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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 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.
2025 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 12:30 – 1:00 pm. We spend 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 May you are invited to gather in the UN Meditation Room for 10 - 30 minutes from 12.30 on May 1, and to join an online virtual gathering, including 30 minutes of silence, on Thursday, May 15, from 2.00- 3.15 pm EDT with a particular focus on supporting the UN. Write for details to info@spiritualcaucusun.org.
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May Please Hold These Events in the Light
May 1
May Day / International Worker's Day / Labour Day / Beltane
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/
First observed in 2017, the Day aims to raise awareness of the need for conservation management to ensure the survival of Tuna fish in the wild. Many countries depend heavily on tuna resources for food security and nutrition, economic development, employment, government revenue, livelihoods, culture and recreation.
Between 2014 and 2019 sites where tuna were overfished significantly declined as a result of action by the Common Oceans ABNJ Program.
www.un.org/
fao.org/
May 2 - 4
Rethinking Religion in an Age of Science: From Institution to Evolution
The annual conference of the Center for Christogenesis this year aims to suture the relationship between religion and spirituality by relocating religion at the heart of cosmic life. ... Teilhard de Chardin realized that religion is essential to the direction of evolution. We will explore how a renewed sense of religion in evolution can reinvigorate planetary life, especially in an age of technology.
Drawing on the philosophy of Teilhard de Chardin, the Center for Christogenesis was founded by Ilia Delio. One of the Center's goals is to Enkindle an awareness of love as the core energy of the universe, the impulse of evolution.
christogenesis.org
May 3
World Press Freedom Day
2025 Theme: Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.
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
AI is transforming journalism, providing tools that enhance investigative reporting, content creation, and fact-checking. It allows for greater efficiency, multilingual accessibility, and improved data analysis. However, these advancements also bring risks: AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfake technology, biased content moderation, and surveillance threats to journalists. Additionally, AI's role in the media business model raises concerns about fair remuneration for journalistic content and media viability.
UNESCO's major conference on Press Freedom will be held in Brussels, Belgium on May 7.
en.unesco.org
www.un.org/
May 4
International Permaculture Day
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.
International Permaculture Day, now in its fifteenth year, is observed in over 35 countries on the first Sunday in May. It is a day of celebration and action for permaculture around the world.
www.permacultureday.org
May 4 - 10
International Compost Awareness Week
May 5 - 9
UN Forum on Forests, 19th Session, UN HQ, New York
The Forum on Forests was established by the UN Economic and Social Council in 2000 with a main objective to promote "the management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests and to strengthen long-term political commitment to this end…".All member states are part of the Forum. In 2017 a Strategic Plan for the sustainable management of forests was established with Six Global Goals.
www.un.org
May 7 - 8
Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs, UN HQ, New York
2025 Theme: Advancing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based, science and technology solutions and innovations for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind.
This Tenth annual STI Forum will be closely aligned, as in previous years, with the
High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development to take place in July.
sdgs.un.org
May 10
International Day of Argania
The argan tree (Argania spinosa) is a native species of the sub-Saharan region of Morocco, in the southwest of the country, which grows in arid and semiarid areas. It’s the defining species of a woodland ecosystem, also known as Arganeraie, which is rich in endemic flora. It is resilient to a harsh environment under water scarcity, risk of erosion and poor soils.
Argan oil is extracted from the seeds of the tree. It has multiple applications, especially in traditional and complementary medicine as well as in cooking and cosmetics. The unique region, where argan trees have been cultivated for centuries combines agricultural biodiversity, resilient ecosystems and valuable cultural heritage. This International Day has been declared to promote the protection and recognition of the tree and eco-system.
www.un.org/
May 11
World Fair Trade Day
2024 theme: Be the voice of the #BusinessRevolution!
The World Fair Trade Day is an initiative of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) that takes place on the second Saturday of May of each year. It is an inclusive worldwide festival of events celebrating Fair Trade as a tangible contribution to sustainable development, especially the economic empowerment of small producers, gender equality in workplaces and responsible production practices.
#BusinessRevolution is the global campaign launched by WFTO to advocate for a new economy populated by businesses that have a positive impact on people and planet.
wfto.com/
May 10
World Migratory Bird Day
2025 theme: Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-friendly Cities and Communities
World Migratory Bird Day is an annual awareness-raising campaign by the UN Environment Program highlighting the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats. On the second Saturday each May and October, 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 2025 campaign highlights the need for a healthy coexistence between humans and birds. It will focus on creating and adapting environments that support migratory bird populations across all communities, from bustling cities to smaller towns and communities. There are actions everyone can take to protect our shared spaces with wildlife.
www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/
May 12
International Day of Plant Health
2025 Theme: The importance of plant health in One Health
The United Nations designated 12 May the International Day of Plant Health (IDPH) to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and the environment, and boost economic development.
www.fao.org/
May 12
United Nations Vesak Day
Vesak is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C., that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his eightieth year passed away.
Since 1999, following a decision by the General Assembly, the United Nations has observed Vesak on the May Full Moon as an acknowledgement of the contribution which Buddhism continues to play to the spirituality of humanity. A special event is held at UN Headquarters in New York, and at selected UN offices.
The Buddha's message of compassion is timeless. In our interconnected world, there can be no peace as long as others are in peril; no security as long as others suffer deprivation; no sustainable future until all members of our human family enjoy their human rights. On this Day of Vesak, let us celebrate the wisdom of Lord Buddha by taking action for others with a strong spirit of solidarity. António Guterres, Secretary-General.
www.un.org/
May 12
Wesak Festival; Taurus Full Moon
Generally known as the Festival of the Buddha, the Ageless Wisdom considers Wesak to be the highpoint of the spiritual year when forces of enlightenment associated with the Buddha pour into the planet.
