Part 3-06D Jorge Illueca – (Compilation) decades long friendship with the Peace Meditation at the UN.

Filed under americas | Proj-Event-Highlights | Summaries of related posts | Tributes and Expressions of appreciation

H.E Jorge Illueca, Former President of Panama and of 38th Session of UN General Assembly.participated in programmes and other events with Sri Chinmoy and  members of the Peace Mediation Group since  the 1970′s.

We were sad to learn of his passing (on 03 May 2012.  Link to an excerpt of a message sent to Dr. Illueca’s family  on behalf of the mediation Group:

Below is a brief list of some o f the programs that Dr. Illueca participated in with members of the Mediation Group and Sri Chinmoy since their first meeting in the 1970’s

Below entries to be reformatted with standard size type face etc. Spell check..:

 14 December 1977 – Oneness Earth

    • In a large conference room at the United Nations, on 14 December 1977, the Meditation Group celebrated the universal brotherhood and unity which are evoked during this global holiday season with a programme entitled “Oneness-Earth.”
    •  The programme was filmed by CBS-TV and broadcast on Christmas Day. On that occasion Dr. Illueca said: “In their quest for peace, brotherhood and harmony, the peoples of the world share common beliefs, hopes and dreams, and they should come closer one to the other.”

  • 1978 Nov 14 : Panama Day Programme:

    • Ambassador Jorge Illueca of Panama addressed the Meditation Group at a “Panama Day” programme in honour of Panama’s joining the United Nations on 13 November 1945.
    • The programme also included the performance of a new song composed by Sri Chinmoy about the Ambassador, as well as slides and music of Panama. An excerpt from Ambassador Illueca’s talk follows.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    • Ambassador Jorge lllueca, Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations:  “Everything that is great and noble in this world is the product of meditation. Our modern world, with its technological prodigies and inter planetary adventures, has originated in the meditation of Copernicus, Galileo and others. If we move from the sphere of the concrete and tangible into the sphere of the great artistic creations, we find that meditation is the mirror of our mind and conscience, the world around us and our individuality.Then we understand more clearly that meditation is the essential creative power of the human being. Meditation is not something static. At the United Nations meditation is a prelude to action, because action is only justified when it is in harmony with the ideals of peace, social justice and economic development, which are a constant guide to our great family of nations.”

  • 1979 September 17th  – Birthday of Ambassador Illueca – Visit by Sri Chinmoy

    • PANAMA MOTTO PERFORMED: Members of the Meditation Group joined with H.E. Jorge Illueca, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Panama to the United Nations, in his office to celebrate his birthday on 17 September 1979. The Group performed a newly composed song by Sri Chinmoy to the words of the motto of Panama. The Ambassador was then moved to present to the Group several works of art, made by Indian tribes in Panama.  9
    • At the end of the visit Ambassador Illueca remarked: “There is something that I feel very deeply in my heart. You have really overwhelmed me with your kindness and feelings. I feel so pleased and so happy with your visit that} really} I have no words. “

  • 1980 September 17 – Surprise meeting for Birthday of Ambassador Illueca at mission of Panama to UN offices.

  • A BIRTHDAY SURPRISE FOR AMBASSADOR ILLUECA: Members of the meditation group joined Panama Mission staff and members of Ambassador Illueca’s family for an impromptu and surprise birthday celebration in the Ambassador’s office on 17 September 1980. In gratitude for Ambassador Illueca’s kind encouragement, support and guidance, the group presented him with flowers and a cake, and sang “Birthday Is the Vision-Day,” composed by Sri Chinmoy. The Ambassador in turn thanked the group for its friendship and spiritual good will.
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  • Members of the meditation group and Mission staff with His Excellency Dr. Jorge Illueca, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Panama to the United Nations (centre) and the Ambassador’s wife, son and daughter.

 

 

 

 

 

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  • 1984 Peace Walk for UN Charter Day June 25 & 26

SOME 275 UN staff and delegates from 80 countries joined in the second Peace Walk for United Nations Charter Day, which was held on 25 and 26 June in the North Garden. A closing ceremony was held where a message from General Assembly President, Jorge lllueca, was read, a portion of which follows:

” I would urge that we avail ourselves of every opportunity of this kind, both as individual s and as representatives of our respective countries, to rededicate ourselves to the ideals which we are striving to realise in our devotion on to the principles and purposes of the United Nations.

“Peace is not a passive state; it is not merely the absence of conflict. It is the effective expression by all nations of a determination to create and continuously support a world of progress and development, governed by justice and understanding.

“We see the United Nations through Sri Chinmoy’s eyes as a church of mankind, dedicated to worshiping the aspirations of men, women and children of all races, nationalities and political and religious beliefs for a better life. The United Nations should become a sanctuary of moral and spiritual values as a better foundation of peace. “

 

 

  • October 24 1983. General Assembly President joins celebration of  UN Day

    • During Dr. Illueca’s General Assembly Presidency on UN Day, there was a gigantic “cake” on the Visitors Plaza filled with inspirational messages.

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  • Jorge Illueca Receives U Thant Peace award.1983

    • 1983: Receiving the U Thant Peace Award from Sri Chinmoy.

