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 and inequality and respond to climate change by 2030 through practical actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
- engaging people of goodwill all over the world in a common movement.
2024 United Nations International Years
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.
Please link in from wherever you are. More information at: www.spiritualcaucusun.org
In June an online virtual gathering, including 30 minutes of silence, will be held on Thursday, June 20, from 2.00- 3.15 pm EDT with a particular focus on supporting the UN. Write for details to spiritualcaucusun@gmail.com.
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June Please Hold These Events in the Light
June 1
Global Day of Parents
2024 Theme: The Promise of Playful Parenting
A Day to honor the role of parents. Families, parents and caregivers play a central role in child well-being and development. They offer identity, love, care, provision and protection to children and adolescents as well as economic security and stability. In keeping with the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, family and parenting support is increasingly recognized as an important part of national social policies and social investment packages aimed at reducing poverty, decreasing inequality and promoting positive parental and child well-being.
www.un.org
Acknowledging the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that it is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health, the UN General Assembly decided to declare 3 June World Bicycle Day.
It encouraged stakeholders to emphasize and advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people, promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance, mutual understanding and respect and facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace.
www.un.org
www.who.int/campaigns/
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/
violenceagainstchildren.un.org
June 5
World Environment Day
2024 Theme: land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience.
Observed since 1972, World Environment Day (Earth 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".
The 2024 theme focuses on #GenerationRestoration:
We cannot turn back time, but we can grow forests, revive water sources, and bring back soils. We are the generation that can make peace with land.
worldenvironmentday.global
June 5
International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
Fisheries provide a vital source of food, employment, recreation, trade and economic well-being for people throughout the world. In a world of growing population and persistent hunger, fish has emerged as an important commodity for the achievement of food security. However, efforts by the international community to ensure the sustainability of fisheries are being seriously compromised by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.
www.un.org/
www.fao.org
June 7
World Food Saftey Day
2024 Theme: Food safety is everyone’s business
Food safety is a shared responsibility between governments, producers and consumers. Everybody has a role to play from farm to table to ensure the food we consume is safe and will not damage our health. Through World Food Safety Day, WHO and FAO pursue efforts to mainstream food safety in the public agenda and reduce the burden of foodborne diseases globally.
The goal of activities during the day is to promote global food saftey awareness.
www.un.org/
www.fao.org
2024 Theme: Awaken New Depths
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 ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth. ...
Yet the ocean is now in need of support. With 90% of big fish populations depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. We need to work together to create a new balance with the ocean that no longer depletes its bounty but instead restores its vibrancy and brings it new life.
“Awaken New Depths” is the theme for World Oceans Day 2024. The UN is joining forces with decision-makers, indigenous leaders, scientists, private sector executives, civil society, celebrities, and youth activists to showcase how our relationship with the ocean needs to urgently change since our efforts to date have only skimmed the surface. To motivate widespread momentum for the ocean, we need to awaken new depths.
www.un.org/
www.worldoceansday.org
June 11
International Day of Play
2024 theme: Play Makes a Better World
The first-ever International Day of Play, to be observed on 11 June 2024, marks a significant milestone in efforts to preserve, promote, and prioritize playing so that all people, especially children, can reap the rewards and thrive to their full potential.
Beyond mere recreation, it is a universal language spoken by people of all ages, transcending national, cultural, and socio-economic boundaries. This shared passion fosters a sense of community and national pride.
The international day creates a unifying moment at global, national, and local levels to elevate the importance of play. It signals a call for policies, training, and funding to get play integrated into education and community settings worldwide.
www.un.org/
www.unicef.org
June 12
World Day Against Child Labour
2024 theme: Let’s act on our commitments: End Child Labour!
Significant progress towards ending child labour requires increased investment in universal social protection systems, as part of an integrated and comprehensive approach to tackle the problem.
www.ilo.org/
www.un.org/en/events/
June 13
International Albinism Awareness Day
Albinism is an inherited genetic condition impacting melanin production that affects up to 1 in every 1,000 people in Africa. Most people with albinism have white or pale skin, redish to blond hair, low vision eye conditions, and are extremely sensitive to the sun. Those affected by albinism have a high incidence of skin cancers, and suffer significant discrimination.
www.un.org/en/events/
albinism.ohchr.org
June 14
World Blood Donor Day - WHO
Every year, on 14 June, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The event serves to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood and to raise awareness of the need for regular blood donations to ensure the quality, safety and availability of blood and blood products for patients in need.
www.who.int/
June 15
World Elder Abuse Awareness 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
June 15 - 22
World Unity Week
2024 theme: Dancing the Dream
World Unity Week, a series of online events from hundreds of civil society groups across the planet is an online 8-day event embracing the mid-year Solstice, Yoga Day, UN Refugee Day and a vast array of interconnected global content.
This year, we launch our theme “Dancing the Dream,” inviting you to move in rhythm with a global community aspiring to a harmonious world..
worldunityweek.org
June 16
International Day of Family Remittances
2024 Theme: Digital remittances towards
financial inclusion and cost reduction
The day recognizes the contribution of over 200 million migrants to improve the lives of their 800 million family members back home, and to create a future of hope for their children. Half of these flows go to rural areas, where poverty and hunger are concentrated, and where remittances count the most.
familyremittances.org
www.un.org/en/events/
June 17
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
2024 Theme: United for Land. Our Legacy. 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 soil degradation. 12 million hectares are lost every year as a result of drought and desertification.
