IIMSAM, Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations

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IIMSAM's Programme to Promote a Culture of Peace and Development

United Nations' Culture of Peace-Draft Programme Document

Promoting the Culture of Peace and Community Empowerment through bridging the
Digital Divide in Federal Republic of Nigeria

IIMSAM's worldwide activities are aimed to promote the goals and objectives of the United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, 2001-2010 as declared by the UN General Assembly through its resolution number 61/3.

IIMSAM has embarked upon a universal plan to raise awareness for its Peace and Development Programmes in support of the United Nations system.

Through a global series of programmes involving arts and entertainment event activities that would have significant participation of our Goodwill Ambassadors and of celebrities from diverse regions and backgrounds who are inspired by the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions No. 53/25 that proclaimed the period 2001-2010 as "The International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World."

These celebrities from the arts and entertainment world are willing to be an agent of change they wish to bring to the world. They would strive to make a significant difference in the world through extensive awareness campaigns that are aimed at informing the general public at-large worldwide towards the universal attainment of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Problem to be addressed

The United Nations General Assembly, Resolution 53/25, adopted by consensus on 10th November 1998 proclaimed the period 2001-2010 as "The International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence" for the Children of the World.

In the turbulent times that we live in, where our lives are marred by catastrophes both man-made and natural, there is an urgent need to have a positive outlook to face the challenges and work towards the betterment of the world that is our abode.

IIMSAM firmly believes that a message that augurs peace and development through arts and entertainment is the most appropriate medium because of its proximity and appeal to a common person.

Through its programmes, IIMSAM would be raising funds to pursue and realize its long-term goals to counter severe malnutrition and aid towards economic and social progress, environmental protection, and development as there are essential elements in eradicating poverty and building a just, equitable, and peaceful world.

Through its initiatives IIMSAM would strive to fulfill its mission to bolster and support the vital role, the United Nations system plays in the global eradication of severe malnutrition and realizes the universal achievement of Right to Food and nutrition.

Strategy

IIMSAM has United Nations Resolution No. 53/25 as the bedrock of its strategy to launch its programmes to promote a culture of peace and development.

It has six unifying and interrelated issues as its core that is common to all societies, cultures and nations. These issues are identified by various Nobel Peace Laureates as:

• Respect All Life

• Reject Violence

• Share With Others

• Listen To Understand

• Preserve The Planet

• Rediscover Solidarity

IIMSAM ART FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE: SPECIAL ADVISERS AND GOODWILL AMBASSADORS

H.E. Mr. Yehoram Ben-Shalom ( Israel ), Founder and Director of a Worldwide campaign of the Culture of Peace with UNESCO, Sister City International, NGO's and Private Sector, headed 400 events worldwide for Just One Minute of Peace. He was instrumental in gathering millions of Signatures for Manifesto 2000 of the Culture of Peace that was presented to UN General Assembly through UNESCO. He organized Multi-Religion Conferences in Israel that had participation of leading representatives of major religions. Ambassador Shalom was a consultant of v arious cities in Israel and precipitated collaborations between the advantaged and the disadvantaged local populations of towns such as in Netanya, Hadera, Ma-aleh Adumim. He worked as an Economic Adviser to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and as an Special Adviser to the Ministry of Absorption of New Immigrants. Ambassador Shalom d eveloped special programmes for the disadvantaged members of the Israeli population and policies and practices for the absorption of new immigrants to Israel . During 1973-1976, he pursued his University Studies at Bar-Llan University Israel and completed his Masters Degree from Touro College , New York during 1989-1991.

H.E. Mr. Yehoram Ben-Shalom & The Culture of Peace

H.E. Dr. Ricardo Reyes was born in Barahona –south of Dominican Republic and later moved to the United States with his family at the age of twelve. An educational background in the field of literature, communications and acting; Dr. Reyes pursued a career in journalism for “Hoy”, a well known Hispanic paper besides being an author of eight successful plays. A distinguished acting and directing career that includes plays that were staged in Broadway, New York; Dr. Reyes also played the role of the protagonist in “Yeyo”, one of the most successful box office hit films in the Hispanic Film history in the United States.

With an avid interest in religious affairs, Dr. Reyes pursued Theology and has doctorate degrees in Theology, Divinity and Social Communications. Besides his distinguished ministerial accomplishments, Dr. Reyes is also an avid humanist who is involved in various social, cultural and charitable causes aimed towards the betterment of the humankind. He is also an accomplished writer and a well known publisher who is renowned to promote the Hispanic talent in the US.

His contributions and accomplishments in various spheres of life are well recognized internationally. Among others, Dr. Reyes is the winner of the “Revelación Cinematográfica” award in 1977 as a Columbia Pictures actor and the ACE award in 1978. He is also the winner of the much coveted Jaycee Outstanding Young Men of America award in 1980 which he now shares with prominent personalities such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Elvis Presley, Henry Kissinger, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Nelson Rockefeller, Christopher Reeves, Orsen Wells, and Shannon Reed.

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Revista Alerta!

