Report of a seminar on Ethical & Spiritual Dimensions of Social Progress organized by the Secretariat of the U.N. in the context of the preparation of the World Summit for Social Development, or Social Summit, Copenhagen, 6-12 March 1995. Participants came from different regions, walks of life, cultures & beliefs. Extracts from contributions by participants include aspects of the spirit of the time; notes on the spirit of humankind; human dignity & human rights; sectoral perspectives; market & social darwinism; universal value of love; individualism in modern science; human dignity as a central value; & elements for a new discourse.

It is not easy for a layman to attract attention to a book like this. Most who open the cover will be professionals in one of the many aspects of mental health. A moment's thought tells us, however, that if there is a distinction between laymen and professionals it makes no difference to a book like this. Both laymen and professionals care about what will be. That is why this book, the Congress it reports and the World Federation for Mental Health itself can be meaningful to both laymen and professional people. A look into the 80's from the point of view of mental health, cultural values and social development is for all who care about the future. The 1981 Manila Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health was a unique and special gathering. It was the first time the Federation assembled for a Congress in a developing country. In the Philippines we enjoyed the over whelming hospitality and charm of the people and a place where past and future seem as important as the present. All who attended from outside those magic islands will always remember the occasion as a special life experience. For those of you who did attend, this book can revive the stimulation and satisfaction of the Congress. For those of you who did not share the Manila experience, this book can inform and interest you about matters which are important.

The last decades have witnessed an increasing interest in a global ethic, which proposes general guidelines of behavior applicable to all cultures, and amends those spiritual interpretations and educational practices that are detrimental to personal and collective wellbeing. These lecture notes are an educational resource for spiritual education, moral education, and counselling, for secondary and university levels, as well as for adult education and teacher training, all within a worldwide, multicultural framework. Drawing from the ethical and spiritual treasure of humanity, the book should help readers realize that the most idealistic and humanistic of moral codes is also the most pragmatic and profitable for each individual who lives by it.                              
                                                            

Young people are doing faith differently. They are redefining community, ministry and ritual for a new era. In the face of planetary crisis, the next generation no longer see faith as a private matter, instead they are integrating it with activism and the need for systemic change. Influenced by the wealth of different teachings and traditions available around them, their identities are increasingly multifaceted and emphatically global. This collection of stories and interviews with young adults and their allies explores this new landscape, reflecting both the energy and inspiration of the next generation and the tremendous challenges they face. It points towards an exciting evolution in the way we are relating to the sacred. With stories from: Adam Bucko, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, Kara Moses, Abbas Zahedi, Camille Barton, Bruna Kadletz, Dekila Chungyalpa, Matt Youde, Amrita Bhohi, Sun Kaur, and many others. With supporting stories from senior leaders including: His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Rabbi Laura Janner Klausner, Bhai Sahib Dr Mohinder Singh, and more.

Culture, Spirituality and Economic Development: Opening a dialogue

This handbook addresses the historical background of the Islamic world and reviews its basic past intellectual achievements. It studies social progress of these regions and sub-regions in comparison with other parts of the world. It uses large data sets and well established statistically weighted Indexes in order to assess the nature and pace of the multiple facets of social change in member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The handbook extensively discusses the main challenges confronting the Islamic nations in the social, economic, political, and ideological fields. Though it is recognizable that social change in the Islamic World is generally positive, it remains highly variable in pace and there is room to speed it up to the benefit of millions of deprived Muslim people. Hence, the book studies the different propositions and programs of action, such as the United Nations’ Millennium Development Campaign and the OIC’s Ten-Year Programme of Action to present an integrated and comprehensive agenda of action to help improve the situation in the Islamic World.