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International Association for Human Values UK Branch Annual Report and Review 2006-2007
Registered Charity Number 1103261
Promoting Human Values Across the World
The Needs we Address
The main reason for conflict in the world today is that people identify themselves with limited characteristics such as race, religion, and nationality, forgetting their basic identity. Today, in the name of religion, there are wars happening throughout the world. The solution to this can only be found by recognising that in the midst of the diversity of cultures, the world is ONE FAMILY. In order for violence, injustice and poverty to be eliminated, we need to educate ourselves in the principles of Human Values. Let us create a world of tolerance, which leads to acceptance and ends in love Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Founder of IAHV
IAHV (UK) in 2006-07
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Achievements in 2006/07
Achievements in 2006/07
Success of IAHV (UK) expansion with establishment of first Regional Branches in North London, Doncaster and Guernsey IAHV is extremely privileged to be selected to benefit from charitable donations from the 2007 Snow Ball organised by London Debutante Season, to be held on 10 December 2007 at Mandarin Oriental hotel on Hyde Park. Proceeds are to go to education of poor children in India. the the the the
BBC Radio and TV News has featured the highly successful work of IAHV in our support of helping 1500 prisoners and staff in the Kosovo Prison Project 54,750 income raised during the year Visit to the UK from head of Kashmir Orphanage Project, Dilraj Bedi, in July 2006 allowed us to hear at first hand their fantastic work in looking after 250 orphans of the October 2005 Earthquake in Pakistan Administered Kashmir which killed 73,000 people and injured 120,000. The creation of a focussed fund-raising Project to support the childrens projects in Kashmir New Youth Project established in Ivory Coast The launch of 3 new UK based Projects to provide Human Values related courses specifically designed for children, for students and for business executives (APEX) The launch of a programme to deliver service opportunities at home and abroad For more details, see website www.iahv.org.uk
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Contents
This is the 3rd Annual Report of the International Association for Human Values, UK Registered Charity number 1103261 for the year 2006/07 ending on 5th April 2007 This report summarises the efforts and successes of IAHV (UK) and places them in their national and global context. It has been an extremely productive year in consolidating previous efforts and taking the first steps to expansion in both activities and general awareness of IAHV and the essential role of Human Values in Society.
Contents
Introduction to IAHV ...................................................................... 5 IAHV (UK) 2006/07 in Focus ........................................................... 6 Declaration of Human Values .......................................................... 8 Text in full of the Universal Declaration of Human Values .................... 9 IAHV (UK) Project Overview 2006-07 ..............................................12 Establishing a Home for 250 Orphans in Kashmir ..............................23 Corporate Culture & Spirituality Conference, Brussels, November 2006 25 Human Values and their Relevance to Charitable Objectives ...............26 Human Values in UK Society 2006-07..............................................29 Financial Overview 2006-07 ...........................................................34
Contact: Sue Hindle Trustee, IAHV 25, Aveley Lane Farnham Surrey GU9 8PR +44 (0)252 721883 Email: info@iahv.org.uk www.iahv.org.uk
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Introduction to IAHV
Introduction to IAHV
The Need for Action Stresses within human communities are nearing critical point according to Ervin Laszlo, and poverty and hunger are on the rise. Among the specific challenges in the World today are: More than 900m people are classified as slum dwellers 6,000 children die every day for lack of clean water More than 2.6 billion people - 40% of the Worlds population - lack basic sanitation facilities (according to UNICEF) And climate change, caused by humans, is threatening to make thing a whole lot worse and very soon IAHV invites all to join us to work to restore and promote Human Values. Through IAHV we can all make a real difference to society and the lives of fellow human beings both at home and worldwide.
About Us The International Association for Human Values (IAHV) was founded in Geneva in 1997 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Dalai Lama and other world leaders, to foster globally a deeper understanding of the values that unite us as a human community. IAHV is an international volunteer based NGO in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. IAHVs UK Branch has been a UK registered charity since 2003, registration number 1103261.
Meanwhile, in developed countries such as the UK, we can see for ourselves the damaging effects of stress, the western life style and the dominance of self-interest and materialism.
Human Values Based Approach to Projects IAHV adopts a unique human values based approach to addressing imbalances arising out of unsustainable economic, social and ecological trends in the World today. Human values are those attributes and qualities that are at the very heart of humanity, representing the highest expression of the human spirit. Whether directed to the traumatised or the deprived, whether for children or youths, IAHV projects seek to foster human values, including a spirit of cooperation, generosity and sharing, honesty and integrity, peace, contentment, and caring for the planet. Particularly important is the promotion of voluntary service, and IAHV provides opportunities for all to contribute something of value to society, and to experience both the personal and altruistic benefits of this.
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IAHV UK 2006/07 in Focus

IAHV (UK) 2006/07 in Focus
Report from Sue Hindle, Trustee and Head of IAHV (UK): An exciting achievement of the year was the success in arranging for BBC World Affairs Correspondent Humphrey Hawksley to spend a few days with the Kosovo team who ran our prison programme in 2005. This resulted in a short item on the BBC news entitled New help for Kosovo survivors, and an item in the Radio 4 programme From our own correspondent. Both focused on the new optimistic approach in Kosovo these days and their desire to move on from the past. The point is illustrated by their willingness to adopt our programmes, which are providing real help. Another exciting development has been the selection of IAHV and the educational projects in India, as beneficiaries of the proceeds of the 2007 Christmas Annual Snow Ball, the highlight of the calendar for the debutante season. This should be a wonderful night out for many, and raise funds that will bring a value based education to many children who would otherwise receive no schooling. Very satisfying, has been the developing and launch of organised and enthusiastic volunteer programmes within the UK. Firstly a keen group in London have put together a fundraising programme to support IAHV Indias Kashmir project. This has set up an orphanage and school in the aftermath of the earthquake and troubled political times there. Around 300 children were taken in and cared for. Dilraj Bedi, the project manager there, came to England in July and gave a heartwarming and very inspiring account of how this was done in the face of extreme difficulty and adversity see details later in this report. The fundraising efforts around the country included a structured programme for collections in Londons tube stations, an Indian lunch provided in a Doncaster hospital, and party nights, Ayurvedic/beauty days and fun activities in Guernsey. Going forward into 2007/2008 we are running a volunteers conservation programme in partnership with The London Wildlife Trust. There will also be a large contingent in the 2007 British 10K sponsored run/walk.
This has been a very successful year for IAHV (UK). Strong progress has been made with building our team of active volunteers, there is increased awareness of the role and purpose of IAHV and the successful beginnings of programmes to be taken forward and developed. On 28 March 2007, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar founder of IAHV, unveiled a proposed Universal Declaration of Human Values in Washington DC USA. This declaration was endorsed by the new United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon. Full details are in the next section of this report. It has been heartening to observe the increased trend towards a general public awareness of the importance of Human Values within society at large. These are explored elsewhere in this report. However the public outcry at the apparent racial attack on Shilpa Shetty on the Big Brother TV programme, the promotion of the concept of British Values, and the vastly improved awareness of the need to care for the planet in the light of global warming, these all go to show that the awareness of the need to nurture and respect essential Human Values is growing across society. IAHV (UK) in 2006-07
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IAHV UK 2006/07 in Focus

The youth programmes are also taking shape well. Keen and able volunteers are putting together coordinated programmes for young people, covering the primary, secondary, college and university age groups. These include the Art of Living Foundations workshops for the various age groups, and also volunteer programmes overseas, a scheme for promoting human values, personal and social responsibility in citizenship classes within schools and the like. We are also looking to take further a very exciting project launched for school children on Tyneside, entitled Kind Hearts. It promotes generally the values of kindness and responsibility in a very positive way combining fun activities, stress management and relaxation techniques. The scheme already has the active support of the Newcastle City Council and the local head mistress who has seen her exam results improve. A Human Values course aimed at businesses, the APEX course, was successfully piloted and taken forward with 4 well- received courses in General Electric (GE) in the UK, Brussels and Holland. It is hoped that these can be further promoted into other companies. An aspect of this work that I find particularly rewarding is that the volunteer base is drawn from a very diverse international group of all ages, and the projects we support equally address all races, religious persuasions and age groups. It makes for a very stimulating, enjoyable and varied experience. On the financial front, IAHV (UK)s income of 54,750 in 2006-07 is lower than in 2005-06. There are various reason for this. 2006-07 did not see the series of major climatic/natural disasters of the previous 2 years, resulting in no major appeals being launched. Also the year started at the close of a very successful fundraising appeal, which had boosted the figures for the previous year. Expenses for the year were also very low however, as we had relied on the materials purchased in previous periods. These have been exhausted now and further investment in this direction is anticipated shortly with a new body of materials for general and corporate promotions. So 2006/2007 has been a positive year with excellent work done. We have built firm foundations, and a strong body of keen volunteers and supporters. 2007/2008 should be a year that sees us going out more into the public arena, promoting the charitable causes to a much wider audience across the country and in different sectors of society. It starts with the 2007 Glastonbury Festival. The trustees are very grateful for all enthusiastic support we have received. welcome contributions both practical financial. If you would like to assist in way please get in touch. With my best Regards the We and any
Sue Hindle Trustee IAHV
If you would like to donate, please send a cheque payable to IAHV to Himanshu Shah, IAHV Treasurer, 35 Studley Court, 4 Jamestown Way, Virginia Quay, London E14 2DA. Email: himanshumadhura@gmail.com. Please note that with GiftAid, we can increase the value of your gift by 28p for every pound given.
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Declaration of Human Values

