Latest News
February 21, 2013
Our marine biodiversity is under threat from several factors such as encroachment, waste and a general lack of awareness. Marine biodiversity forms a very important part of our ecosystem and its conservation is key for maintaining ecological balance. The mangrove belts of our country are full of rich biodiversity and house several species. However, these mangroves greatest enemy is algae. This green, mucous like substance is a silent killer and in the hot and humid environment grows rapidly to...
February 9, 2013
For the past 15 years there has been a growing swell for interfaith harmony. I remember my first introduction to this was for the annual opening of each General Assembly with the Inter-faith celebration to pray and meditate with religious leaders, ambassadors and others speaking on giving inner support to the leaders of our world as they planned to meet in the General Assembly. Originally this was held within the UN and later at a local Church prior to the convening of the GA. Nana Apeadu, who...
February 2, 2013
Digging, Planting, Learning during UAE National Environment Week 2013
SynergY celebrates UAE National Environment Week 2013 by planting trees at TADWEER
COE UAE Chapter Leader Simran Vedvyas has started a group of young students from various institutions around the UAE called SynergY: Socially Yearning Network for Environment, Reach-out, Growth Youth. The purpose of SynergY is to support various environmental challenges.
On February 4 the UAE marks its National Environment Day under the...
January 27, 2013
Simran Vedyvas proudly participated in the Seeing is Believing Run for a Cause for the third time. Standard Chartered supports VISION 2020 - The Right to Sight, the global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2012, raised AED50, 000 for this cause, and 2013 saw a an even bigger crowd.
Why PARTICIPATE?
45 million people across the...
January 26, 2013
by Harriet Nettles
My first view of Kumbha Mela was from a high bridge over the Ganges River. As far as the eye could see, there were colorful domed tents, temple structures, people moving about, even elephants walking slowly in the distance. This is the largest spiritual gathering on earth. For thousands of years, devotees have gathered here at the confluence of three sacred rivers, the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mysterious subterranean Saraswati. There is a question playing in my mind: what...
January 25, 2013
Shift Network Recognition for Ashfaque, Kehkashan, Divine, Simran and Mark
Congratulations to COE leaders Ashfaque Hussain, Kehkashan Basu, Divine Ntiokam, Simran Vedvyas and Mark Conrad Ravanzo who, along with former COE participant leader Yuka Saionji, were all nominated for a Shift Innovation Awards. Jesse has moved on to be a finalist in the awards while Ashfaque, Kehkashan, Divine, Simran and Mark were offered full scholarships to James O’Dea’s Cultivating Peace Method training.
January 18, 2013
Largest International Initiative Reported By Ambassador Simran Vedvyas
http://www.eco-generation.org/ambassadorReportView.jsp?viewID=1947&searchType&searchName&pageNumber=1
The world's first open-access Global Atlas of renewable energy resources went live yesterday at the annual General Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
This video describes the Global Atlas initiative, general framework, !--object--ives and partnerships. The Global Atlas is the largest...
January 17, 2013
The tragedy that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary this past December was devastating beyond words. 26 lives were taken by senseless violence. There have been calls to tear down this elementary school, to try and lessen the deep pain the families and community. Yet how does tearing down the edifice truly lessen the hurt? Even more so, how does it honor those who lost their lives? Newtown resident and a Connecticut team leader for the Peace Alliance, Veronica Marr has challenged that to truly...
January 16, 2013
S. Patrick McCollum and H. H. Puja Swami Saraswati set an example for one hundred million people at the center of the Kumbh Mela on how to restore the beauty of the sacred Ganges River by personally mucking trash. Pilgrims seeing their example, joined them and soon a mile of the Sangam was cleaned in an hour.
Press came and covered the event, sending photos around the world. When interviewed, S. McCollum said, "We must be the example of what we want to see. If we want our brothers and sisters...
December 27, 2012
COE International summer camps 2012, Togo, West Africa,
26 July to 02 August, 2012
Karoline and Princess (COE Chapter Leader Nigeria) were invited by Samuel AYIVI, COE Chapter Leader in Togo, in West Africa to participate in a young people's camp organized in Kouvé last August 2012. Many members of COE and others took part in the activities of the event such as music, sports, and teachings on the Divine Names of God, and environment. For the environmental program we did a project which...