Natural Disasters: Chinese Earthquake Death Toll rises to 589

Natural Disasters: Chinese Earthquake Death Toll rises to 589

The Death Toll from a 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck China's southwestern Yunnan province on Sunday has risen to 589, with 9 people still missing, China's state-run media said on Wednesday.
Among the reported deaths, 504 were in the worst-hit Ludian County and 72 in Qiaojia County. In addition to the deaths, 2,401 people were reported injured.
The epicenter of the quake was recorded in Longtoushan Township, 23 km (14 miles) southwest of Zhaotong, and tremors were felt almost 200 miles away. Hundreds of aftershocks were recorded following the initial tremor. Poor weather conditions and the aftershocks hampered rescue efforts.

One of the rescued victims, 88-year-old Xiong Zhengfen, was found Tuesday after 50 hours buried under rubble in Babaocun village, near the quake's epicenter. Doctors told local media that she was uninjured and her vital signs normal. She was taken to the county hospital after being rescued.

It is a fairly remote, partly mountainous area. Many live in low-rise houses made of wood and bricks or plaster, which make them prone to collapse.

The quality of the housing, along with the higher-than-average population density in the area and the relatively shallow epicenter of the quake, was said to be a contributing factor to the death toll.
Lu Xuefeng, head of Zhaotong City's communications department, told reporters Monday that an estimated 210,000 households and almost a million residents had been affected by the earthquake.
Some 12,000 homes were destroyed and 30,000 others damaged in Sunday's quake, according to CCTV. Tens of thousands have been relocated from structurally unsafe houses. Some roads have been destroyed and some villages remain cut off.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.1, while the China Earthquake Networks Center reported it as a 6.5-magnitude event.
The area is a mountainous region, known for its natural scenery and ethnic diversity, but is also prone to natural disasters and lies on a major earthquake fault.
Yunnan's neighboring province, Sichuan, witnessed a magnitude 7.9 earthquake in 2008 where at least 87,000 people died.
                                                                By Euan McKirdy, CNN

Natural Disasters

A natural disaster is an event with a natural, as opposed to human, cause that results in large-scale loss of life or damage to property. It could be related to weather, geology, biology or even factors outside the Earth. Examples are earthquakes, hurricanes, droughts and flooding. Disease epidemics are sometimes considered Natural Disasters, but may be put into a different category. In some cases, natural and human factors may combine to produce a disaster.

Weather and Climate

The planet’s weather produces disasters on a fairly regular basis. Hurricanes, also known as cyclones, are among the most prominent natural disasters, occurring quite frequently in the warmer parts of the world. They begin as low-pressure areas over warm oceans and grow into giant storms, hundreds of miles in diameter, that persist for several days. Their paths are fairly predictable, which gives forewarning to areas likely to be affected. Even so, they can cause substantial loss of life and millions of dollars of damage.

Tornadoes cover much smaller areas and may only last for a few minutes, but during that time they can cause devastation, due to the extremely high wind speeds. In the worst category of tornado, the winds can reach 300 mph (482.8 km/h). This is enough to completely destroy brick buildings and hurl automobiles through the air. Fortunately, tornadoes of this severity are relatively rare.

Much less spectacular, but much deadlier, are droughts. Many people living in drier parts of the world often rely on seasonal rainfall to grow crops. From time to time, however, the rains fail to arrive, due to fluctuations in the Earth’s climate. Prolonged lack of rainfall leads to crop failure, starvation and malnutrition, claiming millions of lives in some cases.

Excessive rainfall can cause flooding, which may result in large numbers of people losing their homes, crops being ruined or rivers bursting their banks and causing death and destruction. Flooding often results from the heavy rain that accompanies hurricanes, compounding the damage. Prolonged heavy rain can also cause disastrous landslides and mudslides.

Geological Disasters

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters. They occur at or near fault lines: cracks in the Earth’s crust that mark the boundary between two different sections. When these sections move relative to one another, the resulting vibration produces an earthquake. Although old fault lines can occasionally produce small earthquakes, the most destructive ones occur in geologically active areas, near the boundaries of continental plates.

