The second Plenary Session of CIVIL20 India 2023 focuses on ‘Civil Society Organisations and Promotion of Human Values
The plenary session on Day-2 of the CIVIL20 India 2023 Inception Meet at Nagpur today, was on the theme ‘Civil Society Organisations and Promotion of Human Values’. The session covered the following Working Groups of Civil20 India 2023: Sewa – Sense of Service, Philanthropy and Volunteerism; Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – World is One Family; Diversity, Inclusion, Mutual Respect and Human Rights as Human Value.
The session was chaired by Shyam Parande, Global Coordinator, Sewa International. Shyam Parande said that activists and delegates present at this conference should carry the message of app deep bhava (be the light yourself) given by Gautam Buddha. He then said that moral values and human ethos are the strength of civil society. India has a long history of values and these Indian values match the global values, he said.
The speakers of this session included Naseema Hurzuk, President of Saahas Disability Research and Care Foundation, Kolhapur, and Dr Shashi Bala, President, of the International Council of Cultural Studies, India. Swami Parmatmanada, Arsha Vidya Mandir and Owain James, Global Director, 100 Million Campaign.
The respective coordinators of these Working Groups also spoke in the session. They were namely Santosh Gupta, CEO of Indian Social Responsibility Network (ISRN); Dr Vikrant Tomar, Convener of United Consciousness Global; Dr Joram Begi, Chairman of Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC), Guwahati; and Durganand Jha, Executive Chairman at Centre for Policy Analysis.
Swami Parmatmanada said that everything is given to us and we are not the author of anything. Since everything is given, we must respect the giver. He highlighted the need for respecting others and conducting our actions in such a way so that we do not trample upon the rights of others.
Santosh Gupta said that when we do Sewa (service) there is a feeling in our soul that we should work for a cause. In the phrase, Sewa Parmodharma, Parmodharma is a mingle of spirituality and devotion. Sewa is better than volunteerism (for a limited time) and Philanthropy (Charity). He also talked about how Sewa was defined in major religions of the world.
Owain James talked of the inequalities prevalent in the world and specifically highlighted the uneven development in Sub-Saharan Africa. There was an increase in the number of Sub-Sahara Africans living on less than $2.15 a day since 2015. The number of child labour and children out of school was also increasing in Sub-Saharan Africa. He said that Africa had some of the best natural resources but remained underdeveloped because profits were being moved offshore. He called for justice to Africa’s children.
Vikrant Tomar said that the theme of G20 was Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam which meant that every being on this planet was one essential family. We are the same human beings but the degree of consciousness varied. He said that we had forgotten the concept of oneness. Human beings were the most intelligent species but also the most unhappy species on the planet. This was because of limited thoughts. The choice today before us was one existence or no existence, he said.
Naseema Hurzuk talked about Sewa (Service) and Sewa Bhav (Spirit of Service). There are two types of Sewa- a financial sewa and a social sewa. Although a spirit of service is basically present in all human beings when personal adversity falls, the spirit of service to others is awakened. We get the joy of service when we continue the vow of service without expectations, she said. She remarked: “ The logo of C20 is #You are the Light means that a society runs on its own strength and we make our own day”. The C20 and G20 must focus on the development of those who are living a difficult life, she stated.
Dr Shashi Bala said that diversity, inclusion and mutual respect were important parts of G20 and C20. She said that happiness should not be confined to enhancing financial and political power but there should be a focus on all-around development giving voice to the marginalised, voiceless and marginalised. Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam entailed diversity without exclusion. The motto You are the light leads to the inclusion of knowledge.
Dr Joram Begi said that diversity is the fundamental law of nature and is unavoidable. The universe is interconnected, interrelated and interdependent and this implies inclusion for all. Taking up the principles of diversity, inclusion and mutual respect was the best mechanism for conflict resolution. He then spoke of how the ancient Indian thought says ‘One manifest in all’.
Durganand Jha said that the UNO should revisit the concept of human rights. Apart from a Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there should be a regional declaration of human rights. He said that human rights should not be used as a strategic instrument against any country.
Disclaimer: This is an official press release by pib.
