Welcome
During International Days and major international conferences there is a special opportunity to serve in
the creation of a more unified and compassionate world.
As meditators we can symbolically stand together with all actively working in the spirit of the Charter of Compassion, and hold these events in the light of a Higher Wisdom.
Millennium Goals & Climate Change
These International Days and events reflect important themes in the mobilization of energies to:
- fulfill the historic promise made by world leaders in 1999 to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, halving extreme poverty
- to respond appropriately to the urgent needs of climate change
- and to engage people of goodwill all over the world in the process of defining new Sustainable Development Goals to replace the Millennium Development Goals that expire in 2015.
2014 United Nations International Years
2015:
2015 will be observed as International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies & International Year of Soils. more information. It is also marks the conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals and the launch of a new set of goals for the international community, the Sustainable Development Goals.
Silence at the United Nations
The Spiritual Caucus at the United Nations gathers in the vicinity of UN Headquarters in New York (September - June) on the third Thursday every month for 30 minutes of silence followed by 30 minutes of dialogue, sharing insights and exploring ways to use an inner focus in service of the work of the UN. On the 1st Thursday of the month the Caucus invites friends to sit in silence for 30 minutes. Traditionally a gathering has been held in the Meditation Room in the public lobby of UN Headquarters in New York, but during the major redevelopment of the UN building in NY the Meditation Room is closed so on this first Thursday all are invited to hold the Meditation Room in the light and ponder its significance.
Please link in from wherever you are. More information at: http://www.spiritualcaucusun.org/
In April the Spiritual Caucus invites all to link subjectively on Thursday, 3rd, 12:45 - 1:15 USA Eastern Daylight Time, holding the Meditation Room at the United Nations in the light during this period when the Room is closed due to rennovation work. Please also link with the full meeting on Thursday, April 17 at 1.15 PM EDT.
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April Please Hold These Events in the Light
April 2
World Autism Awareness Day
Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the world - more children being diagnosed with the disorder than diabetes, cancer and AIDS combined. There are high rates of Autism in all regions of the world.
Let us continue to work hand-in-hand with persons with autism spectrum disorders, helping them to cultivate their strengths while addressing the challenges they face so they can lead the productive lives that are their birthright. Ban Ki-moon
http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org
www.un.org/en/events/autismday/index.shtml
April 4
International Mine Awareness Day
Landmines and explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions, continue to impact the lives of thousands of people each year. Landmines and explosive remnants of war affect over 70 states. Following conflicts action is needed to fence off areas that have been mined, remove and destroy the mines, educate people about the dangers of mines, provide medical assistance and rehabilitation for victims.
http://www.un.org/en/events/mineawarenessday/
http://www.mineaction.org/
April 6
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
This is a new day on the UN calendar. Acknowledging that Sport has become a world language, a common denominator that breaks down all the walls, all the barriers Ban ki-Moon commented that it is a powerful tool for progress and for development. The UN has a Special Advisor to UN Secretary-General on Sport and Development and there is increasing involvement of major sports organisations and stars in work for development and peace.
www.un.org/wcm/content/site/sport/home/
www.sportanddev.org
2014 theme: Vector-borne Diseases.
Vector-borne diseases are illnesses caused by parasites and germs that are spread by organisms. They are most common in tropical areas and places where there is no safe access to drinking water and sanitation. Malaria is the most deadly vector-born disease, causing an estimated 660,000 deaths in 2010. The fastest growing vecotor-borne disease is dengue. 40% of the world's population is at risk from dengue.
www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2014/
April 11 - 13
Global Youth Service Day
Global Youth Service Day is the largest annual celebration of young volunteers, where millions of young people from over 100 countries in 6 continents carry out thousands of community improvement projects.
I have hope that stems in large part from my knowledge that the future of this planet lies in the tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and commitment of young people around the world. Jane Goodall
www.gysd.org/
April 15
Easter / Aries Full Moon
Since ancient times human beings have honored the full moon as a time when the sacred is most accesible. It is a time of light - the moon reflects the light of the sun onto the face of the earth. In astrology this is a time when the qualities and potentials of the zodiacal sign of the sun are especially available to humanity for use in service.
During the full moon religious and esoteric groups around the world use the opportunities of this time to vizualize light and love and spiritual power flowing into humanity and strengthening all that is being done to help prepare the way for a world of unity, justice and peace; a world in which the Millenium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals will be achieved.
Easter is a special full moon - celebrated widely around the world by Christians and the first of three major spiritual festivals in the annual cycle of full moon festivals described by Alice Bailey (Easter - Wesak and the Festival of Humanity)
www.lucistrust.org
www.worldservicegroup.com/
April 15 - 16
Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation - High Level Meeting, Mexico City, Mexico
The Global Partenrship was created at an important High Level Forum of governments,development agencies (like Oxfam) and businesses on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, Korea in 2011. Attended by over 3000 delegates the forum marked a critical turning point in cooperation between a wide variety of international development agencies.
The Partnership brings together governments, the private sector,and civil society to ensure funding, knowledge and policy produce maximum imact for development. The partnership is led by the Minister for National Development Planning in Indonesia, the Secretary of State for International Development in UK, and the Minister of Finance in Nigeria.
Over 1,300 development leaders from around the world are expected to participate in this high level meeting in Mexico City.
http://effectivecooperation.org/
April 22
International Mother Earth Day & Earth Day
Over a billion people participate in Earth Day activities every year. It is the largest civic observance in the world, and is evidence of the massive concern to build right relations between humanity and the Earth. In 2009 the United Nations General Assembly added its weight to this popular movement, proclaiming April 22 International Mother Earth Day, with a significant resolution affirming the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit.
Mother Earth Day is helping to define new emerging economic, social and political processes through which humanity is seeking to raise the quality of its relationships with Mother Earth.
www.harmonywithnatureun.org
www.un.org/en/events/motherearthday/
www.earthday.org
April 22 - 25
Global Ocean Action Summit for Food Security and Blue Growth, The hague, Netherlands
Ocean health and productivity must be at the heart of global efforts to eradicate poverty, strengthen food security and build resistance to climate change.
For the first time, with a view to improving food security, eradicating poverty and delivering shared prosperity, global leaders, ocean practitioners, scientists, and representatives from government, business, civil society and international organizations will come together to explore action-oriented partnerships, governance arrangements, investment frameworks and new financing vehicles to turn the tide on the health of Oceans.
www.globaloceansactionsummit.com
April 25
World Malaria Day
2014 theme: Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria
The global fight towards zero malaria deaths is one of the great stories of our time. A partnership of over 500 UN agencies, governments, organizations and stakeholders are working together in the Rollback Malaria Partnership. Throughout the past decade, as a result of this effort, deaths from malaria have steadily declined. It is a distinct possibility that by 2015, Goal 6 of the Millennium Development Goals, will be met, ensuring that malaria is no longer a major cause of mortality and no longer a barrier to social and economic development and growth anywhere in the world.
www.who.int/campaigns/malaria-day/
www.malariaconsortium.org/
www.rollbackmalaria.org/
April 26
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day
The last Saturday of April each year in 100s of cities, spanning over 80 nations, people come together … to breathe together and provide a healing vision for our world.
www.worldtaichiday.org
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