The
Shahmai Network is a UK based network of people devoted
to spiritual practice and development,
as well as humanitarian and social involvement. Our goal is
to support a new perspective within the wider
arena of spirituality, and especially alternative and growing
areas of enquiry. We encourage a direct approach,
as we believe this is the most rewarding, as well as, most relevant
avenue towards growth and understanding in our complex
modern world. To learn more about the values we support please
read about
us.
In
the run up to the holiday season we have been asked by Nonviolent
Peace Force to let you know about Peace
Bonds® an excellent way of giving towards global peace at
the same time as giving a gift to a friend or loved one.
Give
the Gift of Peace for Christmas Support
civilian peacekeeping. Offer Peace as a meaningful gift. Support
unarmed peacekeepers and communities around the world in solving
conflicts through non-violent strategies. Give NonViolent Peaceforce's
Peace Bonds® and buy up
to 100 Hours of Peace from $10 to $500.
The
Shahmai Network are also members of the International
Vegetarian Union, The IVU was founded in 1908 when the
first World Vegetarian Congress was held in Dresden, Germany.
The aim of the IVU is to promote vegetarianism and veganism
throughout the world.
As
part of our ongoing work to see an end to global poverty, the
Shahmai Network have now joined the Jubilee
Debt Campaign. This will mark the next stage
in our work and allow members of the Shahmai Network to take
an active role in working towards a fairer society and world. MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
Our involvement with the Jubilee
Debt Campaign stems from our earlier campaigning work. The Shahmai
Network were official members of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY coalition
in 2005, a year of major change. It was a year of unbelievable
tragedy with lives all over the world devastated by a series of
shocking events: the Asian tsunami, famine in Niger and Mali, the
earthquake in South Asia and the hurricane in Guatemala. All were
stark reminders of the vulnerability of the billion-plus people
on our shared planet who live on less than $1 a day. Yet instead
of reacting with a sense of helplessness, people have responded
with an outpouring of compassion for humanity, solidarity and respect
for the value of human life.
The
unprecedented level of global campaigning on poverty in 2005 was
very much a part of that incredible response. By raising awareness
of the impact of global economic injustices, the campaign highlighted
two key points: that poverty is not inevitable and that it is possible
to make poverty history if political leaders have the will to do
so.
MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY is
part of a powerful people’s movement that believes in progress through
democracy. The campaign has shown that it is possible for governments
to deliver real change when faced with such public demand –
change that can mean the difference between life and death
for millions of people. There is little doubt that the
political decisions taken during the year would not have
been taken without the passionate commitment of campaigners.
If governments follow through on their promises without
imposing harmful conditions, millions of lives that would
have been lost could now be saved.
Campaigners have seen real progress but governments internationally
could have done more. They have the ability and power to deliver
what is demanded of them. The billions of dollars added to aid
budgets will make a difference but this must be promptly followed
by further increases as billions more will be needed. Up to 40
countries could benefit from the cancellation of debts; meanwhile
many are still spending more on debt repayments than on health
and education. If promises hold fast, by 2010 virtually all those
who need life-saving AIDS treatment will have it, but this promise
risks being broken without a further injection of new resources.
While governments have made important statements of principle against
forced liberalisation and economic policy conditions, these words
must urgently be turned into action if trade is to be used to help
developing countries protect and cultivate their economies. The
continuation of injustices around trade will perpetuate poverty
for generations. Any progress on aid and debt will not make poverty
history without trade justice being delivered.
In 2006, the challenge will be different. The spotlight
will not be on the UK in the way it has been in 2005, but
the British Government must play an important role in sustaining
international pressure. The Global Call to Action Against
Poverty will continue to campaign, organising a global
forum and at least one co-ordinated international event
in 2006. Campaigners in the UK will continue to play their
part and together they will hold leaders to the promises
they made in 2005 and increase the pressure on them to
go a lot further in the right direction to end poverty.
Campaigners will maintain the push for the UK Government
to change their policies and expend their political capital
in the interests of the world’s
poorest people.
2005 was a year for campaigners to remember. They were part of
the biggest ever anti-poverty movement and in doing so they made
history. The fight against poverty continues and the passion, energy
and momentum of 2005 will fuel future campaigning for the years
to come.
The call to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY has
inspired a generation: 2005 marked the beginning of something incredible.
As
part of our ongoing work to see an end to global poverty, the
Shahmai Network have now joined the 
The
unprecedented level of global campaigning on poverty in 2005 was
very much a part of that incredible response. By raising awareness
of the impact of global economic injustices, the campaign highlighted
two key points: that poverty is not inevitable and that it is possible
to make poverty history if political leaders have the will to do
so.