INSTITUTE FOR PLANETARY SYNTHESIS

UNIVERSITY FOR PLANETARY SYNTHESIS

P.O. BOX 128 – CH 1211 GENEVA 20
Email: [email protected], site: http://www.ipsgeneva.com
Tel. +41-022-733.88.76 Fax +41-022-733.66.49

NEWSLETTER NO. 94
MAY-AUGUST 2002

Reflections on the present world monetary system - after the World Summit on Sus-
tainable Development, Johannesburg 2002

Observing and listening - contemplating and acting

The crux of the world problem today is a financial not for the benefit of the struggling humanity. At all
one. Is the present money system appropriate for negotiation tables, the conclusion is always the
our global challenges in the social, economic, eco- same: on one side are all those who want to retain
logical and spiritual fields? What accountability, re- their positions of power by concentrating wealth fur-
liability, transparency or compassion do we have in ther and further in terms of money, land, resources
the present use of money? The prevalent miscon- and knowledge. In their view, the logic of profit
ception is that “the possession of money is a perso- should dominate all decisions in all fields of human
nal right”. Would “an attitude of stewardship and re- activity, even in fields that were hitherto removed
sponsibility towards money” not be more suitable to from such speculation, such as education, culture,
our needs? social services and health. On the other side are
those who strive to achieve a more equitable distri-
Money has become for all of us a problem because bution of wealth in order to cover the needs of all
we have been trained to gather as much as we can human beings in a sustainable way which also takes
for ourselves, and because we live in the fear to lose into account the well-being of all kingdoms of nature.
it. Theoretically, we know that it is better to give than
to receive, but in practice, we still prefer to receive. Our monetary system is widening the gap between
Money is no longer a neutral means of exchange. It rich and poor. By exacerbating the extremes, it ac-
has degenerated into an end in itself, a product that tually increases poverty at both ends. At one end,
is more valuable than all other products because it inner poverty in those who live in luxury and idle-
multiplies by itself, thanks to the interest rate and ness, who have lost all contact with their inner
speculation. Its value is no longer related to the wealth and creativity, and developed unhealthy
material value of actual goods and services and it is habits and relationships with themselves, their fellow
no longer earned through the production and ex- beings and the environment. At the other end, the
change of goods and services, but is rather made outer poverty and misery of those who are unable to
through speculation. Many people no longer earn satisfy the most basic material needs for food, water,
money, they make money. And the more money you shelter, personal safety and health. Our society is
have, the more money you can make. This has cre- losing sight of the middle path that could lead to
ated a powerful global dictatorship of money which happiness and spiritual development of all, to a
does not know any democratic rules. healthy way of life, a caring attitude towards others
and the environment, and the possibility to unfold
Decisions that affect billions of people are made by our inner creativity through a meaningful and useful
a minority of individuals who channel the money flow activity.
according to their personal, short-term interests, and

You can’t have a war against terrorism without becoming a terrorist yourself. All over we see that terrorism is
the war of the poor and war is the terrorism of the rich, so really there is no difference between the two
Sir Peter Ustinov
Humanity could return to a more natural economic and conservation, and even a common sense of de-
order, such as already existed in the past, for exam- cency and proportion.
ple for a certain period in Germany, in the Middle
Ages. Money could be restored to its rightful role of Another aspect that urgently needs to be addressed
a means of exchange. A stable economic order is the arms race. More money is spent every year in
could be established, which would ensure a decent armaments than would be necessary to meet the
standard of living for all human beings on Earth, basic needs of the entire population on Earth, inclu-
without extremes of luxury and misery, in which all ding education and health. This is just another result
human beings could have a constructive activity and of the basic fear fostered by the forces of
receive equitable remuneration for their contribution materialism. In a world where money would be free
to the community, in which money would be free to to flow, where land and resources would be
flow wherever it was needed. equitably distributed, where people would not need
to fear for their lives or for their accumulated wealth,
For us to return to this more natural economic order, arms would not sell so well, and no amount of war
several steps are needed. First of all, it must be- propaganda could convince people that their secu-
come clear for all of us that our present monetary rity is best served by waging war on other nations.
system has derailed and has the main responsibility
for the economic, social and ecological crisis the To bring the present world situation to a very short
world is going through today. Our international law- formula: We are in a battlefield of SHORTSIGHTED
yers and economists could demonstrate how unde- PROFITMAKING and ETERNAL ETHICS. WHO
mocratic it is, how it violates the Universal Declara- WILL BE THE WINNER? GUESS! So every adult
tion of Human Rights, for example. They could de- on this planet is NOW challenged to take his or her
velop the necessary legislation to make accountable position.
all those who profit by this system with disregard for
human rights, labour law, environmental protection IPS GENEVA GROUP

* * *
Remember the law of gravitation and counteraction. Steadfastness issues from gravitation, and
tension from counteraction. Gravitation along the line of Hierarchy leads to Me, and
counteraction from the enemy to glorification. Thus the Teacher and the enemy are
cornerstones.
The trainer of beasts first excites their rage in order later to demonstrate their taming. No motion
can be produced without tension; therefore each progressive Teaching is in need of enemies
and of a Teacher. One must remember the physical law in order to understand the immutability
of the law of the spirit. I ordain that the significance of the Teacher and the need of enemies be
understood. Certainly, only the Teacher will lead the enemy to madness. The full measure of
evil must be manifested in order that one rise regenerated out of the flames of wrath. It is
impossible to avoid the knots of the path, but know that no tension will remain without its
usefulness. Perhaps it will serve entire nations.
If a hermit is able with his thought alone to destroy the stronghold of evil, then the tensity which
is permitted by the Higher Forces will be like a battering ram against the hostile forces. Agni
Yoga, paragraph 656
* * *

GROUP MEDITATIONS
FULL MOON MEDITATIONS
Gemini Full Moon meditation with Ankh Foundation, Kiev
Cancer and Leo Full Moon meditations with Arcane School Group Geneva
Leo Full Moon meditation with study group in Windhoek, Namibia