H.E. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr . also known as Minister Benjamin Muhammad is a native of Oxford, North Carolina, he holds a number of prestigious degrees: He received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from University of North Carolina; a Master of Divinity, M.Div., magna cum laude, from Duke University; a Doctor of Ministry, D.Min., from Howard University; and completed course requirements for a Doctor of Philosophy, PhD, from Union Theological Seminary. Dr Benjamin Chavis began his career in 1965, as a statewide youth coordinator in NC for the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). In 1969, Chavis was appointed Southern Regional Program Director of the 1.7million member United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice (UCC-CRJ) and by 1985 was named the Executive Director and CEO of the UCC-CRJ. In 1988, Dr. Chavis was elected Vice President of the National Council of Churches of the USA.

In 1993, Dr. Chavis became the youngest person ever to be the Executive Director and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In 1995, as National Director of the Million Man March, Dr. Chavis looked straight in the face of the skeptics, and despite tremendous controversy, pulled off arguably one of the largest, most vocal, most effective gatherings of our time When Russell Simmons established the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) to empower the Hip-Hop community to utilize their commanding cultural influence for freedom, justice and equality, he needed someone with a strong mind and commitment to youth, national civil rights experience, political skills, vast spiritual knowledge and an adept human touch to head up the organization. That man was Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, who had already proved his mettle by organizing the historic New York Hip-Hop Summit in 2001. That two-day event 'an unprecedented meeting' according to the Los Angeles Times found Chavis and Simmons guiding industry hip-hop leaders, artists, and civil rights and political organizations towards an agreement on a series of initiatives and commitments that will affect the artistic and social landscape of American society and the global community, as a whole. One month later, the HSAN was born and Dr. Chavis was named President and CEO. Chavis comes to the HSAN with a professional history of solid principles, demonstrated courage and immense diversity.

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HSAN.org | Welcome

H.E. Dr. Alan Jay Goldsmith, Ph.D., is the President of the Jewish Renaissance Foundation/Jewish Renaissance Medical Center, New Jersey, United States of America. Alan obtained a Doctorate Degree in Intercultural Communications from Essex College, England/Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey. He spent two years in the Peace Corps in Venezuela and Mexico as a Teacher/Trainer where he developed curricula and teacher training programs under the State Department of Education. Alan proceeded to use this experience as a teacher in the Perth Amboy school district, and obtained his certifications as Supervisor and Principal in addition to that of teacher.

His business experience was gained as Administrator/Proprietor of his family's business, where he began to establish The Jewish Renaissance Foundation with the mission to provide free access to healthcare at a global level. An active resident in Spotswood Borough, he served as Councilman and as Council President for eight years.

His varied background and his recognition of the needs in Perth Amboy and its surrounding communities in Middlesex County has lead to the development of varied programs all intent on improving the quality of life for those less fortunate.

Alan developed a Health & Human Services Consortium and a Resource Guide of Health & Human Services for the City of Perth Amboy. He has presented various workshops and symposiums dedicated to cultural competence. Alan chairs an annual Domestic Violence Symposium that centers on providing culturally competent care to victims. This offers continuing education credits to Social Workers and Educators. Additionally, a comprehensive Domestic Violence Resource Guide was developed as a tool for professionals. Alan also developed a GED/Job Training Program in Perth Amboy besides a School Based Youth Services Program at Perth Amboy High School that led to the first Boys & Girls Club affiliate in Middlesex County (Perth Amboy)

Alan spearheaded the Jewish Renaissance Medical Center of Perth Amboy, the first Faith Based Federally Qualified Health Care Center in the United States. His initiatives resulted in opening on The Jewish Renaissance Children's Clinic in Kiev, Ukraine.

As part of the JRF's Global Healthcare Initiative, he has lead various missions comprising healthcare providers and educators, to Cuba, Jamaica, Kiev (Ukraine) and Zhitomer (Israel), Hungary, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Alan has been appointed a consultant for the National Center for Cultural Competence at the Georgetown University Child Development Center, Washington, D.C. He is also a member of the New Jersey/Israel Commission.

A recipient of over thirty awards and proclamations Alan is a Goodwill Ambassador and Senior Advisor to the United Nations and has a Permanent Observer Status through a partnership of IIMSAM and the Jewish Renaissance Foundation.

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Jewish Rennaisance Foundation

H.E. Mr. Toshiro Sawanuki was born in Tokyo in 1950 and started his career as an art director involved in making popular Japanese and Japan-USA joint TV programs, commercials, and films. Endowed with a recognized talent, he became an accomplished cosmic artist in 1989. More than 400 of his original acrylics depict infinite energy from the universe, peace on planets, love for humanity, harmony and joy. Toshiro Sawanuki's art as a Special Artistic Envoy for the Culture of Peace programme is reflected in his creation entitled "Art of Zen & Universe ", a collection promoting IIMSAM's Culture of Peace Campaign. The collection comprises a series of 6 posters relating to the six unifying and interrelated themes as mentioned above. Mr. Sawanuki commits himself to help advance IIMSAM's Permanent Observer Mission to the UN mandate and efforts through his artistic activities.

