THE WORLD-TEACHER PROJECT is an educational and diplomatic mission allied with a vast coalition working through the Internet with maximum creativity and flexibility for environmental stewardship and social action aimed at justice and peace. The Project Manager fosters connections and strategic partnerships, facilitates and moderates conversation, and coordinates action toward common goals. The main task of the Manager is to build relationships: network, listen, influence with strong intelligence, and serve with a spirit of generosity and compassion.
The “Network for Religion, Media, and Civic Life” (in Fellowship with the Institute for Digital Civic Culture at the University of Southern California) bridges academia, journalists, and policymakers with interfaith actors and communicators to increase the public understanding of religion and its impacts in many domains:
- Declaration Day 2017
- 2017 Year-End Report
- 2018 Year-End Report
- 2019 Year-End Report
- 2020 Year-End Report
- 2021 Year-End Report
Here’s my “top ten” memories from the Year of the Water Tiger:
10. #WhenPropheciesComeTrue
“The Son of White Buffalo Calf Woman” is a musician who united the world’s religions during a time of many troubles. Patrick Horn and the Pacific Coast Band is a fifteen-minute documentary developed with support from Capital Storytellers and the California Arts Council featuring an artist interview, archival material, and excerpts of original music and cover songs: Add Some Music, Old Time Rock-n-Roll, Waiting For Love, Full Moon Fever, One More Song, Meant To Be, In Dreams, Takin’ Care of Business, The Flying Saucer Song (certified #1 indie radio hit), Comeback, Blowin’ in the Wind, Good Vibrations.
Patrick Horn performed “Rock Around The Clock” during Hambone’s New Year’s Eve webcast. The Pacific Coast Band returned to Kulak’s Woodshed (the world-famous N. Hollywood 49-seat music listening room and recording studio “for beginners to Grammy Winners” with HD livestreaming and audio ProTools operated by volunteers and sponsored by donations) to perform a showcase including “Music Has The Heart” and five original songs composed by Patrick Horn. Live! in Los Angeles was distributed to all streaming and download platforms on 1/11.
8. #TheWorldTeacherIsHere – Academic Director, Global Interfaith University
Patrick Horn, D.Div was appointed to the Governing Council of Global Interfaith University, an accredited non-profit distance learning organization with a compelling vision of high-quality liberal arts education for human potential. He serves as the Academic Director. The Founder/President Dr. Emmanuel Ande Ivorgba wrote: “You are a great interfaith leader, an excellent scholar, a reputable and compassionate development practitioner and renowned Peacebuilder. Your appointment on the Governing Council of Global Interfaith University is clearly a confirmation of the amazing personal qualities that you possess, and which you have demonstrated over the years. We all look forward to working very closely and learning together, from your wealth of wisdom, knowledge, and many years of practice.”
7. World Interfaith Harmony Week: Past, Present, and Future
Patrick Horn is a co-host and co-producer of the sacred activism broadcast series, Peace Sundays. He serves as co-chair of the Environmental Stewardship Committee of the Unity and Diversity World Council and One Global Family Foundation (a cooperation circle of the United Religions Initiative).
Interfaith action this year included: a delegation of religious leaders negotiated a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine to allow safe passage for civilians; I met with Ukraine President Zelenskyy in a diplomatic call aimed at a peace treaty; an interreligious congress met in Kazakhstan in support of religious freedom; and the Pope and other leaders gathered at the Colosseum in Rome to appeal for an end to the nuclear threat. Pope Francis also asked forgiveness from indigenous peoples for abuses and snuck out of the Vatican to visit a record store.
