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 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 serious problems of poverty, inequality and climate change through practical actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030
- engaging people of goodwill all over the world in a common movement.
2023 United Nations International Years
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.
Please link in from wherever you are. More information at: http://www.spiritualcaucusun.org/
In June the Caucus will meet subjectively on June 15, 2.00 - 3.15pm. The physical meeting has been cancelled as a precautionary measure due to the Coronavirus. All are invited to link together for 30 minutes in mind and heart with a particular focus on supporting the UN during this difficult time.
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June Please Hold These Events in the Light
June 1
Global Day of Parents
2023 Theme: The power of parenting: raising happy, healthy and hopeful children
A Day to honor the role of parents. Families, parents and caregivers play a central role in child well-being and development. They offer identity, love, care, provision and protection to children and adolescents as well as economic security and stability. In keeping with the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, family and parenting support is increasingly recognized as an important part of national social policies and social investment packages aimed at reducing poverty, decreasing inequality and promoting positive parental and child well-being.
www.un.org
Acknowledging the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health, the UN General Assembly decided to declare 3 June World Bicycle Day.
It encouraged stakeholders to emphasize and advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people, promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance, mutual understanding and respect and facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace.
www.un.org
www.who.int/campaigns/
June 3
World Invocation Day - Festival of Humanity
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 Sustainable Development Goals will be met.
This is the third of three major spiritual festivals in the annual cycle of full moon festivals described by Alice Bailey (Easter - Wesak - and the Festival of Humanity). As well as being the Festival of Humanity and the Christ's own Festival, the day is celebrated as World Invocation Day when people of goodwill are encouraged to use the world prayer, the Great Invocation, to invoke universal qualities of Light Love and Spiritual Purpose. God's purpose for humanity, the divine Plan, works out as human beings respond, organically and often unconsciously, to these higher energies.
In a special World Invocation Day radio broadcast in 1952, Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of US President Franklin D Roosevelt, and one of the pioneering visionaries behind the universal Declaration of Human Rights, recorded the Great Invocation. Listen to this broadcast here. Watch a video of the Great Invocation in multiple languages; and a new World Invocation Day video from Lucis Trust.
www.worldinvocationday.org
www.lucistrust.org/
June 4
International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. This day affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of children.
Humanity is organising as never before to put children first in the process of building a better world, and this Day also celebrates the millions of individuals and organizations working to protect and preserve the rights of children. UNICEF devotes considerable resources to the protection of children and conducts annual surveys tracking progress in the rights of the child: We strive towards the day when nations will be judged not by their military or economic strength, nor by the splendour of their capital cities and public building, but by the well being of their children.
www.un.org/en/
violenceagainstchildren.un.org
June 4 - 11
Spirituality and Sustainability Conference, Rome & Assisi, Italy
This 10th annual conference of the Spirituality and Sustainability Global Network will include contemplative practices in sacred places, the sharing of spiritual practices, sharing efforts to promote transformational change, exploring collaborative opportunities, and supporting the work of young leaders.
earthcharter.org
spirituality-sustainability.net
June 5
World Environment Day
2023 Theme: #BeatPlasticPollution
Observed since 1972, World Environment Day (Earth Day) is "considered by many to be the most important event on the environmental calendar". UNEP reports that the Day "inspires action by governments, individuals, non-governmental organisations, community and youth groups, business, industry and the media to improve their environment, including clean-up campaigns, tree planting, street rallies, exhibitions, green concerts, essays, painting and photographic competitions, recycling efforts and much more".
World Environment Day 2023 is a reminder that people’s actions on plastic pollution matters. The steps governments and businesses are taking to tackle plastic pollution are the consequence of this action. It is time to accelerate this action and transition to a circular economy. It is time to #BeatPlasticPollution.
worldenvironmentday.global
June 5
International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
Fisheries provide a vital source of food, employment, recreation, trade and economic well-being for people throughout the world. In a world of growing population and persistent hunger, fish has emerged as an important commodity for the achievement of food security. However, efforts by the international community to ensure the sustainability of fisheries are being seriously compromised by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.
www.un.org/
www.fao.org
June 5 - 9
2nd United Nations Habitat Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya
2023 Theme: Achieving SDGs in times of global crises
Every four years, the 193 member states of the UN gather for the UN Habitat Assembly. The Assembly is responsible for the governance and activities of UN-Habitat and of UN policies in response to human settlements and urbanisation. Local authorities and other stakeholders are actively engaged in the Assembly proceedings.
unhabitat.org
World Cities Report 2022: The Future of Cities
June 7
World Food Saftey Day
2023 Theme: Food standards save lives.
Food standards provide guidance on hygienic food handling for farmers and processors. They define the maximum levels of additives, contaminants, residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs that can safely be consumed by all. Furthermore, standards specify how the food should be measured, packaged and transported to keep it safe. Thanks to the application of standards on things like nutrition and allergen labelling, consumers can know whether the food will be good for them.
