World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB)

Organisation mondiale des bouddhistes

Contact Details

Main address: Hon SG: Phallop Thaiarry, 616 Benjasir Park, Sukhumvit 24 off Soi Medhinivet, Sukhumvit Road, Klong Toey, 10110, Bangkok, Thailand, Tel: (66 2) 6611284 87, Fax: (66 2) 6610555, E-mail: webmaster (at) wfb-hq.org

URL: http://www.wfbhq.org/

Aims

Propagate the doctrine of the Buddha and promote among members strict observance and practice of his teachings; secure unity, solidarity and brotherhood amongst Buddhists; work in the field of social, educational, cultural and other humanitarian services; work to secure peace and harmony among men and happiness for all beings; collaborate with other organizations working for the same ends.

Official Relations

United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)^* (General); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)^* (Consultative Status).

Activities

Standing Committees (9): Finance; Publication, Publicity, Education, Culture and Art; Dhamma-Duta Activities; Humanitarian Services; Unity and Solidarity; Youth; Socio-Economic Development; Women; Buddhist Pancasila Samadana.

Publications

WFB Newsletter (6 a year); WFB Journal (4 a year) in Thai; WFB Review (4 a year). Book series in English, Thai.

Members

Regional centres (164) in 38 countries and territories:

• Ghana, United Republic of Tanzania.

• Brazil, Canada, United States of America.

• Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong/China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/China, Thailand, Viet Nam.

• Australia, New Zealand.

• Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Russian Federation, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

UNESCO NGO Section Data

Type of Relation with UNESCOConsultative Status

Reclassification date2007

Programme sector: EDNo

Programme sector: SCNo

Programme sector: SHSYes

Programme sector: CLTNo

Programme sector: CIINo

Programme sector: BSPNo

Programme sector: AFRNo

Name and contact details of NGO focal point at UNESCOM. Solinis German
SHS/SRP/POL

History1950 Creation 1970 Category B 1997 Operational Relations (151 EX/ONG.2) (151 EX/Dec. 9.2) 2003 Renewal of operational relations (166 EX/38) (166 EX/Dec.9.2) 2006 Recommendation of the Director-General concerning the admission to formal consultative relations, continuation of the examination of this recommendation at its 176th session of the Executive Board in April 2007 (175 EX/Dec.40) 2007 Formal Consultative Relations (176 EX/45) (176 EX/Dec.45)

Contribution to UNESCO's programmes 2006: Admitted in 1970 to former category B and subsequently reclassified to operational relations in 1997, the World Fellowship of Buddhists continues to collaborate with UNESCO in areas such as dialogue among civilizations, tolerance and the culture of peace. In its capacity as an NGO in operational relations with UNESCO, WFB co-organized several events with the joint collaboration of several Buddhist Member States, NGOs and educational and cultural foundations including the following: - an exhibition with the collaboration of the Education Sector on Mahamongkol International Meditation Centre of Thailand and the World Buddhist University; - a Day of Buddhism at UNESCO (June 2005) with the joint collaboration of Won Buddhism in France; - the United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations (2005-2006) in the Kingdom of Thailand with messages issued by the Secretary-General ; - several meetings on spiritual development, higher education, inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, organized by Karma Ling Institute and Centre in France which is associated with the World Buddhist University. In addition, WFB progressively developed its humanitarian and social development activities in Tanzania, Swaziland, Kinshasa and many other countries on the African continent. The NGO is involved, through its network, in the establishment of information centres on Buddhism research and inter-religious dialogue. It continues to be closely associated with UNESCO’s activities in the implementation of its regular programmes ranging from education for all, non-formal education, research and higher education, cultural policies and inter-cultural dialogue, tolerance and peace, cultural diversity, bioethics philosophy to the culture of peace in order to maintain peace and harmony among different religions and cultures worldwide. Cooperation between UNESCO and WFB is also being strengthened via the frequent consultations to obtain its views and vision on issues related to UNESCO’s goals. In light of the aforementioned activities and collaboration, UNESCO is favourable to the modification of its status from operational relations to formal consultative relations.

Previous evaluation made by Programme sector concerned 1997: A long-standing partner of UNESCO, the World Fellowship has always shared the Organization’s fundamental objectives and was admitted in 1970 to the former category B. In addition to disseminating UNESCO’s message, it has offered its views on and made contributions to such questions as obstacles to communication, religion and culture in UNESCO’s work, and education and communication in the service of peace. The World Fellowship is involved, through its network, in the establishment of the information centre on Buddhist research in Sri Lanka, in the framework of the ‘Silk Routes’ project. Although with relatively balanced regional outreach in the cultural sense of the term, the organization’s co-operation with UNESCO is not sufficiently developed for admission to formal relations. Its contribution in terms of reports, responses to the Director-General’s consultations and participation in the General Conference has significantly diminished in recent years. Co-operation in UNESCO’s specific areas of competence should be broadened: the World Fellowship represents one of humanity’s great spiritual traditions and it could be admitted to formal relations at a later time. For the present, the organization may be admitted to operational relations.

Keywords Media,Environment,Peace,Religion

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