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.
www.wesakfestival.org
www.lucistrust.org
May 15
International Day of Families
2025 theme: Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development: Towards the Second World Summit for Social Development 2025.
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.
The Second World Summit for Social Development to be held in November 2025 in Doha,Qatar is taking place amidst global challenges and only five years before the end date of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development....it is imperative that family-oriented policies effectively respond to the numerous challenges faced by families in a rapidly changing world impacted by megatrends.
www.un.org
social.desa.un.org/
May 16
International Day of Light
2025 Theme: Light, Innovation, Society.
The International Day of Light is a global initiative that provides an annual focal point for the continued appreciation of light and the role it plays in science, culture and art, education, and sustainable development, and in fields as diverse as medicine, communications, and energy. The broad theme of light will allow many different sectors of society worldwide to participate in activities that demonstrates how science, technology, art and culture can help achieve the goals of UNESCO – education, equality, and peace.
en.unesco.org/
www.lightday.org
May 16
International Day of Living Together in Peace
In 2018 the UN first observed this annual Day. Particularly through programs on the Culture of Peace, the UN is constantly seeking to mobilize efforts of the international community to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity. The Day aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, in order to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity and harmony.
www.un.org
May 16 - 17
Global Elementary Model United Nations, Dallas, TX, USA
Every year since 1990 Elementary and Middle School children from several countries have participated 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.org
May 17
World Telecommunication & Information Society Day
2025 theme: Gender Equality in Digital Transformation.
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
May 18 - 21
The Education World Forum, London, UK
2025 theme: From stability to growth: Building stronger, bolder, better education together
The Education World Forum is the world's largest gathering of education and skills ministers. It comprises three days of insight and inspiration from pioneers, policymakers, and experts, with many sessions given by education ministers themselves as part of an honest assessment of education's common issues and challenges.
www.theewf.org
2025 FAO Theme: Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all
Every year on this day, the attention of the global public will be drawn to the importance of preserving bees and other pollinators. People will be reminded of the importance of bees for the entire humanity and invited to take concrete action to preserve and protect them. Proposed by Slovenia, the resolution was co-sponsored by 115 UN Member States, including the USA, Canada, China, the Russian Federation, India, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and all the European Union Member States.
The 2025 theme will shine light on the vital roles of bees and other pollinators in ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and food security and nutrition.
www.worldbeeday.org
time.com
www.fao.org
May 21
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
This UN day marks 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.
www.un.org
www.unesco.org
May 21
International Tea Day
Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, after water…. Tea production and processing constitutes a main source of livelihoods for millions of families in developing countries and is the main means of subsistence for millions of poor families, who live in a number of least developed countries.
This UN day aims to foster collective actions to implement activities in favour of the sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise awareness of its importance in fighting hunger and poverty.
www.un.org
www.fao.org/
rimpochatea.com
May 22
International Day for Biological Diversity
2025 Theme: Harmony with nature and sustainable development
The International Day for Biological Diversity has gained global prominence through the efforts of the United Nations, governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, non-governmental organizations and concerned individuals. Each has highlighted their innovative solutions to the biodiversity crisis to the forefront of global conversations on sustainable development.
In December 2022, the world came together and agreed on a global plan to transform our relationship with nature. The adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework , also known as The Biodiversity Plan, sets 23 targets for 2030 and 5 global goals for 2050 to stop and reverse the loss of nature in 25 years. Among its goals: restore 20% of degraded ecosystems and reduce the introduction or settlement of invasive alien species by 50%.
This International Day for Biological Diversity, under the theme “Harmony with nature and sustainable development”, highlights how this plan for nature connects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showing that both agendas must advance together as they support one another.
www.un.org/en/events/
www.cbd.int
May 23
International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
2025 Theme: Breaking the Cycle: Preventing Fistula Worldwide
Obstetric fistula, one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during childbirth, is preventable. A hole forms between the birth canal and bladder or rectum, caused by prolonged, obstructed labour without access to timely, high-quality medical treatment. It can largely be avoided by delaying the age of first pregnancy; the cessation of harmful traditional practices; and timely access to obstetric care.
www.un.org
www.endfistula.org
May 28 - June 1
Finding Wholeness for an Integral Age, Integral European Conference, Siófok, Hungary
The International Integral European Conference (IEC) is a transformative event every two years on the European continent. More than just a conference, IEC is a dynamic hub where global integral collaborations ignite, catalyzing innovative ideas, partnerships, and personal growth. Rooted in integral principles, IEC fosters a vibrant community dedicated to evolving human potential and deepening our collective understanding of the world. Ken Wlber's Integral Theory provides the shared reference point for the gathering, and other approaches of integral consciousness are also welcome.
integraleuropeanconference.com
May 29
International Day of UN Peacekeepers
A Day to honour those 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.
peacekeeping.un.org
www.un.org/en/events/
May 29 - June 1
High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Organised by the Government of Tajikistan and with the support of the United Nations the conference forms an important part of the UN's observation of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation.
The Conference will serve as a platform to advance global efforts in climate adaptation and resilience, with a specific focus on addressing glacial melting. The event and its strategic collaborations aim to foster greater awareness and knowledge exchange, enhance technical capacities, and promote the dissemination of best practices. It will emphasize climate-responsive and transformative solutions, adopting an integrated and transboundary approach to mitigate the adverse impacts of glacial melting on water security, food security, and community resilience.
www.un-glaciers.org
dushanbeicgp2025.com
May 31
World No-Tobacco Day
2024 Theme: Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products.
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 180 parties.
www.who.int
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