The last decade of our century is witness to a rising
demand for a universal ethics. With the relativism of
of recent decades, there is an increasingly search for
universal values and principles that could serve as
the basis for collective efforts toward peace and
development, as well as for peaceful and productive interaction among nations and societies.

In Medium-Term Strategy: 1996-2002, a document which sets forth the overall direction of the activities of UNESCO, the need for a new approach to these problems is clearly stated. "The main problems affecting the future of the human race are tending to become more interconnected, and at the same time more widespread. Dealing with them requires a minimum of common understanding and shared values. In a multipolar world of heightened individualism and a possibly unprecedented splintering of perceptions, it is more than ever necessary to look for the acknowledgement, or rather the emergence of a common substratum of values which would make economically, ecologically, socially and culturally viable coexistence possible on a world-scale".

PENZA, Russian Federation -- In United States dollars, the books don't cost very much: about $2 each. But on a teacher's salary in contemporary Russia, it is a considerable sum, and the decision to buy requires a bit of sacrifice.

"I had the choice to buy some clothing or the books," said Irina Melnikova, a 35-year-old pre-school teacher at Public School No. 48 in this medium-sized industrial city on the Sura River. "But I decided that to grow as a professional, I need the books more than other material things."

Marriage is one of the most highly prized of all human relationships and a central goal in life. Most people want for themselves and their children a good and lasting marriage, because marriage plays an important role in their quest for meaning, happiness and fulfillment. These presentations offer guidance for building healthy marriages. Marriage seals our most central destiny, which is to find meaning and value in love. Marriage naturally has social, economic and biological functions, with accompanying duties and responsibilities.

Marriage is the most basic and universal social institution, charged with the central responsibility for raising children and caring for family members. Researchers state that "In virtually every society into which historians or anthropologists have inquired, one finds marriage." Since marriage has emotional, social and procreative dimensions it involves a contract in most societies. Marriage often marks the rite of passage from adolescence into adulthood. In traditional cultures marriage is not an individual matter, because it merges two family lineages. Through marriage, people acquire obligations to a community and network of relatives. Marriage marks a person's vertical and horizontal position in the social fabric.

Among the many efforts to bring values education around the world, Living Values: An Educational Program (LVEP) stands out as one that has global reach and a sound philosphy adaptable for all cultures.

This innovative global character education program offers a wide variety of experiential values activities and practical methodologies to educators, facilitators, parents and caregivers that enable children and young adults to explore and develop twelve universal values. In addition to programs for classrooms and parent groups, LVEP offers special materials for street children, children affected by war and natural disasters.

Widespread moral problems facing China's 367 million minors under 18, including growing crimes involving juveniles, has become a focal point for Chinese society and political leaders.

In response to these issues, this past May, President Hu stressed the need for moral education for children at a national working conference on strengthening and improving ideological and ethical work for juveniles.

The United Nations program on Families, has launched a campaign to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Year of the Family. The program's objective is to contribute to the creation of an international community that enables the building of secure, just, free and harmonious societies offering opportunities and higher standards of living for all.

"Very holistic and appropriate to adapt to any country's curriculum and system of education."
- Mogi Nayagar, New Zealand

The International Educational Foundation has a series of presentations which promote universal ethics based on holistic principles. Following are some comments on IEF presentations made in various countries.