Security and Dignity: Fulfilling the Promise of the United Nations" is drawing over 3,000 representatives in what is the largest gathering of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the world.

"As NGOs, we are committed to becoming agents of change," said Fannie Munlin, conference chair, in her opening address on September 8 to the delegates in the UN General Assembly hall. Munlin added that one of the goals of the conference is to create a global village where human security and dignity are the norm, not the exception.

The UN and civil society need to work together to achieve "freedom from the fear of hunger, poverty and oppression," commented Jan Kavan, president of the 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in his welcome to the conference participants.

The representatives gathered for the opening session on September 8 to "address tangible ideas, creates plan of actions and exchange information among NGOs," said Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information for the United Nations.

NGOs work with the United Nations to lobby for and implement activities promoting human rights, humanitarian aid, education, health reform, gender issues, poverty reduction and many other programs directly related to improving the quality of life.

"Adventists have always worked as agents for change," said Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN liaison director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "Many Adventist causes correlate directly with projects at the United Nations, such as health issues, development assistance, and education. Our presence here provides a way to interface with other agencies for positive change to benefit humanity on a global scale."

Gallagher added that this conference marks the first time Adventists have sat on the planning committee for this conference. Mindi Rahn, former volunteer intern for the United Nations Liaison Office, worked with the planning team to help achieve the conference's many objectives.

Also in attendance representing the Adventist Church were new interns Kelly Razzouk, Rachel Bostic, together with Viola Hughes who manages the internship program. The conference will last through September 10.

The Adventist Church's UN Liaison Office began its internship program three years ago to provide daily representation at the United Nations. To obtain updates on Adventist representation to the UN, visit http://un.adventist.org. [Kelly Razzouk/Rachel Bostic]