Mr. Kenneth R. Thomson , Advisor and Facilitator, has worked in the entertainment industry for more than thirty three years. The majority of this time has been spent; either running his own company, or as a partner with Mr. David Margereson in 'Mismanagement' - the Management company who, amongst others, have managed musical acts such as Supertramp and Chris de Burgh. Mr. Thomson has been Chris de Burgh's personal manager for thirty years and currently runs his own Management, Record and Film companies. He would be instrumental in using his expertise to facilitate and bolster agencies that help bridge divides and fight various deprivations.

Mr. Perry Hughes, IIMSAM’s Facilitator and Adviser, is described by the press as a “music mogul”, and is a major figure in the music and entertainment business; perhaps best known as the manager of opera sensation Russell Watson. Mr. Hughes also manages a number of the new generation of world- class recording artists including tenor Jon Christos, jazz singers / songwriters Rick Guard & Kristyna Myles, baritone Robert Meadmore and sopranos Juliette Pochin and Hannah Clarke. Mr. Hughes is also a founding partner of the Roots Music Group, an independent record company based in Manchester, United Kingdom that includes Roots Music Management and Roots Music Publishing.

Mr. Hughes is actively involved in contemporary issues that impact the humankind. His association with the United Nations as part of music and charity activities has made him traverse much of the globe where he has interacted with various international figures, such as the Pope John Paul II, Mrs. Cherie Blair and President George W. Bush as well as some of the biggest names from the world of sport, music, film and TV.

At a local level, Mr. Hughes is actively involved with a number of charities in Manchester including The Red Cross, The Kirsty Howards Appeal, The Prince’s Trust, Help The Aged, Christies and Alderhay Hospitals among many others.

Mr. Hughes is very much a family man and also a lifelong Manchester City supporter. What little free time he has after his work and family commitments, sees him cheering on 'the blues' at the new City Stadium in Manchester.

Mr. Jon Christos started playing the violin at the age of 4, then quickly graduated to the piano and eventually to the renowned Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester where he enrolled as a major scholarship recipient to become a cathedral chorister and also study the violin and piano. Since leaving college, Jon has sung in over 60 performances of Handel’s Messiah and for over 50 choral societies throughout the UK. He has taken leading operatic roles at home and abroad in operas such as Puccini’s La Boheme (Rodolfo), Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Tamino), Janacek’s Jenufa (Steva) and, at the prestigious Aix-en-Provence music festival in the south of France, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville (Count Almaviva).

The release of Jon's debut album Northern Light in 2006 was accompanied by the showing of a Granada TV documentary in the Chasing The Dream series, giving a superb insight not only into Jon Christos the man, but also into the recording process. Included in the documentary was footage of Jon's trip to the USA on September 6th 2005 to perform with the world renowned Erich Kunzel and his Cincinnati Pops Orchestra at a special '9/11' commemorative concert. Jon's artistry wowed Kunzel and his orchestra, while his impromptu performance of the US national anthem at the concert made him a legion of fans in America.

Since Northern Light Jon has been a judge on the BBC Radio 2's Young Chorister of the Year competition and has received an invitation to be the vocal coach for England cricket hero Andrew 'Freddy' Flintoff. Jon has also performed on BBC Radio 2's illustrious Friday Night is Music Night show.

Jon has performed on nationwide TV a number of times; on December 24th 2005 on an ITV Christmas Eve concert from Norwich Cathedral, in January 2006 he performed on the ITV chat show 'Lunchtime with Des & Mel' and on a special ITV Act of Worship for Peace, again from Norwich Cathedral. In February 2006 Jon performed on three consecutive episodes of BBC 1's Songs of Praise show and again performed for ITV in an Easter Service on April 16th. Jon again appeared on BBC Songs of Praise on June 18th, August 27th and October 1st 2006.

In July 2006 Jon performed a live concert at Hyde Park in Manchester with soprano Hannah Clarke and three weeks later performed the Sport Symphony with Carl Davis in Pamplona, Spain. He returned to the Sports Symphony when he performed it live with Carl Davis and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra on October 19th and 20th 2006 in Glasgow and Edinburgh and again with the Hall·Orchestra on May 19th 2007 at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. Jon next performd with Carl on June 28th with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and on July 6th & 7th at Leeds Castle in Kent. On July 14th Jon headlined the Northern Proms in Durham.

Jon has performed at a number of high profile sporting events including several half time concerts at Manchester City Stadium, the Powergen Rugby Cup Final at Twickenham, the Heineken Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and most recently at the new Wembley stadium for both the Championship Playoffs and an England Under 16 International. Jon is also a regular performer at The Willows, home of his local Rugby League team, the Salford Reds. On July 28th 2007 Jon performed with mezzo-soprano Juliette Pochin at the Tameside Splendid Weekend Proms in Hyde Park, Hyde.

In January 2007 Jon started his own radio show, Sacred Thoughts, on Premier Christian Radio. The one hour show which transmits at 9.00pm every Sunday and is repeated the following Saturday consists of Jon playing and performing a selection of sacred and uplifting songs, both his own favorites and those requested by his audience.