C20: La tecnología debe basarse en la compasión
El uso de la tecnología y la creación de políticas en su entorno deben centrarse en un enfoque centrado en el ser humano que no infrinja los derechos humanos fundamentales.
C20: Summit on Technology, Security & Transparency focuses on a more equitable and inclusive digital world
Instead of technology raising alarming concerns about the future of humankind, it can be used to gather and share the talents of all people. This can bring transformational changes to India as a nation, and Civil 20 is a channel to bring these unique success stories to the entire world.
The Civil 20 (C20) Summit on Technology and Security for One World took place at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore. Several dignitaries from India and abroad attended the inaugural ceremony of the two-day event hosted at the university by the official Working Group on Technology, Security & Transparency.
“Humanity is facing extraordinary challenges today, including on subtler levels, which we may be unable to perceive or understand. The huge leap in science and technology, along with misuse of the internet and increasing drug abuse among students, are contributing to the predicament we now face. The negative aspects of technology are raising alarming concerns about the future of humankind. Now we see a new generation growing up devoid of a conscience and moral values. As a result, violence, in various names and forms, is rising,” said Amma in her video address as Chair of C20.
“All new discoveries usually come with a negative side. The once evident problems have now shifted from the gross to the subtle and, consequently, become stronger. Technology has increased conveniences and made life comfortable, but its abuse and dangers have also increased. Extensive research on the negative impact of any new invention or discovery is essential before it is deployed to the population at large, as these can also mean unique, new hazards.
“We need to find solutions to their potential negative repercussions and threats that could manifest. While we are in a hurry to connect to science, technology and the internet, we have become disconnected from many things—our true self, our atma, our environment, nature, love, and life. And this disconnected us from spiritual values, which can heal all the disconnections in our life.”
Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, Shri RN Ravi, addressed the delegates: “India is hosting the Presidency of G20. This is a unique opportunity for the country to offer policy recommendations rooted in its larger divine mandate. Millennia ago, our sages discovered the divine truth of oneness of all creation and that there was no difference between the creator and the created. There cannot be a more powerful way of resolving the world’s differences than accepting diversity as variations of the same. universal truth. We need to take this quintessential India experience of oneness of all humanity to the entire world.
“An evolutionary transformation is happening in India today, with the world looking at us with hope. This has been possible by moving from the Government-centric approach of the last seven decades to a people-centric approach now. Our successes have been made possible by the use of technology through initiatives like the Jan Dhan Yojana, Digital India, the JAM trinity and the UPI.
“Such technology has impacted millions of lives in India by helping deliver services online. It also helped us navigate the pandemic better than many other countries, with 800 million people getting food at their doorsteps. Today, our progress is immense. Every government scheme now involves the people in a mass campaign, leading to impressive outcomes.”
He also expressed: “No country can make progress without harnessing the power of women. We had a huge gender imbalance in India for many centuries. Due to efforts of the last several years, the trends show that we may have finally overcome the challenge, and India may for the first time be having more women than men. In Tamil Nadu itself, the latest revision of electoral rolls show that the state today has 15,000 more women electorate than men.
“This transformation has been made possible with the use of technology and involving the civil society in policy-making as equal partners. Technology has a huge contribution in triggering innovation. In 2014, India had less than 500 startups. Today, we have more than one lakh. Harnessing the talent of people through technology is bringing transformational changes to the country. We now have a powerful opportunity through C20 to take these unique success stories of India to the international community to make the world a better place.”
As Troika Member C20, Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri said in his address: “Science and technology are extremely beneficial but can also be fatally dangerous, depending on how they are utilised. They can pose a threat to humanity when handled by people lacking in understanding, compassion, and discernment. What role tradition played in the past in human evolution has now been taken over by technology.
“The question is: ‘Do we have a clear direction about the future, or are we clueless?’ Communicating with others today doesn’t involve the human element as there is no need for face-to-face interactions. Even emotions have been turned into symbols through emojis. Technology does not always present positive influences, as it provides more distraction than focus.”
Swamiji explained: “Generative AI can be a powerful tool of misinformation and be risky to humanity. Spirituality and the Internet are two distinct niches for human pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. Today’s social media and content platforms are gamechangers, even for new spiritual aspirants who seek a connection to the perceived values in early stages of their journey.
Photo 1: In her video message, Amma explained that while we are in a hurry to connect to science, technology and the internet, we have become disconnected from many things—our true self, our atma, our environment, nature, love, and life.