UNITED NATIONS STAFF PEACE MEDITATION GROUP

(Tuesdays at 12:30 at the U.N. Office in Geneva)
07.05.2002 Light and joy throughout all kingdoms 25.06.2002 Angels and Guardian Angels – Peace
14.05.2002 Gemini: the beginning of the phase of and Love
distribution 02.07.2002 Etheric cleaning of the organs
21.05.2002 Helping and cooperating with the an- 09.07.2002 Leo and its relationship to fire and psy-
gels to spread golden light into human- chic energy
ity 16.07.2002 The Big Picture: the Ages of Pisces and
04.06.2002 The Universal Soul Aquarius
11.06.2002 Golden Yellow Light of Love for Hu- 23.07.2002 On group sharing
mankind 30.07.2002 Our inner light, a spark of the eternal
18.06.2002 The True Leaders of Humankind flame
* * *

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 GROUP MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES
8 May 2002 – Reflections and evaluations of re- Tibetan Buddhist Master, Danielle Bridel, NGO
cent UN meetings Committee on Ageing, a spokesperson for the Youth
The Special NGO Committee on Development (c/o Forum of Civil Society, Alfredo Sfeir-Younis, special
Franciscans International, P.O.Box 104, CH-1211 representative of the World Bank to the UN and
Geneva 20, Switzerland, tel. +41 22 919 40 10, fax WTO, and Kumi Naidoo, from CIVICUS association.
740 24 33, e-mail: [email protected]) organised this The panel was chaired by Ms. Astrid Stuckelberger.
seminar consisting of three panels:
1) Commission on Human Rights 2002 with Mr Ber- The Spiritual Caucus has produced booklets
trand Ramcharan, Deputy High Commissioner for on these events. They can be ordered at
Human Rights; Ms. Alessanda Aula, Franciscans [email protected], tel. +41-22-738 28
International and Dominicans for Justice and Peace; 88 or fax +41 22 738 28 89.
Mr Antoine Madelin, International Federation of Hu-
man Rights Leagues; Events during the World Summit for Sustainable
2) World Assembly on Ageing, Madrid 2002, with Ms Development: A Sacred Site was created at the
Danielle Bridel, Zonta International; Ms Astrid Ubuntu Village in Johannesburg by the organisers of
Stuckelberger, Society for Psychological Study of the NGO Forum and Tribal Link Foundation. The site
Social Issues; was open to all the participants of the WSSD and
3) International Conference on Financing for Devel- other guests of the village. Surrounded by an open
opment, Monterrey 2002, with H.E. Archbishop space for sacred ceremonies and rituals, South Afri-
Diarmuid Martin, Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to ca's traditional communities created a tribal link of
the UN in Geneva; and Mr Rio Hada, Office of the indigenous dwellings to be used for quiet reflection,
High Commissioner for Human Rights. meditation, prayer and other appropriate programs.
Spiritual and religious leaders and indigenous peo-
* * * ple were especially encouraged to utilize this space
to create sacred and transformative experiences to
Meetings and activities with the build unity, community and commitments among the
participants. Members of the Spiritual Caucus ac-
Spiritual Caucus in Geneva tively participated in daily meditations at 10 a.m. and
5 p.m for the duration of the Summit.
The Spiritual Caucus is a group of non-governmen-
tal organisations that aims at promoting spirituality * * *
within the United Nations. In Geneva, it meets regu-
larly to plan its activities, which, from May to August 9 May 2002 – Seven rays course in Lucern, Swit-
2002, consisted of: zerland
This monthly course is organised by the Foundation
17 May 2002 – “The Spiritual Dimension in Unity of all life and facilitated by Rudolf Schneider of
Health”: brainstorming and sharing of experiences the IPS Geneva.
on the effects of spirituality on body, emotion, mind,
during the General Assembly of the World Health 16 May 2002 Conference-debate with Mr.
Organisation. Moderated by Dr Astrid Stuckelberger Sergei Ordzhonikidze, new Director-General of
and Werner Peter Luedemann. UNOG, organised by the Forum Suisse de Politique
Internationale, P.O.Box 135, CH-1211 Geneva 12,
17 July – Panel on “Religion, Spirituality and the tel. +41 22 311 24 24, fax +41 22 311 25 56, e-mail
Environment - A Key Component for Johannes- [email protected],
burg (WSSD)?” during the World Civil Society http://www.geneve.ch/chancellerie/protocole/news/fs
Forum, Geneva pi.html.
The panelists in this Forum organised by the Spiri-
tual Caucus were Eugenio Poma-Anaguaya, Sec- 25 May 2002 - 25th General Assembly of Anthro-
retary for Indigenous People Issues, World Council sana, Rheinau, Switzerland
of Churches; Gonzalo Oviedo, World Commission Anthrosana (Johannes-Kepler-Strasse 56, D-75378
on Protected Areas, Task Force on Non-Material Bad Liebenzell, Germany, tel. +49 7052 9301-0, fax
Values of Protected Areas; Alfredo Sfeir-Younis, +49 7052 9301-10, e-mail [email protected],
special representative of the World Bank to the UN http://www.heilwesen.de) is the association for an-
and WTO (environment specialist); Diane Williams, throposophical medicine. Its leitmotiv is that medici-
representative of the Temple of Understanding at ne should become again focused on the human be-
the UN, and Rudolf Schneider, representative of the ing and health, instead of on disease. The General
IPS at the UN. The panel was chaired by Astrid Assembly was held at the Fintan Foundation (Fintan
Stuckelberger, of the Spiritual Caucus. Project, Markus Sieber, Klosterplatz, CH-8462
Rheinau, Switzerland, tel. +41 52 304 91 91, fax +41
18 July – Panel on “Intergenerational Coopera- 52 304 91 95, e-mail: [email protected],
tion: Vital Backbone for Our Future” during the http://www.fintan.ch), a former convent which is now
World Civil Society Forum, with Gonsar Rimpoché, run as a biodynamic farm, including the marketing of