A momentous Human Values event was the unveiling by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of a proposed Universal Declaration of Human Values. Below are extracts from the US Press Release. Monday, April 2, 2007 - Washington DC: His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, renowned spiritual leader, unveiled a proposed Universal Declaration of Human Values as the highlight of a prestigious event that took place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on March 28. Tickets were sold out three days in advance for this gala event that marked 25 years of service to society by the Art of Living Foundation and its founder, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The distinguished roster of speakers for the evening included Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., D-Delaware; Rep. Jan Schakowsky, DIllinois; Rep. Joe Wilson, R-South Carolina; Rep. Danny Davis, D-Illinois; Sen. Joseph Crowley, D-New York; Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Illinois; Floyd Shad Meshad, President of the National Veterans Foundation; His Excellency Vijay K. Nambiar, Chief of Staff to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Drafted in the form of a proposed resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, the Universal Declaration of Human Values represents Sri Sris vision for a fresh approach to fostering understanding and harmonious coexistence among different peoples and cultures, offering a roadmap for the way out of the increasing conflict and violence that is engulfing the world today. It emphasizes the urgent need to rekindle human values throughout the world in order to achieve peace, security and universal human rights. It is Sri Sris intention that this Declaration serve as a tool to begin a global discussion of the issues it raises. In his Declaration, Sri Sri indicates a very clear direction for the future, focusing on the need to acknowledge, honour, encourage, and reward human values in all sectors of society. Addressing the illustrious gathering, Sri Sri stated, We can all work toward a dual goal. One is to protect our environment, our planet Earth. The second thing is to protect human values compassion, friendliness, cooperation, and a sense of belonging to each other. This will protect our minds, save our hearts the soul of the planet. These human values need to be nurtured so we can have a stress-free, violencefree society. Witnessing the unveiling of the Universal Declaration of Human Values was His Excellency Vijay Nambiar, Chief of Staff to the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon. His Excellency read a message on behalf of the Secretary-General: We need more than ever the contribution of men and women of faith who defend and promote the human values that bind us together The values you champion, including non-violence, compassion and the sanctity of all life, go to the heart of what the United Nations stands for. The United Nations stands at the centre of the global endeavour to bring nations, cultures and religions together and build a world society that will live in peace, upholding the shared principles of justice, acceptance and human rights. It is therefore highly appropriate that this Declaration, in due course, be formally brought forward to the General Assembly of the United Nations by member States as a draft resolution, through the normal UN processes and channels, for discussion, adoption and subsequent implementation. It is understood that, in this process, member States will develop common wording acceptable to all. We hope that the intention and spirit of this Declaration will be accepted and supported by member States of the United Nations General Assembly, and that all member States, supporting the approach proposed by Sri Sri, will adopt a Universal Declaration of Human Values and put in place mechanisms to ensure its implementation and follow-up.
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Text in full of the Universal Declaration of Human Values
SUMMARY
As proposed by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Background
His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has developed a proposed Universal Declaration of Human Values which represents his vision for a fresh approach to fostering understanding and harmonious coexistence among different peoples and cultures. It is drafted in the form of a proposed resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. It is hoped that, in due course, member States will formally bring this document forward to the United Nations in accordance with normal General Assembly processes and channels, for discussion, adoption, and subsequent implementation. It is Sri Sris intention that this proposed Declaration serve as a tool to begin a global discussion of the crucial issues it raises.
Preamble
Given the increasing conflict and violence in the world today, much of which is attributable to religious and ethnic divisions, the preamble recognizes the paramount importance of fostering understanding and harmonious coexistence among different peoples. It expresses a determination to address the root causes of violence and conflict, and points out the need to address the spiritual aspect of human existence in order to achieve the purposes for which the United Nations was formed, including universal human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the objectives of the Millennium Declaration. Article 1
Global Commitment and Call to Action

Member States, recognizing the urgent need to rekindle universal human values throughout all sectors of society, commit to nurturing and strengthening human values through working with all institutions of society to ensure that human values are acknowledged, honored, encouraged and rewarded. Broad-based education in human values and multi-cultural, multi-religious education, particularly for all youth, is urgently needed to foster harmony in diversity. Member States commit to working with partners to ensure such education is available. All individuals and all institutions of society are called upon to join in this sacred endeavor of reawakening human values throughout all sectors of society.
Article 2
Human Values
Human values are those attributes and qualities that are the very heart of humanity, representing the highest expression of the human spirit. They are innate in all people and include: (1) a deep caring for all life, which is the basis for all the other human values, ultimately manifesting as unconditional love; (2) nonviolence, which arises spontaneously from an awareness of the sacredness of all life; (3) compassion, characterized by the desire to eliminate suffering and misery for all life; (4) friendliness and cooperation, which blossom with the awareness that we belong to one world family; (5) generosity and sharing, qualities that grow with the awareness that true prosperity is the result of giving, not of hoarding; (6) a feeling of belonging and oneness with all life, which comes naturally with the awareness that we are all part of one universal spirit; (7) an eco-friendly attitude and caring for the planet, arising from the understanding that the earth is our mother, to be revered and cared for; (8) service to society, rooted in the awareness that we are here to contribute something of value to society, not to get something for ourselves; (9) a sense of commitment and responsibility, ultimately extending to all of society and all life; (10) peace and
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contentment, part of our deepest nature, to be nurtured and encouraged, bringing peace in our surroundings and ultimately throughout the entire world; (11) enthusiasm, to be supported and nurtured as life itself; and (12) integrity, honesty and sincerity, honored by all spiritual traditions without exception and forming the foundation of social order and justice. Human values do not depend on, and are not derived from, any external authority. As the infinite potentiality within all people, human values are already present in every human being; they need only be rekindled to thrive and grow. There is a close relationship between human rights and human values. However, despite the focus on human rights over the past half-century, little attention has been paid to human values. For human rights to flourish, human values must be nurtured, just as the roots of a tree must be watered for the fruit to grow. Rekindling human values throughout the world is essential to achieving universal human rights, peace and security on the planet, and harmonious coexistence among different peoples and cultures. Article 3
Creating New Heroes of Humanity

Society today often glorifies violence, aggression and domination. These baser qualities are often erroneously associated with bravery and heroism, as well as a great sense of pride, particularly among youth. This situation needs to be reversed. To reawaken human values, we need to foster the creation of new role models and heroes who exemplify the qualities of non-violence, friendliness and cooperation. A sense of pride needs to be attached to these human values, which must come to be recognized as the hallmarks of todays true hero. Article 4
Human Values and Conflict Resolution

Only one in whom human values have fully blossomed can be truly effective in promoting dialogue in areas of conflict around the world. The very presence of such an individual, considered by all to be a trusted friend, will soothe, calm and comfort. In creating arbitrators and negotiators to work in areas of conflict, primary consideration must be given to choosing individuals such as these, who exemplify the essence of what it means to be human. Article 5
Spirituality, Human Values, and Identity

There is an urgent need to reverse the growing lack of spirituality in the world that is contributing to the current increase in conflict and violence. In this document, spirituality means living and honoring human values, having a deep caring for all life and an awareness of the sacredness of life. It means rising above limited concepts of ones own identity and seeing ones basic identity, first and foremost, as part of one universal spirit; secondly, as a human being; thirdly, as a man or woman; and, finally, as a member of a particular religion and citizen of a particular nation. Today, however, this hierarchy of identity is reversed, as most people identify themselves with their religion first, failing to recognize that we are all part of one universal spirit, one world family. Article 6
Human Values and the Millennium Declaration

A resurgence of human values is needed to achieve the objectives of the Millennium Declaration. The shared societal values set out in the Millennium Declaration, which are essential to international relations and which govern the conduct of nations, need to be strengthened by focusing on human values, which are part of our deepest nature and which govern the conduct of human beings.
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Article 7
Globalizing Human Values and Wisdom

Although we have globalized the market economy today, we have not globalized human values and wisdom. The Millennium Declaration calls for equitable and inclusive globalization, so that it becomes a positive force for all the worlds people. We need to further expand and refine this principle. Globalization of wisdom must now be our focus. Article 8
Follow -Up
The General Assembly is called upon to monitor and review progress of member States in implementing the common commitments in this Declaration. The Secretary-General is requested to issue periodic progress reports as a basis for further action.
For copies of the complete Universal Declaration of Human Values, please contact the Office of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Ajay Tejasvi, Washington Liaison Phone: 202.492.5522 Email: Ajay@srisri.org Web: www.srisri.org 2007, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
March 28, 2007 His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar introducing the Universal Declaration of Human Values in Washington D.C. Photo by ART BALTROTSKY
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Project Overview 2006-07

