UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized the imperative of establishing “basic conditions” to facilitate safe and full-scale aid delivery to civilians in Gaza while stressing that only a ceasefire will prevent the crisis from escalating.
Addressing reporters at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday, the UN chief expressed deep concern about the “unprecedented” level of civilian casualties and the “catastrophic” humanitarian conditions in the enclave.
“There is one solution to help address all these issues. We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” he stressed.
Release hostages
He recalled the 7 October terror attacks by Hamas and other militants on Israeli civilians and the taking of hostages, demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
He further called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of allegations of sexual violence committed by Palestinian militants.
Commenting on the Israeli forces’ actions in the Gaza Strip, Guterres noted that the “onslaught” had resulted in “wholesale destruction” and an unprecedented rate of civilian killings during his tenure as Secretary-General.
“Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is beyond words. Nowhere and no one is safe.”
"Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
According to the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA), 1.9 million Gazans – 85 per cent of the enclave’s population – have been displaced, some multiple times. As per Gaza’s Ministry of Health, over 23,700 Palestinians have been killed and some 60,000 more injured.
The crisis has also claimed the lives of 152 UN staff members – the largest single loss of life in the history of the Organization.
“Aid workers, under enormous pressure and with no safety guarantees, are doing their best to deliver inside Gaza,” the UN chief said.
‘Obstacles to aid are clear’
Mr. Guterres outlined clear obstacles hindering aid into Gaza, identified not only by the UN but also by officials globally who have witnessed the situation.
He emphasized that effective humanitarian aid delivery is impossible under the heavy, widespread, and unrelenting bombardment, citing significant hurdles at the enclave’s border.
Vital materials, including life-saving medical equipment and parts which are critical for the repair of water facilities and infrastructure, have been rejected with little or no explanation, disrupting the flow of critical supplies and the resumption of basic services.
“And when one item is denied, the time-consuming approval process starts again from scratch for the entire cargo,” Mr. Guterres added, noting other obstacles including denials of access, unsafe routes and frequent telecommunications blackouts.
‘We need basic conditions’
Stressing that the UN’s efforts to increase aid, Mr. Guterres called on the parties to respect international humanitarian law, “respect and protect civilians, and ensure their essential needs are met.”
There must be an immediate and massive increase in the commercial supply of essential goods, he added, noting also that necessities should also be available in markets to the entire population.
Cauldron of tensions ‘boiling over’
The Secretary-General also warned of rising tensions in the wider Middle East.
“Tensions are sky-high in the Red Sea and beyond – and may soon be impossible to contain,” he said, voicing concerns that exchanges of fire across the Blue Line – the demarcation separating Israeli and Lebanese armies – risks triggering a broader escalation between the two nations and profoundly affecting regional stability.
Expressing that he is “profoundly worried” by what is unfolding, the UN chief stressed that it is his “duty” to convey a simple and direct message to all sides:
“Stop playing with fire across the Blue Line, de-escalate, and bring hostilities to an end in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1701.”
‘Tamp down the flames’
Only a ceasefire can “tamp down the flames of wider war”, because the longer it continues the greater the risk of escalation and miscalculation.
“We cannot see in Lebanon what we are seeing in Gaza”, he concluded “and we cannot allow what has been happening in Gaza to continue.”
“One of the most important lessons I learnt in my life of struggle for freedom and peace is that in any conflict there comes a point when neither side can claim to be right and the other wrong, no matter how much that might have been the case at the start of a conflict.”
Secretary-General António Guterres speaking to the media.
1. The Jewish Sheol is the exact same as the Greek Hades. No loss of meaning occurs if, on every occasion when Hebrew says ‘Sheol’, this is translated as ‘Hades’ in Greek. The term ‘Hades’ is well known in English, and thus might be preferred to the term ‘Sheol.’ Their meaning is identical.
Neither Sheol nor Hades are the same as the Jewish ‘Gehenna’ which should only be translated as ‘Hell.’
Sheol/Hades= abode of the dead.
Gehenna/Hell= abode of the wicked.
These are two qualitatively different places, and should never be treated as the same. The King James Version of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures translates all occurrences of Sheol and Gehenna as ‘Hell’, but this is a huge mistake. All modern translations of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures only use ‘Hell’ when Gehenna occurs in the original Hebrew or Greek text. When Sheol occurs in Hebrew, it becomes Hades in Greek, and if Hades is not deployed in English, then an equivalent expression is found. The English term ‘prison’ is sometimes preferred in relation to ‘the departed’, but this is ambiguous, because in different senses, Hades and Gehenna are both ‘imprisoning.’ To speak of persons in the afterlife as in some sense in jail does not adequately differentiate Sheol/Hades from Gehenna/Hell. It is important to note the difference, because Hades as Deadness and Hell as Evil carry very different implications in any text where they occur. Modern Jewish scholars speak with one voice – very unusually for them – in asserting that only Gehenna should be translated as ‘Hell.’ [An old Anglo-Saxon word, claims one writer, meaning ‘hidden.’]
It is the qualitative difference in human experience, and difference in symbolic meaning, that sets out a clear contrast.
[1] Sheol/Hades=
A place of forgetfulness, ‘deadness’, ghost-life= half-life.
Dark and gloomy= ‘insubstantial’; a nether-world, the mythical ‘Underworld.’
David in the Psalms refers to Sheol as a ‘Pit.’
[2] Gehenna/Hell=
A place of unquenchable fire and the worm that does not die; the place of torment.
Those in Gehenna feel pain and weep. The worm gnawing away at the dead corpse= remorse. The burning flames that do not let up= self-reproach.
Abraham saw Gehenna as a ‘Fiery Furnace.’
Thus, Hades/Sheol= a Pit of Deadness underground, whilst Gehenna/Hell= a Furnace of Evil [equated with a Valley that has become like a furnace].
2. Around 1100 AD, the Jewish Rabbinical tradition identified Gehenna as the rubbish dump outside Jerusalem, where ‘filth’ was cast away. Though Gehenna is a symbol, a figurative expression, the equation of the symbol with the ‘Valley of Hinnom’ is very plausible.
‘Gehenna’ is Greek, yet it could very well come from the Hebrew for the Valley of Hinnom= ‘Ge Hinnom’ [thus= Gehinnom].’ In the Talmud, the name is ‘Gehinnam’, and in the Aramaic spoken by Jesus= ‘Gehanna.’ In modern Yiddish= ‘Gehenna.’
If the Valley of Hinnom below Jerusalem is indeed the origin both for the symbol and linguistic terminology of Gehenna passed on from Judaism into Christianity, that would make sense of the ‘unquenchable fires’ and ‘worms that do not die’.. Both these images are from Isaiah, and Jeremiah, and when Jesus uses Gehenna 11 times in the New Testament, he means Gehenna, not Hades or Sheol, because he borrows that exact prophetic imagery.