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organic seeds, a social therapy centre for the handi- greatest centres of spiritual power in the East-Sla-
capped and other marginalised persons and a train- vonic region.
ing centre for the arts.
6-9 June 2002 Conference: Seeds of Wholeness,
30 May 30 - 1 June 2002, Kiev, Ukraine - Second Science, Systems, Spirit, Boekesteyn Manor, 2’-
International Conference “On the Threshold of Graveland, the Netherlands.
the New World: New Approaches to Education This conference was initiated by the Center for Envi-
and Health”, within the framework of a Festival ronmental Consciousnes (Stichting Milieubewust-
“Family of the New Millennium”, around the In- zijn). Here is a personal view by Lisinka Ulatowska,
ternational Day for the protection of children co-convenor.
This annual conference was initiated and organised
by six Ukrainian NGOs in cooperation with the IPS. Seeds of Wholeness: Science, Systems, Spirit, ex-
The idea of regular meetings of people of goodwill ceeded expectations. Transcending boundaries was
has arisen during Rudolf Schneider’s last year visit the challenge we set ourselves. The communication
to Ukraine. Then, after numerous meetings and de- was so complete that the initial 42 projects from
bates with local communities, it became clear, that quite different disciplines were transformed into one
the need for such events is really great and that mutually empowering all-encompassing project:
thanks to cooperation with IPS Kiev has the possibi- Education for Earth Citizenship. This achievement
lity to be involved in the worldwide activities of the was all the more impressive, since the around 50
New Group of World Servers. participants came from diverse national, cultural and
educational backgrounds and in some cases had no
This year, more than 140 teachers, educators, phy- common language. Fourteen friends and co-workers
sicians, researchers, representatives of international created a caring nourishing container within which
organisations and local public at large from different hearts could be touched by new fields, cultures and
regions of Ukraine, as well as Russia, USA, Great ways of perceiving and co-creation could flourish.
Britain, Canada took part in plenary and sectoral After the conference communication continues via
sessions of the conference. Rudolf Schneider made the Email list [email protected] (for which partici-
the opening remarks and also presented the sub- pants can register) and the web site
stantial report during the plenary session: Being http://www.seeds-of-wholeness.org. The outcome: A
Human in the Present Times - What Values do we conference process, suited to globalization, mega
expect? seeds, Education for Earth Citizenship, and shared
communication networks, which include Radio for
The plenary meetings were dedicated to conceptual Peace International (which publicized all aspects of
approaches to problems of education, public health the Conference), the UN, UNESCO and diverse
services, "shifts" of civilisation in our dramatically Internet networks. To me the most important aspect
changing world. These were the subjects of the ple- was the Conference process itself.
nary meetings:
• the future of civilization: role of education and The three keynoters, Dr. Elisabet Sahtouris (evoluti-
health care; onary theory), Professor Beverly Rubik (energy the-
• holistic approach to the human being: new ory) and Professor Ralph Abraham (complex and
paradigms of education and health; chaos theory), together with sixteen other talented
• health, ecology, ethics - integrated approach. professionals (including Sister Jayanti of the Brahma
In the sectoral sessions, debates were held on Kumaris, Dr. Saskia Bosman, Ir. Hans Andeweg)
Section 1: Harmony of family: Spiritual aspects of each showed how systems thinking and spiritual
childbirth. openness disclose our deeper connections.
Section 2: Modern ideas in education.
Section 3: The time of global information: the prob- "It was the process you proposed for the conference
lem of safety and responsibility which prompted me to accept your invitation", said
Section 4: Modern bioethics: new paradigm of Professor Ralph Abraham. The systems process
health. was applied to every facet of the conference: Regis-
Section 5: Spiritual healing as co-creativeness. trants were welcomed with gifts by our very own
court jester, Wim Bosch, before being asked for
The conference had a broad resonance, thanks to personal details and fees. Participants contributed
the Ukrainian mass media. as much to the learning process, as the keynoters
and other presenters. Intuitive, experiential, artistic
Exchange of information, sharing of ideas and, and conceptual learning were applied to practical
pleasure of dialogue with like-minded people, meet- projects. The type, quality and presentation of food,
ings and meditations with Rudolf Schneider, opened the atmosphere, the beautiful natural surroundings
the possibility to introduce changes in education, worked together to enhance the systems approach.
public health services, public life. The Kiev confer- A film showing how 8000 computers communicating
ence created a special atmosphere of a spiritual randomly eventually came into sync presaged how
holiday of people of good will. Another important the conference participants would watch their "seeds
factor that contributed to this atmosphere was the of wholeness" germinate and flower into one mega
fact that the conference took place on the grounds of seed. Keynoters agreed that the innovative confer-
St. Sophia, a XI century cathedral which is one of ence methodology is well suited to dealing holisti-