Photo 2: The world is at a crossroads where it can combine the wisdom and beauty of tradition with modern technology to unite humankind on a larger scale than ever. The evening's cultural performances captured that ethos.
Photo 3: Shri RN Ravi, Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, emphasised how technology has helped enable the empowerment of women.
Photo 4: Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri said science and technology are extremely beneficial but can also be fatally dangerous, depending on how they are utilised.
Photo 5: Amrita’s Prof Krishnasree Achuthan is a National Coordinator of the Technology, Security & Transparency Working Group.
Photo 6: Amma expressed that by reconnecting to spiritual values, we can heal all the disconnections in our lives.
Photo 7: The sessions focused on four key areas, namely, Technology for Empowerment; Artificial Intelligence and Data for Society; Transparency, Trust & Disinformation; and Security, Safety and Resilience.
C20: La Cumbre sobre Tecnología, Seguridad y Transparencia se enfoca en un mundo digital más equitativo e inclusivo
En lugar de que la tecnología genere preocupaciones alarmantes sobre el futuro de la humanidad, se puede utilizar para agrupar y compartir los talentos de todas las personas. Esto puede aportar cambios transformadores a toda la India como nación, y Civil 20 es un canal para transmitir estas historias de éxito únicas al mundo entero.
La Cumbre Civil 20 (C20) sobre Tecnología y Seguridad para un mundo digital se ha llevado a cabo en el campus de la Universidad Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham de Coimbatore. Varios dignatarios de la India y del exterior asistieron a la ceremonia inaugural del evento de dos días organizado en la universidad por el Grupo de trabajo oficial sobre Tecnología, Seguridad y Transparencia.
AYUDH Mauritius brings food to mothers and children in need
For the youth volunteers it was an opportunity to practise what Amma means when she speaks about ‘compassion in action’.
The AYUDH chapter with Amma Centre Mauritius led a team to a slum area to conduct a soup kitchen for the people living there. AYUDH is the Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s global youth initiative.
AYUDH Mauricio ofrece comida a madres y niños necesitados
Para los jóvenes voluntarios fue una gran oportunidad para practicar lo que Amma quiere decir cuando habla de “compasión en acción”.
La sección de AYUDH junto con el Centro Amma de Isla Mauricio desplazaron a un equipo a un barrio pobre para montar un comedor de beneficencia destinado a las personas que viven en aquella zona. AYUDH es la iniciativa juvenil global del Mata Amritanandamayi Math.
War in Ukraine: Embracing the World donates €115,000 to UN Women project for the safety of women and children
UN Women reports that political instability and conflict have had a significant detrimental impact on gender equality and the situation of women in the country.
Embracing the World, Europe, has donated €115,000 ($127,000) to support ‘Safe Spaces for Women and Children’, a UN Women project for people affected by the war in different parts of Ukraine. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Amrita e.V. Indienhilfe, Amma’s organisation in Germany, a special function was organised at the Oberanger Theater in Munich.
Guerra en Ucrania: Embracing the World dona 115.000€ al proyecto de la ONU para la seguridad de mujeres y niños
ONU Mujeres informa que la inestabilidad política y el conflicto han tenido un impacto muy perjudicial en la igualdad de género y la situación de las mujeres en Ucrania.
Embracing the World, Europa, ha donado 115.000 EUR (127.000 USD) para apoyar el proyecto ‘Safe Spaces for Women and Children’ [Espacios seguros para mujeres y niños] que impulsa la ONU Mujeres para las personas afectadas por la guerra en diferentes partes de Ucrania. Con motivo del 30 aniversario de Amrita e.V. Indienhilfe, la organización de Amma en Alemania, se ha organizado un encuentro muy especial en el Teatro Oberanger de Múnich.
Desde el comienzo de la guerra el 24 de febrero de 2022, se ha confirmado la muerte de más de 3.000 mujeres en ataques que han destruido viviendas y estructuras civiles en todo el país. Según el Comisionado de Derechos Humanos de la ONU, las mujeres representan casi el 40 % de las más de 21 000 bajas civiles registradas en 2022. Y de los 7,9 millones de desplazados internos, estimados en Ucrania, las mujeres constituyen al menos un 90 %.
Al hacer la donación, Swami Shubamritananda Puri, representante del Mata Amritanandamayi Math en Europa, entregó un cheque simbólico a Corinna Witzel, Directora Ejecutiva de ONU Mujeres Alemania, junto con representantes de muchos países de Embracing the World, Europa. También estuvieron presentes el Embajador de India en Alemania, Parvathaneni Harish; el Cónsul General de la India en Múnich, Mohit Yadav; y también asistieron los actores alemanes Ralf Bauer y Adnan Maral.