3. The story about Gehenna as a literal topographical place at a certain moment in time is very meaningful in regard to why it symbolically became Hell.
The valley began as a place where worshippers of the Canaanite pagan religion sacrificed their children [Chronicles, 28, 3; 33, 6] to the pagan deity called Moloch [one of several pagan ‘lords’, or Ba’als= St Gregory of Nyssa links Moloch to Mammon]. These worshippers of Moloch burned their children in fire, in order to get worldly gain= worldly power, worldly riches, comfort and luxury, ease of life. Already this gives a profound meaning= Hell is the sacrificing of our children for religious reasons, when religion is used idolatrously to grant us an advantage in this world. That links to a saying of Christ, which asserts that, though offences against children must come, it would be better for the person committing them if he had been thrown into the ocean and drowned to prevent him from doing such a grave crime. It is better to die and end up in Hades, in the afterlife, than to commit hellish crimes against the innocence of children in this life. To be in Hell, in this life or beyond it, is far more serious than simply expiring.. Yet, which of us has not, in ways blatant or subtle, harmed the children entrusted to our care by God? Killing off the child-like spark, before it can be ignited, is a key strategy by the devil for blocking the redemption of the world.
To the Jews, this place of idolatry and pagan cruelty was an utter abomination. Not only followers of the Canaanite religion but apostate Jews ‘practiced’ child sacrifice in this place, for religious reasons [Jeremiah, 7, 31-32; 19, 2, 6; 32, 35]. No worse place on earth could be imagined for any Jew following Yahweh. [This throws the story of Abraham into a very different light.] Such a place would attract evil spirits and evil forces in real numbers. ‘This is hell on earth’ we say, referring to situations, events, happenings, where evil power seems to be concentrated, so that doing good, or loving sacrificially, is particularly opposed from ‘the surrounding atmosphere’, and therefore becomes very difficult, if not virtually impossible.
Over time, the Jews used this numinously hideous valley as a rubbish dump. It was not merely a convenient place to throw away unwanted debris. It was regarded as ‘unclean’, religiously. Indeed, it was regarded as a place utterly ‘accursed’ [Jeremiah, 7, 31; 19, 2-6]. Thus for the Jews, it was a place of ‘filth’, literally and spiritually. Things regarded as ritually unclean were dumped there= the carcasses of dead animals, and the bodies of criminals. The Jews buried people in tombs above ground, thus for the body to be cast away in this manner was considered horrendous, almost the worst that could befall someone.
The ‘unquenchable fires’, and the ‘worms gnawing away without ever stopping’, as two images which are taken as definitive of what happens in Hell, come from a reality, then. They are not purely metaphorical. The Valley had fires burning in it all the time, to burn up the filthy trash, and especially the rotting flesh of animals and criminals, and of course, legions of worms found the corpses delicious= they literally became worm food. So= the ‘Hell’ derived from the Valley of Gehenna is a place of ever burning fires – with sulphur and brimstone added to make that burning more efficacious – and hordes of worms always eating.
Though Judaism before Jesus already had a multiplicity of differing interpretations, one point stands out, and should be flagged up as necessary to any understanding of Hell – as distinct from Sheol/Hades. Ending up in Hell is a kind of debacle, a disgrace, a loss of honour, a sign of no integrity, a ‘destruction.’ In Hell, all your plans, works, aims, projects, end up ‘destroyed.’ Your life work, what you ‘did’ with your time in the world, comes to catastrophic ruin.
4. The Rabbinic method of teaching, which Jesus deployed in the same manner as earlier Jewish rabbis, blends the historical and the symbolic ‘as one.’ The rabbis, and Jesus is the same, always choose some literal historical reality, and then add heights and depths of symbolic meaning to it. This means that two converse kinds of hermeneutic are false to this method of storytelling to teach life lessons to listeners of the stories.
On the one hand=-
If you interpret the sacred text only literally, as fundamentalists and evangelicals, or the religiously conservative do, you miss the point. For there is a wealth of symbolic meaning latent in the literal historical ‘fact’ which gives it more meaning that its sheer factuality can transmit. Starting with the literal historical, the meaning takes you into other dimensions at a remove from that particular time and place, and not confined to it. This extra meaning can be mystical or psychological or moral; it always expands the ‘ostensible’ meaning by bringing mysterious spiritual factors into play. The literal is never simply literal, because the literal is a metaphor for something beyond it, yet incarnate in it. The literal is a poem– not a computer print-out, or a set of rational-factual statements. These kinds of literalism have a very limited meaning. They mean little, because their meaning is limited to only one level, a level not rich in meaning, but deprived of meaning.
Studying Hasidic Jewish interpretations of the Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible is very instructive. These interpretations use the historical narrative as spring-boards to symbolic meanings quite far from any literalist reading. Very subtle layers and levels of meaning are uncovered. Yet it is these subtleties which inhere, indwell, ‘what really happened.’
On the other hand=
If you interpret the sacred text only metaphorically, or symbolically, denying that the particular embodiment in which it is couched matters, then you proceed more in a Greek Hellenic, not a Jewish, manner. You go too fast to disembodied universals of meaning, or generalities that supposedly apply across the board, anywhere at any time. This anti-literalist approach to the Rabbinical method of meaning-making also falsifies it. For Jews, the particular place and the particular time matters in the meaning, and cannot be shed as if it were merely an ‘outer suit of clothing’, not the ‘inner reality.’ The true meaning is incarnate, not disincarnate= not floating in some space, whether that non-physical domain is seen as psychological or as spiritual [or a mixture of the two= the ‘psychic matrix’]. The true meaning therefore has a body, not just a soul, for the body is what ‘anchors’ meaning in this world.
Such incarnateness of meaning is asserting that the extra symbolic meanings are ‘situated’ in a given historical context, and the sheer fact they are contextualised, and how they are contextualised, is important to interpreting them. Even if he had subsequent generations in mind, Jesus was teaching first century AD Jews living in a very definite setting, and much of what he says to them has to be interpreted in terms of those people, in that time and in that place.
