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.
A new world is in process of being born. The conferences and events featured here are one important part of the transformation that is taking place in the way we think about the future, plan for the future and act to bring that future into the present.
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 September the Spiritual Caucus will not be meeting physically because of high security around the UN Headquarters during the Opening of the General Assembly Session.
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September Please Hold These Events in the Light
August 31 - September 5
World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden
Theme 2014: Energy – Water
World Water Week, which has been held every year in Stockholm since 1991, is the major event in the life of humanity when water and our relationships with water are held in the light. Over 200 organisations will be convening events during the week in Stockholm and people from every corner of the planet will be present.
Over the next 30 years, food and energy demands are expected to increase dramatically. We will however, depend on the same finite and vulnerable water resources for sustaining life, economic growth and our environment as we do today.… The "water, energy and food security nexus", underpinning the green growth approach, will be central to the agenda.
www.worldwaterweek.org/
August 31 - September 4
Twelth Annual Globalisation for the Common Good Initiative Conference, Oxford, UK
Theme: Spiritual Wisdom in Everyday Life
This year the GCGI annual conference will include the second Joint Summit with the School of Economic Science. In this time of turbulence and uneasiness, people’s hearts are surrounded by anxiety and uncertainty. Through collective efforts, the inner calling for kindness and goodness will be awakened and we will construct a world with harmony and stability for the common good.
gcgi.info/
September 1 - 4
UN Conference on Small Island Developing States, Apia, Samoa
Theme: The sustainable development of small island developing States through genuine and durable partnerships
The Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States will focus the world's attention on a group of 39 countries that remain a special case for sustainable development in view of their unique and particular vulnerabilities. Due to their small size, their geographic isolation, their extreme sensitivity to climate change and sea level rise, and their vulnerability to natural and environmental disasters these island states face severe and complex difficulties in pursuit of sustainable development.
www.sids2014.org/
September 5
International Day of Charity
Honoring the date of Mother Theresa's death, the United Nations General Assembly has designated September 5th as International Day of Charity.
Affirming the role of charity in furthering the culture of peace the Day seeks to draw attention to the value of charitable organizations. The day is dedicated to commemorate the common desire to help the most disadvantaged members of society and to promote charitable activities around the world. Charity, like the notions of volunteerism and philanthropy, provides real social bonding and contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies.
www.un.org/en/events/charityday/
www.facebook.com/dayofcharity
September 8 - 9
Full Moon - Virgo
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.
www.lucistrust.org
www.worldservicegroup.com/
September 8
International Literacy Day
This special UNESCO Day celebrates one of the most basic movements in the education and uplift of consciousness: the movement to promote support and teach adult literacy programs. Large numbers of professionals and volunteers work in every country helping adults in their efforts to learn to read and write.
Literacy contributes to peace as it brings people closer to attaining individual freedoms and better understanding the world, as well as preventing or resolving conflict. More
www.unesco.org
September 9
Third UN High Level Forum on the Culture of Peace, UN Headquarters, New York
Organized by the President of the General Assembly in cooperation with the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace, this third High Level Forum provides an opportunity for UN member states, UN agencies, media and civil society to consider ways and means of implementing the UN Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace. People of goodwill are invited to register to attend this all-day program which will include presentations by the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Nobel Peace Laureate Ms Leymah Gbowee and panel discussions on the role of women and youth in promoting a global Culture of Peace and Global Citizenship as a pathway to the Culture of Peace. The Forum can be watched live at webtv.un.org
www.gmcop.org/creating-together/
www.un.org/en/ga/president/68/events/
September 9
United Nations Global Compact,Consultative Meeting With Industry &Trade Associations, UN Headquarters, New York
Industry groups and trade associations play an important role in advancing sustainable development by promoting corporate sustainability among members and supporting policies that further sustainable development objectives. The Global Compact Consultative Meeting with Industry Associations will provide a venue for global and national industry associations to come together to review industry progress on the promotion of corporate sustainability and discuss emerging sustainable development issues that are relevant to the business and industry sector.
www.unglobalcompact.org/NewsAndEvents/
September 10
World Suicide Prevention Day
2014 theme: Suicide Prevention: One World Connected
Supported by the World Health Organization, this annual Day promotes worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. Every year, over 800,000 people die from suicide; this roughly corresponds to one death every 40 seconds. The number of lives lost each year through suicide exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined.
www.iasp.info
September 10 - 12
UN General Assembly High Level Stocktaking Event on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, UN Headquarters, New York
The United Nations system is gearing up to the negotiating phase when goals, targets and methods of achieving the targets for the post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda will be finalised in preparation for a Heads of State Summit in 2015 when the Goals will be defined and launched. A series of processes have been underway in the UN system, involving governments, experts, civil society, business etc and this Event will summarize emerging conclusions, highlight areas to be negotiated and possibilities for fresh inputs for the forthcoming Secretary-Generals Synthesis Report. Non-government groups meet on the 10th for interaction with the President of the General Assembly and on September 11-12 governments meet.
http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/68/
www.un.org/en/ga/president/68/
September 15
International Day of Democracy
2014 theme: Engaging Young People On Democracy
This United Nations Day highlights the state of democracy in the world.
Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.
www.un.org/en/events/
www.ipu.org/idd/
September 16
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
2014 theme: Ozone Layer Protection: The Mission Goes On
The Montreal Protocol on Preservation of the Ozone Layer (signed on September 16, 1987) is one of the great successes of modern international action to protect the environment. Following the Protocol treaty nations and companies acted with determination to replace ozone destroying gases from commercial products such as spray cans.
This is a Day to celebrate humanity’s ability to work together for a common cause and is a model for climate change agreements.
www.un.org/en/events/ozoneday/
montreal-protocol.org/
www.facebook.com/my.ozone.day
September 16
United Nations General Assembly 69th Session opens with a Minute of Silence
Every year the annual session of the General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York opens with a Minute of Silent Prayer or Meditation. The General Assembly is the one place where representatives of all 193 member states of the UN have the opportunity to take part in deliberation and policy making on global issues. The Minute of Silence is an important symbolic moment in UN affairs, when according to the Rules of Procedure, members are invited to stand to observe one minute of meditation or prayer.
Following the ceremonial opening of the session, the General Debate takes place over a number of days (starting September 24) when Heads of State from many of the member countries address the Assembly.The period surrounding the opening of the General Assembly marks a high point in international affairs every year because heads of state from many of the countries of the world are in New York City and a wide variety of other events are held.
Explore the function and purpose of the General Assembly at: www.un.org/ga/
September 19 - 21
Clean Up the World Weekend
2014 theme: Our Place. Our Planet. Our Responsibility
Groups, organisations, schools and businesses from communities around the world unite on Clean Up the World Weekend to take action at a local level to address global environmental issues. An estimated 35 million volunteers participate in this annual weekend of activities.
Clean Up activities include tree planting, cleaning parks or beaches, conserving water or running environmental awareness-raising and education initiatives.
www.cleanuptheworld.org
September 19 - 21
Interdependence Day Forum / Global Parliament of Mayors, Amsterdam, Netherlands
This is the 12th annual Interdependence Day Forum, held in different cities around the world each year. The Forum will feature a major planning meeting for the establishment of a Global Parliament of Mayors hosted by the mayors of the Dutch cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague.
Read the Declaration of Interdependence, beginning with the affirmation: We the people of the world do herewith declare our interdependence as individuals and members of distinct communities and nations. And sign the Declaration online More
www.i-movement.org
September 20 - 21
Earthdance Global Peace Party - Prayer for Peace
Earthdance coordinates the annual Global Peace Party, a multi-location charity event in alignment with the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21. All events support local charities. More than an entertainment event, Earthdance is an international network of communities coming together locally and connecting globally to deliver real solutions for peace, sustainability, and social justice.
The highlight of the Earthdance Global Peace Party is a sychronized link-up, when every event around the world plays the Prayer for Peace music track at the same time. The link-up takes place at midnight, 00:00 GMT, on the morning of Sunday September 21.The Prayer for Peace is a moment of deep reflection and connection, and a powerful affirmation that unifies our intentions for peace, on all levels.
www.earthdance.org
September 21
International Day of Peace
2014 theme: Right of Peoples to Peace
UN Peace Day has come to be widely observed around the world with citizens undertaking a huge variety of local actions for peace including interfaith prayers, meditations and minutes of silence. At UN Headquarters, an annual ceremony is held during which the Secretary General ceremonially rings the Peace Bell and calls on the people of the world to observe a minute of silence at 12 noon. The day is celebrated by the UN as a day of non-violence and cease fire, inviting all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.
This year the Day will also be observed in New York City with a massive People's Climate March in preparation for the Climate Summit at the UN on September 23. Reflecting widespread engagment this aims to be the largest climate march in history, with solidarity events around the world. peoplesclimate.org.
Events organized around the world on the day include festivals, concerts, a global Peace Wave with moments of silence at noon in every time zone and countless local activities. Special talks by leading peace builders from around the world are available now from the Summer of Peace 2014 initiative. On September 19, the Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York City will be hosting a special reception honouring the International Day of Peace and celebrating the Evolution of Consciousness with an exhibition of paintings by Marika Popovits.