This year’s Desertification and Drought Day, observed on 17 June, will focus on the future of land stewardship. Every second, an equivalent of four football fields of healthy land becomes degraded – adding up to a total of 100 million hectares every year.
www.unccd.int/
www.un.org
June 18
Sustainable Gastronomy Day
In November 2016 the UN General Assembly asked UNESCO and the FAO to coordinate global celebrations of Sustainable Gastronomy Day as a contribution 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.
Sustainable Food production has become a major driving force in efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It includes the UN Development Program's Conscious Food Systems Alliance, a movement of food, agriculture, and consciousness practitioners, convened by UNDP, and united around a common goal: to support people from across food and agriculture systems to cultivate the inner capacities that activate systemic change and regeneration.
www.un.org/
UNESCO - Creative Cities of Gastronomy
FAO - Sustainable Food & Agriculture
June 18
International Day for Countering Hate Speech
In July 2021, the UN General Assembly highlighted global concerns over “the exponential spread and proliferation of hate speech” around the world and adopted a resolution on “promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech”.The resolution recognizes the need to counter discrimination, xenophobia and hate speech and calls on all relevant actors, including States, to increase their efforts to address this phenomenon, in line with international human rights law.
In observation of the Day, the UN invites governments, social organizations and all concerned citizens to hold events and initiatives promoting strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech.
www.un.org/
June 19
International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
In 2008 the UN Security Council condemned sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peacebuilding. This Day seeks to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence, to honour the victims and survivors of sexual violence around the world and to pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted their lives to and lost their lives in standing up for the eradication of these crimes.
www.un.org/
UN Office on Sexual Violence in Conflict
www.stoprapenow.org
June 20
World Refugee Day
2024 theme: Solidarity with Refugees.
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.
Refugees need our solidarity now more than ever. Solidarity means keeping our doors open, celebrating their strengths and achievements, and reflecting on the challenges they face.
www.unhcr.org/
www.un.org/en/events/
June 21
World Localization Day
A celebration of the emerging worldwide localization movement which aims to restore the community fabric and human-scale, ecological economies, with a central focus on local food systems. Online events will be held in honor of the day throughout the month of June.
worldlocalizationday.org
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/
www.facebook.com/YogaDayCommittee/
sdgresources.relx.com/
June 21
International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice
Mindful that the solstices and equinoxes symbolize the fertility of the land, agricultural and food production systems, cultural heritage and their millenary traditions; the General Assembly of the United Nations acknowledged that the celebration of those events is an embodiment of the unity of the cultural heritage and centuries-long traditions, and further play a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples on the basis of mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good-neighborliness. It, therefore, recognized 21 June as the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice.
www.un.org/en/events/
June 22
Full Moon - Cancer
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
2024 is being observed by the United Nations as International Year of Camelids to highlight the role that camelids play in the lives of millions of households across over 90 countries. World Camel Day has been observed since 2009.
www.fao.org
camel4all.info
June 23
United Nations Public Service Day
The UN Public Service Day celebrates the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlights the contribution of public service in the development process; recognizes the work of public servants, and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector.
www.un.org/en/
June 23
International Widows’ Day
To give special recognition to the situation of widows of all ages and across regions and cultures, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe International Widows’ Day on 23 June each year through its resolution A/RES/65/189 adopted on 21 December 2010.
The abuse of widows and their children constitutes one of the most serious violations of human rights and obstacles to development today. Millions of the world’s widows endure extreme poverty, ostracism, violence, homelessness, ill health and discrimination in law and custom.
www.un.org/en/
June 24
International Day for Women in Diplomacy
Women have been playing a crucial role in global governance since the drafting and signing of the United Nations Charter in 1945. Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Women bring immense benefits to diplomacy. Their leadership styles, expertise and priorities broaden the scope of issues under consideration and the quality of outcomes. A growing body of research tells us that the lack of parity in women’s representation in foreign policy is in fact detrimental to peace. Also, data tell us that when women have a seat at the table, the odds of reducing instability and conflict improve significantly and peace agreements last longer.
www.un.org/en/
www.undp.org
June 26
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
2024 Theme: The evidence is clear: invest in prevention
A day to focus on the global campaign against drug abuse and the criminal trade in drugs.
www.un.org/en/
www.unodc.org/
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/
June 27
Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
A day to encourage governments to increase awareness of and suport for small businesses that employ less than 250 people and provide the largest source of employment in all countries, particularly developing countries.
www.un.org/en/
June 29
International Day of the Tropics
The Tropics account for 40 per cent of the world’s total surface area and are host to approximately 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity and much of its language and cultural diversity. The tropical region faces a number of challenges such as climate change, deforestation, logging, urbanisation and demographic changes.
www.un.org/en/
state-of-the-tropics
June 30
International Asteroid Day
In December 2016 the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/71/90, declaring 30 June International Asteroid Day in order to "observe each year at the international level the anniversary of the Tunguska impact over Siberia, Russian Federation, on 30 June 1908, and to raise public awareness about the asteroid impact hazard."
www.un.org/en/
June 30
International Day of Parliamentarism
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