Yet, given how often Jesus quotes from the Psalms and Isaiah, often echoing them directly in his words [echoes that his audience would have picked up], implies that he saw analogies between past events and present events. He used a form of what is called ‘types’ in his meaning-making= certain symbols recur, in different forms, not because they are ‘archetypes’ in Plato’s or Jung’s sense, but because they refer to mysterious spiritual meanings and energies repeatedly intervening in historical circumstances, always doing something similar as in the past [creating continuity] and always doing something new different from the past [creating discontinuity]. In this way, Jesus upholds an ongoing ‘progressive revelation’ with both ongoing themes and new departures, leaps forward, not foreseeable. New occurrences of types, in altered circumstances, bring new meanings, but often throw additional meaning on the old types. They mean more, or mean something different, when seen retrospectively. In this way, tradition never stalls, simply repeating the past, nor does it just break off from the past.
Gehenna/Hell has to be read in this complex Rabbinical way, understanding both its historical context and the hidden meanings latent in its potent symbolism. Only if are aware of both aspects do we use an interpretation which is ‘existential’, not the metaphysical on its own, nor the literal on its own. Neither is Jewish.
5. “Two rabbis, three opinions.” Judaism has always, to its credit, tolerated multiple interpretations of sacred texts and indeed had different streams of interpretation of the whole of religion. This is very evident in regard to the interpretation of Gehenna/Hell. Judaism does not speak with one voice on this significant matter.
There were Jewish writers even before the time of Jesus who saw Hell as punishment for the wicked= not for those who are a mix of righteousness and sin, but for those given over, or given up, to real wickedness, and likely to go on forever; other Jewish writers thought of Hell as purgational. Some Jewish commentators thought of Sheol/Hades as purgational.. It is complicated.
Most schools of thought believed that Hades is where you go after death. It is ‘The Land of the Dead’ in many mythical systems. It is not annihilation, or complete obliteration of the human personhood or its consciousness. It is where, once the body is dead, the soul goes. But the soul, without body, is only half alive. Those in Hades/Sheol are ghostly in a strong symbolic sense= they are cut off from life, cut off from people alive in the world. They continue, as it were, but in some reduced state. In this respect, the Jewish Sheol and Greek Hades are very much the same.
Sheol/Hades was regarded an ante chamber where you go after death, to ‘wait’ for the general resurrection, in which all people will regain body as well as soul. They will not be, ever, ‘purely’ spirit.
For some Jewish commentators, Sheol/Hades is a place of atoning for sins, and as such, is definitely purgational. People can ‘learn’, they can still face their life and repent, and let go of the ‘dead wood’ they clung on to in life. Hades is a place of regeneration, and healing. Hades is restorative, for those who avoided inner wrestlings with inner truth in their time in this world.
Indeed, for certain Jews, Sheol/Hades had an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The upper chamber is paradise [also ‘Abraham’s bosom’ in the parable of the rich man who shuns the leper at his gate], and is where people having attained sanctity in their life on earth go once it ends. The lower chamber is less salubrious but holds out the possibility of shedding past mistakes. It is not an easy place, but its outcome is very optimistic. The ‘lower’ people are less advanced, and the ‘higher’ people are more advanced, but once Hades does its work, they are all equally ready for the entry of all humanity into the ‘everlasting.’
For other Jewish commentators, Gehenna/Hell — not Sheol/Hades — was the place of purgation/purifying/cleansing. You atoned for your sins, and thus sin itself was burned out of you, like fire consuming rotten wood. At the end of that ordeal in the furnace, you were ready for the general resurrection. You spent only 1 year in Hell! Moreover, only 5 people were in Hell forever! [The list must have increased by now..]
For modern Hasidism, once purged — wherever that occurs — the soul that is resurrected with its body proceeds on to heavenly happiness in the unceasing [olam to olam] kingdom of God. These Hasids tend to dismiss the idea of a Hell where wicked people remain eternally, and are punished eternally. If a Hasidic Orthodox Jew uses the symbol of ‘Hell’, it invariably has a purgational effect. The Fire of God burns out sin. In that sense, it readies the person for eternal bliss, and hence is a blessing, not a curse.
6. For many Jews before the time of Jesus, however, there is a markedly different interpretation which is entirely Dualistic= this stream of Jewish tradition resembles the belief in ‘Heaven and Hell’ as eternal principles in the afterlife held by Fundamentalist and Evangelical Christians of today. But, many Jews and Christians down the ages have held to this Dualistic belief about the split eternity awaiting humanity. On this view, the wicked ‘go to Hell’, and they go there not to be purged, or regenerated, but to be punished.
Thus, for Jews of this perspective, Sheol/Hades is a sort of ‘half-way house’, almost a clearing-house, where people who have died await the general resurrection of everyone. Then, once everyone is raised in body and soul, the Last Judgement occurs, and the Judgement determines that the righteous will go to Heavenly bliss in God’s presence, whilst the wicked will go to Hellish torment in Gehenna. This Hellish torment is eternal. There is no let up, no change possible.
7. It is easy enough to locate places in both the Jewish Bible and the Christian Bible where this long-standing Dualism seems to be supported by the text, though often that is ‘open to interpretation.’
None the less, it is more truthful to acknowledge that at times, Jesus sounds Non Dualistic, even Anti Dualistic, whilst at other times, he sounds Dualistic. As is his way, he confirms older tradition even as he upends it by introducing new elements into the ongoing tradition. If you accept it all, a very complex dialectic of severity and universality emerges.
Hence the paradox of both Jewish and Christian Scriptures is that Dualistic and Non-Dualistic texts both exist. It is easy to pick one kind of text, and ignore the other kind. This is either a clear-cut contradiction; or, it is a tension that has to be accepted, a mysterious paradox. Justice and Redemption co-inhere in Judaism, and Jesus does not disturb that two-faceted manner in which the Fire of Spirit, the Fire of Truth, the Fire of Suffering Love, functions. Both horns of the dilemma are necessary..
A certain strictness [truth] is what, paradoxically, leads to mercifulness [love].
8. For the Jews prior to the time of Jesus, sins likely to put a person in Gehenna included some obvious things, but also some things we might or might not question today= a man who listened too much to his wife was headed for Hell.. But more obviously= pride; unchastity and adultery; mockery [contempt= as in Mathew, 5, 22]; hypocrisy [lying]; anger [judgementalism, hostility, impatience]. The Letter of James, 3, 6, is very Jewish in claiming that Gehenna will set the tongue on fire, and the tongue then sets on fire the entire ‘course’ or ‘wheel’ of life.
Good Deeds that protected a person from ending up in Hell= philanthropy; fasting; visiting the sick. The poor and the pious are especially protected from ending in Hell. Israel is more protected than the pagan nations all around her and always threatening her..
The worst of all sins= the idolatry of ‘sacrificing our children for religious reasons’, in order ‘to get on’ in this world. When we idolise a false ‘god’, it is always to get worldly benefits, it is invariably to profit from whatever we sacrifice to please this deity’s demands= ‘if you give me your children, I will give you the good life.’ This sounds more like a demon than a god. A deal is struck, you sacrifice something genuinely precious, then the devil will bestow upon you all manner of earthly rewards.