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cally with the complex interrelationships of global- structure and process of the UN and help to ground
ization. the process in spirit, while providing the UN System
with a thinktank for all-win problem solving. The
A participant wrote: When I arrived, I had an idea Synchronicity Game fits in beautifully here.
for "my" seed. I became a part of a group, develop-
ing a group seed, which included kernels of "my 18 June 2002 - NGO Committee on Freedom of
(original)" seed. We nurtured our combined seeds Religion and Belief, Geneva. This Committee of
into a very exciting new seed: a hybrid of the first the Conference of Non-Governmental Organisation
order!! Eventually, I was able to "let go" of "my" idea with consultative status with the United Nations
into two wholes: a very gratifying chaos-to-order (CONGO) meets regularly to discuss issues related
process. I have deep thankfulness for the rich soil to freedom of religion and belief.
which was available for this planting, watering,
growing, producing and distributing into a world 29 June 2002 - Annual General Assembly of
which is hungering for these foods!! Alcor Institute, Geneva
During this year’s general assembly of Alcor Insti-
Here are some of the megaseeds, parts of Educa- tute, its present and planned activities were present-
tion for Earth Citizenship. ed, such as publication of a newsletter, teaching
groups on the science of the soul, energetic psy-
1. An All-Win Solution to land use: a cooperative chomorphology and astrology of the soul (all starting
project between Ir. Pim van Monsjou, Dr. Jaap van at the end 2002), and research groups on the seven
Bruchem and a group of innovative farmers. This rays, innovating fraternity and vital energy. Marie-
megaseed consists of communities of 500 people, Agnès Frémont gave a talk on forgiveness and its
designed for max. independence of fossil fuel and power to heal cleavages and separativity, when it is
optimal community integration; architectural design, correctly understood and applied. In the afternoon,
whereby houses form an integral whole within the Roger Durand and Christian Post talked about forgi-
natural environment; farming techniques whereby veness for healing the planet and reconciling the
nutrients are included in feed to produce optimum kingdoms of nature, which are now quite sick be-
manure, land, crops and feed are enriched, produc- cause of the activities of the human kingdom. The
ing happier, healthier animals and dairy products text of all these talks has been published (in French)
and better quality meat. All this to be combined on a in the newsletter of Alcor Institute, which can be or-
tract of land by a group of innovative farmers. dered at the following addresses: Institut Alcor, B.P.
2. The Synchronicity Game: Find the treasures 50182, F-63174 Aubière Cedex, France, or 5
within. This board game in which players cooperate chemin Pré de Lug, CH-1258 Certoux/Geneva,
in an adventure story works with the seven chakras. Switzerland, e-mail [email protected],
Coloured cards suggest ways of dealing with chal- http://institut.alcor.free.fr.
lenges in your life. It invites you to create, experi-
ence, and observe your own physical, mental, emo- 30 June 2002 - GDV International; workshop on
tional and spiritual principles, feel self empowered Kirlian photography with Roberto Boschi, Lucern
through the development of connection with the GDV (Gas-Entladungs-Visualisierung-Technik, gas
source of synchronicity and answered wishes. Make discharge visualisation technique) is a scientific de-
coincidences happen! velopment of Kirlian photography. Prof. Konstantin
3. Follow-up conferences in Germany, Norway and Korotkov, professor of physics in St. Petersburg,
Russia. developed this technique, which is the most recent
4. A global standardization of oaths by civil servants and simple method to make visible the human
to national Governments. biofield. Dr. Roberto Boschi (director of GDV Inter-
5. Further research of the Bovis scale of measure- national in Switzerland) gave an introduction to this
ment, used with a pendulum. method, which makes possible a real time analysis
6. A diagram showing how communication with the of the changes in the human energy field. He pre-
Source produces clarity. sented the basics of the analysis of a human
7. Education for Earth Citizenship, rooted in invisible biofield, the different types of biograms (GDV finger
and all-win values. Individual courses include: images) and their meaning; the separation between
Women's and child education; education for inner the physical and the physio-psychological parts; the
harmony; Pamela's peace point project for spiritual influence of mental processes; the potential of the
health; learning to see the divine in one another; a GDV method; and GDV hardware and software. For
curriculum from kindergarten through University, further information on GDV, contact GDV Interna-
nurturing of thought-feeling-intuition-body-interac- tional, Dr. Roberto Boschi, Im Rosenhof, CH-8342
tion; finding a balance between the silence within Wernetshausen, tel./fax +41-1-937 46 37, e-mail:
and outer activity; nurturing of cosmic consciousness [email protected].
(including Robert Muller's curriculum); learning to
listen and to be changed by what you hear; peaceful 1-14 July 2002 – Festival on National University
conflict resolution; courses to nudge the old of Civil Culture, Ulyanovsk, Russia
paradigm in science and health toward a more holis- This festival was organised by the International As-
tic and spiritual one; intercultural communication; a sociation of Education “Education for Life”
clarification in Russian and one in Spanish, so that (Isakovsciy street 33 – 2nd floor 212, Moscow, tel. +7
people understand the new terms; how to relate to 095 757 72 69, e-mail: [email protected]) with rep-

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resentatives of four countries, Russia, Belarus, practical training sessions, for example in journalism
Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The festival focused on and internet access, particularly for delegates from
the family as the genetic and parental essence of the developing world. There was also a Youth Fo-
the nation and discussed social, psychological and rum. Rightly, Geneva’s Le Courier headed its report
ecological problems affecting the family. on the event as “Un forum plus pragmatique
qu’utopiste”.
8 July 2002 - Seminar on “Could World Poverty
Ever Be Eliminated? New Instruments, New Support for the Forum from the UN was spelt out in
Strategies” organised by the World Bank Group a message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Office in Geneva with Mr. John Page, Director of which was presented in the Opening Session (15
the Poverty Reduction Group of the World Bank July) by Sergei Ordzhonikidze, Director of the UN in
In December 1999, the Board of the World Bank Geneva: “Civil society organizations are vital part-
approved a new approach to the challenge of re- ners of the United Nations, indispensable allies in
ducing poverty in low-income countries based on pursuing our common agenda for peace and devel-
country-owned Poverty Reduction Strategies, ex- opment…set out in the Millennium Declaration…I
pected to be country-driven, results-oriented, com- know that at this Forum you will be looking for ways
prehensive and long-term in perspective. They were to make that partnership as fruitful and effective as
embodied in Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers possible, and I hope that many more will follow your
(PRSP). The PRSP process is intended to be open example”.
and participatory and to include all major
stakeholders, including civil society organisations Sergei Ordzhonikidze also spoke in the Welcome
(CSO) – even those that may be out of favour with Ceremony on 14 July. Other plenary speakers inclu-
the government – private sector representatives, ded Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali (UN Secretary-Gen-
trade unions, women’s groups, direct representa- eral 1992-1996 and now Secretary-General of the
tives of the poor, and donors. Special efforts may be International Organization of the Francophonie);
needed to reach traditionally marginalised groups. UNCTAD Secretary-General Rubens Ricupero; the
President of the Republic and Canton of Geneva;
In the past two and a half years, very good progress Ambassador Walter Fust (Director of the Swiss
has been made in the process and content of the Agency for Development and Cooperation) whose
PSPs. There is a broad agreement among low-in- contribution included the comment that “to be
come countries, the civil society, international orga- considered as partners, NGOs should fulfill the con-
nisations and donors that the objectives of such an ditions of legitimacy, transparency, complementarity
approach can be fully reached through a solid part- and efficiency”.
nership guided by the principles of ownership. This
seminar with Mr. John Page was an occasion to The keynote speech was given by Dr Boutros
show how countries, in cooperation with the World Boutros-Ghali, who emphasized that the role of civil
Bank and other institutions, will move from mere society has become crucial, particularly in the con-
policy commitments to actions, and offered a way to text of globalization, calling for a re-think on civil so-
debate the catalytic role of civil society organisations ciety ties between local and global, and on how to
in attaining the commonly shared poverty reduction achieve a civil society body which is representative
objectives. and has a balance of North and South. He hoped
that WCSF would open the way to the participation
in international cooperation of civil society as a
14-20 July 2002 whole.
World Civil Society Forum, Geneva
The Forum was conducted in three languages –
This report has been written by Ms Karin Leonhardt. French, English and Spanish – the simultaneous
from Paris (former Head of Information and Docu- interpretations being provided mainly by Geneva’s
mentation for the Parliamentary Assembly of the International Conference Volunteers. The core pro-
Western European Union) who was CAMDUN’s gramme was composed of eight sessions held by
registered representative at the Forum (CAMDUN is each of 10 Working Groups, together covering the
the Conference on A More Democratic United Na- main themes of world concern: information society;
tions), and Jeffrey Segall from London representing cooperation between civil society and international
UNGA-Link UK. Rudolf Schneider represented the organisations; health promotion; rnvironment, trade
Institute for Planetary Synthesis, Geneva. and sustainable development; indigenous peoples,
women and development; human rights and
The World Civil Society Forum (WCSF) was in ses- humanitarian law; the right of peoples to self-
sion from 14 to 19 July, but together with parallel determination in the prevention of conflicts; civil
activities the event took place on 8-20 July 2002. It society - private sector; peace and disarmament;
was held in the International Conference Centre of track on human development (through the other
Geneva with some sessions at other venues. working groups). There were also information-dis-
cussion sessions, workshops and round-table
The stated purpose of WCSF is “to promote the role groups. In all there were nearly 200 sessions with
of civil society in international cooperation”, not to be about 300 presenters.
politically prescriptive. The parallel activities included

