The UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs

In December 1991 the UN General Assembly established the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA) to strengthen UN response to emergencies and natural disasters.

Its 2005 budget was $10 million, mostly received directly from UN member states.

OCHA is headed by the Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, currently Mr. Jan Egeland.

Lauareates

The definition of Laureates is quite intersting:

1. Worthy of the greatest honor or distinction: “The nation's pediatrician laureate is preparing to lay down his black bag” (James Traub).
2. Crowned or decked with laurel as a mark of honor.
3. Archaic. Made of laurel sprigs, as a wreath or crown.

n.

1. One honored or awarded a prize for great achievements especially in the arts or sciences: a Nobel laureate.
2. A poet laureate.

[Middle English, from Latin laureātus, adorned with laurel, from laurea, crown of laurel, from feminine of laureus, of laurel, from laurus, laurel.]

A laurel wreath has been the symbol of excellence since Ancient Greece, where the wreath was awarded to great scholars, artists, soldiers, and those athletes who won in competitions such as the Olymic Games.

It is also awarded to those whose humantarian efforts have brought us all closer to peace.

I think that may be the most important laureate of all.

Definition of "Humanitarian"

"One who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms; a philanthropist."

It is a belief of the Scientology religion that all men and women, in an unaberrated state, are humanitarians -- that they seek the welfare of all humanity, as well of that of themselves, their families and their groups.

Great Quote

I found this great quote on the Artists for Human Rights web site.

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of their skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

Nelson Mandela

International Peace Day

It is days like the International Day of Peace that turn us all into humanitarians.

It is so heartening to see the incredible response people all over the world have to this day.

There is a great web site that has photos of events done by people of all religions, races, ethnicities and beliefs all of whom share one dream - world peace.

Anne Archer

Anne Archer could have been satisfied with just being an accomplished actor and a stunning woman, but she is committed to human rights and has been an ardent advocate of the rights of others for many years.

She recently created a group called Artists for Human Rights.

Last night she was the presenter in Washington D.C. of the Human Rights Leadership Awards of Freedom Magazine.

thecommunity.com

There is a really terrific web site on the Nobel Laureates.

It has great information on what the Laureates are doing today to bring about world peace.

And Peace is such a precious commodity.

Having been recognized as humanitarians, these men and women do not stop there. They carry on.

TheCommunity.com, in partnership with Alex Kitman Ho (producer of Hotel Rwanda), is producing a series of interviews for television with Paul Simon, Michael Douglas, Bono and other artists interviewing the world's peacebuilders. Scheduled for completion in 2007, the series will bring the lives and wisdom of these leaders -- seen through the eyes of some of the icons of today's global culture -- into homes across the globe.

Commemorating 9/11

While we all recall the tragic events of five years ago, there is another aspect of any commemoration of 9/11, and that is remembering the heroes -- the rescue workers who risked their lives in the desparate home of saving a few more lives -- and the many volunteers who helped the rescue workers, including the Scientology Volunteer Ministers.

Mr. David Miscavige in his keynote address at the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of New York paid tribute to the courage and dedication of these New York Scientologists.

Scientology News

There are so many constructive projects being done by Scientologists - projects of a really humanitarian nature.

Now there is a beautifully redesigned new Scientology news web site at www.scientologytoday.org.

A real must-see.

Churches of Scientology support and contribute to a variety of other established community programs such as the Red Cross, the March of Dimes, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and local community groups in cities the world over. This support ranges from broad participation in drug-free blood drives, to city-wide collection of holiday toys for needy children, to donations of food and clothing for under-privileged families. Every year, for example, Scientology churches around the United States are drop-off points for toys donated for the United States Marine Corps popular "Toys for Tots" campaign. Similar toy drives are held wherever there are Scientology churches and missions.

I am completely incensed with the Washington Post's latest pandering to big pharma.

Here's the latest quote disorder invented by the American (ha!) Psychiatric Association to make money for the drug pushers.

First we get stuffed full of meds, our genetically engineered foods don't provide adequate nutrition, and then when we feel awful and try to find out why they cover their tracks by creating a new disorder -- "somatization disorder."

Hey. I have an idea. Instead of taking drugs and costly ineffective "therapy" how about eating a diet that's got adequate nutrition?

