2004

Marks the 10th Anniversary of the Values Caucus at the United Nations.

This year we will be celebrating with many programs and events. On February 12 we launched the celebration by co-sponsoring an event with guest speakers, Alfredo Sfeir Younis from the World Bank, our old friend and champion, and Carol Zinn, a member of the Values Caucus Coordinating Council from 2000 to 2002. Deborah Moldow, past chair of the Values Caucus, facilitated on behalf of URI-UN. The subject was The Ethical & Spiritual Dimensions of the Millennium Development Goals More than 60 members of the UN non-governmental community attended, overflowing the small conference room. The meeting was opened with the Moment of Silence traditional to the Values Caucus. There were congratulations on the 10th anniversary of the Values Caucus including Monica Willard presenting a celebratory cake, to be shared after the meeting and;

a message from Ambassador Juan Somavía, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva.

"My greetings to you all from Geneva. I wish I could be there but am with you in spirit. As you know, the Values Caucus and its work has always been dear to my heart since its inception at the time of the Social Summit, and is clearly relevant in my present capacity as Director-General of the ILO. I am constantly reminded of how spiritual issues and values are essential in the world of work, and how, in fact the different philosophical, spiritual and religious traditions actually underpin what we try to do, which is help achieve decent work for all.

I salute your efforts to foster greater dialogue among the different faiths, cultures, and traditions, which the world needs more than ever, and wish you many more years of successes. I am with you in mind and sprit".