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 May the Spiritual Caucus invites all to link subjectively on Thursday, 1st, 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, May 15 at 1.15 PM EDT.
|
|
|
May Please Hold These Events in the Light
May 1
May Day / International Worker's Day / Labour Day / Beltane
May 1st, traditionally a holiday in many parts of the world, celebrates the achievements of the labour movement in improving the conditions and rights of all working people. The day is also widely observed in the Northern Hemisphere in celebration of the coming of Spring and as the Beltane Festival of the Celtic tradition.
wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day
wikipedia.org/wiki/InternationalWorkersDay
The vision behind this Day, which has been organized every year since 2004 by the Love Foundation, is to unite one and all in a celebration of love and compassion. We honor each May 1st as a symbolic day of unconditional love and call upon all people and all nations to gather together in the wisdom of peace and love.
www.thelovefoundation.com/globalloveday
May 3
World Press Freedom Day
2014 theme: Media Freedom for a Better Future:
Shaping the Post-2015 Development Agenda
It is easy for those of us who live in liberal democracies to take a relatively free press for granted. Freedom of the press expressing a wide diversity of opinions and voices is essential to the health of a community. Reporters Without Borders document the many areas of the world in which journalists are far from free.
Celebrations of the Day around the world include presentation of an annual UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize
This years theme concentrates on three major areas: the media’s importance in development; the safety of journalists and the rule of law; and the sustainability and integrity of journalism. An international conference will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 5-6 May.
www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/
www.un.org/en/events/pressfreedomday/
May 4
International Permaculture Day
2014 theme: Reclaiming Food Freedom
Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human environments. It is about designing households and communities that are productive, sustaining and largely self reliant and have minimal impact on the environment.
Permaculture Day has been widely celebrated as a National day with local community events across Australia for a number of years. It is now beginning to be observed by communities around the world. This year events are listed in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Permaculture Day is held on the first Sunday of May.
www.facebook.com/PermacultureDay
May 5 - 9
Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations, New York - 11th Session
Focus of attention at the United Nations is on discussions to prepare a new set of Sustainable Development Goals for the human community. The plan is for these goals to be aspirational and easy to communicate - goals that can inspire people of goodwill in all parts of the world with a vision of achievable future possibilities. Nothing like the level of dialogue and noegotiation surrounding the birth of these new SDG's has ever happened before - in the history of the UN, or in human history. So it is worth paying attention. Discussions center around 16 focus areas - from 'Poverty eradication, building shared prosperity
and promoting equality' to 'Peaceful and inclusive societies, rule of law and
capable institutions'.
Follow the compilation of goals under consideration so far in this Working Group of the General Assembly.
sustainabledevelopment.un.org/
May 10
World Fair Trade Day
2014 theme: Fair Trade People
Fair Trade Day is a worldwide festival of events celebrating Fair Trade as a tangible contribution to the fight against poverty, climate change and the economic crisis that has the greatest impact on the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Fair Trade People are the producers and consumers of trade. Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.
Fair Trade Day events will be held in more than 70 countries. The Day is organized by the members of the World Fair Trade Organizations
www.wfto.com
May 10 - 11
World Migratory Bird Day
Theme for 2014: Destination Flyways: Migratory Birds and Tourism
World Migratory Bird Day is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. On the second weekend each May, people around the world take action and organise public events such as bird festivals, education programmes and birdwatching excursions to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day.
The 2014 theme highlights the links between migratory bird conservation, local community development and wildlife watching tourism around the world.
www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/
May 12 - 23
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN HQ, New York
The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), established at the promptings of indigenous peoples, is a high-level UN body charged to advise the Economic and Social Council on all matters dealing with indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights. Annual meetings of the Forum provide a focal point for discussion of indigenous peoples issues at the UN - they are attended by representatives of large numbers of indigenous peoples groups from around the world who also meet together in a Global Caucus, a Womens Caucus and a Youth Caucus. During the Forum there is a strong presence of Indigenous Peoples at UN Headquarters.
social.un.org/index/IndigenousPeoples.aspx
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.
