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 April the Spiritual Caucus will gather for silence in the UN Meditation Room at UN Headquarters, New York on April 6 from 12.45 - 1.15 PM and for silence and discussion will initially meet outside the Meditation Room at UN HQ, New York on April 20 from 2.00 - 3.15 PM.
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April Please Hold These Events in the Light
April 2
World Autism Awareness Day
2017 Theme: Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination
The Day seeks to improve the quality of people with autism, recognising that there is a high rate of people with autism in all regions of the world.
Let us all play a part in changing attitudes toward persons with autism and in recognizing their rights as citizens, who, like everyone else, are entitled to claim those rights and make decisions for their lives in accordance with their own will and preferences. Let us also renew our promise, engraved in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to leave no one behind and ensure that all people can contribute as active members to peaceful and prosperous societies. António Guterres, Secretary-General.
www.un.org/en/events/
www.autismspeaks.org
April 3 - 5
Sustainable Energy for All Forum, New York, USA
2017 theme: Going Further, Faster – Together..
Over 1,000 high-level representatives from government, business, civil society and international organizations will gather in New York City for the 3rd Sustainable Energy for All Forum. The goal is to help broker new partnerships and ideas, spur investment and drive action towards sustainable energy and realising Sustainable Development Goal 7.
seforallforum.org
April 4
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
2017 UN Theme: Needs driven. People Centred
Following a 1997 Mine Ban Treaty most countries have now banned landmines, yet anti-personnel mines continue to be used as a weapon of war and areas remain dangerouse long after conflicts have ended. This United Nations Day marks a focus for campaigns to protect civilians from landmines and explosive remnants of war.
www.un.org/en/events/
www.icbl.org
April 11
Full Moon — Aries & Easter Festival
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 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 which is increasingly concentrated on the work of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.
www.lucistrust.org
www.worldservicegroup.com
April 20
Psychology Day at UN Headquarters, New York, USA
2017 Theme: Promoting Well-being in the 21st Century:
Psychological Contributions for Social, Economic,and Environmental Challenges
This 12th Annual Psychology Day at the UN will feature a conference on the theme of Well-Being.
www.unpsychologyday.com
www.ngocsw.org
April 21 - 23
Global Youth Service Day
Global Youth Service Day is the largest annual celebration of young volunteers, where millions of young people from over 100 countries in 6 continents carry out thousands of community improvement projects.
I have hope that stems in large part from my knowledge that the future of this planet lies in the tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and commitment of young people around the world. Jane Goodall
www.gysd.org
April 22
International Mother Earth Day & Earth Day
Over a billion people participate in Earth Day activities every year. It is the largest civic observance in the world, and is evidence of the massive concern to build right relations between humanity and the Earth. In 2009 the United Nations General Assembly added its weight to this popular movement, proclaiming April 22 International Mother Earth Day, with a significant resolution affirming the interdependence that exists among human beings, other living species and the planet we all inhabit.
Mother Earth Day is helping to define new emerging economic, social and political processes through which humanity is seeking to raise the quality of its relationships with Mother Earth.
www.harmonywithnatureun.org
www.un.org/en/events/motherearthday/
www.earthday.org
April 24 - May 5
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
2017 theme: Tenth Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: measures taken to implement the Declaration
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.
This year the UN General Assembly will carry out two important consultations during the Forum (April 26 & May 3) on the possible measures to enable the participation of indigenous peoples at the UN.
www.un.org/development/
April 25
World Malaria Day
2017 Theme: End Malaria for Good
The global fight towards zero malaria deaths is one of the great stories of our time. A partnership of over 500 UN agencies, governments, organizations and stakeholders are working together in the Rollback Malaria Partnership. Throughout the past decade, as a result of this effort, deaths from malaria have steadily declined. The Malaria target in Goal 6 of the Millennium Development Goals, to halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria by 2015, was met 'convincingly'. Over 15 years new malaria cases dropped by 37%.
Yet malaria remains an acute problem in many areas. In 2015 there were an estimated 214 million new cases of the disease, and around 438,000 people died from malaria. (WHO Report on the Malaria Target) A new strategy aims to reduce malaria cases and deaths by 90% by 2030 from current levels. Four countries have been certified free of malaria in the last decade and the post-2015 strategy sets the goal of eliminating the disease from a further 35 countries by 2030.
www.who.int/campaigns/malaria-day/
www.malariaconsortium.org/
www.rollbackmalaria.org/
April 26 - 27
World Travel & Tourism Council: Global Summit
2017 Theme: Transforming Our World
This Summit will be the major private sector event for the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. Travel & Tourism’s power to transform economies, places and lives in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will be set against the challenges faced by the sector to ensure it contributes positively to a sustainable future.
www.wttc.org/summits/
April 27 - 28
3rd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism, Krackow, Poland
This is another important event, contributing to the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
The 3rd International Congress on Ethics and Tourism aims to explore ways in which the tourism sector can harness the principles of sustainability, shared responsibility and accountability of all stakeholders in developing tourism infrastructure, products and services. It will further showcase good practices of private-public cooperation through policies and strategies based on human rights, transparency and good governance which also takes into account the voice of civil society.
ethicsandtourism-krakow.org
April 29
World Tai Chi and Quigong Day
The last Saturday of April each year in 100s of cities, spanning over 80 nations, people come together … to breathe together and provide a healing vision for our world.
www.worldtaichiday.org
April 30
International Jazz Day
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