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The Working Group on Civil Society Cooperation tions Office in Geneva, Mary Robinson, High Com-
with the UN and other International Organizations missioner for Human Rights, and the chairperson of
adopted seven recommendations. One of these was the Working Group on Indigenous Peoples, followed
for the Forum’s participating organizations to reach by cultural performances by different indigenous
out to government, locally and nationally, to “pro- groups.
mote transparency and democracy in decision-
making processes following the example of the 4 August 2002 - Talk followed by an exchange of
Swiss system of direct and participatory democracy”. ideas on “Individual Cooperation and Responsi-
Three other recommendations were based on pro- bility for the Plan” between Rudolf Schneider, of
posals of UNGA-Link UK (a network of 40 organisa- the IPS Geneva, and the Chiemsee-Insel-Kreis
tions which includes CAMDUN). These proposals (Chiem Lake Island Group) in Bavaria, Germany,
are: introduced by the Harmonics Chorus of Chiem Lake.
Organised by Mr Franz-Georg Eck, Lindenstraße 5d,
(1) A World Civil Society Liaison Body should be set D-83339 Chieming, e-mail: [email protected],
up by international civil society structures concerned Fax: 08664 927475, Tel.: 08664 927477.
with global governance, such as the Geneva WCSF,
Association of World Citizens/World Citizens As- August 2002 – Sixth Annual Festival in Odessa,
sembly, CIVICUS, CONGO (Conference of Consul- Ukraine; personal impressions of Lida Shkor-
tative UN-NGOs), Forum for World Peace, Millen- kina, Interregional Association for Education and
nium/Global Peoples Assembly, Montreal Interna- IPS Moscow
tional Forum, The Peoples’ UN, Ubuntu, WANGO More than 160 people took part in this festival. The
(World Association of NGOs), World Federalist majority of participants were from different regions of
Movement, WFUNA (World Federation of UN Asso- Ukraine, a group of persons were from Russia
ciations), World Social Forum. (Moscow and the Urals), one person was from Ger-
many. The programme was not fixed beforehand, it
(2) WCSF and other such international civil society was very flexible. The participants defined every
structures as mentioned above should seek ob- evening the topics for discussion for the next day.
server presence at the UN General Assembly and its The programme was focused mainly on:
Main Committees of accredited representatives, to • cosmic, divine and human laws;
monitor progress in implementation of the commit- • principles of living: cooperation, non-violence;
ments in the Millennium Summit Declaration, and for • relationship between teacher-pupil-family;
reporting this back to civil society through their re- teacher's mission.
spective networks. Observer presence status could
eventually lead to the representatives being constitu- The positive aspects of the Festival were:
ted as a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly 1. self-organisation of the participants;
under Article 22 of the UN Charter. (The historical 2. accepting the situation (the place foreseen for the
background to this proposal, going back to 1945 and festival was refused at the last moment, when the
including the work of CAMDUN, was presented in a participants had already arrived, so we camped
WCSF Workshop on Local and Global Governance.) in tents and all meetings were held in the open
air);
(3) WCSF should initiate inter-sectoral discussions 3. great progress in the participants' consciousness:
on forming a Global Policy Network on the preven- the names of Blavatsky, Roerich, Agni-Yoga, and
tion of armed conflict. (Such Networks are described the Mayan calendar were mentioned very often.
by the UN Secretary-General as “coalitions for People had read the books and knew the topics;
change” which bring together “international organi- 4. great interest in alternative systems (such as the
zations, civil society and private sector organiza- Danish system of education);
tions, and national governments in pursuit of com- 5. creativity. Many participants presented their own
mon goals”). poems, etc.
6. search for spiritual knowledge.
In the Concluding Plenary Session, the principle that Of course, there was a fire with songs and dances,
WCSF should become a Permanent (or Continuing) watching the sun rise etc. A very good experience
Forum was agreed by a large majority in a ballot. It for all of us.
was also agreed that the WCSF Steering Committee
should be replaced by a larger representative Coor- 10-24 August 2002 - Group meetings in Namibia
dinating Council, and that “strengthening and de- For two weeks, invited by Ms. Hilka Sentefol, we
mocratization of the United Nations system” should stayed in Namibia, visiting the country and meeting
be a main theme of the next Forum. various persons and groups interested in the spiri-
tual teachings and their application to daily life.
A full report on the Forum is available at Rudolf Schneider facilitated a week-end seminar on
http://www.worldcivilsociety.org. values in Windhoek, at the home of Ms. Sentefol, in
which about 20 persons participated, and gave an
25 July 2000 - Celebration of the international evening talk on the same theme in Swakopmund.
day of the world’s indigenous peoples, Palais We visited Mount Etjo Safari Lodge, where ele-
des Nations, Geneva, with statements by Sergei phants, rhinoceros, lions, antelopes, kudus, giraffes,
Ordzhonikidze, Director-General of the United Na- warthogs and many other African wild animals can

