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Welcome
International Days and major international conferences reflect a growing sense that we are part of One Humanity and One Life. On these occasions there is a special opportunity to serve in the creation of a world that reflects this spirit of Oneness in all its diversity.
As meditators we can symbolically stand together with all those actively working to create right human relations, and invoke the aid of the Forces of Light in support of these events.
Sustainable Development Goals & Climate Change
These International Days and events reflect important themes in the mobilization of energies to:
- Build right relations in the world by addressing the causes of serious problems of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation through practical actions to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030
- engaging people of goodwill all over the world in a common movement.
2026 United Nations International Years
Silence at the United Nations
The Spiritual Caucus at the United Nations gathers subjectively and online(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 first Thursday of the month, from October to June, Caucus members and others gather in the Meditation Room at the UN HQ in New York, from 12:00 – 12:45 pm for 10-30 minutes in silence together, followed by optional conversation in the nearby cafe afterwards.
Please link in from wherever you are. More information at: http://www.spiritualcaucusun.org/
In August the Spiritual Caucus is on summer recess.
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August Please Hold These Events in the Light
August 1 - 7
World Breastfeeding Week
Theme 2026: Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works..
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year in the first week of August, championed by WHO, UNICEF, Ministries of Health and civil society partners around the globe. It’s a time to recognize breastfeeding as a powerful foundation for lifelong health, development, and equity.
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival and yet currently, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed.
www.who.int/
August 6
International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries
Cut off from the global marketplace and without the means to develop adequate transport and logistics infrastructure, landlocked developing countries face unique and significant challenges in achieving the sustainable development goals.
The international community has developed a specil concern for landlocked developing countries and their special challenges. Following a major international conference oni the theme in 2025, this Day seeks to shine a light on efforts to meet these challenges.
www.un.org/en/
August 6 - 9
Nuclear Prayer Day
August 6th marks the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, and August 9. the Nagasaki bomb. The magnitude of death and destruction of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 made clear that nuclear weapons must never be used again. Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons (a part of the United Religions Initiative) invites all individuals of good will and all organizations of concern to draw strength from each one’s deepest convictions and longings for a better future on Nuclear Prayer Day, August 6 - 9. A world united in moments of silence, in words spoken from the heart, and in a sure vision of a world beyond nuclear weapons – such moments will anchor and sustain our commitment as we work together to bring an end to the nuclear threat.
www.voices-uri.org
www.voices-uri.org/
August 9
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Theme 2026: Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.
This Day, together with the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, is a sign of the growing concern for the rights and welfare of indigenous communities.
www.un.org/en/
social.desa.un.org
August 11
World Steelpan Day
The steelpan (also known as a pan, steel drum, and sometimes, collectively with other musicians, as a steelband or steel orchestra) is a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago. ... Acknowledging that the steelpan promotes inclusive societies, sustainable communities and the creative economy and can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, gender equality and youth empowerment, the General Assembly decided to proclaim 11 August as World Steelpan Day.
www.un.org/en/
August 12
International Youth Day
Theme 2026: Different Contexts, Common Aspirations
International Youth Day 2026 recognizes that while young people’s lives are shaped by different national and local realities, their aspirations are remarkably similar. Across countries and communities, young people seek dignity, opportunity, meaningful participation, decent work, quality education, and a sustainable future.
www.un.org/en/
social.desa.un.org
August 17 - 28
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), 17th Conference (COP17) Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Theme: Restoring Land. Restoring Hope..
When land degrades, it loses its capacity to sustain life — triggering crop failure, migration and conflict. Every ecosystem, every species above and below ground, every community that breathes, drinks and eats — all depend on healthy land. Land degradation affects up to 40% of the world's surface, threatening the livelihoods of nearly half of humanity. The UNCCD unites 197 Parties — governments, scientists, businesses and communities — around one shared vision: restore and manage the world's land. COP17 in Ulaanbaatar is where that vision becomes action. The crisis is global. So is the response.
UNCCD is the only binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
This years Conference is closely aligned with the 2026 United Nations International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists which has been championed by Mongolia with its large areas of raangeleands.
unccdcop17.org
www.unccd.int/
August 19
World Humanitarian Day
This Day celebrates and shines a light on humanitarian aid workers around the world while also honoring those who have been killed or injured in the course of their work. The Day commemorates the tragic bombing of the UN Office in Iraq on 19 August 2003.
www.un.org/en/
worldhumanitarianday.org
sergiovdmfoundation.org
August 21
International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
While more countries are affected by terrorism today, the number of victims has largely been concentrated in a small number of Member States. In 2017 alone, nearly three-quarters of all deaths caused by terrorism were in just five countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia and Syria.
www.un.org/en/
www.un.org/counterterrorism/
August 22
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
Freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly and the right to freedom of association are interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing. They are enshrined in articles 18, 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Upholding these rights plays an important role in the fight against all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief.
