UN Interns Present Their Research / Women's Human Rights & HLPF

Peace through Interfaith Understanding

We at the Temple of Understanding are deeply concerned about the growing violence, w eather disasters, and injustice in our world. As an interfaith organization dedicated to peace through education and understanding, we strive to act for change with heart and solidarity.

Women's Human Rights and the SDGs

Report on the High Level Political Forum (HLPF)

In July 2017, a second set of countries presented their progress on the SDGs to the United Nations. Civil society (NGOs and other nonprofits) raised concerns on many fronts, including the shrinking space for diverse people's voices, the degree of progress, and the rise in attacks on front line human rights defenders around the globe. The Temple of Understanding worked with the Women's Major Group, mourning the deadly violence against women human rights defenders.

Women Human Rights Defenders - Photo by Grove Harris

Full HLPF Report >>

TOU's UN Interns Present Their Research

Our 2017 summer UN interns did great work this year! Their research projects included topics such as peacebuilding through education, gender issues in high-conflict areas, sustainable energy and internet access in developed and developing countries, climate change, and terrorism.

See all 2017 internship research projects >>

Meet our 2017 United Nations Summer Interns >>

Religious Actors Preventing Violence

Dr. Ephraim Isaac, TOU Board Member, Featured

TOU is pleased to be part of a new UN plan of action calling for " Religious Leaders and Actors to Prevent Incitement to Violence that Could Lead to Atrocity Crimes." We are proud that our board member Dr. Ephraim Isaac spoke at the September session, as the UN encourages broad stakeholder participation in this crucial initiative. His address focuses on personal experience of atrocity and recommends art and music as part of the solution. He concludes with a quote from Einstein: "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."

Read Dr. Isaac's address and see other resources >>

Watch on UN WebTV >>

New Water Justice Guides

Three new water justice guides are available from the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Maude Barlow and the Council of Canadians, and the UN Mining Working Group.

The Invisible Crisis: Water Unaffordability in the United States
Water for Sale
Water & Sanitation: A People's Guide to SDG 6