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:
- End poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030 through practical actions to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals
- engaging people of goodwill all over the world in a common movement.
2017 United Nations International Year
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 in the newly renovated Meditation Room at UN Headquarters in New York.
Please link in from wherever you are. More information at: http://www.spiritualcaucusun.org/
In June the Spiritual Caucus will gather for silence in the UN Meditation Room at UN Headquarters, New York on June 1 from 12.45 - 1.15 PM and for silence and discussion at the Bahai UN Office, 866 UN Plaza, New York on June 15 from 1.30 - 2.45 PM.
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June Please Hold These Events in the Light
A Day to honor the role of parents. Parents of every race, religion, culture and nationality in all parts of the world are the primary caregivers and teachers of their children, preparing them for a happy, fulfilling and productive life. Parents are the anchors of the family and the foundation of our communities and societies.
www.un.org/en/events/
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/events/
June 4 - 11
Global Sharing Week
Global Sharing Week is the largest annual mass engagement campaign celebrating the sustainable economic system known as 'the sharing economy'. In 2017 over 220 events were held in 70 cities on every continent during the Week. Events included clothes swaps, food shares, recycling events - anything to share skills, knowledge, time, goods, food.
www.globalsharingweek.org
June 5
World Environment Day
2017 Theme: Connecting People to Nature
Observed since 1972, World Environment 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".
This years theme chosen by Canada implores us to get outdoors and into nature, to appreciate its beauty and its importance, and to take forward the call to protect the Earth that we share.
worldenvironmentday.global
June 5 - 9
The Ocean Conference, UN Headquarters, NY
Theme: Our oceans, our future: partnering for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14.
This major UN Conference will bring together governments, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academics and scientists, and the business community to assess challenges and opportunities in implementing SDG Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
The Conference aims to be the game changer that will reverse the decline in the health of our ocean for people, planet and prosperity. It will be solutions-focused with engagement from all.
oceanconference.un.org
www.oceanactionhub.org
2017 theme: Our Oceans, Our Future
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 oceans of the world: Generate most of the oxygen we breathe; Help feed us; Regulate our climate; Clean the water we drink; Offer us a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines; Provide limitless inspiration!
www.un.org/en/events/
www.worldoceansday.org
June 9
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 achieved.
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.
Register for the annual global Vigil when people around the world sign up for specific times to ensure that the Great Invocation is sounded every 15 minutes of the 24 hours of World Invocation Day - details at www.meditationvigil.org
www.worldinvocationday.org
June 12
World Day Against Child Labour
2017 theme: In conflicts and disasters, protect children from child labour
Globally over 1.5 billion people live in countries that are affected by conflict, violence and fragility. At the same time, around 200 million people are affected by disasters every year. A third of them are children. A significant proportion of the 168 million children engaged in child labour live in areas affected by conflict and disaster. The World Day Against Child Labour this year will focus on the impact of conflicts and disasters on child labour.
www.ilo.org/ipec/
www.un.org/en/events/
June 12 - 16
World Summit on the Information Society, Forum, Geneva, Switzerland
2017 theme: Information and knowledge societies for SDGs
This annual Forum is the largest global gathering of the 'ICT for Development' community. "The Forum provides an opportunity for information exchange, knowledge creation and sharing of best practices, while identifying emerging trends and fostering partnerships, taking into account the evolving Information and Knowledge Societies."
www.itu.int/
June 15
World Elder Abuse 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/en/events/
June 17
World Day to Combat Desertification
2017 Theme: The land is our home, our future!
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 soli degradation. 12 million hectares are lost every year as a result of drought and desertification. On this Day there will be a focus on the role that restoration and rehabilitation of degraded land has to play in development challenges as varied as climate change, secure water and energy resources.
www.unccd.int/
www.un.org/en/events/
June 18
Sustainable Gastronomy Day
In November last year the UN General Assembly asked UNESCO and the FAO to coordinate global celebrations of Sustainable Gastronomy Day as a contribnution 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.
en.unesco.org/news/
June 20
World Refugee Day
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.
On Refugee Day UNHCR is urging people of goodwill everywhere to show world leaders that the public stands with refugees. Sign the petition#WithRefugees, to send a message to governments that they must work together and do their fair share for refugees.
www.unhcr.org/refugeeday/
www.un.org/en/events/
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/
idayofyoga.org
www.pminewyork.org/idy/
June 26
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
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/events/
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