A literal interpretation protests that such things do not happen in our modern, enlightened, progressive, civilised, society! Or if they do, only in backward corners of that society, or only among backward uncivilised peoples.
But a more symbolic-historical interpretation concludes that these very civilised peoples are all engaged in sacrificing their children to the devil, for the worldly gain it will bring them. Look more closely. Look more subtly. This most hellish of all actions is something many parents are doing to their children as a matter of routine, for it reflects the unacknowledged reality of society as a system where, in order to fit in, violence must be done to the person= they can never be true to their native humanity. Leonard Cohen has an amazing song about this, ‘The Story of Isaac’=
The door it opened slowly,
My father he came in,
I was nine years old.
And he stood so tall above me,
His blue eyes they were shining
And his voice was very cold.
He said, “I’ve had a vision
And you know I’m strong and holy,
I must do what I’ve been told.”
So he started up the mountain,
I was running, he was walking,
And his axe was made of gold.
Well, the trees they got much smaller,
The lake a lady’s mirror,
We stopped to drink some wine.
Then he threw the bottle over.
Broke a minute later
And he put his hand on mine.
Thought I saw an eagle
But it might have been a vulture,
I never could decide.
Then my father built an altar,
He looked once behind his shoulder,
He knew I would not hide.
You who build these altars now
To sacrifice these children,
You must not do it anymore.
A scheme is not a vision
And you never have been tempted
By a demon or a god.
You who stand above them now,
Your hatchets blunt and bloody,
You were not there before,
When I lay upon a mountain
And my father’s hand was trembling
With the beauty of the word.
And if you call me brother now,
Forgive me if I inquire,
“Just according to whose plan?”
When it all comes down to dust
I will kill you if I must,
I will help you if I can.
When it all comes down to dust
I will help you if I must,
I will kill you if I can.
And mercy on our uniform,
Man of peace or man of war,
The peacock spreads his fan.
Then, in reading ‘the sacrifice of our children for profit’ more metaphorically, extend the crime against children into, quite simply, the sacrifice of the most vulnerable humans for the sake of Mammon. The ‘crime against humanity’ is widespread; it has many takers today, as it always did.
The Valley of Gehenna, as a Hell on earth, a Hell in the world, is a typology much the same today as in the past. Hell is one of the constants in human existence over all of time.
MEP Hilde Vautmans, at an event of the European Sikh Organization, signing support for peace, human rights, equal treatment. Photo credit: The European Times
Last Sunday, in a special Service organized in Sint Truiden (Belgium) by the European Sikh Organization and chaired by Binder Singh, a large gathering of Sikhs joined to listen to Ingrid Kempeneers (Mayor of Sint Truiden), Hilde Vautmans (Member of the European Parliament for Belgium) and Ivan Arjona (FoRB activist and Scientology representative to the EU institutions) about the need for Belgium and the European Union at large to fully recognize the Sikhism as a religion with full rights without discriminations from country to country.
After the welcome words from Mayor Kempeneers, MEP Vautmans explained to all the attendees that she had talked to the Belgium Minister of Justice about the recognition of the Sikh as a religious community and that “while it is a slow process”, the Minister affirmed to Vautmans that they “are reviewing everything that has been submitted to them”. After the MEP, was the turn of Scientology’s representative to the EU and UN, who expressed the support they wanted to give to the Sikh community because “no one in Europe should be discriminated against based on their religion or nationality.”
While having a Constitution respectful of religious freedom, Belgium has been blamed by the European Court of Human Rights, for having a discriminatory system of religious recognitions whereby they apply different tax models and funding models depending on the religion and which the application system for recognition does not follow a standard procedure with real requisites and instead it depends on the Minister of Justice deciding to send it to the Parliament, and then on the Parliament liking this religion or not, which in itself opens the door for discrimination and political decision rather than based on law and fundamental rights. It could be a good opportunity for the Minister of Justice to amend and fix the system, which would give a very good message at the continental level from the country that hosts the so-called capital of Europe.
Sikhism as a minority religion faces challenges in gaining recognition across Europe.
Except for Austria and some partial recognitions in other countries, its legal status remains unclear within many EU member states. Despite having a historical presence dating back to 20th century migrations Sikhs often encounter discrimination and religious expression restrictions that hinder their integration into European societies. Recognizing Sikhism as an organized religion it would strengthen protections enable the preservation of identity and align policies regarding minority faith groups with the core values of equality, pluralism and human rights upheld by the EU.
The Lack of Legal Safeguards for Minority Religions in the EU
Although religious freedom is considered a human right within the European Union (EU) individual countries govern this area directly. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights safeguards liberty alongside conscience and thought. Moreover, mechanisms are in place within the EU to address discrimination and uphold relevant aspects of human rights law. However, minority groups like Sikhs can still face disadvantages due to a lack of national recognition despite these provisions.
Journey and Presence of Sikhs in Europe
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that originated in the Punjab region of India around 1500 CE. It has gradually established its presence throughout Europe over time.
The core beliefs of Sikhism revolve around the devotion to a Divine power the congregation as the focal point of worship equality among all classes and genders truthful living and service to humanity. Presently there are 25 to 30 million Sikhs globally with a significant concentration in India and sizable communities in North America, East Asia, and Europe.
Sikhs have been a part of Europe’s religious landscape for over a century due to migration patterns linked to colonialism and conflicts. Early as the 1850s they began settling in port cities of the British Empire such as London and Liverpool as well as various parts of continental Europe. The world wars and subsequent upheavals in South Asia led to waves of displaced Sikhs seeking refuge in Europe with many establishing it as their permanent home. Currently, the largest Sikh populations can be found in the UK, Italy, and Germany.
However, despite residing in European Union (EU) states for generations now Sikhs often encounter hurdles when it comes to fully integrating into public life while also preserving their religious identity. For example, many Sikhs observe five symbols of faith which include uncut hair and beard; a comb; a steel bracelet; a sword; and an undergarment. Rules that restrict displays can pose challenges for wearing turbans or carrying kirpans (religious ceremonial swords). Additionally, without recognition or acknowledgement from institutions or employers alike fulfilling religious obligations such, as taking time off work or school for Sikh holidays can be quite demanding.
The lack of status for the Sikh population makes it challenging to accurately count their numbers, which in turn hinders policy advocacy and efforts to preserve their heritage. Moreover, without legal protections as a religious minority, Sikhs face an increased risk of discrimination and hate crimes. This can lead to a situation where Sikhs feel compelled to downplay signs of their identity to smoothly participate in society, which undermines the principles of pluralism.
