Read this online at www.intuition-in-service.org/newsletter/September20.html


Please Hold in the Light
September 2020

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.

Daily Reminder
Check out a daily reminder of these events to hold in the light. Share this daily reminder with others by including the app on your website.

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.
 
2020 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 September the Caucus will meet subjectively on September 17, 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..
 
 
 

September Please Hold These Events in the Light


August 28 - September 11
Caravan of Unity

The Caravan is a coordinated series of virtual and live events across USA and Europe in preparation for the UN International Day of Peace and the UN75 opening of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Carvan culminates in a Peace Weekend of events on September 19 - 21.
unity.earth/caravan
caravanofunity.eu

September 2
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 Sustainable Development Goals will be achieved.
www.lucistrust.org

September 3
Global OnLine Discussion: The United Nations at 75 Years Prospects and Potentials: The Future We Want

Organised by a network of civil society partnerships this online discussion in preparation for the UN's 75th Anniversary will focus on the theme: The Future We Want, the UN We Need: Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism.
un2020.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/

September 8
International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

This UN Day seeks to raise awareness of the problem of air pollution and the need for urgent action to improve air quality.
www.un.org/
www.unenvironment.org/events/

September 8
International Literacy Day

Theme 2020: Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond
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.
www.un.org
www.unesco.org

September 9
UN 75 Virtual Youth Plenary

Plans to convene a UN Youth Plenary in commemoration of the UN's 75th Anniversary initially caled for a global dialogue of young activists from around the world at UN Headquarters in New York. Following the Coronavirus this has been transformed into a Virtual Event on ZOOM, for young people to discuss the theme: The future we want, the United Nations we need: the future of multilateralism. The event will be broadcast on UN Web TV
www.un.org/pga/
globalgoalsweek.org

September 10
UN High Level Forum on the Culture of Peace, UN Headquarters, New York

Theme 2020: The Culture of Peace: Change our world for the better in the age of COVID-19
Convened by the President of the General Assembly, this eighth 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 and its importance to the Sustainable Development Goals. The Forum, which will be a virtual event, can be watched live at webtv.un.org. The morning session features the official UN program with statements by the UN Secretary-General and member states, while the afternoon program features a civil society panel discussion on ZOOM coordinated by the Global Movement for a Culture of Peace.
www.un.org/pga/
Global Movement Facebook

September 10
World Suicide Prevention Day

Supported by the World Health Organization, this annual Day promotes worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. Every year, more than 800,000 people die by suicide and up to 25 times as many make a suicide attempt. Behind these statistics are the individual stories of those who have, for many different reasons, questioned the value of their own lives.
www.iasp.info

September 11 - 21
11 Days of Global Unity

During the 11 days leading up to the UN International Day of Peace, this international movement offers as many as 700 associated events in over 30 countries dedicated to addressing problems and building global unity.
We invite you to join us in a movement without which all the other movements for change cannot be successful. The crucial movement we are talking about is the shift from 'I' to 'WE'. Archbishop Desmond Tutu
we.net/11-days
11daysofglobalunity.org

September 11 - 19
UP Convergence

The UP Convergence 2020 is an 8-Day Multi-Zoom Global online Summit leading into and preparing for the Peace Weekend, September 19 - 21.
The goal of the UP Convergence is to empower all people to move upward, change the limits of what’s possible, and come together in unprecedented, unified action. Groups and individuals are invited to offer presentations and Open Space sessions on a wide range of themes. peaceweekend.org/up/
airtable.com

September 12
International Day for South-South Cooperation

South-South cooperation is a manifestation of solidarity among peoples and countries of the South that contributes to their national well-being, their national and collective self-reliance and the attainment of internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
On September 10 a Virtual High Level UN event will be held on the theme: Pathways toward the SDGs through South-South solidarity beyond COVID-19
www.un.org/
www.unsouthsouth.org