IAHV (UK) Project Overview 2006-07
Our role is to support projects in the UK, across Europe and worldwide. IAHV (UK) is currently supporting around 10 major projects. Our work is expected to expand in line with our growth plans for 2007-08. Set out below are summaries of our key projects. If you would like to help, please contact the appropriate Project Coordinator or Sue Hindle on sue.hindle@iahv.org.uk need who receive the service. We are very keen to promote both our projects and our volunteers as examples to others of what can be achieved. People are inspired to give freely of their time, energy and skills. This has created a major force of hundreds of thousands of volunteers worldwide, applying human values in a practical way, reaching millions worldwide. New volunteers of all skills are welcome you dont have to do a parachute jump!
Voluntary Service to Society. Fundamental to IAHVs approach is the promotion of service to society. IAHV provides opportunities for all, through volunteer work, to contribute something of value to society, not just to get something for ourselves. As Dr Martin Luther King said: We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries, or the size of our automobile, rather than by the quality of our service to mankind.
Providing Education in Rural India Euro-a-Day Project Education is a key focus area for IAHV. Internationally, IAHV over the last few years has established Over 65 schools with around 6000 pupils. Launched in the UK in June 2004, the main school supported by IAHV (UK) is at Udipura in Karnataka state, India. This school provides value based education to aroundr 1500, first generation literate, rural children, free of charge. Included are the costs building and equipping of the school, daily travel by bus, books, a hot midday meal, uniform, and medical and dental care. The school has proved so successful that it ranks very highly in the states league tables, exceeding the results of many of the schools in the educated city. The Euro-a-Day scheme encourages donations by regular standing order, on the basis that one euro a day would fund the education of one child for a day. Regular standing orders totalling just under 500 a month are now being collected. It is hoped that this initiative will continue to increase. A total of nearly 6,000 was collected for this purpose in 2006-07. Other schools supported within this programme provide an education to city slum, and tribal children. So far most of the schools that have been set up are in India but it is Page 12
Daniela on her IAHV fund-raising parachute jump in 2006: It was a great experience that once in a life time everyone needs to do!!! Volunteering therefore benefits both those doing the voluntary work as well as those in

