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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 hold these events in the light of a Higher Wisdom.
REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 21
Plan your participation in this important United Nations Day.
Join in a meditation vigil, plan a local event,
register online to link with others in sounding the Great Invocation or a world prayer of your choice every 15 minutes, observe a Silent Minute at 12 noon.
More information opposite
Millennium Goals & Climate Change
These International Days reflect important themes in the mobilisation of energies to:
2011 United Nations International Years
Silence at the United Nations
The Spiritual Caucus at the United Nations gathers within UN Headquarters in New York (October - 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 Meditation Room in the public lobby of UN Headquarters in New York.
Please link in from wherever you are. More information at: http://www.spiritualcaucusun.org/
In September there will be a special gathering in the Meditation Room, September 1, 12:45 to 1:15 in support of the DPI NGO Conference in Bonn, Germany. Please join us if you can in the Meditation Room, or link in subjectively. Regular Meetings resume in October.
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September Please Hold These Events in the Light
September 3 - 5
64th Annual Conference for NGO's Affiliated with the United Nations, Bonn, Germany
2011 theme: Sustainable Societies; Responsive Citizens
Every year the United Nations holds a major conference for people's groups associated with the Department of Information of the United Nations. For 60 years these were held at UN Headquarters in New York. Since 2008 they have been held in different locations around the world.
This year's theme will see NGO's reflecting and planning for the major Earth Summit conference to take place in Rio di Janeiro in June 2012: Rio+20. Discussions will focus on the full participation of citizens groups in the creation of a green economy that advances sustainable development and poverty eradication. In addition to numerous workshops there will be four major roundtables:
- Shaping Sustainable Lifestyles and Livelihoods: Sustainable Consumption and Production Aspects of a Globalizing World
- Green Economy and Poverty Eradication: Climate justice as a bridge to a new global Economic Paradigm
- Role of Civil Society in a Fast-changing World: Civic Engagement and Voluntary Action for Achieving Sustainability
- Sustainable Development Governance Issues from Local to Global: The Role of Citizen Participation
http://www.un.org/dpingoconference.
September 8
International Literacy Day
2011 theme: Literacy for Peace
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 programmes. Large numbers of professionals and volunteers
work in every country helping adults in their efforts to learn to read and
write.
Approximately one in six adults lacks minimum literacy skills
http://www.unesco.org/en/literacy
September 10
World Suicide Prevention Day
2011 Theme: Preventing Suicide in Multicultural Societies
Supported by the World Health Organization, this annual Day promotes worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides. On average, almost 3000 people commit suicide daily. For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives.
All countries are multicultural, with a diversity of religious and ethnic groups. While suicide prevention efforts require cultural sensitivity, it is important to understand that cultural differences in suicide rates may have more to do with such factors as poverty, unemployment and oppression than with culture. More
www.who.int/
www.iasp.info/wspd/index.php
September 11 - 21
11 Days of Global Unity
The 11 Days, 11 Ways initiative is a coalition of networks from around the world with programs and activities on every day of the 11 day period spanning the 10th anniversary of the September 11 tragedies in New York and Washington DC and the International Day of Peace on September 21. Each day has a specific theme, for example Day 1 is Unity, and Day 2 Interdependence.
A list of programmes and actions around the world is available and you are encouraged to organize your own events and to register these on the website.
This campaign will highlight 11 dimensions of change which call forth the values, spirit and service needed to move us towards a culture of peace and a world that works for all.
we.net/11days
September 13
Opening of 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
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 when Heads of State from many of the member countries address the Assembly.
This year the Opening session will be followed by three Special High Level Events of the General Assembly: on Non Communicable Diseases (19-20 Sept); Desertification (20 September); Durban Declaration & Program of Action against racial discrimination and racism (September 22).
Explore the function and purpose of the General Assembly at: www.un.org/ga/
September 14 - 15
24 Hours of Reality : Climate Reality Project
24 Hours of Reality is a global media event. In 24 time zones, 24 different presenters will broadcast in 13 languages, giving a local spin on a common programme created by Al Gore to present the reality of the crisis facing the planet and what needs to be done now. The programme will be broadcast on the hour, every hour for 24 hours. We will offer a round-the-clock, round-the-globe snapshot of the climate crisis in real time.
http://climaterealityproject.org/
September 15
International Democracy Day
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/democracyday/index.shtml
September 16
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
2011 Theme: HCFC phase-out: a unique opportunity
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. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are a class of ozone destroying gases being phased out under the Montreal Protocol.
ozone.unep.org/new_site/en/ozone_day_details.php?year=2011
September 16 - 18
Clean Up the World Weekend
Clean Up the World is a community based environmental campaign that inspires and empowers individuals and communities from every corner of the globe to make their environment a cleaner, healthier place to live. Millions of people participate in events
By promoting their achievements internationally, Clean Up the World focuses public attention on global community concerns for the environment and how each individual can make a positive contribution to a cleaner and healthier world.
www.cleanuptheworld.org
September 19 - 22
Social Good Summit
Leading technologists, activists and social innovaters will gather in New York City to explore ways to unlock the potential of new media and technology to make the world a better place. The live audience will be joined online by thousands from around the world and the Summit will include a special Digital Media Lounge, fostering conversations through blogs, twitter and other social networks.
The Summit is one event in a wide range of gatherings taking place in New York City during the period of the General Debate in the UN General Assembly when world leaders are gathered and the International Day of Peace. New York City itself will be observing the week, September 19 - 26 as Climate Week New York City.
mashable.com/sgs/
September 20 - 22
Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting
The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting is an invitation event for heads of state, chief executives of companies, directors of major nonprofits, and other global leaders. It takes advantage of the number of world leaders gathered in New York for the General Debate of the UN General Assembly
For four days, members make new connections and share insights and ideas. They learn about creative approaches taken by organizations around the world. They hear from inspiring speakers who come from different sectors, different countries, and different points of view. They analyze what works, and what doesn't. Then they take that knowledge and use it to create programs that effect meaningful and lasting change in the world. Three topics will be considered in 2011: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs: Generating Employment for the 21st Century; Sustainable Consumption: Ensuring Long-term Prosperity on a Finite Planet; Girls and Women: Scaling What Works.
clintonglobalinitiative.org/
September 21
International Day of 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.
Meditation Vigils and interfaith events are being organised around the world for Peace Day - see http://www.idpvigil.com/. A global 24 hour Vigil will again be organised 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.intuition-in-service.org/peaceVigil.cfm. Registration will be available from September 7.
September 24
Earthdance Global Festival for Peace
Earthdance coordinates the annual Global Festival for Peace a multi-location charity event in alignment with the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21. All events support local charities and participate in the synchronized Prayer for Peace, which unites participants in all locations — and hundreds of thousands more online — in a moment of shared intention. 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.
Based on its global reach and diverse range of attendees, Earthdance has grown to become the largest global synchronized music and peace event in the world. Since the first multi-location event in 1997 with 22 cities in 18 countries, Earthdance has been held in over 500 locations in 80 countries. Each official Earthdance event commits to donate 50% of its profits to a local charity addressing, peace, sustainability, or social justice.
http://www.earthdance.org/index.html
September 24
Moving Planet
Moving Planet is a world-wide rally to demand solutions to the climate crisis: a day to move beyond fossil fuels. Local rallies are to be held around the world and all are invited to organise events and register them as part of the Day.
www.moving-planet.org/
September 25
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.
commons.bcit.ca/worldriversday/
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