To strengthen the rights of Sikhs it would be beneficial for Sikhism to be recognized officially as a religion at the EU level. Such recognition would help resolve any uncertainties regarding accommodations for Sikhs and bring them on par with major faiths in terms of public representation. It would also allow Sikhs to fully contribute both as practitioners and members of an ethnic minority. Importantly this recognition would affirm that diversity is a force that strengthens social cohesion rather than posing a threat.
While some European countries like the UK, Spain and the Netherlands have taken steps towards recognizing and integrating Sikhism, it is crucial for legal status and protection across all member states, within the Union. Issues can arise when a turban-wearing Sikh needs ID cards or driving licenses that align with their religious requirements. By obtaining recognition at the EU level necessary accommodations can be standardized to override any domestic discriminatory policies.
In addition to safeguarding the rights of minority groups embracing diversity also enhances the EU’s global influence by serving as a role model for human rights. Furthermore, the connections between nations and South Asia established through the Sikh diaspora contribute to social and developmental progress in their countries of origin. In summary, ensuring protection, for Sikhism aligns with the principles that shape the European Union project.
Sikhs in Europe: Building Bridges Between Communities Through Contribution and Interfaith Collaboration
Within the European landscape, Sikhs play a crucial role in enriching society and promoting interfaith harmony. They actively engage in all sorts of aspects, including education, philanthropy, cultural events, and political involvement thereby making significant contributions to their communities.
Binder Singh, from the European Sikh Organization with (left to right: MEP Hilde Vautmans and Mayor of Sint Truiden Ingrid Kempeneers
Contributions to Society
Sikh individuals residing in Europe make notable strides in fields such as education, academia, and entrepreneurship. By pursuing education, they actively contribute to the academic community through research and teaching. In the realm of business, they establish enterprises that not only create job opportunities but also contribute to economic growth.
Philanthropy and charity are deeply embedded within Sikh values with an emphasis on selfless service known as seva. Sikh organizations and individuals are extensively involved in activities that support those less fortunate while actively participating in social causes. The practice of exemplifies this commitment by providing free meals through community kitchens as an act of serving humanity.
Cultural Engagement
Sikhs take the initiative in organizing and participating in events aimed at celebrating their heritage while fostering a sense of community. These endeavours not only preserve Sikh traditions but also promote understanding and unity among diverse ethnicities and religious groups throughout Europe.
Interfaith Collaboration
Sikhs proactively engage in interfaith dialogues, conferences and events that facilitate discussions, on shared values and concerns among faiths. Sikhs actively participate in engagements that provide them with a platform to share their beliefs and learn about other faiths promoting mutual understanding.
Sikh individuals seize the opportunity of festivals and celebrations to engage with members of different denominations. By attending events organized by religious communities they foster a sense of shared celebration and build bridges between faith traditions.
In terms of community outreach Sikhs collaborate with representatives from religious denominations on a wide range of projects. These initiatives can include community service efforts or organizing charity events. This cooperative approach goes beyond boundaries addressing social issues and nurturing a sense of shared responsibility.
Another means for forging connections is through Sikh participation in interfaith prayer services. These services gather individuals from faith backgrounds who come together to pray for common goals, such as peace, justice, and harmony.
Education plays a role in promoting understanding among different religions. Sikhs actively engage in initiatives like seminars, workshops, and classes to enhance awareness about diverse faiths. Through these efforts, they contribute to fostering an environment characterized by tolerance and appreciation for diversity.
Social and cultural exchanges serve as components within the Sikh community’s strategy for interfaith engagement. They invite individuals from faiths to Sikh gurdwaras (places of worship) to actively participate in cultural events and strive to form friendships that transcend religious boundaries. All these efforts aim towards building bridges, between communities.
Recognized or not Sikhs don’t give up
In a world that celebrates diversity, Sikhs residing in Europe serve as an example of how communities can flourish through mutual respect, empathy, and cooperation. By engaging in interfaith activities and making valuable contributions to society Sikhs not only preserve their rich cultural heritage but also play a vital role in fostering understanding among people from different religious backgrounds. As Europe embraces its status as a hub, with various beliefs and traditions the Sikh community serves as a compelling reminder of the strength found in unity amidst diversity.
Vladimir Havinson, one of the most famous Russian gerontologists, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and founder of the Institute of Gerontology, died at the age of 77, The Moscow Times reports.
Havinson has been called “Putin’s personal gerontologist” in the press and has spent decades researching the aging process and ways to extend active life, developing 13 drugs and 64 nutritional supplements. In 2017, Putin awarded Havinson with the “Order of Friendship” medal for significant achievements in medicine. In an interview with the publication “Fontanka” before the ceremony, Havinson stated that the endurance of the human organism can reach 120 years, but not less than 100 years. “In the Old Testament, it says that God gave man so many years to live,” Havinson explained.
“The Guinness Book record is 122 years, held by Anna Kalman of France. In Russia, the record is 117 years, held by Varvara Semenyakova. So 100 years is the minimum. Havinson promised Putin “at least another 20 years” active life and called the Russian president a “role model” with “tremendous potential”.
In the past, Havinson has also emphasized that medicine should extend the life of leaders in the state apparatus, because “no one can ever replace an experienced leader.” “And without him, a political crisis will begin in the country,” Havinson added.
Illustrative Photo of the Russian Academy of Sciences by Arthur Shuraev: https://www.pexels.com/photo/russian-academy-of-sciences-15583213/.
Aging does not lead to wisdom, a scientific study has shown, reported “Daily Mail”. Dr. Judith Gluck of the University of Klagenfurt, Austria, conducted research linking age to mental capacity.
The link between aging and getting wiser cannot be proven statistically, the study finds, despite popular culture.
Getting older won’t necessarily make you smarter, Dr. Gluck said. Life experience is not enough. “There is no universal trajectory of intellectual development, in other words, people around the world don’t get wiser over the years,” she added.
Life experience can only be a basis. But many elderly people are not particularly wise, writes BTA.
Characteristics of wisdom include the ability to empathize, control emotions, openness. Wisdom is the source of the ability to cope with challenges such as loneliness, especially in old age, Dr. Gluck said. However, it can even “decrease” with age.