intended to spread the work to support the provision of value-based schooling to Africa, South America and elsewhere as funds and resources permit. This project combines both the education of first generation literate children with the opportunity of fostering human values including non-violence, friendliness and cooperation programme Cunningham. developed by Kathy
Our vision is also to involve older children to raise awareness of human values by training them to give H.V focused assemblies to younger children in Primary Schools and where appropriate promote courses in schools. UK schools will appreciate this as it is relevant to their Citizenship syllabus.
School children in India A PowerPoint presentation about this project is available. Further work needs to be done in taking this project forward and getting more volunteers actively engaged in fundraising in the wider community. . If you would like to help, please contact Sue Hindle at 25, Aveley Lane, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8PR.
Children enjoying their ART Excel Course One of the simplest examples of a practical application of Human Values in schools is that of friendliness. The children are specifically encouraged to make one new friend every day. The idea is that if they can learn to be friendly with all the children in their class and school, rather than remain in cliques, then the instances of bullying reduce. The social cohesion becomes much stronger, and the resultant adult society becomes stronger. Also, if a child can learn friendliness and tolerance in school, the chances are that they will develop into adults with these qualities, to the greater benefit of their families and communities. Since starting in November 2006 a project team of 15 volunteers, led by Su Bowerman and Fatema Jiwajee has: Planned 4 ART Excel courses, 2 of them involve inviting an international teacher to come and teach the course
UK Schools Human Values Project This new project started in November 2006 and addresses the need to instil human values in children from within their school environment so they know the importance of these values and become well established in them as adults. We aim to do this by promoting the ART Excel course - All Round Training in Excellence from the Art of Living Foundation and The Kind Hearts
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Around 25 children will have completed the ART Excel Course from the first 2 courses that took place in 2006/07 Collected scientific data in relation to course benefits from questionnaires administered to course participants Developed relationships with education heads/specialists in the education field with a view to taking the project forward. The first four courses will be drawing on participants in the local areas of the course venue. For the fifth course, our aim is to partner with a school, whereby the school hosts further courses during the year, allowing us to collect impressive data from parent, teacher and student feedback and gain some media exposure too. The team is also interested in the potential for offering courses to the children from EBD Emotional, behavioural centres that have been excluded from the mainstream schools, as it would make interesting and striking research. Project Coordinator is Fatema Jiwajee. If you would like to get involved, please contact Fateema at Fatema.Paretha@iahv.org.uk
Ongoing Needs are: Funding for course expenses and to finance scholarships for those children whose parents cannot afford the full course fee. More volunteers who are free in the weekday daytime hours to be able to go and talk to schools. Ideally this help will come from participants who have taken the YES+ course and are willing to volunteer for this activity. More Youth Course teachers for ART Excel/YES and YES+ based in the UK to work solidly with the UK youth during term time as well as during the school holidays.
Youth Leadership and Volunteer Project for UK Univesity Students - Future Leaders Another new IAHV (UK) initiative in 2006-07 was the development and marketing of an innovative leadership and volunteer programme for UK University students and young professionals. Successful establishment of this programme, under the heading Future Leaders, was enthusiastically driven by Rashmi Desai. The programme emphasises how leadership and being a team player is about effectiveness in communication and efficiency in your work, and aims to help as part of switching the emphasis from working hard to working smart. The course used the Art of Living YES!+ course (Youth Empowerment Seminar Plus) for 18-30 year olds. YES!+ is a dynamic life-skills programme for university students and young professionals. The course is geared at empowering young people with the tools to eliminate stress, rid the system of negative emotions and develop strong teambuilding and leadership skills. A
Children attending one of the ART Excel Courses held in 2007 In 2007/08, 5 more ART Excel courses are planned with the aim of generating evidence to support the benefits derived from the course.
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further aim of the course was to equip students with the level of skills to enable them to work as volunteers on IAHV International programmes during their summer vacations. judged by the number of repeated invitations, with courses also taking place in Holland and Brussels. The relevance of this course in the human values context is that it promotes these at a very influential level within society, and to a group much in need. The West does not suffer the pressures and difficulties of the developing nations, however personal and social stress is very high within business communities. The APEX Course is based on innovative and powerful breathing techniques and processes that release stress and enhance perception, observation and expression. Extensive independent studies on core APEX techniques have shown significant increases in health, energy, well-being, depressionrelief and an increased ability to be both relaxed and focused. Participants have reported that the techniques and processes of the APEX Course naturally improve work/life balance, foster greater ethics and integrity, boost morale and team building, and promote a positive attitude that supports change management. The course also provides useful funds to promote the purposes of the charity. It is planned to expand these activities beyond GE and into the wider business market place. The net sum of 12,800 was raised during the financial year, from these courses. The Marketing Director of GE Money said: The focus on the employee the self was very positive and a great way to increase employee satisfaction and leadership capabilities in the corporate environment. IAHV (UK) is particularly interested in other companies who might be looking to achieve similar benefits. If you have contacts who might be interested, please contact Sue Hindle.
Students on the March 2007 Course The UKs first YES!+ Course was run under the banner of IAHV UK in association with the Art of Living Foundation from 22nd-28th March 2007. Over 20 young people came together in Central London for this processrich course. The students who attended this course will be eligible during the Summer Holiday 2007 to participate as volunteers on IAHV humanitarian projects in various parts of the World. Malindi Blight and Kanchan Adik are now taking over as joint Project Coordinators for the Future Leaders Programme. All who would like to participate are invited to contact Malindi or Kanchan Adik at: Kanchan.Adik28@lawcol.co.uk
Successful UK Launch of course for Business People APEX Course In July 2006 the first of 4 APEX courses for business people were launched within General Electric (GE). This Human Values related course specifically for business is an established course elsewhere in the world but not hitherto in the UK. Its success can be
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Kashmir Orphanage and School Project IAHV (UK) has made a major commitment to support the Kashmir Orphanage and School Project. 5,000 has been raised in 2006-07. This followed 3,000 that was donated to the Kashmir Pakistan earthquake relief efforts being coordinated by IAHV in Kashmir . Muzaffarabad, the capital Administered Kashmir (PAK). of Pakistan
UNICEF reported that the earthquake claimed the lives of 73,000 people and left over 120,000 injured. More than 3 million people, half of whom are children, were directly affected. 75% of health facilities were damaged. Some 8,000 schools collapsed, 17,000 students and 900 teachers were killed. An estimated 1.7 million people lacked access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation as water supply systems and sanitation facilities in both rural and urban areas were seriously damaged. In PAK the destruction was high, and it was reported that 95% (or 3,685 out of 3,879) of the educational institutions in the three most affected districts of PAK were shattered to some degree. According to Government estimates, 18,000 students and 900 teachers were killed and almost 8,000 schools were fully or partially destroyed. Dubbed the childrens catastrophe, as 50% of the victims were under 18, the earthquake interrupted the education of approximately 1 million children. Sadly, the number of orphans (children without fathers in the context of Pakistan) rose from a pre-quake figure of 51,500 children to around 81,000 in the affected areas. Within 48 hours of the earthquake, IAHV volunteers began relief operations in a number of towns and villages. In Nagapattinam, IAHV trauma programmes brought relief to 25,000 persons. IAHV organised some special camps for children, and over 500 children participated in the villages of Pandu Bridge, Tarara and Chandrakot. In Srinagar another 300 children participated. Rapid mobilisation of volunteers was possible because the volunteers came from The Art of Living Foundation, which has been active in PAK for over 5 years, when over 1,000 youths had participated in Youth Leadership Training Programmes (YLTP).
Children at the Orphanage in Kashmir In June 2006 we had the pleasure of a visit to the UK by the Head of the IAHV Kashmir Project Dilraj Bedi, who spoke to the group. What was initially a Trauma Relief project in response to immediate needs following the earthquake, has now evolved into a fully blown long term project, helping to support the ongoing needs of an Orphanage and School for 300 children. Funding has been driven by the new North London IAHV Branch under the dynamic leadership of the Project Coordinator Sanjib Mukherjee Background On the morning of 8 October, 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck several South Asian countries, totally devastating parts of northern Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, according to UNICEF: http://www.unicef.org/pakistan/consolidated_r eport_to_march06.pdf. The epicentre of the earthquake was located 95km northeast of Islamabad near
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Kashmir Project Overview The North London IAHV group started the UK fund raising team for the Kashmir project towards the end of October 2006. Having built up a core team of 8 volunteers and an additional list of around 15 part time members, we have established a series of events to help raise funds for the Kashmir orphanage and school. To date, our major activities have been centred on the London underground tube collections, a sponsored yoga course and a marketing drive to appeal to the UK IAHV and AOL communities for donations. In the first 4 months of activities, over 7,000 has been raised. The Need in Kashmir The UK Kashmir Project is addressing the basic human needs of providing shelter, education, medical care, security, a sense of family and a sense of community belonging to children, societies most vulnerable members. Human Values such as compassion, respect, unity and selfless work for one another are continuously practiced and delivered in this project venture. The unique aspect of bringing together disadvantaged children from both Hindu and Muslim backgrounds is a major breakthrough in helping to restore long lasting peace to the troubled regions of Kashmir. Kashmir project achievements in 2006/07 Numerous underground tube collections, which gave over 30 UK volunteers a chance to involve themselves in charity work and have raised over 7,000. A Yoga course which attracted 18 people to raise funds and awareness for the project within the North London community at large. A successful internal UK marketing campaign where the AOL and IAHV community are now fully aware of the Kashmir project and continuously updated on our efforts and achievements A sense of belonging and ownership of the Kashmir orphanage within the UK volunteer team. Plans for 2007/08 The aim is to help to maintain the Kashmir orphanage and school on an ongoing basis. More manpower is needed during peak times of our volunteer work, such as at the Underground Tube collections. If you would like to get involved, please contact the Project Coordinator, Sanjib Mukherjee at Sanjib.Mukherjee@iahv.org.uk
Ivory Coast Youth Project sponsored by IAHV (UK) In July and August 2006, in areas recently ravaged by civil war and violence, IAHV (UK) sponsored the launch of a programme designed to bring hope, peace and empowerment to the young of the region, to work together to improve themselves, their environment and communities. With the support of local dignitaries, the 2 YLTP (Youth Leadership Training Programme) courses were taught in Duekoue and the rebel town of Bouake. Also, a trauma relief course was given to the people of Guiglo, a place particularly ravaged by the traumas of war as the rebels entered the country from Liberia. All courses were taught by the international Art of Living teacher Deepali Patel, assisted by local teacher Phillippe Torella and their assistant Jacques.
Students at the Kashmir Orphanage and School
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The YLTP instructed the young people in the 5H programme. This programme introduces various initiatives they can implement through teaching the Breath Water Sound (BWS) course to bring people together and increase well-being and a sense of community. In this new sense of belonging, individuals are empowered to work together to take responsibility and effect change within the community and particularly in the areas of health and hygiene, both personal and environmental. The YLTP course in Bouak had 22 participants and was set up to help find solutions for peace and reconciliation. At the end, they enthusiastically told journalists from the BBC and newspapers Nord-Sud and Le Patriote of the benefits of the course. In Duekoue, in the civil war zone, 28 young people took the course, which ended with a ceremony attended by the national Minister for Reconciliation and the local Mayor. In Guiglo, a group of young people attended the trauma relief course and expressed great relief and gratitude at the beneficial results. Follow-up visits have been made to the areas at various intervals since. It was very heartening to see that the results had been sustained. There were noticeable improvements in the local public environments, and a very warm and positive reception was given to the returning visitors, by participants and dignitaries alike. It is worthy of note that NGOs have a very poor reputation in the region generally. In the immediate aftermath of the troubles they appeared like hordes of flies not to be seen again. The villagers term for them roughly translates as money grubbers. By contrast the IAHV/AOL representatives were welcomed and applauded as having made a real difference. In Duekoue the Mayor, encouraged by the efforts of the young people to improve the environment of the market place and main roads, had been moved to start building a school, a bridge and send their imam to Mecca. In Bouake the young people had maintained a programme to clean up a nursery, the hospital and a mental care centre. A greatly improved sense of community was reported. Factions within the communities who had never mixed before had come together. The results of these initiatives were very heartening to both those at the scene and IAHV representatives in the UK. It showed that our initiatives can make real sustainable differences in very difficult environments, where other agencies fail. The cost of this pilot scheme was only 5000. Since then other projects have taken place there and will continue to do so, funded by other organisations who have been inspired to assist by the success of these initial projects funded by IAHV (UK). If you would like to get involved in this project, please contact Sue Hindle direct at sue.hindle@iahv.org.uk YLTP young leaders of Duekoue, in the whiteT shirts, with their group of BWS participants in the foreground of the elephant back rocks on the horizon which give the town its name.
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Stress Reduction and Rehabilitation for Prisoners - PrisonSMART This is an extremely effective, comprehensive programme specifically designed to answer the needs of prisoners and the staff who work with them. PrisonSMART stands for Prison Stress Management and Rehabilitation Training. The first of its kind, it is progressive, practical and result-oriented, providing compassionate, innovative and effective solutions to breaking the cycles of violence and tackling escalating global crime rates. PrisonSMART is part of the IAHV international programme of activities, under which PrisonSMART courses have been provided to over 100,000 prison inmates and staff in over 20 countries. IAHV (UK) has made progress in running the PrisonSMART programme at 3 prisons. In the last year regular courses have been conducted for inmates in the High Down Remand Prison in Sutton, Surrey. 8 courses have been run, roughly one each month and the demand is increasing. It is hoped that courses can be started there shortly for the staff also. The participant response is excellent. Typical responses from participants are: Since I have done this course I have not had any bad thoughts, my headaches have gone, my breathlessness has gone. I do feel a lot better in myself. I am delighted for my sense of mind. Since doing this course I have cut down on my smoking. During the course I could feel the difference and after the course I felt much better. This course will help me when I leave prison and I go back to my job. I was working with disabled people where I used to get stressed. Courses have also been run in HMP Lindholme, Doncaster and Les Nicolles Prison, Guernsey. We are keen to expand the prison programme in the UK. Anyone able to effect introductions or assist with this should contact Adelita adelita.broom@hmps.gsi.gov.uk Broom.
Once inmates undergo the Prison Programme, some of the common benefits observed are: Measurable and sustained reductions in violence, anger, rebelliousness, depression, fear and feelings of isolation Measurable and sustained reductions in smoking, drinking and alcohol abuse Reduction in reoffending/ recidivism (i.e. the continual return of former inmates to prison) Measurable and sustained improvements in undertaking the daily breath practice, co-operation with higher authorities, cooperation with peers, teamwork, participation in rehabilitation and other training, capacity to cope positively with normal stress stimuli, feelings of calmness and feelings of security.
There is also in-depth research being conducted, mainly in the prisons in the USA. The results are striking: 80% of the inmates report a full nights sleep as a result of the Programme. 60% of the inmates report that they are less prone to act aggressively towards staff, and they attribute this change to the Programme. In housing units where the Prison Programme has been offered, staff report large increases in inmate co-operation. 75% of the staff that observe the Programme, or have heard about it, request that we conduct a Programme for them and their families.
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Prison Stress Reduction & Rehabilitation in Kosovo Since 2005, IAHV (UK) has provided the funding to support an extremely successful series of PrisonSMART courses to prison staff and inmates in seven prisons in Kosovo. Funding of only 3,700 has enabled local volunteers in Kosovo, led by Snjezana Nisevic, to provide the PrisonSMART courses for around 1,500 prisoners, civil and uniformed staff. The courses help with rebuilding lives, breaking down tensions and barriers and improving lives and both personal and working relationships within the Kosovo prison service. These places act as centres of stress and inmates have a high level of recidivism but under normal circumstances little can be done to alleviate the situation. Dubrava and Peja Prisons Dubrava is a very high security prison and is probably the most stressful place in the entire region. In 1998 it was the site of a massacre of around 400 Albanian prisoners; more recently a number of prisoners perished in a fire. As a result of good experiences with the PrisonSMART courses, the Dubrava Prison Board decided that PrisonSMART courses should be obligatory for all staff and that prison social workers and psychologists should encourage all inmates to take the course.
BBC Interview about Kosovo Prisons During January 2007, the BBC Foreign Correspondent Humphrey Hawksley visited Kosovo and interviewed the Director of prisons, staff and former prisoners. On Saturday 20 January, the BBC Radio 4 Programme 'From Our Own Correspondent' featured a 5 minute report by Humphrey Hawksley about the IAHV UK supported work using the Art of Living based courses in Kosovo prisons. There is also a BBC TV interview which was transmitted in February 2007. The report provided an excellent reference to the way in which this IAHV supported work had led to a huge reduction in prisoners inflicting self-harm and suicides, from around 300 incidents in 2004, to only 22 in 2006. Prison Challenge in Kosovo The programme helps prisoners in rehabilitation, and to reduce violence and drug dependencies. PrisonSMART teaches life skills that enable individuals to accept responsibility for their past actions and to handle future conflict and stressful situations successfully. The challenges in Kosovo prisons are particularly acute, with the racial tensions and the recent history of war and brutality. Here, Serbs, Albanians, Moslems and Christians, political and criminal prisoners, many with a history of enmity, are forced together under harsh conditions.
Kosovo Prison Staff after attending the PrisonSMART course Ago Kolic, Director of Peja prison reports Our staff members have been impressed by the effectiveness of this programme. They have reported an experience of deep peace, contentment, self-esteem and empowerment. Their reports show the potential of the PrisonSMART programme to bring positive transformation. The programme brings practical ways to get rid of toxins and to maintain a state of inner well being on a day to day basis. Next Stage The opportunity is to promote what has been achieved in Kosovo so that others elsewhere in the World can also benefit.
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IAHV (UK) Regional Strategy Establishment of IAHV (UK) First Regional Branch in North London A goal for 2006/2007 was to increase the awareness of IAHV across the country, and to set up IAHV Regional Branches to meet the need for volunteers in their local area. The first Regional Branch to be established was in North London, where there is a very active group focussing both on raising funds for the Kashmir Orphanage, and on establishing a project for students in Schools. Other local activities are taking place in Guernsey and Doncaster (Yorkshire), and there are also interesting local projects that have been set up in Norwich, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes and Newcastle upon Tyne. A flag day, involving volunteers, positioned outside of popular stores, collecting donations from the general public. A sponsored runway walk organised by Crimestoppers, with the IAHV volunteers carrying a large banner bearing the names and logos of the International Association for Human Values and Art of Living An Ayurveda specialist, Sharda, made two trips to Guernsey to give Ayurvedic treatments and raise awareness, and a proportion of fee was allocated to IAHV. Party Nights are popular, everyone brings food and a party piece, be it a song, poem, joke, dance or the playing of a musical instrument (or a combination of one or all). Other fund raising included a dinner at a local restaurant where an after-dinner collection was made instead of a digestif, yoga classes where the proceeds were sent to IAHV, and a pure donation received from one of the wonderful Guernsey volunteers.
IAHV North London Branch The IAHV North London Branch has been established with a committee and several of their members now take an active role in the running of IAHV. The Branch has adopted a number of specific projects and are enthusiastically bringing them to fruition. Amongst these is the Kashmir project to support an orphanage and school there, in the wake of the 2005 earthquake. There are also a number of specific local volunteer initiatives such as conservation work with the London Wildlife trust, regular collections at London tube stations and an official block entry in the British 10K sponsored run. If you would like to help, please contact Sanjib Mukherjee at Sanjib.Mukherjee@iahv.org.uk
IAHV in Doncaster In Doncaster, funds for the Kashmir Orphanage Project were raised by the local Art of Living group. An interesting event was a sponsored lunch for staff at the hospital. Two volunteers cooked Indian food for 25 people, and in just over an hour they raised 165. People are still talking about it and it is intended to repeat this and similar initiatives.
IAHV Guernsey Branch The Island of Guernsey has an active group of volunteers and continues enthusiastically to support IAHV through diverse and fun ways. During the year, talks were given to various groups in the Island, e.g. at the Spiritual Centre and Thyroid Support Group. 6,500 has been raised for IAHV UK by activities including: IAHV in Norwich In Norwich, a group of enthusiastic students in the Developmental Studies Department created a 'Positive Development Week' of inspiring lectures by outside speakers for students, staff and the public to bring inspiration and hope back to those who want to make a difference but are discouraged by
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the challenges they face. This included a talk specifically on IAHV and its work which was well received., They also took a stall in February this year at University of East Anglia at a 'Make Poverty History' fundraiser night to raise awareness about IAHV projects internationally and to make students aware of volunteering opportunities through IAHV.
IAHV in Newcastle on Tyne In Newcastle on Tyne, Kathy Cunningham, a local secondary school teacher has successfully developed a project entitled Kind Hearts to inspire kindness and human values in school children. It is allied with stress management and self-awareness programmes and has had a noticeable beneficial effect on well-being, exam success, social awareness and responsibility within the school. This project is being developed with a view to it being promoted under IAHV in Newcastle, the North East generally and then potentially across the UK.
IAHV (UK) Website www.iahv.org.uk Launched early in 2005, this links to the IAHV international site, www.iahv.org, and aims to provide latest available information about IAHV and our project work. Website Coordinator is Gordon Herrald. If you have any updates, please contact Gordon on Gordon.herrald@iahv.org.uk
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A Home for 250 Orphans in Kashmir

