LGW’s Acceptance Speech at the “Spirit of the UN” Award

Leia este texto em português.

Thank you Sharon, for your kind words. I would like to also express my deepest gratitude to the distinguished executive board, our fellow friends, of the Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns (CSVGC-NY) for choosing the Legion of Good Will as a recipient of this invaluable homage. We are humbled to transfer this honor to all those who work towards the cause of Good Will (not by chance known as Legionnaires) and their mission to foster a solidary, altruistic and ecumenical society.

The title of this award is in itself a powerful call that invokes all of us to reflect upon the highest level of consciousness and responsibility we all should have in such a moment of global tension and fear. The whole world observes the United Nations and trusts that the actors of the international community come forward through peaceful understanding to guarantee our harmonious coexistence. Therefore, to know that there are brave souls working to sustain the core values in which the United Nations was founded upon is not only a breath of hope but also necessary and urgent.

I represent a Brazilian originated organization called Legion of Good Will, that was founded on January 1st, 1950, with similar aspirations as of the United Nations’ following the years after World War II. The founder Alziro Zarur was a very known radio broadcaster and he envisioned a neutral field of practical Love, where anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, race or social status, could work together to improve the standards of life of those in most need. Through the Brazilian radio, he called the nation to actively engage in a consciousness and actions of solidarity and charity, inspired by the all-encompassing ecumenical new commandment of Jesus: “Love one another as I have loved you”.

After 1979, when Zarur passed away, his sucessor José de Paiva Netto, who is also a recognized journalist, radio broadcaster, writer and composer, expanded the work of the Legion of Good Will into a strong array of social and educational programs that currently impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands every year across seven countries. He also established an innovative educational approach that suggests that the complete development of individuals should combine “Brain and Heart”. In his writings, he explains that (and I quote) “When reason is united with the heart (sentiment), fraternal solutions provide life with the longed-for happiness, which can only be true when there is both material and spiritual food on everyone’s plate.”

We strongly believe that Education is the path to a more inclusive, altruistic and just society. But this education must go beyond the intellect. We have to equally replenish the good feelings and values in the hearts, so generations can be prepared to face the huge transformation this world requires to sustain life. Everyday, the Legion of Good Will’s educational and social assistance centers alone apply this model of Education with Ecumenical Spirituality for more than 25 thousand kids in South America, Portugal and here in the USA. This evidence-based program may be one successful way in catalyzing communities everywhere to become active partners with the UN in achieving the sustainable development goals.

That is why, it is smart and imperative that the nations also measure their progress in developing the Culture of Peace and the adherence to universal values, as defended in this Committee’s mission. Forming spiritual indicators is a proactive and necessary strategy to stimulate the international policies for the advancement of the integral development of people. The increase in the world polarization and even the threat of a nuclear war indicates the demand for policies that instill understanding, cooperation and care for the common good, otherwise we will all perish. This means that ultimately this spiritual work at the United Nations is vital to give the world and the people better chances of survival.

When I learned about the theme of the 2017 Week of Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns, Genie and I discussed the possibility of mobilizing a public consultation from people around the world to hear their suggestions on what these spiritual indicators should be. And so, last Thursday, in Brazil, the Legion of Good Will hosted an interfaith meeting around this question at the Temple of Good Will, a monument to Ecumenism raised by Paiva Netto in 1989 for anyone wishing to meditate and find peace regardless of their religious background. And I am glad to say that the turnout of this meeting was a vivid discussion with very interesting recommendations that we will soon present to the work of the CSVGC.

So, in the name of the Legion of Good Will and its President José de Paiva Netto, we thank you for this Award and we reaffirm our commitment to continue serving alongside honorable fellows like all of you. And thank you, Maestro Daniel Martins and the Camargo Guarnieri Youth Philharmonic for traveling from Brazil and joining us at this special ceremony. May the Spirit of the UN stay alive now and always in our hearts.

Thank you very much!