September 15
International Day of Democracy

2020 theme: COVID-19: A Spotlight on Democracy
This United Nations Day highlights the state of democracy in the world.
The unprecedented COVID-19 crisis has resulted in major social, political and legal challenges globally. As states around the world adopt emergency measures to address the crisis, it is critical that they continue to uphold the rule of law, protect and respect international standards and basic principles of legality, and the right to access justice, remedies and due process.
www.un.org

September 15
United Nations General Assembly 75th 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 ceremonial only meeting, observing 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 21) 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.
This year events will all be held virtually and broadcast on UN web TV. Explore the function and purpose of the General Assembly at: www.un.org/ga/

September 16
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

2020 theme: Ozone for life: 35 years of ozone layer protection
The 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the associated Montreal Protocol is one of the great successes of modern international action to protect the environment. As a result of concerted international efforts, the ozone layer is healing itself and is expected to recover by the middle of this century.
This is a Day to celebrate humanity’s ability to work together for a common cause and is a model for climate change agreements.
ozone.unep.org/
www.un.org
www.facebook.com/my.ozone.day

September 16 - 18
UN75 Global Governance Forum: Virtual Event: Designing a Roadmap to The Future We Want, The UN We Need

Coordinated by UN 2020, Civil Society Partnerships For The UN We Need, this independent virtual forum seeks to promote a more inclusive and effective United Nations through dialogue and recommendations that better harness the ideas, capabilities, and networks of both state and non-state actors for achieving the UN’s commitment to peace, sustainable development, human rights, and a stable climate.
Register for broadcast of all sessions at here

un2020.org
stimson.org/2020/

September 18
International Equal Pay Day

2020 theme: Building back a better future of work by ensuring pay equity
On the occasion of the first International Equal Pay Day, and in the midst of the fallout from the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) will host a virtual global event and Call to Action to encourage all labour market actors to take the necessary steps to ensure that equal pay is at the heart of recovery efforts worldwide. Led by the ILO and UN Women The EPIC Coalitions goal is to achieve equal pay for women and men everywhere.
www.un.org
EPIC

September 18 - 26
Global Goals Week

Global Goals Week is an annual week of action, awareness, and accountability. Over 100 partners from civil society, business, academia, and the UN system work together to accelerate action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially during the UN General Assembly High-level Week. It is also an opportunity to speak out as one voice, share ideas and transformative solutions in the fight to build back better from global challenges.
A large number of virtual events are planned for the Week, including a Sustainable Development Impact Summit co-hosted by the World Economic Forum and The Global Week to #ACT4SDGs which "aims to mobilize and consolidate a global movement of people who stand behind the Goals, to take action and to demand world leaders accelerate progress and hold to their commitments to the 2030 Agenda."
globalgoalsweek.org

September 19 - 21
Peace Weekend 2020

Peace Weekend 2020 marks the culmination of the events coordinated by the network of movements responsible for the Caravan of Unity and the UP Convergence events. The Peace Weekend Global Broadcast features inspiring content from around the world as we celebrate the UN International Day of Peace on September 21.
peaceweekend.org

September 21
UN General Assembly: High Level Event Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the UN

Theme: The Future We Want, the UN We Need: Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to Multilateralism.
The day before the 75th session of the UN General Assembly begins this High Level Virtual Event will include pre-recorded statements from Heads of State. A Declaration will be adopted with commitments to promote peace and prevent conflicts;upgrade the UN; and to protect our planet.
The General Debate of the General Assembly which begins on the 22nd, will be held around the more specific theme: The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism – confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action sdg.iisd.org/events/
www.un.org

September 21
International Day of Peace

2020 theme: Shaping Peace Together.
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. (This years ceremony will take place at 9.00 am.) 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.
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. See the list at: internationaldayofpeace.org.
Meditation Vigils and inter faith events are being organized around the world for Peace Day - more information here A global 24 hour Vigil will again be organized by UNmeditation.org again proposes using the Great Invocation or another universal invocation every 15 minutes. To find out more visit: http://www.meditationvigil.org. <
www.internationaldayofpeace.org
www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/
www.peaceoneday.org