Establishing a Home for 250 Orphans in Kashmir
In the Summer of 2006, IAHV had the pleasure of a visit from Dilraj Bedi, a leading member of IAHV in India, and the founder of the Orphanage and School in Kashmir that is home to 250 orphaned children. Around 30 of us gathered at the Wembley Centre on a hot Sunday evening to hear Dilraj talk. We were rewarded by a wonderful and inspiring story about her work. The following are notes taken from what she had to say: 20 gas cyclinders not 1 A building big enough to house 250 children was found, but a building is not enough. Food, heat and such essentials are required and gas cylinders were required for cooking. Winter in Kashmir after an earthquake is a bad time to try to get hold of gas cylinders. Dilraj described how she went out to 3 places and all said they had sold out of gas cylinders. She tried one more place. She talked to the owner and told her the story of woe and how 250 children were dependant on these cylinders for hot food. But someone else in the store was listening. He just happened to be the wholesaler for the whole country, and he quickly organised not just 1 cylinder, but 20 cylinders and some burners to be delivered to the orphanage. When you want a School there is always a spare head teacher around The orphanage was now addressing the basics, but what should the children do all day? The obvious thing was to establish a school. No sooner had Dilraj decided to go for a school, than she met in the street a retired head teacher needless to say that schooling for the 250 orphans took off from there. Not meeting the Government Minister A Kashmir Government Minister was speaking in Srinagar and invited all the school to attend. Dilraj described how she was in Delhi at the time. Buses arrived at 08:00 am to take the children to the meeting, and the school called Dilraj to ask if OK to go ahead. Some sixth sense told her there was a problem. She asked them to wait, made a few calls, and decided that the meeting had an unwanted political element. Instead, they used the buses to take the children to a local park. News came through later in the day that the Government Ministers meeting had been attacked by Militants, and a number adults and children killed by gunfire or in the stampede.
Context and the Earthquake Dilraj had originally gone to Kashmir in 2003 and, as someone from India, had found it difficult to do voluntary work in Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK). Everything changed, however, with the devastating earthquake which struck Kashmir on 8 Oct 2005. The whole situation evolved in phases. IAHV volunteers were on the ground as quickly as 11 October. Initial help from IAHV with food and blankets and basics lasted for 3 weeks. Then IAHV volunteers provided courses to help reduce trauma. Then it was realised there were many abandoned children.
10 Children becomes 250 The children had lice and scabies and were undernourished. The arrived in a poor state, and were aged from 3 to 12. Not only were there child victims of the earthquake, there were also child victims of the local political violence. Dilraj explained that the children of Militants are typically disowned by relatives who do not want to be associated with them, after their parents were killed. Other children had been orphaned by actions of these Militants in the case of one child his whole family was blown up by a bomb from a militant and only he had survived.
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A Home for 250 Orphans in Kashmir