When an earthquake happens under the ocean, it may produce a tsunami, or huge wave, that travels rapidly outwards from its source. A tsunami can cause massive destruction to coastlines hundreds of miles away. These enormous waves can also be produced by landslides. There is concern that a future massive landslide on an unstable part of the island of La Palma in the Canary Isles may trigger a huge tsunami that would travel westward across the Atlantic, causing devastation to the east coast of America. This is, however, disputed by some geologists.

Volcanoes are related to earthquakes in that they occur in geologically active zones around plate boundaries. In these areas, magma, under pressure, is close to the surface and can erupt as lava. This may be of the “runny” type, which flows out relatively quietly and follows well-defined channels. Alternatively, it may be of the “sticky” type; this can solidify at the top of a volcano, causing pressure to build up until there is an explosive eruption.

Much of the death and destruction from this kind of natural disaster results from volcanic ash, which can fill the air, making breathing impossible, and accumulate on rooftops, causing buildings to collapse under the weight. Pyroclastic flow is another major hazard associated with some volcanic eruptions. This consists of a mixture of hot gas, ash and rock fragments racing at high speed from the source of the eruption and destroying everything in its path.

The biggest known volcanic natural disaster may have occurred in prehistoric times. Some scientists believe that the eruption of Mt. Toba in Indonesia over 73,000 years ago may have killed off most of the human species, leaving behind only 1,000 - 10,000 breeding pairs. This phenomenon, called a population bottleneck, has been confirmed through genetic analysis.

Diseases and other Biological Threats

Disasters that affect humans can be caused by other organisms. Historically, there have been a number of outbreaks of serious disease that have affected huge areas and claimed many lives. One such example was the “black death,” a form of bubonic plague that affected much of Europe during the Middle Ages and may have reduced the population by 30-60%.

The Spanish flu epidemic of 1918-1919 is thought to have killed about 50 million people — more than World War I, which had occurred just before. The threat to humans from the emergence of a new and lethal strain of the influenza virus remains. Organisms that do not cause disease can occasionally cause disasters. Locusts, for example, can form huge swarms that can devour many acres of crops in a very short time, sometimes causing famine.

Disaster from Space

Although there are no documented cases of human fatalities resulting from meteorites or asteroids, they do pose a threat. The risk of a major impact in the near future is considered to be very low, but looking further ahead, the probability is greater. The Earth has certainly experienced such events in the past, as evidenced by obvious craters in many parts of the world. In 1908, what is thought to be a large meteorite or comet fragment devastated a vast area of the Tunguska region of Siberia. Fortunately, the area was uninhabited and there were no known human casualties.

Natural and Human Factors

Some natural disasters result from a combination of natural and human factors. For example, the primary cause of a disease epidemic may be a natural microorganism, but its spread might be encouraged by human behavior and activities, such as living in close proximity to infected animals or rapid international travel. Human activities may also have contributed in a major way to some famines. For example, bad agricultural policies are widely thought to have been at least partly to blame for the great famine of 1958-61 in China, during which 30 million people died.

                        http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-natural-disaster.htm

As ascribed some Natural Disasters are the Results of human behaviors and activities. Therefore reducing Natural Disasters somehow depends upon human's thoughts and ideologies. In order to build Peaceful World on the earth, we should sit together and ask God of good counsels. Only then all mankind shall live in peace and love for ever and ever. 

Ukraine Crisis: Turning Points for World Peace

Ukraine Crisis: Turning Points for World Peace

An Agreement struck by the U.S., the European Union, Russia and Ukraine has raised hopes for defusing the Ukrainian Crisis, which has strained East-West ties to a degree unseen since the Cold War. The deal Thursday in Geneva came after the 4 parties held Talks together for the first time since Ukraine's Turmoil began nearly 5 months ago. A look at how the Ukrainian crisis has evolved:

How It All Started

After years of preparation for a partnership agreement with the 28-nation EU, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych stepped back from the pact in late November in favor of pursuing closer ties with Russia.

The move sparked protests in Kiev, on the Ukrainian Capital's main square, which grew to hundreds of thousands of people after a brutal police crackdown. The demonstrations were peaceful for weeks, but turned violent in mid-January after Yanukovych pushed through Repressive Laws aimed at stifling the protests. The violence culminated in February as about 100 people died from sniper fire in central Kiev.

Following the bloodshed, Yanukovych signed a Europe-brokered Peace deal on Feb. 21, but fled the capital hours later as police withdrew and protesters took control of the city. He ended up sheltering in Russia.

