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These International Days reflect important
themes in the mobilisation of energies to achieve the Millennium Development
Goals by 2015, halving extreme poverty in the world; and respond to the
urgent needs of climate change ...
.
2009 International Years
Silence at the United Nations
The Spiritual Caucus at the United Nations gathers within UN Headquarters in New York (October - 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 in the Meditation Room in the public lobby of UN Headquarters in New York.
Wherever you live on the planet, please consider contributing to the work of the Spiritual Caucus of the UN by sharing in this work with silence on the first and third Thursday of the month. Times, dates and further information at: http://www.spiritualcaucusun.org/
In December the Spiritual Caucus invites you to link in with 30 minutes of silence in the UN Meditation Room on December 3, at 12:45 EST and with the full one hour meeting on Thursday, December 17 at 1:15 PM EST.
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December 1
World AIDS Day
2009 theme: Universal Access and Human Rights
1 December 2009 marks the 21st anniversary of World AIDS Day.
On this World AIDS Day we are filled with both hope and concern.
Hope because significant progress has been made towards universal access. New HIV
infections have dropped. Fewer children are born with HIV. And more than 4 million people
are on treatment.
Concern because 28 years into the epidemic the virus continues to make inroads into new
populations; stigma and discrimination continue to undermine efforts to turn back the
epidemic. The violation of human rights of people living with HIV, women and girls, men who
have sex with men, injecting drug users and sex workers must end. - Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Director.
On World AIDS Day there is a real need for 'healers of the world' to unite. Imagine the healing energy that could be released through a day of co-ordinated inner work. Imagine how this would enhance and empower all of the outer efforts in AIDS education and research in complementary and orthodox therapies that are focussed around this special Day.
http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/
http://www.un.org/en/events/aidsday/2009/p
December 2
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
Slavery continues to be practiced in many forms - from traditional chattel slavery to child labour, migrant labour and forced labour. The process of creating a new civilisation centred on Aquarian values of human rights and freedoms requires that all forms of slavery be eliminated.
Most consider slavery to be a problem of the past. In fact there are more slaves today than at any other time in history - 27 million by UN estimates. More slaves than the entire population of Netherlands or Australia; nearly as many as Canada….
Slavery was, in a very real sense, the first international human rights issue to come to the fore. It led to the adoption of the first human rights laws and to the creation of the first human rights non-governmental organization….
On the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, let us reaffirm the inherent dignity of all men, women and children. And let us redouble our efforts so that the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- "no one shall be held in slavery or servitude" -- ring true. - Kofi Annan
http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/slavery/index.html
http://www.antislavery.org/
http://www.freetheslaves.net
December 3
International Day of Disabled Persons
2009 Theme: Making the MDGs Inclusive:Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world
The Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of disabled persons in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1484
December 3 - 9
Parliament of the World's Religions, Melbourne, Australia
2009 Theme: Make a World of Difference: Hearing each Other, Healing the World
First held in Chicago in 1893, the Parliament of the World's Religions brings together the world's religious and spiritual communities, their leaders and their followers to a gathering where peace, diversity and sustainability are discussed and explored in the context of interreligious understanding and cooperation.
This will be the worlds largest inter-faith gathering, with delegates from over 80 countries and with over 650 events scheduled to take place during the 7 days.
Support the parliament subjectively with the Cycle of Conferences, World Parliament visualization: http://www.lucistrust.org/en/cycle/cycle_resource/word/world_religions_visualisation
http://www.parliamentofreligions.org/index.cfm
December 5
International Volunteer Day for Economic & Social Development
A day to celebrate the goodwill energy radiated throughout the human family by volunteers. Every society in the world relies on a vast network of volunteers to bring the energies of heart into community.
Volunteer Day offers an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to make visible their contributions - at local, national and international levels - to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Over the years, rallies, parades, community volunteering projects, environmental awareness, free medical care and advocacy campaigns have all featured prominently on IVD.
This Year Volunteer day is tied with preparations for the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in a 'Volunteer for Our Planet' campaign.
In a world dominated by self, volunteers are catalysts in the generation of the selfless spirit. Volunteers bring soul into community. Because volunteers in human development and environment issues are, more often than not, acting from idealistic and altruistic motives they bring a spiritual force into their own communities and the communities they serve. In the process of serving others, volunteers become a source of inspiration. They help to create an atmosphere of hope and goodwill that can be the critical transforming factor in ending a cycle of poverty and despair.