Measels a chance to catch up with an old friend Suddenly 5 children went down with rash, which turned out to be measles. Medical supplies were needed urgently, but none were available. Dilraj diligently hunted down the appropriate medical official to speak to who turned out to be an old school colleague of Dilraj. Medical supplies flowed and the measles was halted.
Opposition Comes and Goes Good results attract unwanted interest and Dilraj said that word appeared to have gone around that a lady from India was trying to convert Muslim boys. A delegation arrived unannounced to try to rectify this perceived problem. By pure chance, the delegation arrived at 2pm on a Friday when all the Muslim boys at the orphanage were at prayer. By arriving at this particular time, there could not have been a clearer demonstration that the Muslim faith was being respected. The delegation retreated and left the orphanage and school alone.
Dinner after at Tulsi Restaurant, Wembley Around 20 of us joined Dilraj afterwards for an Indian vegetarian dinner. Dilraj provided such an inspiration, it was really wonderful to hear from her.
Dilaj needs 33 per month per child Diraj said that it costs around 33 per month ie just over 1 per day for each child to be housed and fed. All are invited to contribute something towards this cost, as it was very clear that Dilraj and her team of volunteers need additional funding in order for their excellent work to continue.
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Corporate Culture and Spirituality Conference

Corporate Culture & Spirituality Conference, Brussels, November 2006
Sue Hindle attended this conference for IAHV (UK) and prepared this report. The Symposium on Corporate Culture & Spirituality (CCS) is an initiative of IAHV International to bring together leaders in the worlds of business and spirituality to develop new sustainable concepts of leadership which address the problems of todays globalised world at its root level. The aim is to highlight the culture underlying successful organizations, as well as crucial intangibles like leadership, commitment, ambition, motivation, loyalty, teamwork, creativity and efficiency. Previous Symposiums Previous CCS conferences in 2003 and 2004, in Bangalore, were attended by over 600 business leaders from all over the world. Support for values based approach The 2006 conference, which was attended by some 200 plus people, was opened and closed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Conference participants throughout demonstrated considerable support for a values based approach for business and society. The first day was a business forum hosted by the Europe India Chamber of Commerce, to explore trade relations between Europe and India. The main host for the day was Nirij Deva, a UK MEP. Ethical business and human values The second day, the theme of the conference was ethical business, integrity, being the application of human values in business. The day was co-hosted by IAHV international. Attendees seemed very interested in IAHV and the principles proposed. Attendees included movers and shakers from business, and EU Members of the European Parliament, professors and other eminent individuals from all walks of life. The event itself was held in the European Parliament building, which was a most impressive venue. The speakers were very inspiring and gave a clear message that the implementation of ethics and integrity in business is an effective and viable way forward, providing a sustainable competitive market advantage, particularly in a difficult business climate. Tata Steel, for example, was a 140 year old company where, despite the minority shareholding now held by the family, a strong ethic of social responsibility and integrity over profit had been maintained. To this day two thirds of profits go to charitable and social projects.
Delegates at the 2006 CCS Conference Particularly interesting was Professor Ervin Laszlo from Hungary about his book The Chaos Point. His theme is that the world and civilisation as it is cannot be sustained, and that as a result it will hit a crisis point in or around 2012 and then either spiral down to chaos and crisis, or else will embrace change and move up to new era. Ethics, integrity, and a united front to address important global concerns are now an urgent need. A Director of World Bank, Sanjay Pradhan, promoted The Global Integrity Alliance, whereby corporations and organisations which actively promote values and integrity could unite together to form a strong common front. CCS 2007 at the European Parliament The Conference is due to take place again in 2007, and is also invited to the European Parliament.
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Human Values & Charitable Objectives

Human Values and their Relevance to Charitable Objectives
In this article, Sue Hindle who is Trustee and Head of IAHV (UK) talks about the relevance of Human Values to the main established principles for charitable giving In UK. What are Human Values? They are those values that are shared in common by all main religions, cultures and civilisations worldwide eg Respect, Tolerance, Peace, Caring for others and the planet, Generosity, Service, Sharing, and Mental and Physical Well-being. It is proven that in cultivating these qualities in individuals, many benefits arise which fall within the ambit of many of the UKs charitable objectives.
A practical example of this can be seen from the showcase workshops sponsored by IAHV in the UK, and in 7 Prisons in Kosovo over 2005. A brochure on work in Kosovo prisons quoted HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of IAHV: The main reason for conflict in the world today is that people identify themselves with limited characteristics such as race, religion, and nationality, forgetting their basic identity. Today, in the name of religion, there are wars happening throughout the world. The solution to this can only be found by recognising that in the midst of the diversity of cultures, the world is ONE FAMILY. In order for violence, injustice and poverty to be eliminated, we need to educate ourselves in the principles of Human Values. Let us create a world of tolerance, which leads to acceptance and ends in love This puts very succinctly the case for Human Values in conflict resolution, reconciliation and the promotion of religious and racial harmony with equality and harmony in diversity. But does it work in practice? YES. There is an unusual and unique approach adopted in all the workshops and courses promoted by IAHV, which very specifically fosters these Human Values in individuals, in the most difficult of circumstances. Over 2005 these workshops were conducted in 7 very unpleasant prisons in Kosovo. Each contained a very potent and toxic mix of racial tension, criminal activity, domestic and social instability due to the war, as well as injury and disablement. The courses were taught to the uniformed officers, the civil administrators and the prisoners themselves. A report on the IAHV work in Kosovo prisons stated: The results of these courses were a reduction of conflict and anger in any conflict resolution setting, and especially in the stressful conditions of the prisons. Albanian, Roma and Serbian nationals benefited
1) The advancement of Human Rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity. The work of IAHV is particularly directed to this goal. It is central to the approach that all races, creeds and cultures share a common humanity, with these shared values at the core. Relations break down when the awareness of these values breaks down and focus is given to the outward differences, of race religion or caste. Also, Human Values come before Human Rights. Where Human Values flourish, Human Rights are automatically respected. Where Human Values are weak or broken down, breaches of Human Rights occur. Supporting and promoting Human Values is therefore an essential step in the work of protecting Human Rights The above is far more than an intellectual argument. The courses and workshops promoted by IAHV bring about a real practical improvement in racial and religious harmony.
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greatly and experienced the reopening of channels of communication and an improvement of inter ethnic dialogue. In addition there was reduced tension between the different groups within the prisons and genuine rehabilitation amongst the prisoners. This report goes on to give many startling personal and official accounts of the benefits. Photos show smiling and relaxed expressions on the faces of these hardened, bitter, stressed and traumatised prison officers after they had done the course. A further report, in January 2007, arising from a BBC interview in Kosovo of Xhevat Mexhuani, the Commissioner for Kosovo Correctional Service (Director of all Prison Directors) states that as a result of the programme in the prisons, the number of suicides and self-harm of prisoners has reduced from about 300 in 2004 to just 22 cases in 2006. IAHV also runs humanitarian and social programmes in developing countries, particularly India. There is the YLTP (Youth Leadership Training Programme), which promotes the 5H programme (Health, Hygiene, Homes, Human Values, and Harmony in Diversity). The first 3 of these are goals shared in common with many humanitarian organisations. The last two are what makes this work special. They are specifically focused on Human Values which bring social cohesion and belonging to the various disparate religious and social groups in these rural communities. The sense of inclusion and joint purpose strengthens the motivation and drive to make a lasting success of the projects within the communities in the other areas of health, hygiene and homes. demonstrating the practical application of the 5H programme in 2 villages, and how community development is dramatically assisted as a result of the human value based approach to these social projects. IAHV is also specifically working on a project to make presentations within UK schools on Human Values, within the Citizenship area of the curriculum. It would explore through drama, music, story telling and such like interesting and fun approaches an understanding of the essential human values that are shared by all races and religions to promote respect, tolerance, understanding and most important a sense of personal responsibility for ourselves, our society, environment and others generally. The flourishing of Human Values creates responsible individuals and a strong, caring community. Nurturing strong and responsible citizens is an essential aim in the promotion of human values. IAHV works entirely through volunteers. There are no paid officers. It is this practical encouragement of the human values of responsibility and caring for others in individuals that gives rise to the considerable service projects in other charitable areas.
3) Advancement of Education. Value Based Education is given to children with the intention of teaching personal and social responsibility to create good citizens. One of the simplest examples of a practical application of Human Values in this context is that of friendliness. The children are specifically encouraged to make one new friend every day. If they can learn to be friendly with all the children in their class and school and not just to form into cliques, then the instances of bullying reduce, and the social cohesion is much stronger, and the resultant adult society becomes stronger. Also if a child can learn friendliness and tolerance in school, the chances are that they will develop into adults with these qualities, to
2) The advancement of citizenship or community development. The last paragraph above shows how community development is assisted. Attention is also drawn to 2 case studies
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the greater benefit of their families and communities. An example of the benefits of a classic Human Values programme nearer home is in relation to the Tyneside Kind Hearts project. IAHV have recently been asked to sponsor and adopt this Kind Hearts project which is already fairly well advanced in a Tyneside secondary school. . As part of this project the children are encouraged to do Random acts of kindness. It has become cool in this school to go out of ones way to help others, both in and out of school, and to wear the heart shaped lapel badge signifying belonging. There is an Out-of-Hours club, which works with these concepts. It is very popular. The same group and teacher also teach simple yoga exercises, breathing relaxation techniques, concepts of self worth, and simple guided meditations. As a result it would seem that the school is a much more settled and relaxed place, bullying has reduced and seemingly GCSE results have improved. There has been local press coverage and local businesses are willing to give sponsorship. In Conclusion The Human Values of tolerance, caring, respect, sharing, generosity etc are the essential building blocks which make the solid foundation upon which all charitable purposes and volunteering are based. Without them, projects for social development and integration, religious understanding, Human Rights and such like cannot function. From people with a strong awareness of these values these things flourish spontaneously So many of the problems facing the world today arise from the widespread breakdown of Human Values. A solution to those problems lies in the restoration of those Values. This challenge is addressed by the IAHV.
Sue Hindle, IAHV Trustee, January 2007
4) The advancement of health and the saving of lives. The workshops promoted by IAHV as well as the voluntary aid provided have brought about considerable benefits in crisis situations such as: In Sri Lanka and India after the Tsunami In Gujurat and Kashmir after the Earthquakes In New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina In New York after 9/11 2001 In Jakarta after the earthquake.
5) The Prevention and Relief of Poverty. The various projects for sustainable and organic agriculture, education, training and self-help groups all go to reduce poverty.
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Human Values in UK Society 2006-07