Russia's  Game

Russia saw the proposed EU-Ukraine Agreement as undercutting Moscow's Clout in Ukraine. It offered a bailout package to Yanukovych after he rejected the EU deal, and accused the U.S. and the EU of masterminding the protests. President Vladimir Putin saw the rapid collapse of the February Peace Deal as cynical maneuvering by the West.

Putin sent Russian Troops into Ukraine's Strategic Crimea Peninsula, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based. The soldiers in unmarked uniforms, dubbed 'little green men' by some, quickly overtook Crimea, blocking Ukrainian Troops in their bases. 2 weeks later, the region's residents overwhelmingly voted for joining Russia, and Moscow annexed Crimea last month.

Russia also has deployed an estimated 40,000 troops in areas bordering Ukraine, raising Western Fears of an invasion into the east of the country, which has a large Russian-speaking population and was Yanukovych's support base.

Western Response

Washington and the EU, taken by surprise by the swift Russian Takeover of Crimea, imposed travel bans and asset freezes on members of Putin's entourage.

They warned that deeper sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector and other vital parts of the economy will follow if Russia moves into eastern Ukraine.

The U.S. has sent additional fighter jets to NATO members Poland and Lithuania, which border Russia. NATO also has announced plans to further beef up its forces in eastern Europe in response to Russia's action.

Eastern Ukraine Turmoil

Well-organized groups of gunmen quickly overtook government offices and police stations in several cities in eastern Ukraine in April and then handed over control to pro-Russian demonstrators, who hoisted Russian flags on top of the buildings. Ukraine and the West accused Russia of sending special forces to fuel turmoil, which Moscow denies.

The Ukrainian government has responded by sending in the army and police to uproot the protests, but it has been reluctant to use force, which could further fuel anger and trigger a Russian Invasion.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/Apr/18/ukraine-crisis-turning-points/

Any kind of Conflicts and Hostilities are at last come from 'Misunderstanding of others and Malicious Greed for not deserving'. Thoughts and Actions obsessed by evil spirit Satan caused all kinds of troubles throughout the human history. But now is the Time of Peace God promised for so long and man yearned for eagerly. It is our Responsibility to bring Peace on the earth for our descendants to live a peaceful life. If we determine to make it, surely we can do it~! For God is love and peace, so God shall be with us and give us abilities to do so. Everything depends upon our Choice and Determination to do it or not. Let us come together and become one family under One God in order to make Peaceful World on the earth. This will be the Greatest Mission for us born at this crucial time of age. Let's make God our Heavenly Father to be pleased and glad to see what we are doing for His sake. No to conflicts and wars, Yes to love and peace~!

We pray for you all join us to do so. Amen.

Similarities and Dissimilarities between Islam and Christianity

Similarities and Dissimilarities 
between Islam and Christianity

Christianity and Islam are the two largest religions in the world. The followers of Christianity are known as Christians and the followers of Islam are known as Muslims. They are both from Abrahamic traditions. Muslims consider Christians as the People of the Book. Christianity and Islam have many points of contact.But there are some things upon which they disagree. The points of disagreement touch every important religious doctrine. To know the similarities and dissimilarities between Islam and Christianity we should know these religions at first.

Islam: 

Islam is a monotheistic religion originating with the teachings of prophet Muhammad .The word Islam means 'submission', or the 'total surrender' of oneself to God An adherent of Islam is known as a Muslim meaning 'one who submits to God'. Islam is a prophetic religion. It has its origin in the teachings of Prophet Mohammad who is taken by its followers as the messengers (Rasul) of God (Allah). Islam does not disbelieve in the authority of other prophets such as Abraham, Moses and Jesus. But Mohammad is taken as the last and the mightiest. His teachings are regarded as final and they are to be observed and followed by all. Islam is a Semitic religion. That is why it shares a common origin with Judaism and Christianity. Mohammad was born in Arabia in the year 570 A.D. At that time the Arabia was a land of polytheism and many kinds of ritualism and idolatry were present there. Against these Mohammad preached a religion of strict monotheism and a life of rigorous discipline devoid of any ritualism and idolatry. Thus the religion of Mohammad came to Arabia in the form of a reformation of prevalent religious beliefs and practices. At the age of forty Mohammad received Revelation from God through Gabriel. 