Sra. Witzelin en su discurso dijo: “Es un gran honor para mí estar aquí hoy. Permítanme felicitarles en nombre de todo el Comité Nacional de ONU Mujeres de Alemania. Estoy muy impresionada y profundamente conmovida por su increíble y maravilloso trabajo. Me gustaría agradecer a Embracing the World y a Amma por su compromiso, su humanidad y su caridad. Ustedes constituyen realmente unos modelos a seguir para todo el mundo”.
El Embajador Harish dijo: “Amma, como presidenta del Grupo de Compromiso de la Sociedad Civil bajo la Presidencia de la India del G20 2023, ha elegido el lema ‘Tú eres la Luz’ a través del cual ha transformado a los ciudadanos comunes de ser receptores de asistencia y apoyo externo en individuos empoderados. Ahora son capaces de mirarse a sí mismos como la luz y contribuir a su propio desarrollo, así como el de sus familias, y convertirse en participantes activos de la transformación en sus propias sociedades”.
El informe “Rapid Gender Analysis” [Análisis Rápido de Género], realizado por ONU Mujeres y sus socios, pone de manifiesto que las mujeres están siendo afectadas desproporcionadamente por la crisis de varias maneras. Ante las continuas amenazas a la seguridad, las mujeres y las jóvenes están experimentando un aumento de la violencia de género, incluida la violencia de pareja íntima, el acoso y la violencia sexual relacionada con los conflictos. El deterioro de las condiciones socioeconómicas exacerba aún más esta amenaza, aumentando las tasas de explotación sexual, trata y otras formas de violencia. Doce meses después del inicio de la guerra en Ucrania, los servicios de apoyo siguen siendo insuficientes para satisfacer las necesidades de los sobrevivientes.
Al ver la situación sobre el terreno, la ONU Mujeres decidió crear el programa “Espacios seguros para mujeres y niños”. Cada espacio también proporciona recursos y servicios cruciales a los que las mujeres desplazadas han tenido problemas para acceder. Distribuyen kits de higiene, recursos educativos y ofrecen formas multidimensionales de apoyo, que incluyen asesoramiento psicológico para adultos y niños, acceso a asesoramiento legal e información sobre recursos locales de empleo y vivienda, y servicios para supervivientes.
También ofrecen cuidado de niños, con un espacio especial para niños en cada ubicación. Pueden participar en clases de yoga o meditación, unirse a sesiones de aprendizaje sobre cómo prevenir la discriminación y abordar diferentes formas de violencia contra las mujeres, y asistir a talleres que las ayuden a encontrar empleo y otras habilidades.
Las intervenciones de ONU Mujeres y sus socios para esta iniciativa desde octubre de 2022 hasta la fecha han llegado a mujeres y niños afectados por conflictos en todo el país en el marco del proyecto ‘Building Democratic, Peaceful and Gender Equal Society in Ukraine’ [Construyendo una sociedad democrática, pacífica y de igualdad de género en Ucrania].
Foto 1: Desde el comienzo de la guerra el 24 de febrero de 2022, se ha confirmado la muerte de más de 3.000 mujeres en ataques que han destruido viviendas y estructuras civiles en todo el país.
Foto 2: Un cheque simbólico fue entregado a Corinna Witzel, Directora Ejecutiva de ONU Mujeres Alemania, por Swami Shubamritananda Puri, representante del Mata Amritanandamayi Math en Europa.
Foto 3: Corinna Witzel, Directora Ejecutiva de ONU Mujeres Alemania, dijo que se sentía profundamente conmovida por Embracing the World y el compromiso, la humanidad y la caridad de Amma con las mujeres y los niños afectados por la guerra.
Foto 4: El embajador de la India en Alemania, Parvathaneni Harish, dijo que el puesto de Amma como presidenta del Grupo de Compromiso Civil 20 para la Presidencia del G20 de la India es un ejemplo de cómo transformar la sociedad a todos los niveles.
C20 Working Group Summit on Gender Equality and Disability Inaugurated
Dignitaries who spoke at the Civil 20 gathering emphasised the urgent need to address systemic issues such as discrimination, gender-based violence, and economic disparities.
The Gender Equality and Disability (GED) Working Group for Civil 20, an official Engagement Group of India’s G20 Presidency, inaugurated its Summit in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Hosted by Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), more than 300 delegates with civil society organisations and other stakeholders from around the world are participating in discussions and workshops that will directly impact the policy recommendations for the C20 Summit in Jaipur in July.
