April 13th, 2009
Important News from Golden Rule CC
On April 8th, Mother Teresa's Organization appointed Goodwill Ambassadors of the Golden Rule and Receive Golden Rule Medal of IPI.
Interfaith Peace-building Initiative (IPI), a URI CC in Ethiopia, presented its 2009 Golden Rule Medal Award to Missionaries of Charity, a humanitarian organization established by the late Noble Peace Prize Laureate Mother Teresa and appointed the organization Goodwill Ambassador of the Golden Rule.
The Golden Rule Medal, Trophy, the Golden Rule Poster and Certificate of the Appointment of Goodwill Ambassador of Golden Rule were presented to Missionaries of Charity by Board Members of IPI on April 5th, 2009 in the office of IPI.
In handing over the award Mussie Hailu, Board Chairman of IPI and Representative of United Religions Initiative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa said "The award is given to Missionaries of Charity in recognition of their outstanding contribution in caring for the poorest of the poor materially and spiritually irrespective of caste, creed or nationality in more than 130 countries since 1950 and for being a living example in practicing and living the teaching of the Golden Rule which says 'treat others the way you want to be treated.' Their profound humanitarian action and unconditional love to all humanity is highly appreciated by IPI."
Every year, the Interfaith Peace-building Initiative gives this award to individuals or communities who make outstanding contributions in promoting the message of the Golden Rule through their actions.
After receiving the award, Sister M. Yanneke and Sister M. Amrit from Missionaries of Charity said "we are grateful to receive this award on behalf of the poorest of the poor whom we are privileged to serve. We also thank for IPI for its peace and interfaith harmony work."
Mother Teresa was awarded in 1979 the Nobel Prize "for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace." She refused the conventional ceremonial banquet given to laureates and asked that the funds be given to the poor in Calcutta. When Mother Teresa received the prize, she was asked, "What can we do to promote world peace?" Her answer was simple: "Go home and love your family."
Mother Teresa was a living saint who offered a great example and inspiration to the world. Missionaries of Charity established by Mother Teresa on October 7, 1950.
Highlighting the paramount importance of the Golden Rule for world peace and world political affairs, Mussie said “As it is stated the Golden Rule, with roots in a wide range of world cultures, is well suited to be a standard to which different cultures in our world could appeal in resolving conflicts. As the world becomes more and more a single interacting global community, the need for such a common standard is becoming more urgent. Therefore, more than ever, it is time to bring together the voices of people from all religions to remind the world that while all faiths are not the same, they all share the core principle of the Golden Rule. As it has been pointed out in the charter of compassion, unless we learn to implement the Golden Rule globally, we will not be able to live together in peace and harmony. We are living in an era where we are more closely connected to one another than at any previous time in history. A practically expressed respect for others is now essential for a healthy economy and for the survival of our species. Any ideology that breeds hatred or contempt, be it religious or secular, is failing the test of our time. We urgently need to find ways of making the Golden Rule a vibrant force in our thinking and behavior locally, nationally, regionally, internationally, politically, socially, economically, as well as in our private life. It is with this core principle that we want to promote the Golden Rule and make it a guiding principle to create a better world for all living beings and Mother Earth."
The Golden Rule message of "treat others the way you want to be treated" has been affirmed in many religions, traditions, indigenous cultures and secular philosophies as a fundamental principle of life and the foundation upon which a global ethic is found. It is the best tool to educate people about respect and mutual esteem in order achieve peaceful coexistence and solidarity. Among many different ethnic groups, cultures and religions, the Golden Rule is a key to world peace and to the development of right human relationships.
IPI and a Golden Rule Cooperation Circle of URI is actively working to promote the Golden Rule throughout the world and calls upon all citizens of the world to practice the Golden Rule in all their daily affairs and in their attitudes and actions toward those of other nations, ethnic groups, religions, social backgrounds and towards Mother Earth.
It's for this reason IPI proclaimed April 5 "Golden Rule Day" and called upon the United Nations and others to proclaim the day.
Interfaith Peace-building Initiative ad Golden Rule CC are a member of the United Religions Initiative whose purpose is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence, and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.
May Peace Prevail on Earth