After receiving the Divine Revelation from God through Gabriel, in the ’hera’ cave he began to spread the message of God to everyone. There were very few as his followers at first but later it was huge. When Abu Bakr the first caliph joined the movement started by Mohammad, it was greatly strengthened. Then it spread swiftly by political patronage and military conquests. Islam is said to be the religion of the book. All the basic principles of Islam as a religion are contained in one book called 'Quran'. Quran is said to be the Word of God revealed to Mohammad through Gabriel. The word Quran comes from a root word which means recite. Quran in Islam is regarded as eternal, the Uncreated Eternal Word of Allah. Mohammad got it through Gabriel and recited to his followers. Quran is supplemented by another less important Islamic text, the Hadith , which is comprised of the sayings (Ahadis) and practices of prophet Mohammad and his companions.

Christianity: 

Of all the Semitic religions, Christianity has proved to be the most influential and has dominated a large population of the world, specially the western world. It has its origin in the teachings of Jesus, a Jew by birth and reported to be born of a virgin mother, Mary. The religion seems to be essentially monotheistic, although the idea of trinity found in it sometimes raises doubts whether it is really and strictly to be regarded as a monotheism.Although the Christians claim that their religion has directly come out of the Revelations and Insights of Jesus it can hardly be disputed that Christianity owes much for its origin to Judaism. Jesus himself was a Jew and he never thought of founding a new religion, while he was preaching his own religious ideas, he was only trying to cleanse Judaism of the rubbish which clustered around it in course of time. Jesus only wanted to play the role of a reformer, but it is the accident of time that his teachings, which sometimes differed from the traditional Jewish beliefs and practices, gave birth to a new religion of which he was begun to be treated as a founder. He himself repeatedly asserted that he had come not to destroy (the old faith), but to fulfill the law.The Old Testament of the Bible is as much as sacred text for the Christians as for the Jews. Only the Christians have also a New Testament incorporating specially the Teachings of Jesus. 

it goes without saying that Christianity originated in the Teachings of Jesus, but it is to be clearly taken in mind that what at present constitutes the body of Christian beliefs and practices is not in its entirety the gift of Jesus alone. There have been a host of other saints, mystics and thinkers who have added much of it. According to many it is Paul, and not Jesus, who should be regarded as the Real Founder of Christianity.

Although Christianity, without doubt originated in the Teachings of Jesus, it took definite shape as a religion at the hands of St.Paul. St.Paul not only propagated the Teachings of Jesus with full sense of devotion and honesty, but also added important ideas from his own side. And thus Christianity as it spread may be taken as Christianity of Jesus Teachings combined with Paul’s. the treatment of the religion should be based here mainly on the Teachings of Jesus himself ,although it should not be ignored that the beliefs and ideas of the important Christian Saints who followed Jesus and made Christianity what really it is today by adding much of their own side by way of interpretation,explanation and ramification. Christianity and Islam share much common ground. Both trace their roots to Abraham. Both believe in Prophecy, God's messengers, Revelation Scripture, the Resurrection of Dead, and the Centrality of Religious Community. This last elementis especially important. 

Both Christianity and Islam have a communitarian dimension: what ‘Church’ is to Christianity the ‘Ummah’ is to Islam. Despite these significant similarities, however, these two world religions have a number of significant dissimilarities as well. To illustrate the similarities and dissimilarities between the two largest religions of the world, the followings are given:

Similarities between Islam and Christianity:

 1.Monotheistic religion:

Christianity and Islam both believe in the reality of only one Supreme God. There is only One God who is the Creator and the Sustainer of the Universe. Believe that God, who is the righteous judge, is also gracious and merciful. According to Christianity and Islam God is unlimited, infinite, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. He is eternal and his existence is necessary.

2.Sovereignty of God:

It is clear from the above that according to Islam and Christianity God , as the Supreme Reality, is the lone Creator of everything. He is not only the Creator but also the Sustainer and Destroyer of everything. The world is entirely dependent on him. He is all powerful, omnipotent.

3.Believes in Prophets and Prophecy:

Islam and Christianity both have Prophets and prophecy. Both believe God sent prophets such as Adam,Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Joseph, John the Baptist, Jesus etc. Muslims and Christians both consider the Old Testament and the New Testament as Divine Scriptures.