Meditation Vigils and inter faith events are being organized around the world for Peace Day. A network of groups including the Gaiafield Project (linking subtle activists for collective healing and social change), Pathways to Peace, Peace OneDay, HeartMath, Center for Visionary Leadership and Summer for Peace is coordinating Be the Peace, a global synchronized meditation and prayer for peace at 12 AM, 12 noon and 12 midnight GMT. Last year meditations were held in 564 cities around the world - this year the goal is 1000 cities. A global 24 hour Vigil will again be organized by Intuition in Service, using the Great Invocation or another world prayer every 15 minutes. To find out more and register for the Vigil visit: http://www.meditationvigil.org. Registration will be available from September 7.
www.internationaldayofpeace.org
www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/
September 21-22
Social Good Summit, New York, USA
The Social Good Summit is a two-day conference examining the impact of technology and new media on social good initiatives around the world. Held in New York, while heads of state and others are gathered for the opening of the UN General Assembly, the Summit unites a dynamic community of global leaders to discuss a big idea: the power of innovative thinking and technology to solve our greatest challenges. The most innovative technologists, influential minds and passionate activists will come together with one shared goal: to unlock the potential of new media and technology to make the world a better place, and then to translate that potential into action.
September 21 - 24
Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, New York, USA
2014 theme: Reimagining Impact
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, CGI convenes a community of global leaders to forge solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. The meeting takes advantage of the number of world leaders gathered in New York for the General Debate of the UN General Assembly
www.clintonglobalinitiative.org
September 22
Special Sesion of the UN General Assembly on Follow Up Action to the International Conference on Population and Development: Beyond 2014
The purpose of this Special Session of the General Assembly is to assess the status of implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and to renew political support for actions required for the full achievement of its goals and objectives.
The Cairo Conference on Population and Development in 1994 agreed to a visionary plan of action on population issues and this Special Session will focus attention on what needs to be done now.
www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/
www.ipu.org/idd/
September 22 - 23
United Nations World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
This High Level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly is being held to share perspectives and best practices on the realization of the rights of Indigenous peoples, including to pursue the objectives of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
wcip2014.org
www.un.org/en/ga/69/meetings/
September 23
United Nations Climate Summit, UN HQ, New York
There is a sense that change is in the air. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has invited world leaders, from government, finance, business, and civil society to Climate Summit 2014 this 23 September to galvanize and catalyze climate action. He has asked these leaders to bring bold announcements and actions to the Summit that will reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and mobilize political will for a meaningful legal agreement in 2015. Climate Summit 2014 provides a unique opportunity for leaders to champion an ambitious vision, anchored in action that will enable a meaningful global agreement in 2015.
The Summit will be accompanied by Climate Week NYC (September 19 - 28) with over 80 events in New York City, including Religions for the Earth Conference, Rising Seas Summit and many more.
World Goodwill Cycles of Conferences wil be holding a meditation focus on the Climate Summit under the theme Earth Stewardship. www.worldgoodwill.org
www.un.org/climatechange/summit/
www.climateweeknyc.org/
September 23
UN Global Compact Private Sector Forum
The UN Private Sector Forum will convene approximately 300 Heads of State and Government, Chief Executive Officers, Civil Society Leaders and Heads of UN Agencies during the UN Climate Summit. Participation is by invitation only.
One of the major themes of this years Private Sector Forum will be carbon pricing, focusing on actions that the public and private sectors can take to achieve an equitable and fair valuation of carbon through long-term strategies, investments and policies.
https://www.unglobalcompact.org/Issues/
September 27 - October 3
New Story Summit, Findhorn Community, Scotland
The Summit is designed to support the emergence of a coherent new story for humanity and to produce practical, collaborative ways to live this new story. It is our call to people of all ages and cultures.
Kosmos Journal Newsletter writes The Summit promises to be a watershed event and is drawing multigenerational participants from around the globe: storytellers, indigenous leaders, activists, inspirers from many lands and traditions – all living their edge of the New Story. Almost as soon as the event was announced more people wanted to attend than were able to be accomodated and there are now groups of local summits to be held in different locations. Keep up to date at the New Story Hub
newstoryhub.com
September 28
World Rivers Day
Every year since 2005, when the UN Water for Life Decade was launched, millions of people around the world have observed the last Sunday of September as World Rivers Day.
World Rivers Day highlights the many values of our rivers, strives to increase public awareness, and encorages the improved stewardship of all rivers around the world. Activities include stream cleanups, habitat enhancement projects, educational outings, and community riverside celebrations. In previous years several million people across more than 60 countries have participated in the Day.
worldriversday.com
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