Yet bringing soul into community is not only about inspiration and vision. It is about meeting the most basic human needs at all levels - physical as well as psychological. Volunteers play a crucial role in every area of life, in all parts of the world. Wherever people are in need, volunteers are at hand to assist. In times of disaster, governments turn to voluntary agencies for all manner of expertise and assistance. And volunteers are key agents in tackling the silent disasters and human tragedies associated with poverty, pollution, disease and conflict.
http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/intl-vol-day.html
http://sealthedeal2009.org/unv
December 7 - 18
United Nations Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark
This is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated and well reported global conference in human history. It marks a vital staging post in global negotiations towards a new economic order that seeks to prevent climate disaster and, in the process, brings human beings into a more balanced and harmonious relationship wih the earth and the rest of the natural world. A new civilisation is in process of emerging out of the climate change crisis.
Copenhagen may not be the place where a treaty or covention is defined - it will be a place where the nations and peoples of the world take important steps towards a treaty. It needs the energetic support of all who love humanity and the Earth.
Take time to explore the Copenhagen web sites, see the vast array of associated conferences and campaigns that will be held in Copenhagen. Please consider using the Cycle of Conferences, Earth Stewardship Visualisation during this significant international conference: http://www.lucistrust.org/cycle/
http://unfccc.int/2860.php
http://www.youtube.com/climateconference
http://www.sealthedeal2009.org/
December 9
International Anti-Corruption Day
Attitudes on corruption are changing. As recently as ten years ago, corruption was only whispered about. Today there are signs of growing intolerance toward corruption and more and more politicians and chief executives are being tried and convicted.
The United Nations Convention against Corruption - which entered into force in December 2005 - is both a cause and an effect of this trend. Its provisions are the most comprehensive, universal and even-handed measures for tackling this global challenge. The Convention subjects all the State Parties to the same scrutiny and sets clear rules to be applied equally to all.
http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/events/anti_corruption/index.html
http://www.transparency.org/
December 10
Human Rights Day
December 10
International Animal Rights Day
December 11
International Mountain Day
2009 theme: Disaster Risk Management in Mountains
International Mountain Day was first observed by the United Nations in 2003, and was a result of the global focus on mountains that emerged during the International Year of Mountains in 2002. The Day seeks to foster recognition of the vital role that mountains play in our lives, and the responsibility to protect mountain environments.
http://www.fao.org/mnts/intl_mountain_day_en.asp
December 11 - 13
Climate Change: Global Day of Action
Theme: The World Wants a Real Deal
On the middle weekend of the climate negotiations, the 11th to 13th of December, we will gather in every corner of the world for our next massive global day of action. Our message is clear: at the Copenhagen climate summit, the world wants a real deal! .
People like you will organize thousands of candlelight vigils, as well as marches, "signature walls", and other positive events over the entire weekend.
http://tcktcktck.org/realdeal
December 18
International Migrants Day
International Migrants Day was first celebrated in 2001. It is appropriate that in a new millennium there should be a special day to mark the contribution which migrants make to communities the world over.
Migrants contribute greatly to the sense of cultural diversity in modern societies, and to our appreciation of the oneness of the human spirit. They give us the experience of living in a global neighbourhood.
Yet migrants are often subject to discrimination and exploitation. In a world of unity in diversity all communities are challenged to ensure that migrants are treated with humanity and their rights respected.
http://www.december18.net; http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/events/migrants/index.html
December 20
International Human Solidarity Day
Convinced that the promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing was important for combating poverty, the General Assembly, in 2005, proclaimed 20 December as International Human Solidarity Day.
- It is to be observed as :
- A day to celebrate our unity in diversity
- A day to remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements
- A day to raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity
- A day to encourage debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals including poverty eradication
- A day of action to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.
Once we truly grasp that we are brothers and sisters in a common humanity, then we can shape our attitudes towards life in the light of the solidarity which makes us one. This is especially true in all that relates to the basic universal project: peace. - John Paul II.
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/social/intldays/IntSolidarity/index.html;
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