Illustrative Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-praying-post-236368/
France has melted down 27 million coins after the European Union declared that their designs did not meet requirements. The Monnaie de Paris, the country’s mint, produced the 10, 20 and 50 cent coins with a new design in November, but later found that the way the stars of the EU flag were depicted did not meet the exact requirements of the European Commission. Under EU law, countries can change the design of the “national” face of euro coins every 15 years, but they need the green light from the Commission, as well as other eurozone governments, who must be informed and have seven days. to raise objections. France informally contacted the Commission in November before making a formal request for design approval, but the mint went ahead without waiting for EU approval. It then received an informal warning from the Commission, which emphasized that the new design was not in line with EU rules, according to a French economy ministry official with direct knowledge of the matter. A Commission spokesman confirmed to Politico that the French finance ministry formally presented the revised design on December 12, which received EU approval on December 21. The new coins were to be unveiled during the visit of French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire to the Monnaie’s prestigious headquarters in Paris. Not surprisingly, it didn’t end up happening. Secret Design Now a blame game has begun between Monnaie and the government. The same economy ministry official stressed that Monnaie is an autonomous public company and not part of the French administration. This means that the Monnaie will fully cover the costs of re-minting the coins. “There will be no cost to the French taxpayer as the company will bear it,” the official said. The case was first reported by French media outlet La Letre, which quoted the head of Monnaie de Paris, Marc Schwartz, as saying that the “French state” was responsible for what happened. The design of the new coins, proposed by the French government and approved by the Commission, is still a secret and will be revealed before spring, the French economy ministry said.
Illustrative Photo: 1850 20 French Francs gold coin. This version has the image of Ceres – the Goddess of agriculture and the reverse has the value and year surrounded by a wreath. The reverse has the value and year surrounded by a wreath. The text reads LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE and REPUBLIC FRANCAISE.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s grim milestone, Spokesperson Liz Throssell reiterated the need for OHCHR staff to have access to Israel and all parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory to investigate human rights violations by all parties.
Fourteen weeks have passed since Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups carried out bloody attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 others hostage, 136 of whom are still believed to be in captivity in Gaza.
In response, Israel launched a massive and destructive military response. More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed to date, mainly women and children, while civilian infrastructure including homes, hospitals, schools, bakeries, places of worship, water systems, and UN facilities, have been damaged or destroyed. The majority of Gaza’s 2.2 million population are now displaced.
Ms. Throssell recalled that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire “to end the appalling suffering and loss of life, and to allow the prompt and effective delivery of humanitarian aid to a population facing shocking levels of hunger and disease,” adding “this is more urgent than ever.”
Addressing the conduct of hostilities, she said OHCHR have repeatedly highlighted Israel’s recurring failures to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, namely distinction, proportionality, and precautions in carrying out attacks.
War crimes risk
“The High Commissioner has stressed that breaches of these obligations risk exposure to liability for war crimes and has also warned of the risks of other atrocity crimes,” she said.
She noted that intense Israeli bombardments from air, land and sea are continuing across much of the Gaza Strip, particularly in the Deir al Balah and Khan Yunis governorates, where tens of thousands of people had previously fled in search of safety.
Meanwhile, Palestinian armed groups have continued to launch indiscriminate rockets towards Israel, some of which have been intercepted, she said.
Obligation to protect
Ms. Throssell urged the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to take immediate measures to protect civilians, in line with international law.
“Ordering civilians to relocate in no way absolves the IDF of its obligations to protect those who remain, regardless of their reasons, while carrying out its military operations,” she said.
Israel also must immediately end arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearance of Palestinians in Gaza, she added, noting that hundreds of people are reportedly being held in several unknown locations both within and outside the enclave.
Desperation and dire shortages
OHCHR also highlighted the “desperate scenario” in northern Gaza, where people face dire shortages of food, water and other basic items.
“Access to humanitarian aid remains extremely difficult, despite repeated pleas by the UN to the IDF to facilitate movement of humanitarian aid convoys,” said Ms. Throssell, before turning to the situation in the south, where over 1.3 million displaced people are now crammed into the city of Rafah, which previously had 300,000 inhabitants.
Situation in the West Bank
Moving to the West Bank, she said OHCHR has verified the deaths of 330 Palestinians, including 84 children, since the start of hostilities. The majority, 321, were killed by Israeli security forces, while eight were killed by settlers.
She added that entire herding communities have been forcibly displaced due to settler violence, which may amount to forcible transfer.
Last month, OHCHR issued a report on the West Bank which stressed the need for an immediate end to the use of military weapons and methods during law enforcement operations. It also called for an end to arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of Palestinians, and the lifting of discriminatory movement restrictions.
“Lack of accountability for unlawful killings remains pervasive, as does impunity for settler violence, in violation of Israel’s obligations as the occupying power to ensure safety of Palestinians in the West Bank,” said Ms. Throssell.
OHCHR’s office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which continues to monitor and document the human rights situation in Gaza and the West Bank, will submit two reports to the UN Human Rights Council during its next session in February in Geneva.
In Gaza, children wait to receive food as the bombardments on the enclave continue.
‘Triple threat’ for children
Meanwhile, the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, warned against the “triple threat” of conflict, disease and malnutrition “stalking” boys and girls in Gaza.
The suffering has been too much, said UNICEF Special representative on the situation of children in the State of Palestine, Lucia Elm, speaking to journalists in Geneva.
“With every passing day, children and families in the Gaza Strip face increased risk of death from the sky, disease from lack of safe water, and deprivation from lack of food.
“And for the two remaining Israeli children still held hostage in Gaza, their nightmare that began on 7 October continues,” she said, appealing for their unconditional release.
She also spoke about how the bombardment is hampering delivery of desperately needed assistance.
“When I was in Gaza last week, we tried for six days to get fuel and medical supplies to the north and for six days movement restrictions prevented us from travelling. My colleagues in Gaza endured this same challenge for weeks before my arrival,” she said.
Ms. Elm said thousands of children have already died in the conflict and thousands more young lives are at risk unless action is taken to address the “urgent bottlenecks” of safety, logistics surrounding humanitarian aid delivery and distribution, and increasing the volume of commercial goods for sale in Gaza.
Birth amid bombardment
A senior official with the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, said on Friday he was “terrified” on behalf of the one million women in effect trapped in Gaza, including scores of expectant mothers.
Dominic Allen, UNFPA Representative for the State of Palestine, recently visited the enclave, where around 5,500 pregnant women are due to give birth in the coming month – at a time when 15 out of 36 hospitals are only partially functional, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Mr. Allen said he cannot stop thinking about the women he met, many of whom suffer from thirst, malnutrition, and lack of health.
“If the bombs don’t kill them; if disease, hunger and dehydration don’t catch up with them, simply giving life will. And we can’t let this happen,” he said, speaking from Jerusalem.
Local hospitals overwhelmed
Mr. Allen visited several hospitals in southern Gaza, including Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, where UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF have supported maternal health services for years.