4.Both believe in Angels:

Islam and Christianity both believe in Angels. They also believe in a evil being Satan. Angels are always ready to carry out God’s orders. There is no distinction of sex amongst the angels, as they are all spiritual. Christians know Satan as the Devil and Muslims know Satan as Iblis. They also believe in Jinn.

5.Judgment Day:

Christians and Muslims believe in a life after death comprising of the resurrection of the dead on the Day of Judgment and retribution of reward and punishment by God in the form of membership of Heaven and Hell according to one’s earthly deeds. Both of the religions eschatology is well defined and graphically described.

6.Heaven and Hell:

Heaven and Hell are regarded by Islam and Christianity as permanent adobes of the righteous and the evil doers respectively after their physical death. Hell is eternal damnation and Heaven is the symbol of eternal peaceful life in constant followship with God.

7.Birth of Jesus:

Both religions believe in virgin birth. According to the Quran and the Bible Jesus was conceived by a miracle of God himself before Jesus’s mother Marry had had any sexual relationship. Muslim and Christians both believe that it was just a miracle done by the Almighty God.

8.Identity of Jesus:

Islam and Christianity both consider Jesus as a prophet. Though there are many complexities about the identity of Jesus in Christianity they do believe that Jesus was a prophet of God.

9. 2nd Coming of Jesus:

Both religions have affirmed the 2nd Coming of Jesus. An anti-Christ will appear on earth before the Day of Judgment. Jesus Christ will return by descending from Heaven and will kill the Anti-Christ

Dissimilarities between Islam and Christianity:

1.Nature of God:

Today, most Christians believe in the Trinity, meaning that God has 3 Forms (Father, Son, Holy Ghost/ Spirit). The Concept of Trinity was not adopted by Christianity until the Council of Nicea in 325 AD. Some of the early Christians were Unitarians. While in Islam, Trinity is totally rejected. Jesus is neither God, nor Son of God(in the literal sense). Jesus was a Human Prophet. Muslims worship only God, the one and only the Creator of the Universe.

2.Status of Bible:

The holy scripture of Christians is the Holy Bible and the holy scripture of the Muslims is the Holy Quran. Muslims consider Christians as the People of the Book. To be a Muslim one must believe in the existence of the Holy Bible. From a Muslim standpoint, belief in the Injil (the original Gospel of Jesus) is an important part of Islamic theology, although Muslims view the current Gospels as corrupted. The Christians don’t believe that the Holy Quran is a holy or divine scripture.

3.Sacred text:

The sacred text of the Christians is the Holy Bible, a collection of 66 canonical Books in two parts (the Old Testament and the New Testament), 39 in the old and 27 in the New Testament. The sacred texts of the Muslims are the Holy Quran and the Hadith (sayings and doings of Prophet Mohammad).

4.Death of Jesus:

The Christians believe that Jesus died by Crucifixion followed by Resurrection. 'But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,' (1 Co 1:23). 

5.Resurrection of Jesus:

The Christians believe that Jesus was resurrected after 3 days of His Crucifixions. The Muslims believe that he did not die, but ascended into heaven during crucifixion. 'In reality he was not killed and crucified and those who said he was crucified lied' (An- Nisa 4:157).

6.Human nature:

The concept of human nature in Christianity is; Originally God created men and women in God's image. Humankind inherited 'original sin' from Adam, meaning he is in rebellion against God and enslaved to sin. Once a person is 'born again,' they receive a New Nature from the Holy Spirit. The Islamic concept of human nature is; every human being is good and sin free by born. Man has equal ability to do good or evil. It’s all about the choices he makes.

7. Day of Worship:

Worship should be a continual process in the lives of Christians. Sunday(The Lord's Day) is usually considered the Sabbath Day and set apart for church services, but some denominations celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday. The Muslims observes 5 Obligatory Prayer Times a day; including the Friday prayer.

8.Major Sacred Rituals:

The Christian Major Sacred Rituals are the sacraments including baptism and Holy Communion (Eucharist). In Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, 5 more are added, viz: confirmation, marriage, penance, holy orders and anointing of the sick. Prayer is also an important part of the faith. 5 important rituals (known as the Pillars of Islam): Shahadah- a profession of faith. Salat-prayer 5 times daily, Zakat- alms giving, Sawm- fasting, Hajj- pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah.

