19 August
2009
Humanitarian Resource Institute
Phone: (203) 668-0282
Url: www.humanitarian.net
Global Arts Integration Into Education Initiative
Url: www.unarts.org
Twitter: unarts
World Humanitarian Day: The Least of These
World Humanitarian Day is an occasion for paying tribute to the
men and women who work to save the lives and protect the health of people
affected by emergencies, whether caused by conflict or natural disasters.
These are often life-threatening situations, and those who offer help put
their own lives at risk. This day is also an occasion for remembering
humanitarian staff who lost their lives serving others. There are many, and
they come from partner UN agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement,
and numerous intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations. WHO remembers
its own staff who have lost their lives with great sadness, but also great
respect. -- World Humanitarian Day : World Health
Organization, 19 August 2009.
"The least of these" represents the suffering and afflicted and care for
those being the primary living mission entrusted to the Christian church.
The motivation for this compassion and benevolence is manifest
as the interfaith realization of the theme "Love Conquers All" (Omnia Vincit Amor: The Ultimate
Objective, HRI):
Love inspires
an interest and focus on every need, plea or cry for help and prompts a
desire to provide assistance. This standard, applied to a local community
is a microcosm of the application needed for a state, country or global region,
and includes:
(1) the
need to recognize the importance of every individual;
(2) to understand the full scope of every individuals needs, mentally,
physically and spiritually;
(3) to place ourselves in the shoes of the suffering and afflicted and;
(4) to provide help in the same capacity as if we were in their circumstance.
Matthew 25:40: "Inasmuch
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done
it unto me."
Maintaining focus and tunnel vision in mission
Meditation and daily renewal is crucial for those working in mission
field or moment by moment progress in life. Country Music Association
Artist Stephen Michael Apatow
(Founder of Humanitarian
Resource Institute and Global Arts Integration Into Education Initiative)
wrote the songs on the "Beyond
Imagination" album compilation in reflection of that need.
The soundtrack "Special Forces Prayer" on the album compilation "Country
Goes Global" is dedicated to the men and women of the Special Forces,
that includes all those in the armed forces who are working for the preservation
of human freedom, to defend the defenseless and to free the enslaved.
The words were written in 1961 for William Pelham "Bill" Yarborough,
by SF Chaplain John Stevey, the 7th SFG (ABN) Chaplain.
All proceeds from Stephen Michael Apatow's music support operations and
advocacy initiatives of Humanitarian Resource Institute. Broadcast
quality digital downloads are accessible free of charge for radio and television
stations through AirPlay Direct.
UNArts.org: Rock the World: Local Events to Spotlight Unmet Needs of Frontline
Programs
Rock The World: "Bridging Unmet Needs to Untapped Resources"
Artists/professionals, arts organizations, music labels (management, arrangers,
producers), film production and media companies asked to join together
in the coordination of local events to spotlight the size and scope of unmet
needs on the community level, strategic planning and development, with
emphasis on reaching families and organizations in crisis, that have fallen
through the cracks. Additional information is available on the
Global Arts Integration
Into Education Initiative web site.
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