-7-
be observed. On the way to Swakopmund, we spent About 20,000 people participated, including govern-
one night at Weissenfels Farm, where the Vortex ment delegations, NGO representatives, business
Wellness Center is located. The owners, Rosi and leaders and the media. Three different sites were
Winston, offer therapeutic massages, Reiki and prepared for the Summit: the Sandton conference
Saydana monochord healing sessions and work- centre for the intergovernmental conference, Nasdek
shops. They started building a labyrinth, the first in for the NGO Forum, and the business community.
Namibia. Weissenfels Farm includes 10,000 hec- Midway between these three centres was the
tares of pristine nature, hiking and horse trails, as Ubuntu Village, which acted as a “common ground”
well as the first Nooitgedachter stud in Namibia. The for the WSSD and was the ideal platform for net-
Nooitgedachter is a good natured South African working amongst all stakeholders where people
horse, fond of people and intelligent. Here is the ad- united to stimulate dialogue and maximise partner-
dress: Weissenfels Guest Farm, P.O.Box 2907, ship opportunities. Ubuntu literally means “human-
Windhoek, Namibia, tel. +264-62-572112, e-mail: ity”. Although the Summit did not lead to many posi-
[email protected], tive results, because of the strong opposition to
http://www.orusovo.com/weissenfels. global agreements and standards on the part of
those who represent private interests (mainly in the
24 August – 4 September 2002 U.S. and a few other developed nations), it was an
World Summit on Sustainable Development, important event to assess the implementation of
Johannesburg, South Africa Agenda 21 and other commitments made at the Rio
Summit of 92. The following article gives a very good
Rudolf Schneider represented the IPS at the World overview of all the issues covered at the summit and
Summit on Sustainable Development. His focus its outcome. Another excellent resource on the
during the Summit was the Sacred Site, where Summit is the website created by the Heinrich Böll
meditations were held every day to help shed light Foundation (http://www.worldsummit2002.org).
onto the summit.

From Rio to Johannesburg and Beyond:

Assessing the Summit
by Hilary French
WASHINGTON, DC October 15, 2002 - Compared to the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, this summer's World
Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg was bound to be somewhat disappointing.
The negotiations leading up to Johannesburg had not provided any reason to expect dramatic break-
throughs, and there were none. After the meeting, many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) de-
nounced the WSSD as a failure. Even seasoned U.N. officials, while relieved that the Summit had not broken
down completely, were rather muted in their responses.
But it would be a mistake to brand Johannesburg a failure merely because it lacked some of the excitement
and energy of the Rio Summit. Negotiating new agreements, the main task at Rio, is a far easier job than
actually putting them into practice in the farms, fields, and factories that form the backbone of the world
economy. If Rio was a coming-of-age party for environmental issues on the global stage, Johannesburg was
more like a mid-life birthday party, where the optimism of youth has been tempered by the realities of hard-
won experience.
At a minimum, the World Summit was a valuable opportunity to assess progress, or the lack thereof, in the
decade since the Earth Summit first put sustainable development onto the international map.
The news was not good. In the aftermath of the 1992 Rio Summit, diplomats and NGOs alike had high hopes
for the several landmark agreements reached there, including international treaties on climate change and
on the loss of biological diversity, and a voluminous action plan for sustainable development called Agenda
21. But in Johannesburg, delegates knew that global environmental trends for the most part deteriorated
markedly in the subsequent decade. On the social front, some important indicators improved, such as school
enrollment and illiteracy rates, but others threats worsened substantially, such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
And poverty rates remain stubbornly high, with 2.8 billion people - nearly half of humanity - living on less than
$2 per day.
Although little forward movement was discernable on the sustainable development agenda in the decade
following Rio, this does not mean that the world stood still. To the contrary, powerful forces of globalization
were unleashed in the decade following the Earth Summit that posed major new challenges, as well as some
new opportunities, for sustainable development.
Critics of globalization maintain that many of the noble paper achievements of the Rio conference were sub-
sequently undermined just a few years later by the agreement on a package of new trade accords at Marra-
kech in 1994 under the aegis of the newly created World Trade Organization (WTO). Many of the WTO's
provisions contradicted the spirit, and in some cases arguably even the letter, of the Rio accords. And new
dispute resolution procedures adopted as part of the Marrakech package gave the new WTO rules teeth by