9.Means of salvation:

The Concept of Means of Salvation in Christianity differs depending on which sect or denomination is followed. Some believe that Salvation is secured through prayer and faith alone in Jesus Christ, others that baptism or other ordinances are necessary. Salvation is a completely free gift from the Lord and comes by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ, but one must accept Jesus into their heart and be born again to receive Salvation. The Concept of Means of Salvation in Islam is: correct belief, good deeds and observe the 5 pillars regularly

                                                                          by Jafor Ahmed

http://www.academia.edu/3716864/Similarities_and_Dissimilarities_between_Islam_and_Christianity

There are many different kinds of religions in the world. Though they have different Scriptures, their teachings are very similar to one another, that is love each other.
Therefore all religious leaders should come together and find out better Solutions for World Peace. For there have been too much innocent blood shedding throughout the human history because of the Conflicts and Hostilities between the Religions. But now we are living in the New Era of Peace when all Religions have been longing for so long. In our Age we should bring World Peace on the earth. It is about time for it. As long as we work together and make efforts wholeheartedly, Peace on earth shall come true. God is the Origin of Love and Peace, so God will be with us and help us to do so. Amen.

World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders for World Peace and Unity

World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders for World Peace and Unity

Objectives of Steering Committee Meeting 

One of the stated goals of the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders that took place at the United Nations in August 2000 was to set in motion the process for the formation of a World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. This Council will be a permanent body and function as a resource for the Secretary-General and the United Nations in their efforts to build a lasting peace. 

The growth in interfaith activity over the last decade leading up to the Summit has already laid much of the groundwork for such a Council. The unique role of the World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders is to forge an alliance of religious and spiritual leaders with the United Nations, an ideal forum in which to address world problems. The outcome of the Summit was the signing of a Commitment to Global Peace, in which religious leaders accepted religious diversity, condemned all violence perpetrated in the name of religion, and committed themselves to fostering mutual respect among their communities. These principles will be the foundation for the Council. 

Currently, no organizational body exists where religious leaders from the major faith traditions can come together to provide guidance to the human community on critical issues. Today, as they have for centuries, religious voices speak out individually, each addressing their own religious community. There is no means for issuing joint statements to demonstrate the convergence of the religious traditions on key matters. 

While these voices often express similar ideas and values, they tend to reach only the adherents of their respective faiths. Stronger collaboration by the religious leadership would positively impact the global community. There was consensus among the Steering Committee that world circumstances in the one year since the Summit – the increase in violence in the Middle East and the terror attacks of September 11 – have heightened the need and readiness of religious communities for a World Council, which could provide a stimulus for greater cooperation. 

A main function of the Council would be to build a community of world religions to serve as a model and guide for the nations and peoples of the world. 

Mission of the Council 

The Steering Committee identified four major thrusts for the Council:

1.Fostering the universal values intrinsic to all religions

2.Upholding and celebrating religious and ethnic diversity by cultivating an attitude of mutual respect

3.Employing the moral power of religion to address major social and environmental challenges

4.Encouraging times of world prayer and meditation to aid in the transformation in global consciousness toward greater unity

Post-September 11th, religious leaders recognize the need to move beyond what they have done in the past and to create a new entity that will serve the entire world community with a new vision that includes an acceptance of others. Isolated religious communities will no longer be able to achieve this larger human goal on their own. The mandate is to see all faiths as part of one family. The need is to transform religious points of view from an exclusive to inclusive way of thinking. As the Archbishop of Canterbury said in a recent conversation, 'We need to redefine our theologies for the modern age.' While it may not yet be clear what this 'redefining' entails, the movement emerging from the Summit, and quickened by the events of September 11, is toward a refocusing on what the religions have in common, rather that how they differ. 

This refocusing will enable religious communities to engage with each other in a way that promotes harmony rather than division. An easing of religious tensions will provide the human community with a greater capacity to address the true problems of our era. 

The formation of a community of world religions will be the essential mission of a newly created World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. Its activities will be geared toward building cooperation at the highest level across all faith traditions. The Council will provide opportunities for the world’s religious leaders to come together on a regular basis to address critical issues. Ultimately, it will help create a shift in the thinking and behavior of people, and aid in fostering greater acceptance of other traditions and a new sense of shared global responsibility. 