6. Seeds of Peace: Trillion Trees Challenge (16,000 views)
In accord with the Parliament of World’s Religions’ Declaration of a Global Ethic, I feel a personal responsibility for world peace and the preservation of Earth, and I am committed to a transformation of consciousness and the sustainability and care for the Earth. The PoWR’s mission statement directs us to align the interfaith movement and foster its engagement with the world’s guiding institutions for a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. With reference to the recommendations of the PoWR Climate Action Task Force (CATF), I strongly advise the following four areas of emphasis – forests, farms, funding, and forum:
• In this time of many troubles, when the climate catastrophe appears to be irreversible and humans may be on the brink of extinction, the campaign for forests has been our biggest success. We must expand the impact of PoWR support for the Trillion Trees Challenge, Interfaith Rainforest Initiative, and Amazon Prophecy Project. I serve as a Vice-President of the Native Project of Amazonian Reforestation & Sustainability (NATPRO), which seeks to restore 1,723 degraded hectares in Peru over a 5-year timeline with agroforestry techniques in the rural area of the Tamaya river basin in the Ucayali Region populated by 130 people who will enjoy economic and social benefits as indigenous guardians of the land.
• Faith-based organizations (FBOs) must leverage their assets to set an example of moral leadership. For instance, 8% of habitable surface land is owned by FBOs, who also control 5% of all commercial forests. In places where churches are rapidly closing, that land can be transformed into farms, owned by women and indigenous people, to provide good jobs and local, sustainable, and nutritious food and natural medicines.
• The CATF laments the lack of funding for climate change mitigation which does not have a profit-motive. Response to the emergency has been too little, too late. We must mobilize the influence of faith communities on political leaders and the private sector for urgent governmental and corporate responsibility toward the Earth, plants, animals, and people. The United Religions Initiative announced a grant-writing and fundraising portal with tools and resources for climate action and resilience.
• The Climate Commitments Project is a great engagement concept requiring further development and clear, concise, and compelling communications that inform and inspire. The world needs a vibrant community forum where people can learn about case studies from around the globe, find credible projects and collaborators that can accelerate ideas to impact, measure success in various areas (especially tree-planting), and celebrate our service inspired by diverse traditions. The Parliament of World’s Religions will convene for the 130th-anniversary in Chicago next year.
5. Peace Sunday 40th Anniversary Commemoration
On 3/17, the Pacific Coast Band recorded 10 songs from the original setlist of the Peace Sunday concert for nuclear disarmament. A performance of “Imagine” was featured during the 40th-anniversary webcast commemoration and in a ten-minute documentary about the history of Peace Sunday and Peace Sundays co-host/co-producer Patrick Horn. The album was distributed to all streaming and download platforms on 6/6, and the first 500 listeners included staff at the United Nations, Global Security Institute, National Peace Academy, World Council of Churches, and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers. Also, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney joined cellist Michael Fitzpatrick in a special livestream from Times Square on the International Day of Peace.
4. World Peace and Prayer Day
The 11th white buffalo born (not an albino, but changes color from white to yellow to red to brown in the first year) is a sign of encouragement amidst plagues, famine, war, and death. Do not be afraid! In related news, five red heifers were delivered to Israel for a ritual sacrifice next year for the advent of the Messiah.
Sun Records celebrated their 70th-anniversary with a music video challenge, which led to my performing a full concert webcast. Also, Pat Boone’s office sponsored Elvis’ high school friend and 1950s rock-n-roll teen idol Jimmy Angel in a performance and storytelling session at Kulak’s Woodshed.
2. Sacred Trees
The World Wildlife Fund and the United Religions Initiative hosted a two-hour session about tree planting for interfaith groups and individuals. The webcast included case studies of successful tree-planting projects around the world and offered a new guidebook specifically for faith communities!
The Episcopal Church and United Nations hosted a High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
At COP27 in Egypt, the British Prime Minister rushed off-stage after whispered messages during the United Nations Forests Partnerships forum, and U.S. President Joe Biden’s speech was interrupted by a howling coyote. Meanwhile, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists from Israel, Egypt, the US, India, Spain, and the UK proclaimed the “Ten Principles for Climate Repentance”:
– We are stewards of this world
– Creation manifests divinity
– Everything in life is interconnected
– Do no harm
– Look after tomorrow
– Rise above ego for our world
– Change our inner climate
– Repent and return
– Every action matters
– Use mind, open heart
1. “On Christmas Day“
Brian Wilson is a multi-platinum, Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songwriter and producer, and co-founder of the Beach Boys. His harmonies have always brought me comfort and joy. He invited a lead vocal on an original holiday song, and it was a thrill to sing this great tune for my musical hero and all of you. We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The World-Teacher Project 