New York, United States – The NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns-NY (CSVGC-NY) organized a program on February 14, 2024, on the theme “Importance of Spirituality and Values in Daily Life and Global Affairs,” co-sponsored by the UPF-UN Office. Eighty-three individuals attended the online program.
Mr. Danilo Parmegiani, chairman of CSVGC-NY, introduced the distinguished keynote speaker, Mrs. Audrey Kitagawa. Mrs. Kitagawa is the founder and president of the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation, and former advisor to the special representative of the secretary-general for children and armed conflict at the United Nations.
She also holds several positions under the G20 Interfaith Forum, the United Religions Initiative, the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, and the Advisory Council of the Global Security Institute.
After congratulating the CSVGC-NY on its 20th anniversary, which occurs on Feb. 27, Mrs. Kitagawa shared a beautiful song by a Hawaiin spiritual singer. She then opened her remarks by stressing the committee’s important role in promoting the integration of spirituality and human dignity in all areas of the United Nations, based on the UN Charter and Declaration of Human Rights.
Spirituality is a core value that all people need to actualize in their daily lives, she said, and this committee’s responsibility is to seek ways to materialize this value within the UN agenda. She pointed out that the United Nations recognizes faith-based organizations as its vital partners because 87% of the world’s population adheres to a faith tradition.
Mrs. Kitagawa said that faith-based organizations have an obligation to support decision makers and reinforce the value of human dignity. She called on all major religious organizations to work together for the disadvantaged and vulnerable people, including migrants, trafficked people, and poverty-stricken populations. Together with governments and civil society, they can work to solve crucial problems and strive to ensure gender equality, financial security, adequate healthcare, education, religious freedom and the maintenance of peace and security.
Additionally, she said, spirituality is a vital element in solving the climate problem by encouraging faith communities to become involved in Cop 30 2025, the UN climate change conference that will be held next year in Brazil.
Mr. Danilo Parmegiani thanked Mrs. Kitagawa for her remarks. Executive Committee member Dr. Nina Meyerhof then read the CSVGC-NY Statement on Peace and Security, concerning the current conflicts in the world.
Mr. Parmegiani concluded the event with silent prayer.
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