Religious leaders have a unique asset – their spiritual resources. An important function of the Council will entail fostering spiritual practices on a global scale – such as world prayers in times of crisis. 

The mission of the World Council 


The World Council of Religious and Spiritual Leaders aims to serve as a model and guide for the creation of a community of world religions. It seeks to inspire women and men of all faiths in the pursuit of peace and mutual understanding. It will undertake initiatives to provide the spiritual resources of the world’s religious traditions to assist the United Nations and its agencies in the prevention, resolution and healing of conflicts, and in addressing global social and environmental problems. By promoting the practice of the universal human values shared by all religious traditions, and by uniting the human community for times of world prayer and meditation, the Council seeks to aid in developing the inner qualities and external conditions needed for the creation of a more peaceful, just and sustainable world society. 

                  http://www.millenniumpeacesummit.org/news011022.html

The Importance and Role of Religious Leaders' Activities
against Evil Doers' Violence and Conflicts have very significant meaning of bringing World Peace on the earth through the Cessation of War. In this days all Religious Leaders should come together and make every efforts to create Peaceful World for mankind.

For World Peace: Declaration of the Rights of the Child

For World Peace:
Declaration of the Rights of the Child 

 Adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 1386 of 10 December 1959

The peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental Human Rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote social progress and better Standards of Life in larger freedom,

The United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,

The child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth,

The need for such special safeguards has been stated in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924, and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the statutes of specialized agencies and international organizations concerned with the Welfare of Children,

Mankind owes to the child the best it has to give,
Now, therefore, Proclaims

This Declaration of the Rights of the Child to the end that he may have a happy childhood and enjoy for his own good and for the good of society the rights and freedoms herein set forth, and calls upon parents, upon men and women as individuals, and upon voluntary organizations, local authorities and national Governments to recognize these rights and strive for their observance by legislative and other measures progressively taken in accordance with the following principles:

1.The child shall enjoy all the rights set forth in this Declaration. Every child, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these rights, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, whether of himself or of his family.

2.The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration.

3.The child shall be entitled from his birth to a name and a nationality.

4.The child shall enjoy the benefits of social security. He shall be entitled to grow and develop in health; to this end, special care and protection shall be provided both to him and to his mother, including adequate pre-natal and post-natal care. The child shall have the right to adequate nutrition, housing, recreation and medical services.

5.The child who is physically, mentally or socially handicapped shall be given the special treatment, education and care required by his particular condition.

6.The child, for the full and harmonious development of his personality, needs love and understanding. He shall, wherever possible, grow up in the care and under the responsibility of his parents, and, in any case, in an atmosphere of affection and of moral and material security; a child of tender years shall not, save in exceptional circumstances, be separated from his mother. Society and the public authorities shall have the duty to extend particular care to children without a family and to those without adequate means of support. Payment of State and other assistance towards the maintenance of children of large families is desirable.

7.The child is entitled to receive education, which shall be free and compulsory, at least in the elementary stages. He shall be given an education which will promote his general culture and enable him, on a basis of equal opportunity, to develop his abilities, his individual judgement, and his sense of moral and social responsibility, and to become a useful member of society.The best interests of the child shall be the guiding principle of those responsible for his education and guidance; that responsibility lies in the first place with his parents.The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavor to promote the enjoyment of this right.

8.The child shall in all circumstances be among the first to receive protection and relief.

9.The child shall be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation. He shall not be the subject of traffic, in any form.The child shall not be admitted to employment before an appropriate minimum age; he shall in no case be caused or permitted to engage in any occupation or employment which would prejudice his health or education, or interfere with his physical, mental or moral development.

10.The child shall be protected from practices which may foster racial, religious and any other form of discrimination. He shall be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, peace and universal brotherhood, and in full consciousness that his energy and talents should be devoted to the service of his fellow men.

   http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights/resources/child.asp

Rights of the Child for World Peace

The meaning of the child and the rights of the children
'Humanity has to do its best for the child.' Declaration of Geneva.

Definition of the child

Etymologically, the term 'child' comes from the Latin infants which means 'the one who does not speak'. For the Roman, this term designates the child from its birth, up to the age of 7 years.