Wesak is a special full moon - celebrated widely around the world by Buddhists and the second of three major spiritual festivals in the annual cycle of full moon festivals described by Alice Bailey (Easter - Wesak and the Festival of Humanity). From the Bailey perspective, Wesak marks the high point of the spiritual year. At the United Nations Vesak Day is honored in the UN Calendar with special events held at some UN offices in the Buddhist region. In 2013 Ban Ki moon's Vesak message concluded by offering: my sincerest hopes that we may all draw on spiritual ideals to strengthen our resolve to improve our world.
www.un.org/en/events/vesakday/
www.wesakfestival.org
May 15
International Day of Families
2014 theme: Families Matter for the Achievement of Development Goals; International Year of the Family + 20
International Day of Families highlights the importance of families as basic units of society and provides an opportunity for governments, organizations and individuals to promote understanding of the problems, strengths and needs of families.
This years theme draws attention to the twentieth anniversay of the International Year of the Family, celebrated by the UN in 1994.In preparation for the anniversary, the following major development themes have become a focus:
- Confronting family poverty and social exclusion
- Ensuring work-family balance
- Advancing social integration and intergenerational solidarity within families and communities
undesadspd.org/Family.aspx
May 16-17
Global Elementary Model United Nations, Dallas, TX, USA
Every year since 1990 Elementary and Middle School children from several countries participate in this unique Model United Nations, role playing different governments in response to various issues before the UN General Assembly and the governing bodies of different UN Agencies. Over the years more than 6,000 children have taken part. Model United Nations are common around the world at high school level - elementary and middle or intermediate school programs are not so common.
GEMUN is an excellent hands-on approach to learning in a global context. By role-playing delegates to the United Nations, young people from varied backgrounds learn about other countries, cultures and international relationships, while developing a global perspective on real issues confronting the world community today, and acquiring many transferable skills.
www.unol.org/gemun/
May 17
World Telecommunication & Information Society Day
2014 theme: Broadband for Sustainable Development
This is a day to reflect on information and communications technology (ICT) which is linking people the world over, as Peter Russell says, in much the same way as are the billions of cells in our own brain. The Day aims to raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other ICTs can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide between rich and poor.
www.itu.int/en/wtisd
May 21
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
An international Day to mark the important role that dialogue between different cultures plays in the overall development of society. A new global consciousness is in process of emerging. While human unity and the oneness of life are greatly valued; the immense diversity of human cultures is also held in high esteem.
Following the events of 11 September 2001, the 185 member states of UNESCO unanimously adopted the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. The Declaration reflects the conviction that respect for cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue is one of the surest guarantees of development and peace.
Check out the Facebook page for the Day provided by the UN Alliance of Civilisations and UNESCO: Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion.
www.un.org/en/events/culturaldiversityday/
May 22
International day for Biological Diversity
2014 theme: Island Biodiversity
The day marks the date of adoption of the Convention on Biodiversity, and focuses on actions being taken by nations and communities to conserve and protect the fragile eco-system of the planet.
Islands and the marine shores that surround them form unique ecosystems which have been referred to as irreplaceable treasures. One tenth of the world's population live on small islands and these ecosystems are key to their livelihood, economy, well-being and cultural identity. This year is being observed by the United Nations as International Year of Small Island Developing States. Read Why Island Biodiversity is important.
www.cbd.int/idb/2014/
May 28 - 29
Social Innovation Summit, (May 29 at United Nations Headquarters, New York)
The Social Innovation Summit is a private forum, jointly organized by the United Nations Office of Partnerships, to explore "What's Next?" in the world of Social Innovation. Participants include Corporate Executives, Government Leaders, Investors, Foundation Heads and Social Entrepreneurs eager to discuss social challenges, analyze innovative approaches and build lasting partnerships that enable them and their organizations to affect positive social change.
www.socinnovation.com
May 29
International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
A Day to honour the men and women serving in UN peacekeeping duties. A new role is emerging for the military in all nations: peacekeeping in times of heightened tension. Check out the UN website for the Day to deepen your understanding of the UN's peacekeeping activities.
www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/
www.un.org/en/events/peacekeepersday
May 31
World No-Tobacco Day
2014 theme: Raise taxes on tobacco
Since May 1999, the World Health Organisation has been co-ordinating an international political process inspired by the idea that every tobacco related death is preventable. Tobacco use is one of the leading preventable causes of death. The global tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year, of which more than 600,000 are people exposed to second-hand smoke.
The WHO (World Health Organization) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control which came into force in 2005 has become one of the most widely embraced treaties in UN history with over 170 parties.
www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/en/
|
|