Inaugurada la Cumbre del Grupo de Trabajo del C20 sobre Igualdad de Género y Discapacidad
Los dignatarios que hablaron en la reunión Civil 20 enfatizaron la necesidad urgente de abordar problemas sistémicos como la discriminación, la violencia de género y las disparidades económicas.
El Grupo de Trabajo de Igualdad de Género y Discapacidad (GED) para Civil 20, un Grupo de Compromiso oficial de la Presidencia del G20 de la India, inauguró su Cumbre en Bhubaneswar, Odisha. El acto ha sido organizado por el Instituto de Tecnología Industrial de Kalinga (KIIT), y ha contado con más de 300 delegados de organizaciones de la sociedad civil y otras partes interesadas de todo el mundo, quienes participan en debates y talleres que tendrán un impacto directo en las recomendaciones de políticas para la Cumbre C20 de Jaipur prevista para el próximo mes de julio.
The Global Seedball Campaign inspires people at the community level to participate in eco-restoration
The making and distribution of seedballs is an ancient technique that offers a simple solution for community groups to come together and contribute to restoring our planet’s ecological balance.
Civil 20’s Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SRC) working group has launched Global Seedball Campaign: Seeds of Hope—an initiative with the goal of dispersing one million seedballs in fragile ecosystems worldwide. Under the guidance and vision of Amma as Chair of C20 for India’s G20 Presidency, SRC is deeply honoured to work towards leading the production and distribution of the seedballs in the year 2023.
The project is in collaboration with AYUDH, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s global youth wing, and is a humble effort to create general awareness in people about the significance of seedballs in restoring ecological balance. Volunteers are set to gather in Embracing the World centres across India and in Asia, Europe, South America, North America, Australia, and Africa as part of efforts to encourage people to contribute in whatever way possible.
“Take at least 100 seeds. Take a bit of soil, cow dung, or compost in a paper to insert the seed into it and tie it up. This when thrown into the forests, will start to germinate and grow. Trees in the forest do not usually need any water or fertilisers, their own fallen leaves become fertilisers to such trees,” said Amma.
“Alignment with nature is the lasting and closest bond for the human body and life. Without the elemental forces of earth, fire, water, air and space, humankind and other creatures will cease to exist. Our essential consciousness is the totality of all these forces. As long as we do not acknowledge this eternal unity between humankind and these natural forces, peace, happiness, and harmony will remain a dream.”
A seedball is made up of soil and seeds, often mixed with clay and other organic materials to hold the ball together. They are designed to be thrown or scattered in areas where vegetation is required and are able to rely on natural rainfall to germinate and grow into mature plants.
Creating seedballs is an ancient technique used for reforestation and soil restoration that is today being carried out by community groups worldwide and includes people of all ages. It offers an environmentally friendly and low-cost solution with the potential to make a significant impact on the health and resilience of our planet's ecosystems.
In preparation for the launch of the campaign, SRC conducted intensive seedball making workshops at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus and the Amritapuri Ashram. The students, staff and ashram residents have joined hands to produce close to 100,000 seedballs. A workshop conducted at the university on April 5th had over 200 enthusiastic participants who made close to 10,200 seedballs in seven hours. Meanwhile in Amritapuri, the Ashram kids made close to 1700 seedballs in two hours.
Inaugurating further workshops at the Ashram on April 7th, Swami Jnanamritananda Puri said: “The seeds of a tree are its children, yet, of the many seeds from a tree, only a few see a new life. The remaining seeds in fruit are used as food by humans and animals. When we look at nature and all of creation, we see that it's only humans that keep on taking without giving anything back to the environment. This has greatly affected the delicate balance of the ecosystem, causing climate change and extreme weather conditions.”
Every year, humans destroy around 10 million hectares of forests, causing huge ecological imbalance that affects earth’s climate and biodiversity. Deforestation has a profound impact on humankind, wildlife, and other life forms in nature. As forests are cut down to make way for mining and urbanisation, countless species lose their habitats and struggle to survive.
The loss of habitat has led to the decline and even extinction of many plant and animal species. Destruction of trees also leads to carbon retainment in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change and extreme cases of natural disasters. As deforestation continues, urgent action is needed to protect the planet's biodiversity and ensure the survival and wellbeing of countless species on earth. It is now time to break this pattern.
Video: The goal is to disperse one million seedballs in fragile ecosystems worldwide by the end of 2023.
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