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authorizing the imposition of trade sanctions to punish violators, in contrast to the far less binding nature of
international environmental and social treaties.
The Johannesburg Summit offered the possibility of a change in course that would rebalance today's
emerging structures of global governance away from a single-minded focus on freeing international com-
merce and towards a broader conception of progress that takes environmental and social sustainability into
account. But did Johannesburg deliver?
Targets and Timetables
Unlike at the Rio Earth Summit, there were no major treaties up for negotiation in the run-up to Johannes-
burg. The most extensive document agreed to by governments in Johannesburg was a 54-page paper called
the "World Summit on Sustainable Development Plan of Implementation”. In addition, the 100 world leaders
who gathered there adopted a short "Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development." (These
documents and many others can be downloaded from http://www.johannesburgsummit.org.)
Many governments pushed for the inclusion in the Plan of Implementation of new targets and timetables re-
lated to sustainable development that would complement and build upon the Millennium Development Goals
adopted by nearly 200 heads of state in 2000. Among other targets, the Millennium Development Goals call
for, by 2015, reducing by half the share of the world's people living in extreme poverty as well as those suf-
fering from hunger and those lacking access to clean drinking water; cutting infant mortality rates by two-
thirds; and ensuring that all children are enrolled in primary school. The Millennium Development Goals,
while laudable in their own right, were weak on environmental protection and sustainable development, and
many people hoped that the World Summit would fill in the gaps.
Several of the targets discussed during the negotiations were eventually either eliminated or weakened sub-
stantially. In one particular disappointment, a proposal by the European Union, Brazil, and other Latin Ameri-
can countries to adopt a numerical goal for the amount of energy to be obtained from renewable sources
was strongly opposed by oil-exporting countries with a strong assist from the United States. In the end, the
fossil fuel defenders won: the final compromise, although it endorsed increased reliance on renewables, did
not set a specific target. Nonetheless, the fact that the debate got as far as it did was an indication that re-
newables are coming of age internationally, with a number of countries subsequently announcing plans to
join together in a "coalition of the willing" that will meet in Bonn, Germany, next year to develop a concrete
action plan for pushing renewable energy forward.
Despite its shortcomings, the WSSD Plan of Implementation does include some time-bound targets, includ-
ing halving the proportion of people without access to basic sanitation by 2015, restoring fisheries to their
maximum sustainable yields by 2015, eliminating destructive fishing practices and establishing a representa-
tive network of marine protected areas by 2012, reducing biodiversity loss by 2010, and aiming by 2020 to
use and produce chemicals in ways that do not harm human health and the environment. Although many of
these targets are rather vague, at least they provide benchmarks against which future trends can be meas-
ured.
Partnerships
One area in which Johannesburg differed markedly from Rio was the introduction of roughly 280 "partnership
initiatives”, agreements among national governments, international institutions, the business community, la-
bor groups, non-governmental organizations, and other actors to carry out sustainable development activi-
ties.
These partnership initiatives are a significant departure from earlier approaches, where the emphasis has
been on accords among nation states. Illustrative examples include a partnership for cleaner fuels and vehi-
cles announced at the Summit that will involve the U.N., national governments, NGOs, and the private sector
and a European Union "Water for Life" initiative that will harness diverse partners to help provide clean water
and adequate sanitation in Africa and Central Asia. (For a list of partnership initiatives linked with the
Summit, see http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/html/sustainable_dev/type2_part.html.
The hope is that the partnerships will help to ensure that the targets agreed to in Johannesburg are in fact
met. But it is not yet clear how successful the numerous partnerships announced at the Summit will be in
reversing today's deteriorating environmental and social trends. Not all of the announced initiatives were en-
tirely new. Criteria for partnerships and procedures for monitoring and assessing them were discussed in the
course of the Summit preparations, but watered down substantially in the end. And while some of these
partnerships may accomplish worthwhile results, they are still no substitute for binding commitments from
governments.
Strengthening the U.N.'s Sustainable Development Machinery
A key to ensuring that the various commitments made in Johannesburg actually happen will be continuing
international oversight and monitoring. The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation gives the U.N. Commis-
sion on Sustainable Development a major hand in this task, including a mandate to track implementation of
the Summit's partnership initiatives. The Plan of Implementation also endorsed a decision earlier this year to
strengthen the U.N. Environment Programme and to provide for more effective environmental coordination

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for the U.N. system at large. But there was no decision made in Johannesburg to create a World Environ-
ment Organization on a par with the WTO, as has been advocated by a growing number of scholars and
NGOs in recent years, as well as by some governments.
The WSSD Plan of Implementation does call for more cooperation between the United Nations and the in-
ternational financial institutions that are most closely identified with globalization - the WTO, the World Bank,
and the IMF. But it remains unclear exactly how this new collaboration will be brought about and what its
practical implications might be. On the hotly contested question of clarifying the relationship between envi-
ronmental treaties and global trade rules, the final agreement reasserts the importance of both bodies of in-
ternational law, but fails to provide clear guidance for what to do in cases where they clash.
Broadening Participation
One of the lasting legacies of the Rio Earth Summit was a heightened level of involvement of NGOs and rep-
resentatives of other major groups (such as farmers, local officials, and labor representatives) in U.N. envi-
ronment and sustainable development deliberations. The organizers of the World Summit aspired to build
upon this tradition and take it to new levels.
Over 8,000 civil society participants were officially accredited to the Summit. In addition to civil society par-
ticipation in official summit meetings, there was a broad range of parallel events, such as meetings of par-
liamentarians, Supreme Court justices, local government officials, and trade unionists. There was also action
in the streets: an estimated 20,000 people representing landless peoples and other social movements
marched from one of Johannesburg's poorest areas to the glistening convention center on August 31st in
protest of what they saw as the conference's lack of meaningful attention to their plight.
The business community was also out in force in Johannesburg. According to Business Action for Sustain-
able Development, the organization that coordinated business input into the Summit, an estimated 1,000
business representatives participated in the Summit, 120 of them CEOs, Board Chairman, or those of similar
rank. In comparison, there were 100 world leaders in attendance. The extensive industry involvement in the
Summit met with a with a decidedly mixed response, with some viewing it as positive sign of growing en-
gagement by the business community in issues of sustainable development, while others saw it as a worri-
some sign of growing corporate influence at the U.N.
On the critical issue of citizens' rights, the World Summit made little official progress. The Rio Earth Summit
set the standard with the path breaking Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Develop-
ment, which affirmed that individuals should have access to environmental information, the opportunity to
participate in decision making, and effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings. The WSSD
Plan of Implementation speaks of furthering Principle 10, but then proceeds to give it only a qualified en-
dorsement. And an earlier proposal for global guidelines to promote broader public participation was left on
the cutting room floor.
Although many governments remain wary of citizen scrutiny of their decision making, civil society is begin-
ning to take matters into its own hands. In one particularly promising initiative, the Washington, D.C.-based
World Resources Institute launched a "Partnership for Principle 10" initiative that encourages national gov-
ernments, international institutions, and NGOs to make commitments of their own aimed at putting Principle
10 into widespread practice. (For more information, see www.pp10.org.)
So was it all worth it? Only time will tell, as we see what concrete action flows from the commitments made in
the World Summit's Plan of Implementation and through the multitude of associated partnership agreements
and other initiatives. Although there can be no illusion that forging a sustainable development path will be
easy, the task is becoming ever more urgent as the human costs of environmental degradation and social
despair continue to mount.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Worldwatch Institute
1776 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
telephone: (202) 452-1999
fax: (202) 296-.7365
e-mail: [email protected]
or visit our website: http://www.worldwatch.org

* * *

ENCLOSURES
Calendar of World Celebrations 2003
Calendar of Forthcoming Group Activities
Invitation to 17th Annual International Conference “Science and The Soul”, Seven Ray Institute

