Prison SMART now in Berlin

We are pleased to announce that Marie-Christine Heuell and Anke Aust have been active in Germany’s largest closed-door men’s prison with increased security for half a year.

After 1.5 years of preparation (that’s how long it takes on average to get into jail), they gave the first Prison SMART course for 21 lifelongers last August at Tegel Prison. And with great success! The participants were very attentive, open and got involved in the exercises. There was only positive feedback from the detainees, and one lifelong person said, “I really enjoyed the course and I am very satisfied to have participated. I really got a glimpse into another world and now appreciate life, even breathing. The course helps because you get a different perspective, even a healthy
mindset, and a very clear and healthy attitude for life. “

The prison Tegel has the size of about 17 football fields and is divided into 6 subdivisions. It has about 950 detention places and about 800 employees. This year it will continue with follow-ups and courses in the prison Tegel and we wish Christine and Anke continued success!

Two articles about her work have appeared in “Der Lichtblick”. The bright spot is the largest prison newspaper in Germany and the only one in the world that is not censored. Both articles are written by editors of the journal:
1.)  Page 64: Issue 3/2018
2.)  Foreword and page 18/19: Issue 2/2018

Kerala Flood Rescue, Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts

While those on ground zero strive on, you can lend them a helping hand, no matter where you are…
RESCUE  |  RELIEF  |   REHABILITATION  

Relief material from IAHV/Art of Living headquarters in Bangalore, heading to Kerala


The Extent of damage…

IAHV and The Art of Living Foundation volunteers have been on the ground helping with relief efforts in Kerala this past month. We have been receiving updates from them on progress being made. As you know more than 50% of the Kerala map has been affected by floods. With heavy rainfall this monsoon season, flooding and landslides are a continuous threat. Transportation and communication is yet to be streamlined. More than 200,000 families have taken refuge at relief camps across the state. The Government states the damage is more than $2 billion.
Thousands of Art of Living volunteers have come to the respite of the flood victims, saving them from the mishap systematically with Rescue, Relief and Rehabilitation efforts.
 
We are grateful to our donors for their support to IAHV’s flood relief efforts.  We seek your continued support in reaching our target to raise $500,000. Many employers match your contributions to IAHV, please contact your employer. 
 
Please donate generously!

Handling Rescue operations…
More than 1,650 flood victims across the state have been rescued by the volunteers of the Art of Living.
 
The HAM radio support system setup via the collectorate offices operated by our volunteers had received more than 15,000 rescue calls that had been routed to the support stations across the state.

Offering timely Relief …
Relief materials of about 520+ tons have been sent via container trucks and other modes of transportation to several of the afflicted zones in Kerala. More on the way.  Additionally continued free medical care, distribution of home kits, clearing transportation pathways, cleaning of homes and institutions are in progress. 
Here is a short summary on supporting relief materials amounting to roughly about $1.35 million. 
Kerala Flood Relief facts and figures


Executing planned Rehabilitation… 

When it comes to disaster relief, it is equally important to bring back life to normalcy and setting up a system of sustenance for the evacuated victims and sheltered families in Kerala.

Activities in-progress are
  • More than 45 medical camps have been held. Free medical check ups and treatment in relief camps.
  • More than 120 trauma relief workshops have been conducted by trained Art of Living instructors for victims to overcome stress and trauma.
  • Skills and leadership training are being provided to the youth to boost self-reliance and enable them to rebuild / sustain their communities.


Pictures from our ground volunteers…
 
While Kerala is battling its unprecedented crisis in its own way, it is heartening to see the IAHV & Art of Living volunteers from across the country come together and provide relentless support.

Here are few pictures they have shared with us. We are grateful for their selfless service. You can find more updates and pictures on our IAHV twitter feed.

Huge containers with relief material on bound to Kerala
Sending relief materials to Kerala

Volunteers distributing relief materials 

Our volunteers with rescued flood victims

Cleaning flooded homes

Cleaning in progress

Clearing of debris

 Setting up much needed electricity

Clearing pathways

Team work…

Offering Trauma relief

Evacuated victims taking a few moments to meditate

Trauma relief to evacuated victims

Trauma relief to evacuated victims

Medical care in camps
 
We thank you for your continued support,
 
IAHV Team

On World Environment Day, Unesco-IAHV Side Event Focused On ‘Biodiversity And Water: Source Of Our Present And Our Future’

 

 

June 5, 2018 New York, NY

Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in. There is sufficient fresh water on the planet to achieve this. In the context of the Science, Technology and Innovation Forum for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this side event highlighted the contributions of the International Association for Human Values and of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) in the implementation of these global goals. Biodiversity and water cut across all dimensions of sustainable development. Collective efforts to achieve SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG 15 (life on land) would directly contribute towards the achievement of all other SDGs. UNESCO’s Lima Action Plan of the MAB Programme highlights the key role of biosphere reserves in implementing the Agenda 2030.

The event offered a platform for experts and audiences to discuss ways to share and learn from successful experiences in implementing SDG 6 and in reaching the most marginalized groups, often excluded from the benefits of development. The conversation also delved into MAB programme and its WNBR to contribute to formulate an overarching and compelling narrative to communicate effectively on the SDGs. Going forward, the MAB program would focus on the role of local and indigenous knowledge in biodiversity management to identify trends among local good practices.

The panel was chaired by Dr. Flavia Schlegel, Assistant Director–General for Natural Sciences, UNESCO. Panelists included, Dr. Ajay Tejasvi Narasimhan, Director for Leadership and Governance, Art of Living and the International Association for Human Values; Mr. Vongani Maringa, MAB South Africa, Department of Environmental Affairs; Mr. Jean Philippe Messier, Canadian Association for Biosphere Reserves Canada; Mr. Leonard Kenny, Tsa Tue Biosphere Reserve, Canada; and Dr. Didier Babin, Chair of the MAB International Cocoordinating Council (ICC). The discussions were moderated by Professor Inger Maren, from the University of Bergen, Norway.

Dr. Ajay Tejasvi set the tone of the conversation by stating, “The Art of Living and International Association for Human Values seek to strengthen society by strengthening individuals. Our programs build resilient communities that are capable of dealing with the effects of climate change. One major initiative is about involving local communities in the process of integrated river basin rejuvenation. Till date, we have worked across 4 states in India, working on rejuvenating 37 rivers and tributaries across 9 river basins. From the scientifically rigorous initial preparation to planning and implementation, local communities are involved in every step of the way. This ensures that capacity remains in the community, even after the experts leave. The involvement of communities means more citizen engagement thus strengthening grassroots democracy and reduces risks of conflicts.”

It was evident that multi-sectoral efforts are required to realize the promise of SDG6 and SDG15. Dr Flavia Schlegel rounded off the discussion by reaffirming that UNESCO has unique tools to support Member states in implementing the SDG’s in a holistic way: the UNESCO sites such as the 669 biosphere reserves, belonging to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves located in 120 countries, including 20 transboundary sites. This World Network is dedicated to share positive solutions and to inspire and engage other stakeholders to its vision. Experiences and stories shared by all speakers highlighted the central role of local communities, and particularly indigenous peoples, in the implementation and sustainability of the projects. Strengthening partnerships and meaningful participation is essential to achieve the implementation of the SDGs 6 and guaranteeing access to water for all. The World Network has produced one-minute videos #ProudToShare for people to understand how they can contribute to solutions and to changing the world by 2030, when the SDGs are fully achieved.