And if you are in pain and want help right way, pick up a copy of the Scientology Handbook (or read it online) and learn how to give an assist to someone and get one in return. In other words -- get some REAL help and not pseudoscience.

Motivation

Humanitarians are motivated by the desire to help their fellow man.

In today's materialistic society some have a hard time conceiving this. In fact they twist true humanitarian work to fit with their view of life - a perverted view where people are trying to rip one another off and profit by the pain and suffering of others.

But the Scientologists I know, who volunteer in one or more of our programs are truly motivated by the desire to help.

I thought I'd put in the actual definitions of humanitarian, seeing that this is what this blog is about.

1. Concern for human welfare, especially as manifested through philanthropy.

2. The belief that the sole moral obligation of humankind is the improvement of human welfare.

Of interest - seeing I am a woman - is an article put out by Forbes Magazine called "Most Powerful Women Humanitarians." I found it fascinating to see what power these ladies weild, while also dedicated to helping others.

Did you know that the Red Cross have a Museum on their website?

It is very interesting to see its history and progression. It would have to be one of the the most well known and respected humanitarian groups on the planet.

I personally give blood to help them in their efforts and I just think they should be acknowledged for their good work and the care they give their fellow man.

Mandela and Martin Luther King

I saw and incredible short film the other day. It was so moving and so real.

It's actually not even a "film" really because it's less than a minute long. But it is so powerful. It's a public service announcement from Youth for Human Rights International.

Check it out here -- look for human right number 20.

Delegates and human rignts leaders, young and old, are set to converge on the United Nations headquarters in New York on August 24 for a two-day summit to work out how to use human rights education to find a road to peace. It's being organized by the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International and Youth for Human Rights International.

It's more and more relevant as we read the news and see the horrible scenes of violence in the Middle East and the escalating Iraqi insurgency.

They plan to have art exhibitions, summits, discussions etc.

But they also intend to have something substantial come out of this conference that will make a difference. Certainly if human rights was really taught in schools and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights made known and used, which is one of the aims of Youth for Human Rights International, we would see less violence in the world and more willingness of people to settle their differences peacefully.

Human rights is very much an issue these days and there is a group of people who are disseminating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in a very unique way. They are "Youth for Human Rights." What they have produced in coordination with the Church of Scientology International is 30 public service announcements depicting each of the 30 human rights.

These were released recently at an event hosted by David Miscavige.

Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg: Presentation by Mr. David Miscavige

November 2003 will be remembered as a landmark in the history of the Scientology religion, as it was then that the new Church of Scientology of Johannesburg held its grand opening and dedicated itself to the creation of a new civilization.

It was also very exciting for all the local Scientologists in Johannesburg, as Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Centre, visited their city -- the first time he came to South Africa -- and his inspirational speech launched a movement to accomplish what L. Ron Hubbard had predicted over thirty years ago: "From Southern Africa will spring the next great civilization on this planet...." — L. Ron Hubbard

The Church of Scientology International described David Miscavige's presentation at the grand opening in a press release which included the following:

A Most Special Guest

"The event was capped by the appearance of

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of Religious Technology Center, custodian of the religious scriptures of Scientology.

"Mr. David Miscavige’s presence to dedicate and open the new church was significant, both for him, personally, as a first-time visitor to the country, as well as for the parishioners of the 45-year-old Johannesburg church. 'It is my honor to address you, to walk in a land where L. Ron Hubbard laid so many milestones, and on this, your milestone day,' he stated. "

More information on Mr. David Miscavige

Articles and Speeches

David Miscavige - International News

David Miscavige Pays Tribute to L. Ron Hubbard

David Miscavige - Religious Technology Center, Holder of the Dianetics and Scientology Trademarks -

Religious Technology Center The Guarantor of Scientology's Future - David Miscavige

David Miscavige - Human Rights Advocate

Volunteer Ministers Again

I liked this posting I saw on http://whyihelp.blogspot.com/

Since I feel the same way as B.L. I thought I'd share it:

Volunteer Ministers Featured in Freedom Magazine

Several volunteer ministers were featured in the most recent edition of Freedom Magazine. They are exceptional beings who have set aside their own personal comfort and safety to help people in times of disaster.

I am very proud to be a Scientology Volunteer Ministers and when I read about the work these people have done I am all the more honored to be part of the same ranks as they are.

Posted by: B.L. / 8:02 PM