A dramatic year in which British Values made front-page news, the World acknowledged Global Warming and the inevitability of more natural disasters, and a Declaration of Human Values was presented to the United Nations This article takes a look at some of the key events in 2006/07 from the perspective of Human Values. richest man - said he would donate $37bn to the Bill Gates charitable foundation. Stacy Palmer, editor of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, said that Mr Buffett's donation was the largest made by one person in the US. She explained that Mr Buffett's largesse eclipses the charitable donations of such well-known givers as John D Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. "I am not an enthusiast of dynastic wealth, particularly when the alternative is six billion people having that much poorer hands in life than we have, having a chance to benefit from the money," he said. However, he said the appropriate vehicle for doing so do had only become apparent in the past year. Mr Gates said it was Mr Buffett's support for philanthropy, which had persuaded him to set up the foundation in the first place. The foundation aims to fight disease and promote education around the world, particularly in developing countries. The gifts will be awarded yearly, with 5% of each donation passed on each year, it was announced. The foundation has evolved into one of the leading philanthropic organisations in the world, listing as one of its primary goals "reducing the 'unconscionable disparity' that exists between the way that we live and the way that the people of the developing world live". Bill Gates, (the worlds richest man and Microsofts founder, in 2005 made a donation of $750m to the child health charity he set up with his wife, Melinda, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation.
Growing Charitable Donations The whole idea of volunteering, providing service for the benefit of other members of humanity, or donating money, is a key pillar of IAHV. It was therefore very welcome to see that giving time or money philanthropy became very popular in 2006-07. It is clearly now cool to be philanthropic. IAHV needs charitable donations in order to support our projects across the World. Increasing awareness of charitable donations is good news for IAHV (UK), as it should encourage people to give more. The more money we receive, the more we can do to help people in need. Because all our work is done by volunteers, this enables IAHV to achieve so much more for every 1 that is donated. And if you use Gift Aid, this allows IAHV to increase the value of your donation by 28p for every pound donated, as a result of a tax refund from the government.
$37bn donation pledged by Warren Buffet, the Worlds 2nd richest man, to a charity foundation established by the World's richest man Major charitable giving is becoming fashionable. The climate for it has been significantly improved. Warren Buffett, who is worth an estimated $44bn, according to Forbes magazine - and the Worlds second
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200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in March 2007 highlights concern that today an estimated 27m around the World still remain in forced labour The considerable publicity given recently to this anniversary has highlighted two things. The first is the very considerable progress that has been made in the last two hundred years in relation to public attitudes to the concepts of freedom, human values and rights. It also highlights the shadowy areas in which slavery of one sort or another is still rife and the work that remains to be done. From our standpoint of promoting human values, IAHV would absolutely support the General Assembly of the United Nations in its recognition that slavery and the slave trade are the worst violations of human rights in the history of humanity. The UN states that the Transatlantic Slave Trade affected approximately 17 million people, lasted nearly four centuries, and constituted the largest deportation in history see http://www.un.org/webcast/pdfs/ngo070329.p df After prolonged lobbying by abolitionists in Britain, led by William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson, the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act passed by the British Parliament in March 1807 makes it illegal for British ships to transport slaves and for British colonies to import them, and was the start of a successful process that outlawed the African slave trade worldwide. After centuries of suffering, millions of African slaves were eventually freed and millions of lives saved. The British Navys Anti-Slavery Squadron, operating off the Atlantic coast of Africa, liberated 160,000 slaves between 1811 and 1867 for further information on the history see http://www.freetheslaves.net/about/. The history of how the British Parliament was persuaded to abolish the slave trade is a lesson for all of us who are involved in campaigning for fundamental social change. The magnitude of the achievement of the abolitionists in just 20 years is captured by an IAHV (UK) in 2006-07 article in the FT Magazine dated 17/18 March 2007 by Dr Kevin Bales, Director of director of Free the Slaves, a U.S. based anti-slavery organisation, and a consultant to the United Nations on slavery and trafficking. Dr Bales takes us back to 22 May 1787, some 20 years before the historic March 1807 date, to a meeting above a printing shop in George Yard in the City of London. At this meeting 12 men, mainly Quakers, and including Thomas Clarkson, planned to stop what was then a legal industry, equivalent in global reach and capital to the car industry of today, against vested interests that included the Church of England as owner of one of the largest slaveusing plantations in Barbados, and the then Lord Mayor of London who had built a fortune based on slaves. However, 200 years after the abolition of slavery in the British Empire, it is estimated that in 2007 there are still 27 million people remain in forced labour around the World. Writing in the FT Magazine dated 17/18 March 2007, Dr Kevin Bales states that the United Nations reports that human trafficking is the third largest money-maker for criminals, after drugs and weapons. See also see http://www.freetheslaves.net/about/.
British Values in the News A debate about British Values hit the headlines around May 2006 as a response to the London terrorist bombings of underground trains and buses in July 2005, and again in January 2007 following a Government review of how schools teach citizenship. In May 2006, the BBC reported that, in response to the Al Quada terrorist London bombings of July 2005, ministers wanted to review the current citizenship classes in schools, in an attempt to make society more unified. For the original article, see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4772059 .stm,
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The BBC reported that Education minister Bill Rammell hoped that a debate about the values shared by all communities across society - such as freedom, fairness, civil responsibilities and democracy - will help to tackle extremism and discrimination. This concept of British Values seems to be new, and raises the question of what, if any are the differences between British Values and more widely accepted Human Values? If there is a difference, why is there a difference? The fact that British Values is in the news, let alone the front page, should be cause for celebration for IAHV as part of our mission to raise awareness of human values. We look forward to the next instalment of this debate, for example as part of a UK discussion of Sri Sri Ravi Shankars Universal Declaration of Human Values which was reproduced earlier in this report. people who are older or younger than us, people from different walks of life or who follow different cultures or religions. Its about being considerate of the consequences of our behaviour for others.
Interestingly, the government acknowledges that For most of us this is automatic and ingrained in the habits of our everyday lives. However, it sees that when respect for self, others and the community breaks down, antisocial behaviour takes hold. Particularly important is the recognition that this is fundamental to making society work: Understanding and adopting a code of behaviour is what makes society work as a whole and is why the government is so committed to working with the public to promote a new culture of respect.
The UK Government Respect Agenda Also relevant to Human Values, is the UK governments Respect agenda. Criticism in the media about poor implementation and perceived failure of ASBOs to work, mean that this policy has not been seen as successful. Nevertheless, essentially, the governments respect Agenda is about Human Values. It is a recognition that Human Values are lacking in parts of society. See the Governments own statement about Respect Agenda at: http://www.respect.gov.uk/article.aspx?id=90 54 updated 5/1/07 Why is Respect about Human Values? Because the words the government is using to describe Respect are so similar to the words that IAHV is using to describe Human Values. The UK government says of Respect:
British Values - Where does Britain Stand on Racism in 2007? In January 2007, both racism and British Values were suddenly and unexpectedly thrown to the top of the agenda by the antics in the highly artificial but nevertheless influencial house of the Channel 4 reality show Celebrity Big Brother (CBB). From a Human Values perspective, this was an excellent short sharp wake up call concerning the issues of racism and values. Instead of the usual TV coverage of town centre, racially motivated rioting and people getting physically hurt, what we saw here was a debate in the media about what constituted racism. What is really representative of Britain today? - Is it 4 relatively uninformed t white English people making cheap racist type comments about the cultured and sophisticated Indian Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, 31, who apparently speaks 8 languages? Or is it better characterised by the 33,000 people who took exception to this behaviour and took the trouble to complain to OFCOM about racist bullying on CBB?
Its about showing tolerance, acceptance and common decency towards the people around us our family, friends and peers,
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In The Times on 18 January, Caitlan Moran reported that more than 20,000 viewers have complained to OFCOM about the racist bullying. Jade Goody has been dropped by the charity Act Against Bullying. Then CBBs commercial sponsors pulled out: "We are totally against all forms of racism and bullying and indeed this behaviour is entirely at odds with the brand values of The Carphone Warehouse said Chairman Charles Dunstone. The subject even had to be addressed by Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is expected to be the next Prime Minister, and who was visiting India at the time. The Times of 18 January reported Gordon Brown as saying I understand that in the UK there have already been 10,000 complaints from viewers about these remarks, which people see as rightly offensive. I want Britain to be seen as a country of fairness and tolerance. Yahoo on 22 January reported: Evicted from the show after a public vote on Friday, Goody acknowledged over the weekend that some of her comments to Shetty had been racist. "I'm not a racist, but I accept I made racist comments," she said. Despite its obvious falseness and manipulation, Celebrity Big Brother seems to have assisted in creating a modern morality story, where a racist outburst led to universal condemnation in a strong affirmation that Britain in 2007 does not accept racism. Shilpa Shetty, who went on to win CBB through a public vote, was notable for her demonstration of human values: her nonviolent approach even when under the pressure of the moment, and her generosity in brushing aside any attempt to attribute malice to Jade Goodys comments. British Values were back in the news yet again when on 25 January 2007 The BBC reported that a review of how schools teach citizenship had found there was not enough emphasis on UK identity and history. The report, by Sir Keith Ajegbo, says pupils should study free speech, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and respect for equal rights. Sir Keith Ajegbo, a former head teacher of a London school and Home Office adviser, was asked to look at how "citizenship" and "diversity" was being taught in schools. Citizenship became compulsory in England's secondary schools in 2002. Sir Keith said: "Britain is committed to the values of free speech, the rule of law, mutual tolerance and respect for equal rights. They are things that are fundamental to our society." He suggested that schools should be prepared to tackle controversial topics in the news such as the debate over immigration, and the UK's place in the European Union as well as the legacy of the British Empire. He said: "It is the duty of all schools to address issues of `how we live together' and `dealing with difference', however difficult or controversial they may seem". The new element for citizenship lessons will be called "Identity and Diversity: Living together in the UK". British history will be essential to it, said Sir Keith. The three existing planks of citizenship lessons are social and moral responsibility, community involvement and political literacy.
In 2006 the message that global warming is happening become mainstream, IAHVs position that eco-friendliness and caring for the planet are key human values finds support from by Al Gore in his statement that climate change is a moral issue.
Schools in England should teach "core British values" alongside cultural diversity
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September 2006 saw the UK release of the film An Inconvenient Truth which drives home the message that Global Warming is a reality and the need to do something about it. The film was from Al Gore, who in the year 2000 so narrowly lost the US Presidential Election to George Bush. With hundreds of millions of people at risk from losing their homes and livelihoods from climate change induced flooding in cities as far apart as Beijing, Shanghai, Calcutta, New York and San Francisco, as Al Gore says, climate change is a moral issue. The campaign website www.climatecrisis.net states that Humanity is sitting on a ticking time bomb. If the vast majority of the world's scientists are right, we have just ten years to avert a major catastrophe that could send our entire planet into a tail-spin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced. Former Vice President Al Gore, in the wake of defeat in the 2000 election, re-set the course of his life to focus on a last-ditch, allout effort to help save the planet from irrevocable change, by getting the truth about what he calls our "planetary emergency" out to ordinary citizens before it's too late. The impact on us all is summed up by the BBC reviewer Richard Black, who states: The main aim, I think, was to scare viewers to wake people, particularly Americans, from a coal-fuelled comfort zone and demand action from political leaders. And in a congenial, user-friendly, understated way, he has perhaps created the most terrifying movie of all time. For further details see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5348692.st m. In March 2007, hot on the heels of the Al Gore film, the UK Government made an ambitious commitment to cut emissions of Carbon Dioxide by 60% by 2050 with the publication of the UKs first ever climate change bill. Strengthening of support charitable giving through new Office of the Third Sector 2005 was designated by the UK Home Office as the Year of the Volunteer, then in May 2006 the UK government created the new Office of the Third Sector (OTS) to support a thriving sector of voluntary organisations and charities. It is easy to be cynical about the government leading these type of initiatives and say that the UK government simply wants charities to take on more work because it is cheaper than paying their own staff to do it. However, from the viewpoint of Human Values, it is definitely progress to see the UK government strengthening its commitments to charities and volunteering. These Government initiatives are therefore to be welcomed. Fundamental to IAHVs approach is the principle that we should all provide service to society, not just to get something for ourselves The Cabinet Office website in January 2007 gave the following summary of the work of the Office of the Third Sector, see http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/a bout_us/index.asp The OTS has been set up to drive forward the Government's role in supporting a thriving third sector, and brings together sector related work from across government. The third sector includes voluntary and community organisations, charities, social enterprises, faith groups, cooperatives and mutuals. The sector is diverse in its needs and priorities, and that diversity is fully reflected in the approach of the new Office. A new Unit, the Volunteering and Charitable Giving Unit (VCGU) has been established with the remit of:

Enabling as many people as possible to volunteer on a regular basis. Enabling as many people as possible give to good causes in a regular and tax efficient way.
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Financial Overview
Financial Overview 2006-07
The following is an extract from the audited 2006-07 Accounts.
Statement of Income and Expenditure IAHV (UK) for year ended 5th April 2007 Income Gifts and Donations Income Apex Course Euro A Day IAHV Infrastructure Kashmir Africa One World Family Fund/Silver Jubilee Yes Course Youth Projects Interest Total Income Less Cost of Generating Funds Net Incoming Resources available for charitable purposes Charitable Expenditure Grants Paid Euro A Day Project Kashmir Orphanage Project Disaster Relief - Jakarta Earthquake Africa Ivory Coast Youth Project Kosovo Prison Project One World Family Fund/Silver Jubilee Total Grants Paid Management and Administration Total Management and Administration Total Charitable Expenditure
GBP Pounds Sterling Apr 6, 2006 - Apr 5, 2007
17,496 6,708 14,989 5,567 7,446 475 1,820 249 54,750 -7,238 47,512
6,708 3,020 2,018 5,018 728 3,146 20,638 630 630 21,268
Total available funds carried forward for future Charitable Expenditure Total Funds brought forward from previous year Total available funds carried forward for future Charitable Expenditure
26,244 23,361 49,605
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Financial Overview
Notes to the Finances
Commentary
IAHV (UK)s revenue received of just over 54,829 in 2006-07 is lower than our 96,925 revenue in 2005-06. There are various reason for this. 2006-07 did not see the series of major climatic/ natural disasters of the previous 2 years, resulting in no major appeals being launched. Also the year started at the close of a very successful fundraising appeal, which had boosted the figures for the previous year. Expenses for the year were also very low however, as we had relied on the materials purchased in previous periods. These have been exhausted now and further investment in this direction is anticipated shortly with a new body of materials for general and corporate promotions. A significant amount of money had to be held on reserve across the year end as a contingency pending the outcome of the decision of the Tax authorities as to whether course income would be tax exempt as a primary purpose. A favourable ruling has now been received, but it may take a little while yet to unravel the various complexities
Gift Aid Tax reclaims As a charity we have the opportunity to reclaim 28 pence for every one pound sterling from all private UK tax paying donors. We received 1,931 in gift aid tax reclaims from the Inland Revenue with more to be claimed We still need to do much to raise awareness about the importance of reclaiming gift aid from UK tax payers as funds continue to be raised without the submission of gift aid forms.
Virtually All Your Donations will go to a specified cause An asset of IAHV over other organisations in fundraising is the assurance we can give to donors, that virtually all the money given goes direct to the nominated causes. Nothing is deducted in the UK. Very little is taken in India for overheads and expenses. Those who carry out the jobs are, for the very large part, volunteers.
Trustees Currently the trustees of IAHV (UK) are: Sue Hindle, Jenny Pruess, Radhe Chellaram and Gitanjali Bedi.
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International Association for Human Values UK Branch Annual Report and Review 2006-2007

Registered Charity Number 1103261

Promoting Human Values Across the World

The Needs we Address

IAHV (UK) in 2006-07

IAHV (UK) in 2006-07

IAHV (UK) in 2006-07

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Sue Hindle Trustee IAHV

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Declaration of Human Values

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