The goal of activities during the day is to promote global food saftey awareness.
www.un.org/
www.fao.org
2023 Theme: Planet Ocean: tides are changing
Described as the world's largest celebration of the oceans, World Oceans Day recognizes the importance and significance of international cooperation in caring for the well-being and sustainable management of the oceans.
The ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth. ...
Yet the ocean is now in need of support. With 90% of big fish populations depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. We need to work together to create a new balance with the ocean that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life.
www.un.org/
www.worldoceansday.org
June 12
World Day Against Child Labour
2023 theme: Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!
Significant progress towards ending child labour requires increased investment in universal social protection systems, as part of an integrated and comprehensive approach to tackle the problem.
www.ilo.org/
www.un.org/en/events/
June 13
International Albinism Awareness Day
Albinism is an inherited genetic condition impacting melanin production that affects up to 1 in every 1,000 people in Africa. Most people with albinism have white or pale skin, redish to blond hair, low vision eye conditions, and are extremely sensitive to the sun. Those affected by albinism have a high incidence of skin cancers, and suffer significant discrimination.
www.un.org/en/events/
albinism.ohchr.org
June 14
World Blood Donor Day - WHO
Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The event serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need.
www.who.int/
June 15
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than double, from 542 million in 1995 to about 1.2 billion in 2025. Around 4 to 6% of elderly people have experienced some form of maltreatment at home. Elder maltreatment can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences. The incidence of abuse towards older people is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations.
www.un.org
June 16
International Day of Family Remittances
2023 Theme: Digital remittances towards
financial inclusion and cost reduction
The day recognizes the contribution of over 200 million migrants to improve the lives of their 800 million family members back home, and to create a future of hope for their children. Half of these flows go to rural areas, where poverty and hunger are concentrated, and where remittances count the most.
familyremittances.org
www.un.org/en/events/
June 17
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
2023 Theme: Her land. Her rights.
Land has been an overlooked component in sustainable development for years. The UN reports that 52% of the land used for agriculture is moderately or severely affected by soil degradation. 12 million hectares are lost every year as a result of drought and desertification.
This year, the theme of the International Day Against Desertification, and Drought emphasizes that investing in women’s equal access to land and associated assets is a direct investment in their future and the future of humanity. It's time for women and girls to be at the forefront of global land restoration and drought resilience efforts.
www.unccd.int/
www.un.org
June 18 - 25
World Unity Week
2023 theme: New Earth Rising
World Unity Week, a series of online events from hundreds of civil society groups across the planet is an online 8-day event embracing the mid-year Solstice, Yoga Day, UN Refugee Day and a vast array of interconnected global content.
This year's Week begins 99 days of programmes celebrating 'Peace through Unity' and building towards Peace Week, centered around the UN International Day of Peace on September 21.
Peace doesn’t just mean Peace on Earth but just as importantly Peace with Earth as we reconcile our place within Nature and reestablish right relations with the “foundations of Life”.
worldunityweek.org
June 18
Sustainable Gastronomy Day
In November 2016 the UN General Assembly asked UNESCO and the FAO to coordinate global celebrations of Sustainable Gastronomy Day as a contribution to achievement of the SDGs. The decision acknowledges gastronomy as a cultural expression related to the natural and cultural diversity of the world. It also reaffirms that all cultures and civilizations are contributors and crucial enablers of sustainable development.
Sustainable Food production has become a major driving force in efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It includes the UN Development Program's Conscious Food Systems Alliance, a movement of food, agriculture, and consciousness practitioners, convened by UNDP, and united around a common goal: to support people from across food and agriculture systems to cultivate the inner capacities that activate systemic change and regeneration.
www.un.org/
UNESCO - Creative Cities of Gastronomy
FAO - Sustainable Food & Agriculture
June 18
International Day for Countering Hate Speech
In July 2021, the UN General Assembly highlighted global concerns over “the exponential spread and proliferation of hate speech” around the world and adopted a resolution on “promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech”.The resolution recognizes the need to counter discrimination, xenophobia and hate speech and calls on all relevant actors, including States, to increase their efforts to address this phenomenon, in line with international human rights law.