There are continuing acts of intolerance and violence based on religion or belief against individuals, including against persons belonging to religious communities and religious minorities around the world, and the number and intensity of such incidents, which are often of a criminal nature and may have international characteristics, are increasing.
www.un.org/en/events/
August 23
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
This is a Day to celebrate humanity's achievement in abolishing the slave trade, and to reflect upon the history of the relations between Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean.
The process that led to the abolition of the slave trade began on the night of 22 to 23 August, 1791 when the slaves of Saint-Dominque and Haiti rose up in rebellion.
Meditators can reflect on the deep significance to the goodwill movement of the struggle against slavery, and its eventual abolition. This was a moral revolution of enormous significance. Yet although law abolished the slave trade, slavery continues to be practiced throughout the world, and the struggle against slavery continues in many fields of human relationship. The principles of freedom and human rights are now deeply ingrained in the conscience - the struggle is to bring these principles into expression.
www.unesco.org
www.unesco.org/en/days/
August 23 - 27
World Water Week
2026 theme: Water for People and Progress
World Water Week in Stockholm, usually involving over 300 collaborating organizations, is the annual focal point for the globe’s water and development issues. The Week provides a unique forum for the exchange of views, experiences and practices between the scientific, business, policy and civic communities. It focuses on new thinking and positive action toward water-related challenges and their impact on the world’s environment, health, climate, economic and poverty reduction agendas.
World Water Week 2026 will focus on how to build a more just and equitable water-secure future for people and the planet in a rapidly changing climate.
www.worldwaterweek.org/
The UN General Assembly decided to observe Wolrd Lake Day annually in December 2024. Lakes are one of the most vital natural resources on our planet. They serve as a crucial source of fresh water, supporting drinking water supplies, agriculture, and industry.
Lakes also play a key role in maintaining biodiversity, offering a habitat for countless species of fish, plants, and wildlife.
Beyond their ecological significance, lakes contribute to climate regulation by keeping the planet cool, absorbing the floodwater and storing carbon.
Additionally, they provide recreational and economic opportunities, attracting tourism, fishing, and other activities that support local communities.
But lakes are affected by a combination of overuse, pollution and climate change.
www.un.org/en/
www.decadeonrestoration.org
August 28
Full Moon — Virgo
Since ancient times human beings have honored the full moon as a time when the sacred is most accessible. 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 Sustainable Development Goals will be achieved.
www.lucistrust.org
August 29
International Day Against Nuclear Tests
On this United Nations Day the goal is to encourage governments, NGO's and all concerned parties to raise awareness of the need to ban nuclear tests as a valuable step to achieving a safer world.
It is a little known fact that, as a result of regional treaties, the entire southern hemisphere of the planet is now a virtual nuclear weapons free zone. On July 17 2017 the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted. This is the first multilateral legally binding instrument for nuclear disarmament to have been negotiated in 20 years, by 122 countries.
www.un.org/en/events/
www.ctbto.org
www.unfoldzero.org/
August 30
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Enforced disappearances (including arrests, detention and abduction) have frequently been used by military dictatorships and political groups to spread terror in a society and eliminate opposition.
Reflecting a growing concern amongst governments as well as people of goodwill, UN member states adopted an International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and, since 2011, have observed August 30 as this International Day.
www.un.org/en/
August 31
International Day for People of African Descent
Observed for the first time in 2021, the International Day for People of African Descent aims to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora around the world and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent. The UN observed 2015 - 2024 as the International Decade for People of African Descent.
www.un.org
www.un.org/
August 31 - September 4
Global Conscious Food Systems Summit,Paro, Bhutan
Theme: Activating the Heart of Food Systems Transformation
This pioneering Summit is being organised jointly by the government of the Kingdom of Bhutan, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Conscious Food Systems Alliance.
Food systems shape far more than what we eat—from climate and biodiversity to health and human well-being.In Bhutan—where national development is guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness—the first Global Conscious Food Systems Summit will bring together leaders from across policy, investment, and food system innovation to help shape a collective agenda for food systems transformation.
The UNDP's Global Food Systems Division works with an integrated theory of change, understood as framework for how lasting transformation happens. ... Food systems transformation is not measured in programs delivered or policies drafted, it is measured in lives changed, ecosystems restored, and communities made more resilient.
The Bhutan Summit can be attended online: “Livestreams and recordings will be available for everyone to follow the summit on our Official CoFSA YouTube Channel. To broaden participation, everyday we will host online gatherings in five regions to connect and reflect on the Summit’s daily themes, and contribute to the Summit’s conversations. Check the Online Summit Agenda here"
Using meditation and other subjective practices, the Summit will seek to address the transformation of food systems from a causal level. In support of this significant event, World Goodwill will be offering a Cycle of Conferences visualisation. Please subscribe to the Cycle Initiative email list to recieve information.
consciousfoodsummit.com
Conscious Food Systems Alliance
www.undp.org/bhutan
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