The hospital was unrecognizable from his last visit, just six months ago, as 8,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) are now sheltering there. Trauma cases are “overwhelming” the maternity and other wards, forcing patients to be transferred to another nearby facility.
Meanwhile, doctors at the Emirati Hospital in Rafah are performing up to 80 births daily, 20 by Caesarean section. Capacity constraints mean that pregnant women “have to rotate in and out” of the five birthing suites.
“Women who are in their final stages of labour having to step out of that room to enable another pregnant woman to step in,” he said.
New mothers are being discharged mere hours after giving birth. Those who delivered by C-section are leaving hospital after one day, if they are able.
Scale-up aid
UNFPA assistance to Gaza includes provision of reproductive health kits, which contain various components including for emergency obstetric care. Although doctors at some hospitals said this aid is helping to save lives, Mr. Allen was told that supplies provided through the Emirati Hospital “are barely touching the ground”.
An estimated 18,000 babies have been born since the start of the conflict, based on the supplies UNFPA was able to get into Gaza “but much more is needed”, he said, appealing for safe, unhindered and rapid access to north.
He praised the UN agency that assists Palestinians, UNRWA, which is hosting more than a million people in its facilities across the Gaza Strip.
At one site that he visited – a technical college in Khan Younis housing 40,000 IDPs, including two UNFPA staff and their families – people have to queue for an hour just to use the bathroom.
The UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, reported that new evacuation orders issued by Israel on Thursday could impact thousands in southern Gaza.
Residents of the Al Mawasi area and several blocks near Salah Ad Deen Road – covering an estimated 4.6 square kilometres – have been ordered to move to Deir al Balah ahead of Israeli military operations.
More than 18,000 people and nine shelters accommodating an unknown number of IDPs are expected to be affected.
OCHA also repeated its call for access to northern Gaza. Since 1 January, only five of 24 planned deliveries of food, medicine, water and other aid has gone through, according to its latest update.
On 18 December 2023, the Council of the European Union imposed restrictive measures on Tsargrad TV Channel (Царьград ТВ) belonging to and financed by the so-called “Orthodox oligarch” Konstantin Malofeev, as part of the 12th Package of Sanctions targeting an additional group of 61 individuals and 86 entities in Russia responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. On that occasion, the SPAS TV Channel of the Russian Orthodox Church was also put under EU sanctions.
Tsargrad TV Channel was created in 2015. In the fall of 2017, Malofeev created the “Two-Headed Eagle,” which he defined as the “society for the development of Russian Historical Enlightenment.” From the end of 2017, it stopped broadcasting and completely switched online.
In 2020, Tsargrad TV was blocked on YouTube due to violation of sanctions legislation and trade rules, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda. Before that ban, Tsargrad TV had 1.06 million subscribers.
Tsargrad TV positions itself as a conservative information and analytical TV channel that covers events in Russia and the world from the point of view of the Russian Orthodox majority in the spheres of Russia’s domestic and foreign policy, geopolitics, international relations, culture, traditions, and religion. Among its aims, the promotion of monarchism and the history of pre-revolutionary Orthodox Russia.
Malofeev’s “Society for the Promotion of Russia’s Historical Development” is suspected by the United States of involvement in espionage in favor of Russia. The organization, among other things, advocates “the return of the Russian Empire to its historical borders.”
Tsargrad TV channel also became known for its harsh, and sometimes insulting, statements against other religions in the Russian Federation, in unison with the state policy of restricting the freedoms of non-Orthodox religions and their members.
Alexander Dvorkin’s hate speech against Jehovah’s Witnesses and Scientology on Tsargrad TV
Commenting on the decision of the Supreme Court liquidating and banning the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia in 2017, Tsargrad TV wrote on 19 July 2017: “The Russian state has finally realized that it is not only the suicide attacks that pose a danger to it, but also the prayer meetings of cults… The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ cult in Russia was finally and irrevocably banned… From now on, stunted adherents of the heretical doctrine will no longer cling in pairs to passers-by or knock on the doors of apartments in multi-story buildings, asking the stunned Philistines whether they know about God”
With regard to the Church of Scientology also liquidated by a court and banned in Russia, Tsargrad TV Channel calls it a totalitarian cult. On 7 June 2017, one day after a wide-scale police crackdown on the Church of Scientology in St Petersburg, Tsargrad widely opened its microphone and its columns to the Alexander Dvorkin, a member of the board of directors of the international anti-cult organization FECRIS and its former vice-president for many years, well-known for fueling hostility and hatred towards religious minorities, especially of foreign origin.
Dvorkin was then quoted as saying: “Once, Time Magazine published a large collection of materials on Scientology, under the general title: ‘Scientology is a cult of greed and power.’ You can’t say it better!”
According to Dvorkin, Scientology is a totalitarian cult and a threat to state security as it is also an international intelligence service that collects information about everyone: “Especially purposefully, Scientologists collect information about politicians, show business figures, security forces and, of course, about the enemies of the cult against whom it fights with the most dishonest, dirty and often criminal methods. And they purposefully collect compromising information. And all the information collected about each member of the cult, all his relatives and loved ones, everyone they mention, remains in the local Scientology organization and is also sent to the Scientology headquarters in Los Angeles. All basic procedures of Scientology, during which information is extracted from a person—the so-called auditing—are recorded under audio and video, often without the knowledge of the person himself.In addition, since 1993, Scientology enjoyed the special patronage of the U.S. Department of State. It is quite reasonable to assume that the support agreement that was concluded that year includes the consent of Scientologists to provide part of the collected information to the intelligence community of the United States.”
These statements on Tsargrad regarding the Church of Scientology and Jehovah’s Witnesses were completely consonant with the Kremlin’s policy and coincided with the time when the FSB officers searched the central office of the Church of Scientology in Russia and inspected the Church of Scientology of St. Petersburg.
Sanctions against Tsargrad TV and Malofeev by the US, Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, New Zealand, the UK and Ukraine
The reason for the inclusion of the TV channel in the sanctions list of the European Union on 18 December 2023 was the dissemination of pro-Kremlin propaganda, justification of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, and funding by the Russian government.
The Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU) also emphasizes that the sanctions were imposed for the fact that Tsargrad spreads disinformation and Russian propaganda about the war in Ukraine, supports nationalist narratives, justifies the occupation of Ukrainian territories and the removal of Ukrainian children to Russia, including their further adoption. As noted, the TV channel also financially supports the aggression.
According to the Telegram channel Christians Against War, Konstantin Malofeev helped pro-Russian separatists foment the war in the Donbas. While all of Malofeev’s initiatives in Ukraine were, formally, privately organized and funded, intercepted phone calls between him and his lieutenants on the ground in Ukraine, as well as hacked email correspondence, showed that he closely coordinated his actions with the Kremlin, at times via the powerful Orthodox Bishop Tikhon whom Malofeev and Putin (in their own words) share as “spiritual adviser.”