This notion evolved a lot through centuries and cultures to finally designate human being from birth until adulthood. But this conception of the child was wide and the age of the majority varied from a culture to an another.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 defines more precisely the term 'child':

'...a child is any human being below the age of 18 years, unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier'

The idea, through this definition and all the texts concerning child welfare, is that the child is a human being with rights and dignity.

What characterizes the child, it is his youth and vulnerability. Indeed, the child is growing, a future adult, who has no means to protect himself.

So, the child has to be the object of a particular interest and a specific protection. In this perspective, texts proclaiming the protection of the child and his rights were adopted.

Definition of the rights of the child

The recognition of the rights of the children

Children’s rights were recognized after the 1st World war, with the adoption of the Declaration of Geneva, in 1924. The process of recognition of children’s rights continued thanks to the UN, with the adoption of the Declaration of children’s rights in 1959.

The recognition of the child’s interest and his rights becomes real on 20 November 1989 with the adoption of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child which is the first international legally binding text recognizing all the fundamental rights of the child.

Children’s Rights: Bases for World Peace

Children’s Rights are human rights. They protect the child as a human being. As human rights, children’s rights are constituted by fundamental guarantees and essential human rights:

Children’s Rights recognize fundamental guarantees to all human beings : the right to life, the non-discrimination principle, the right to dignity through the protection of physical and mental integrity (protection against slavery, torture and bad treatments, etc.)

Children’s Rights are civil and political rights, such as the right to identity, the right to a nationality, etc.

Children’s Rights are economic, social and cultural rights, such as the right to education, the right to a decent standard of living, the right to health, etc.

Children’s Rights include individual rights : lthe right to live with his parents, the right to education, the right to benefit from a protection, etc.

Children’s Rights include collective rights : rights of refugee and disabled children, of minority children or from autochthonous groups.

Children’s Rights: rights adapted to children

Children’s Rights are human rights specifically adapted to the child because they take into account his fragility, specific and age-appropriate needs.

Children’s Rights take into account the necessity of development of the child. The children thus have the right to live and to develop suitably physically and intellectually.

Children’s Rights plan to satisfy the essential needs for a good development of the child, such as the access to an appropriate alimentation, to necessary care, to education, etc.

Children’s Rights consider the vulnerable character of the child. They imply the necessity to protect them. It means to grant a particular assistance to them, and to give a protection adapted to their age and to their degree of maturity.

So, the children have to be helped and supported and must be protected against labor exploitation, kidnapping, and ill-treatment, etc.

                                                            http://www.humanium.org/en/child-rights/

Children’s Rights in The UN Convention

Survival Rights: include the child’s right to life and the needs that are most basic to existence, such as nutrition, shelter, an adequate living standard, and access to medical services.

Development Rights: include the right to education, play, leisure, cultural activities, access to information, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Protection Rights: ensure children are safeguarded against all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation, including special care for refugee children; safeguards for children in the criminal justice system; protection for children in employment; protection and rehabilitation for children who have suffered exploitation or abuse of any kind.

Participation Rights: encompass children's freedom to express opinions, to have a say in matters affecting their own lives, to join associations and to assemble peacefully. As their capacities develop, children should have increasing opportunity to participate in the activities of society, in preparation for adulthood.

The UN Convention includes 4 articles that are given special emphasis. These are also known as ‘General Principles’. These rights are the bedrock for securing the additional rights in the UN Convention: 

1. All the rights guaranteed by the UNCRC must be available to all children without discrimination of any kind 

2. The best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children 

3. Every child has the right to life, survival and development 

4. The child’s view must be considered and taken into account in all matters affecting him or her 

http://www.childrensrights.ie/childrens-rights-ireland/un-convention-rights-child
UNHCR 


International Organization for children's 

Rights

UNHCR works with states, national and international 

partners, and sister agencies to help children of 

concern. 

Other organizations working with UNHCR to provide care and protection to children: 

the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF);
the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), The International Rescue Committee; 
International Save the Children Alliance; 
Terre des Hommes; 
World Vision International; 
Action for the Rights of Children; 
the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Children's Rights are the Bases and Starting Points of the Human Rights. They are the tender shoots in spring that should be protected and be taken care of. For Children's Rights are the Basic Foundations for World Peace.