- 10 -
 THE CHALLENGE the world’s riches and where some nations have every- FREEDOM — A SPIRITUAL ASSET
OF INTERNATIONAL UNITY thing and other nations lack even the necessities of life,
it is obvious that here is a trouble-breeding factor which The reason for the corrupt politics and the selfish, ambi-
“Unity and right human relations—individual, demands attention. When there is freedom from want, tious planning of so many who wield power in positions
communal, national and international—can be one of the major causes of war will disappear. of responsibility can be found in the fact that spiritually
brought about by the united action of the men minded men and women have not assumed—as their
and women of goodwill in every country.” National selfishness and a fixed determination to spiritual duty and responsibility—the leadership of the
preserve national status—interpreted often in terms of people. They have left the power in the wrong hands
We, humanity as a whole, are learning the hard way that boundaries, military power and the expansion of trade and permitted the selfish and the undesirable to lead.
we all go up together or we all go down together. —must gradually fade out. Nations can and should
International unity is fast becoming a necessity even for demonstrate the practicalities of one world and one People in every land are beginning to realise that they
the strongest nations. humanity, and come to the point where they regard are largely responsible for what is wrong, and that their
their national cultures, their national resources and their inertness and lack of right action and thinking has led to
The great powers should not, and will not much longer, ability to serve as the contributions which they make to the present unhappy state of affairs.
control the fate of the world. They have, and can the good of the whole. Humanity is capable of a world
continue to have, great influence if they use it for the sense of responsibility, of ability to handle its problems The word “spiritual” does not belong only to the
good of all people everywhere in the world. in terms of the larger whole. churches or to the world religions. The churches are
themselves in some cases great capitalistic systems and
We can have international unity and, as a result, world History portrays the fierce determination of every sometimes show little evidence of “the mind that was in
peace, if we recognise: nation to preserve its boundaries at any cost, to keep its Christ.”
culture and civilisation intact, to add to them when
1. That we are all one family under God. possible and to share nothing with any other nation That is truly spiritual which properly relates us one to
except for commercial profit, for which international another and to God, and which demonstrates in a better
2. Our interdependence in a modern world. legislation is provided. More recently international aid of world and the expression of the “Four Freedoms”
various kinds is available, which again is largely deter- throughout the planet:
3. The need to substitute cooperation for competition. mined by the interests of the contributor except where
an impersonal agency, such as the United Nations, is Freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in
4. The necessity for sharing resources to meet actual used. the world.
needs.
Today people think in planetary terms.They are aware of Freedom of every person to worship God in his
Goodwill really practised among groups in any part of events in far distant countries; they are no longer the own way—everywhere in the world.
the world, by political and religious parties in any nation slaves of blind instinct, nor are they impelled to action
and among the nations of the world, can revolutionise by the momentary reactions of the physical body. They Freedom from want—which, translated into world
the world and lead to right and peaceful human rela- are capable of foresight, of careful and intelligent plan- terms, means economic understandings which will
tionships. ning, and of organised cooperation. They have the secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its
needed psychological insight which will benefit their inhabitants—everywhere in the world.
THE WORLD PROBLEM DEFINED plans and which will involve extended relationships
with others, both within the immediate social and Freedom from fear—which, translated into world
The key to humanity’s trouble over the past two economic group and with those upon the other side of terms, means a worldwide reduction of armaments to
hundred years has been to take and not to give, to the world. such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no
accept and not to share, to grasp and not to distribute. nation will be in a position to commit an act of phys-
This is contrary to all accepted standards of behaviour in It is essential for the future happiness and progress of ical aggression against any neighbour—anywhere in
an increasingly interdependent world. humanity that new ways of handling political, religious the world.
and economic affairs should be found.The perpetuation
It becomes immediately apparent that peace, security of intolerable conditions has brought humanity to its It is no longer possible to separate human affairs from
and world stability are primarily tied up with world present state of almost cataclysmic disaster. spiritual reality and selfless living. The changing of
economic factors. Where there is uneven distribution of the old order, the awakening of humanity to new
possibilities and the purification of the political and This will be possible when world need is better
economic arena, are today the factors of the greatest appreciated. Sharing and co-operation must be
spiritual value. taught instead of competition and self-interest.

THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY

Men and women of goodwill form a world group,

standing for right human relations. They thus create a UNIFICATION
world public opinion. Steadily and regularly the public
should be taught in internationalism and a world unity
which is based on simple goodwill and on cooperative
The sons of men are one and I am one with them.
I seek to love, not hate;
THE CHALLENGE
interdependence.
I seek to serve and not exact due service;
This should emphasise the new politics, based upon the I seek to heal, not hurt.
principle of right human relations. Men and women of
goodwill are a positive group, interpreting the meaning Let pain bring due reward of light and love,
OF INTERNATIONAL
of right human relations, standing for the oneness of Let the soul control the outer form,
humanity and for practical brotherhood. Unity is an And life, and all events,
achieved condition; the result of action and effort. And bring to light the Love UNITY
GUIDE LINES FOR ACTION That underlies the happenings of the time.

There is no counsel of perfection to give the world, or Let vision come and insight.
any solution which will carry immediate relief. It can, Let the future stand revealed.
however, be said that to the spiritual leaders of the race Let inner union demonstrate and
certain lines of action seem right and to guarantee outer cleavages be gone.
constructive attitudes:
Let love prevail.
1. The United Nations, through the General Assembly, Let all men love.
specialised agencies, and its various councils,
commissions and committees, must be supported;
there is, as yet, no other organisation to which we
can hopefully look.

2. The general public in every nation must be educated

in right human relations. Above all else, the children
and the youth of the world must be taught goodwill DISTRIBUTED BY WORLD GOODWILL
to all everywhere, irrespective of race or creed.
Suite 54 120 Wall Street 1 rue de Varembé (3e)
3. An intelligent and cooperative public opinion must 3 Whitehall Court 24th Floor Case Postale 31
be developed in every land and this constitutes a London New York 1211 Geneva 20
major spiritual duty. If the men and women of good- SW1A 2EF NY 10005 SWITZERLAND
will and the spiritually inclined people of the world UK U.S.A
will become genuinely active, it can be done in a
comparatively short time.
Aiding in establishing right human relations, WORLD GOODWILL is an
4. The world’s economic councils must set the activity of the LUCIS TRUST, a registered educational charity, founded in
1922.
resources of the earth free for the use of humanity.