"Reflect upon the inner realities of the
universe, the secret wisdoms involved, the enigmas, the inter-relationships,
the rules that govern all. For every part of the universe is connected
to every other part by ties that are very powerful and admit no imbalance,
nor any slackening whatsoever"
'Abdu'l-Bahá (Conservation of the Earth's Resources, A Compilation...
p.4)
LAUNCHING
OF LEAVES!
This is the very first issue of "Leaves" the Newsletter of the International
Environment Forum. The board hopes that this newsletter will serve the
purpose to share information from the board with members, for members to
share information with each other and facilitate networking. The newsletter
will be distributed in electronic format primarily via email to cut costs
but for those members who do not have email we will send a paper copy of
it. The newsletter is also posted on the IEF webpage (see
below). The newsletter will be sent to all members of the IEF. This
first issue will also be sent to those around 50 people who at some point
during the last two years have indicated that they wish to have information
on the development and activities of the IEF but who have not expressed
their desire to become members. From the next issue "Leaves" will only
be sent to members, but it is still accessible for everyone on the webpage.
THE
GOVERNING BOARD
The Governing Board has met two times over email since the annual conference,
on 24 December-10 January and 13-21 March. On the agenda was foremost the
organization of the 3rd annual conference which this year will be co-organized
with BASED-UK (see announcement below).
It is the hope of the board that this collaboration will attract a wider
audience and enable a dynamic setting for the conference. Other topics
consulted upon were how to start the work on publications, the launching
of our official website, the development of education materials on
environment and sustainable development and plans for World Environment
Day/Earth Day in the year 2000.
CONFERENCE
FOLLOW-UP
The 2nd conference of the International Environment Forum took place 6-8
November 1998 at de Poort, The Netherlands. The conference
report has been distributed to members but can also be obtained
from the secretary and on the web.
Two of the papers presented at the conference, by Arthur Dahl and Peter
Adriance, will be published in modified form in the Herald of the South
magazine. This means that the deliberations will reach an even wider audience.
EARTH
CHARTER
A new bench mark draft of the Earth Charter has recently been released
by the Earth Council. It can be found at: http://www.earthcharter/org/draft/
It will be interesting reading for all who were involved the conference
consultations on the Earth Charter at the 2nd Annual conference, which
resulted in sending the drafting committee of the Earth Charter a summary
of those comments (see conference report)
to see if any of our comments are reflected in this new draft.
IEF
OFFICIAL WEBSITE AND EMAIL
With the cordial assistance of the BCCA (Baha'i Computer and Communication
Association) the International Environment Forum now has its own official
and permanent website and email address.
Website: http://www.bcca.org/ief/home.htm
Email: ief @ bcca.org [no spaces]
The website is still under construction so please visit it but be patient
with the sections still to be added. This newsletter is posted there as
well as conference reports and papers, information material, Bahá'í
quotations and statements, etc.
EDITORIAL
GROUP FORMED
Charles Boyle, Roxanne Lalonde, Nigel Jollands and Peter Adriance, together
with Arthur Dahl from the board, have been appointed to constitute the
editorial group that will initiate and oversee the issuing of publications
of the IEF.
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
EARTH
DAY/WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2000
In the increasing excitement in the world for the coming millennium, the
board has consulted upon the idea for the IEF, through its members around
the world, to encourage Baha'i communities to celebrate in the year 2000
either the World Environment Day of the United Nations (5 June) or the
Earth Day (22 April) depending on which day is most well-known in the different
countries. These days could be a good target date for the IEF to develop
some information/education materials to be shared in communities and at
the same time give concrete suggestions for activities at local level.
To plan for such an outreach we need to form a working group that could
come up with ideas and concrete plans for their realisation. If you are
interested in this project and could consider being a member of a working
group please contact the secretariat. This will help the board to appoint
a working group. As with all other work so far in the IEF it is of no importance
where in the world you are located since all work will be carried out over
email.
EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS
The board welcomes everyone to send information on upcoming international
seminars/conferences/workshops/events where representation of the IEF would
be relevant. Please contact the secretariat.
NEXT ISSUE
As the newsletter is in its first and experimental stage, the number of
issues per year has not been determined yet. But the next issue is scheduled
for late August, so the deadline for contributions is August 20. |