When Dr Illueca  received the U Thant Peace Award,  his many friends and admirers were thrilled to see his smile captured in the NY Daily News, Sunday, December 18, 1983 . (excerpt below)

“The president of the United Nations General Assembly, Jorge lllueca of Panama. received the U Thant Puce Award from Sri Chinmoy.. . Chinmoy, a meditation leader for members of the UN for the past 13 years, presented the award to Illueca ‘for his work exemplifying the spirilual values for which the former UN Secretary General U Thant is remembered,’
“Chinmoy called Illueca a ‘roaring lion of the United Nations, and said the Panamanian serve as an “unparalleled brother in answering humanity’s  sorrowful cries.’ “

1983-12-dec-03-pres-un-ga-Illueca-uthant-peace-award-vegi-times-84-jun_Page_1

see also a-moments-peace-newsletter-amp1983-05-sep-dec-1983/

Jorge Illueca, President of the UN General Assembly sends Message for UN Charter Day event June 25, 26 1984

  • SOME 275 UN staff and delegates from 80 countries joined in the second Peace Walk for United Nations Charter Day, which was held on 25 and 26 June in the North Garden. By walking through a marked area of the Garden with their countrymen, in silence and re-dedication, they commemorated the 39th anniversary of the signing of the Charter. At the end of each lap, each participant also signed a copy of the Preamble to the Charter as a symbol of renewed support.
  • Following the final lap through the Garden -during which nationals from all countries walked together–a closing ceremony was held on the Visitors Plaza.

    • Here, Sri Chinmoy led a silent meditation for peace, and

    • representatives of India, Samoa and Zambia took turns in reading from the Charter’s Preamble.

    To conclude the ceremony, a message from General Assembly President, Jorge lllueca, was read, a portion of which follows:

“I assure you of my wholehearted support in this effort to renew our dedication to the spirit of the Charter, and • • I would urge that we avail ourselves of every opportunity of this kind, both as individuals and as representatives of our respective countries. to re-dedicate ourselves to the ideals which we are striving to realize in our devotion to the principles and purposes of the United Nations.

“Peace is not a passive state; it is not merely the absence of conflict. It is the effective expression by all nations of a determination to create and continuously support a world of progress and de¥development, governed by justice and understanding • . • .

“We see the United Nations as a ·church of mankind, dedicated to worshiping the aspirations of men, women and children of all races, nationalities and political and religious beliefs for a better life … “

  • Lift up the World: Jorge Illueca of Panama Honoured near UNICEF Building. 21 Jul 1989

    • In Progamme called :  “Lifting up the World with a Oneness Heart” – Dr Illueca was lifted by Sri Chinmoy in Garden Park – Adjacent to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Building in New York.
    • Former Foreign Minister and President Panama and President of the 38th UN General Assembly honored with Lifting Up the World Award in the Plaza Garden adjacent to UNICEF House in NY 21 July 1989>Sri Chinmoy and Dr. Illueca supported the essential work of UNICEF for the world’s children and admired its dynamic and inspiring leader   Executive Director James P. Grant.  Mr. Grant, was previously lifted in same location on 20 Sep 1988
    • The Executive Director of UNICEF, James Grant, had been lifted in the same space on an earlier date.

 

 

The immortal picture of  Marta and Dr. Illueca is an indication of our joy on that day and many other occasions with you.

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  • Example of earlier statement and correspondence between Dr. Illueca and Sri Chinmoy (2002 – 2006)


  • 2012 Oct 26, Visit of Dr. Illueca to resting place of Sri Chinmoy. 

  • We were all greatly touched that Dr. Illueca came personally one morning before leaving NY in 2007,with his grandson Diago to visit Sri Chinmoy’s  resting place. He shared with many of us most sensitively and compassionately his words of encouragement and consolation during that first difficult month.

  • 2012, May 08 NY Newsday

  • contained a picture from the funeral of Dr Illueca with the caption : ” Honoring a Leader – Guards carry the coffin of former Panamanian President Jorge Illueca during his funeral in Panama City yesterday…”

  • 1958 Early Message of Jorge Illueca of Panama to the Secretary General of the United Nations,

    •  Discovered by the Meditation group when researching a programme on Pablo Casals: Press Release UND/592, 27 Oct 1958. (Dag Hammarskjold was then Secretary General)
      UNITED NATIONS DAY MESSAGE FROM JORGE ILLUECA. Chairman of the delegation of Panama to the UN General Assembly.
    •  ”This new anniversary of the United. Nations is the occasion for spiritual rejoicing for humanity because it brings into relief the prodigious labors carried out by the organization in its pledge to establish international order based on Peace.
    • The delegation of Panama takes this occasion to reaffirm its faith in the work of the Organization and. has the greatest pleasure in extending to Your Excellency, its most cordial congratulations.
    •  At this time the delegation also expresses its wish that the international economic and social cooperation taking place under the aegis the United Nations be pursued each day with renewed impetus toward the realization of the ideal of the Charter – to create the conditions of stability and well-being in the world necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations.

Click on thumbnail to see bigger picture.