News from International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.

For more information: Sue Kidd Shipe, President, 518-393-9491; Email: sshipe@humanempowerment.org; Internet: www.humanempowerment.org

INTERNATIONAL UNITY DAY PROCLAIMED FOR NEW MILLENNIUM
Morgantown City Council To Read Proclamation and Unity Pledge

ALBANY, NY -- (12/18/2000; 0900)(EIS) -- A proclamation proclaiming January 1 as International Unity Day is scheduled to be adopted by the city council of Morgantown, West Virginia at a meeting Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000.

The proclamation was drafted by Sue Kidd Shipe, founder and president of the Albany, NY based International Institute for Human Empowerment.

Shipe conceived of the idea of having an annual International Unity Day celebrated every January 1.

"In an effort to raise consciousness about a changing world in the new Millennium, the Morgantown City Council has taken the lead in recognizing the importance of our unity through appreciation of our diversity," stated Shipe.

"In a city rich with University professors and students from a variety of cultures, Morgantown is taking a stand to support and promote this richness of culture," Shipe said.

The proclamation includes an endorsement of the Unity Pledge (insert web address) and a list of appropriate activities (insert web address) to honor International Unity Day.

"Not only is this important to the city of Morgantown, and to the state of West Virginia, which took a strong stand for equality by separating from the South on the issue of slavery, but it sets a standard for all states and all countries," Shipe said.

"We are living in a world with constant struggles for equality both in the United States and abroad. Education, key to maintaining Democracy, is important for all people, and here in the United States we are blessed that our founding fathers had the foresight to establish a free public education as the cornerstone of Democracy," Shipe stated.

New advances in technology provide both an opportunity for, and a threat to, historical world advances in Democracy. Communication, access to information and trade, make new electronic mediums necessary to compete on a level playing field in this new Millennium. Yet, many countries and people of the world, and some people within our own country, are without access.

"We need to support all efforts at providing equal access to education and technology for the sake of all people, less we become even more a world of haves, and have nots," Shipe said.

"By taking this step, the Morgantown, West Virginia City Council demonstrates its leadership not only to its city and State, but initiates leadership to the world. This event is worthy of world attention," Shipe continued.

"In an effort to continue a global leadership role, it is incumbent upon the United States to take up the efforts begun here on a nationwide basis. We are world leaders, and we are showing here that leadership in a Democracy can emerge from the People."

To obtain a copy of the proclamation, visit the IIHE website at www.humanempowerment.org. To contact Frank Salucci, member of the Morgantown city council, call 304-292-8082, or email at frank@franklindigital.com.

Organizations and political bodies that wish to endorse the proclamation are asked to contact Sue Kidd Shipe at 518/393-9491 or sshipe@humanempowerment.org.

- 30 -