Konstantin Malofeev himself has been under US sanctions since the end of 2014 in connection with the events in Eastern Ukraine. He is also on the sanctions list of Canada.
On 20 April 2022, the United States introduced a new package of sanctions against Russia, which included 29 individuals and 40 legal entities, including the Tsargrad TV channel. This was reported by the US Treasury. In its press release, the US Treasury was saying “Russia-based company Tsargrad OOO (Tsargrad) is a cornerstone of Malofeyev’s [sic] broad malign influence network. Tsargrad spreads pro-Kremlin propaganda and disinformation that is amplified by the GoR. Tsargrad served as an intermediary organization between pro-Russian European politicians and GoR officials, and recently pledged to donate more than $10 million to support Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine.”
US authorities also accused Konstantin Malofeev of trying to circumvent sanctions, as it was stated by US Attorney General Merrick Garland at a press conference on 6 April 2022. Garland said the US Department of Justice confiscated “millions of dollars” from an account related to Malofeev. According to the U.S. Attorney General, Malofeev created a scheme that allowed media outlets controlled by the businessman to operate in Europe. The founder of Tsargrad is also suspected of financing Russians who contributed to the separation of Crimea from Ukraine and its annexation by Russia.
On 2 September 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted sanctions against the Russian propaganda Tsargrad Group of companies. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Reintegration of Ukraine.
In February 2023, President Joe Biden’s administration seized Konstantin Malofeev’s assets.
On 4 February 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada announced the imposition of new sanctions against Russia, under which the Russian TV channel Tsargrad fell for spreading disinformation and propaganda.
On 23 June 2023, the European Union approved the 11th package of sanctions against Russia. Among the sanctions aimed at stopping the systematic international campaign of the Russian Federation to manipulate the media, aimed at increasing the destabilization of neighboring countries licenses have been suspended for broadcasting five media resources, including the Russian TV channel Tsargrad.
The EU pointed out that these media outlets are under constant direct or indirect control of the Russian leadership and have been used for constant propaganda aimed at political parties, especially during elections, civil society in the EU and neighboring countries, asylum seekers, Russian ethnic minorities, gender minorities and the functioning of the EU’s democratic institutions.
However, according to the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the restrictions imposed by the 11th package of sanctions did not prevent the Tsargrad TV channel and its employees from carrying out activities in the EU, except for broadcasting, such as research and interviews.
The 12th package of sanctions strengthened the restrictions imposed earlier. The assets of sanctioned persons are frozen, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with funds.
As the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on the new restrictions against the Russian Federation: “In this 12th package, we propose a powerful set of new lists and economic measures that will further weaken the Russian war machine. Our message is clear, as I stated when I chaired the informal Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv: we remain steadfast in our commitment to Ukraine and will support its struggle for freedom and sovereignty.”
In addition to the US, the EU and Ukraine, other countries—Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom (UK)—imposed sanctions on Tsargrad TV channel and its owner, the Orthodox oligarch Konstantin Malofeev.
Article by Ievgeniia Gidulianova with Willy Fautré, originally published by BitterWinter.org
In the realm of performance management and nurturing employee development, there’s a tool called 360 feedback software. Organizations worldwide have come to realize the advantages it brings in fostering employee growth and driving performance enhancements. This blog post aims to explore the science behind the design of this software, shedding light on its features and effectiveness.
Human resources management – artistic interpretation. Image credit: 8photo via Freepik, free license
To kick things off, 360 feedback software is specifically crafted to provide individuals with feedback about their skills, competencies, and behaviors from sources. In the past, performance evaluations were typically limited to assessments given by a manager from a down perspective. However, with the introduction of 360-degree feedback, this concept underwent a transformation by incorporating inputs from peers, subordinates, superiors, and even external stakeholders. Thanks to this software’s advent, it has become easier than before to gather insights from a diverse group of people who interact with an employee on various levels.
The Multi-Rater Approach
One standout feature of 360 feedback is its adoption of a rater approach. It can collect data from colleagues across an organization—individuals who may closely collaborate with an employee or have observed them in roles. By incorporating inputs from perspectives, this software offers a rounded view that surpasses mere assessments from a single source. Additionally, the multi-rater approach helps uncover blind spots and areas for improvement that may go unnoticed in traditional performance evaluations. By involving multiple perspectives, it promotes a more inclusive and accurate representation of an individual’s strengths and areas requiring development.
The Influence of Peers
Studies highlight the significance of peer input in driving employee growth. Peers possess knowledge of an individual’s performance and behavior within the organization. Integrating peer feedback through 360 evaluations provides employees with insights into how their colleagues perceive them.
Promoting Open Communication
Dialogue is crucial for fostering growth and development in any organization. Instead of limiting evaluations to isolated incidents or annual appraisals, continuous two-way communication ensures alignment between goals and individual development plans. By offering channels for conversations between employees and evaluators within the software platform itself, 360 degree feedback cultivates a culture of transparency and accountability, thus strengthening the relationship between individuals and their organizations.
Setting Goals and Planning Development
Another feature of 360 feedback software is its ability to consolidate data into insights. It becomes more effective for employees to identify areas for growth when they can analyze their performance across competencies while comparing self-perceptions with others’ perceptions. This comprehensive understanding enables goal setting, development planning, and targeted skill enhancement.
Making Data-Informed Decisions
One of the aspects of 360 feedback software is its capacity to generate data-driven insights.
The software’s metrics provide evidence to support decision-making regarding performance improvements, training programs, succession planning, and identifying potential employees. With available data, organizations can make informed choices that impact employee development.
Boosting Self Awareness
One of the benefits of 360 feedback software is its ability to enhance individuals self-awareness. Employees gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses by receiving feedback from sources that shed light on spots and areas for improvement. Armed with this knowledge, they can proactively address existing challenges by seeking targeted coaching or relevant training opportunities. This helps them become contributors in their respective roles.
Conclusion
When strategically implemented as part of an organization’s performance management framework, 360 feedback software delivers advantages that foster growth and improve organizational effectiveness. By incorporating input from sources through a designed platform rooted in scientific principles of human behavior and learning preferences, this software empowers employees to actively take charge of their development journeys. The result is increased performance outcomes, stronger collaborative relationships, and a culture focused on improvement.
If your company is looking for a solution to enhance employee growth by combining technology and principles, consider incorporating powerful 360 feedback software into your performance management procedures. This software is designed meticulously to gather insights from sources and has the potential to transform how you foster growth and development among your workforce.