September 21 - 24
Sustainable Development Impact Summit

Theme: Realizing a 'Great Reset' for Sustainable Development
This digital meeting organized by the World Economic Forum during Global Goals Week and the high level events at the UN convenes leaders from government, business, international organizations and civil society along with a diverse group of experts and innovators to initiate, accelerate and scale-up entrepreneurial solutions to tackle climate change and advance sustainable development.
The event is part of a major focus from the World Economic Forum on the need to 'reset' the development path following the coronavirus pandemic: The COVID-19 crisis wreaked havoc on societies and economies and dealt a major setback to achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Climate Agreement. Putting the world back on a path of sustainable, equitable, and inclusive growth will require more than a global recovery; it will require a Great Reset of social and economic systems.
www.weforum.org

September 26
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

The UN has been aiming to achieve nuclear disarmament for much of its history. It was the subject of a General Assembly resolution in 1946. On July 17 2017 the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons was adopted. This is the first multilateral legally binding instrument for nuclear disarmament to have been negotiated in 20 years, by 122 countries.
Today, some 15,000 nuclear weapons remain. Countries possessing such weapons have well-funded, long-term plans to modernize their nuclear arsenals. More than half of the world’s population still lives in countries that either have such weapons or are members of nuclear alliances.
www.un.org/en/events/
www.unfoldzero.org

September 27
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
2020 Events

September 27
World Tourism Day

2020 Theme: Rebuilding tourism in a safe, equitable, climate-friendly way
This United Nations Day seeks to foster awareness of the social, cultural and economic importance of tourism and its role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
www.un.org/en/events/
www.unwto.org

September 28
World Rabies Day

2020 theme:End Rabies: Collaborate; Vaccinate
Marking the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur who developed the first rabies vaccine, Rabies Day raises awareness about rabies prevention and celebrates progress in defeating the disease. The WHO and FAO have agreed to a goal to achieve zero human deaths from canine rabies by 2030.
WHO promotes mass dog vaccinations and animal birth control programs among street and stray dog populations. Significant progress has been made in pioneering this work at Help in Suffering Animal Shelter in Jaipur India and the two shelters in the Darjeeling District of India administered by Darjeeling Goodwill Animal Shelters Trust.
www.who.int/rabies/
rabiesalliance.org/

September 28
International Day for Universal Access to Information

2020 Theme: Access of Information – Saving lives, Building Trust, Bringing Hope!
IDUAI 2020 will focus on the right to information in times of crisis and on the advantages of having constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information to save lives, build trust and help the formulation of sustainable policies through and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.
Universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information. This right is an integral part of the right to freedom of expression. The media plays a crucial role in informing the public about issues of interest, but it relies on the ability to seek and receive information, too. Hence, the right to universal access to information is also bound up with the right to freedom of the press.
www.un.org
en.unesco.org

September 29
International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction

In 2019, the 74th United Nations General Assembly designated 29 September as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, recognizing the fundamental role that sustainable food production plays in promoting food security and nutrition. ... One-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, which amounts to about 1.3 billion tonnes per year.
www.un.org/
www.fao.org

September 30
United Nations Summit on Biodiversity

Theme: Urgent action on biodiversity for sustainable development
Heads of State will meet in a virtual event for this important UN Summit. The Summit will highlight the crisis facing humanity from the degradation of biodiversity and the urgent need to accelerate action on biodiversity for sustainable development. It will provide an opportunity for Heads of State and Government and other leaders to raise ambition for the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework to be adopted at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, to be held in 2021. This framework, and its effective implementation, must put nature on a path to recovery by 2030 to meet the SDGs and realize the Vision of “Living in harmony with nature”.
www.cbd.int
www.un.org/pga/74/