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ARC Home > News and Resources > News archive:

Two exciting job opportunities to help create EcoSikh

May 26, 2010:

The Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) would like to announce two exciting job opportunities for enthusiastic individuals who have both an affinity with Sikhism, and a passion for the environment.

The first is a full time position based in Delhi, for somebody who will pioneer the EcoSikh initiative and take it to the next stage.

The second is a part time internship based in Washington DC, who will be instrumental in the dissemination of the EcoSikh message throughout the global Sikh community, and in getting some great environmental actions underway.

What is EcoSikh?

EcoSikh is the Sikh community’s response to the global environmental crisis. It is a specific initiative that follows from the launch of the Sikh Five Year Environmental Plan launched at Windsor Castle last November as part of the ARC/UNDP Long-term Commitments to Protect the Living Planet.

The Five Year Plan assists Sikhs in the Punjab and the diaspora to become model eco-communities who have extended their traditional Sikh protection of the vulnerable, including widows and orphans, to now include all of Nature, which needs protection more than ever. For more information see the EcoSikh website.

Why?

Because Sikhs can make a huge difference. Since Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa in 1699, in which he emphasised the importance of protecting the vulnerable, Sikhs are now giving free, nutritious food or langar to 30 million people a day in their gurdwara kitchens, regardless of caste, creed or need. Three hundred years later, in 1999, Sikhism announced the 300 year Cycle of Creation. Since then:

  • March 14th has been established as Sikh Environment Day, which this year saw Avtar Singh Makkar, President of Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), pledge to plant 100,000 trees in SGPC run schools and colleges.
  • The Toronto Gurdwara has made plans to install solar panels for its energy use.
  • Many gurdwaras including the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation Gurdwara in Washington have started planting vegetables and fruit trees on their land to be used for langar.
  • Over 100,000 trees have been planted under the auspices of Baba Sewa Singh, a Sikh environmental hero based in Khadoor Sahib.
  • Amritsar is to become a model eco-city under the ARC/UNDP Green Pilgrim Cities Network.
  • Rakab Ganj Gurdwara in Delhi and the Golden Temple in Amritsar have started giving tree saplings to devotees on important occasions.
  • The Nanhi Chhaan Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in India, was founded in August 2008 with the objective of promoting women's empowerment and protecting the environment by preserving trees.
  • The EcoSikh movement has been initiated.

And there is much more to come, which is why EcoSikh needs two focused, driven individuals who are passionate about the environment to become part of this amazing venture and see that EcoSikh operates at its most effective level.

“This is a great opportunity to implement the worldly principles of the Guru, helping make a more sustainable, greener earth through which people can connect to God. It is putting the principles of Sikhism into practice. And it is getting paid to do sewa.”

- Dr Rajwant Singh, Chairman of SCORE and Founder of EcoSikh.

“We’re delighted to be here at the very beginning of EcoSikh, a movement in Sikhism which we believe might last for many generations. The Sikhs have a strong tradition of looking after the vulnerable, and as soon as they understood just how vulnerable nature is today, they rose to the challenge of protecting it too. These two jobs, in Delhi and Washington DC, will be very demanding, interesting, rewarding and, if they are taken up by the right people, then they will also be very important”

- Martin Palmer, director of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) which is backing EcoSikh, together with SCORE and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).


How can I find out more?

To read the full job descriptions please link here.

Application Process:

Please send a full CV and covering letter stating why you are interested in the position you have applied for, and what special qualities/ skills you can offer, to: ecosikh@gmail.com. The deadline for application is Sunday 6th June 2010. EcoSikh is committed to equal opportunities.


Links:

SCORE website

EcoSikh website



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March 12, 2010:
Sikhs celebrate March 14th as Sikh Environment Day
Sikhs around the world are being invited to celebrate Gurgaddi Diwas of the 7th Guru, Guru Har Rai ji,as a Sikh Environment Day
June 3, 2009:
Sikhs launch EcoSikh movement, to create Five Year Plan to Protect the Planet
In 1999 the Sikh communities worldwide agreed that the next 300 year cycle would be the Cycle of Creation. This decision has begun to shape and influence the way Sikh communities worldwide perceive the future. The Sikh Five Year Plan is the next historic step.
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