In observation of the Day, the UN invites governments, social organizations and all concerned citizens to hold events and initiatives promoting strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech.
www.un.org/
June 19
International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
In 2008 the UN Security Council condemned sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peacebuilding. This Day seeks to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence, to honour the victims and survivors of sexual violence around the world and to pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted their lives to and lost their lives in standing up for the eradication of these crimes.
www.un.org/
UN Office on Sexual Violence in Conflict
www.stoprapenow.org
June 20
World Refugee Day
2023 theme: hope away from home.
A day to reflect on the scope of the refugee problem (there are nearly 20 million refugees under the care of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and nearly 60 million people are displaced worldwide); the immense personal, family and community suffering experienced by refugees; and the opportunities which the refugee crisis presents all peoples to act on their sense of interdependence and compassion.
www.unhcr.org/refugeeday/
www.un.org/en/events/
June 20
World Localization Day
A celebration of the emerging worldwide localization movement which aims to restore the community fabric and human-scale, ecological economies, with a central focus on local food systems. Online events will be held in honor of the day throughout the month of June.
worldlocalizationday.org
June 21
International Day of Yoga
In December, 2014 the UN General Assembly unanimously voted to declare June 21st International Day of Yoga. Proposing the Day during his address to the General Assembly, Indian President, Narendra Modi commented: Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change.
www.un.org/en/events/
www.facebook.com/YogaDayCommittee/
June 21
International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice
Mindful that the solstices and equinoxes symbolize the fertility of the land, agricultural and food production systems, cultural heritage and their millenary traditions; the General Assembly of the United Nations acknowledged that the celebration of those events is an embodiment of the unity of the cultural heritage and centuries-long traditions, and further play a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples on the basis of mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good-neighborliness. It, therefore, recognized 21 June as the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice.
www.un.org/en/events/
June 23
United Nations Public Service Day
The UN Public Service Day celebrates the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlights the contribution of public service in the development process; recognizes the work of public servants, and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector.
www.un.org/en/
June 23
International Widows’ Day
To give special recognition to the situation of widows of all ages and across regions and cultures, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe International Widows’ Day on 23 June each year through its resolution A/RES/65/189 adopted on 21 December 2010.
The abuse of widows and their children constitutes one of the most serious violations of human rights and obstacles to development today. Millions of the world’s widows endure extreme poverty, ostracism, violence, homelessness, ill health and discrimination in law and custom.
www.un.org/en/
June 26
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
2023 Theme: People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention
A day to focus on the global campaign against drug abuse and the criminal trade in drugs.
www.un.org/en/
www.unodc.org/
June 26
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
This Day is widely observed as a focal point for a global campaign to eradicate torture. The campaign is co-ordinated by the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. On this day events will be held all over the world in support of victims of torture.
In most cases the crime of torture is commited with impunity - no one is prosecuted or punished.
www.irct.org/
www.un.org/en/
June 27
Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
A day to encourage governments to increase awareness of and suport for small businesses that employ less than 250 people and provide the largest source of employment in all countries, particularly developing countries.
www.un.org/en/
June 29
International Day of the Tropics
The Tropics account for 40 per cent of the world’s total surface area and are host to approximately 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and much of its language and cultural diversity. The tropical region faces a number of challenges such as climate change, deforestation, logging, urbanisation and demographic changes.
www.un.org/en/
state-of-the-tropics
June 30
International Asteroid Day
In December 2016 the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/71/90, declaring 30 June International Asteroid Day in order to "observe each year at the international level the anniversary of the Tunguska impact over Siberia, Russian Federation, on 30 June 1908, and to raise public awareness about the asteroid impact hazard."
www.un.org/en/
June 30
International Day of Parliamentarism
Strong parliaments are a corner-stone of democracy. This Day celebrates parliaments and the ways in which parliamentary systems of government improve the day-to-day lives of people the world over. It is also an opportunity for parliaments to take stock, identify challenges, and ways to address them effectively.
www.un.org/en/
www.ipu.org
International Parliaments
Global Assembly
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