Navigation
2022 June through September UN News Archive
Table of Content
Special event during the UN General Assembly: Monday, Sept. 26 @ 12:00 pm
20 September 2022
Remembering the True Self and the Sacred Nature of Service
Monday, 26 September at 12:00 pm
Dear Friends,
You are warmly invited to a special conversation on the topic: Remembering the True Self and the Sacred Nature of Service.
Keynote address by BK Sister Jayanti Kirpalani, the Additional Administrative Head of the Brahma Kumaris and main UN representative in Geneva.
After her talk, the conversation will widen to include a panel of those who serve in the UN “ecosystem” to explore the inspirations, intentions, and inner awareness of service at the UN as well as the tangible and intangible returns of such service.
Panelists:
Audrey Kitagawa, JD, President/Founder of the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation.
Carl Murrell, Principal representative to the United Nations for the National Assembly of the Bahá’ís, United States.
Hawa Diallo, Chief of the Civil Society Unit at the Civil Society and Advocacy Section, United Nations Department of Global Communications.
Moderator: Judy Rodgers, Founder, Images and Voices of Hope.
Conversation | Music | Meditation
Click image to register for webinar.
Event will be Live streamed on:
BKs Australia Presents a Virtual UN Peace Day Event | Wed 21st Sept | 6.00 pm-6.30 pm
18 September 2022
VIRTUAL UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE EVENT
"One little person, giving all of her time to peace, makes news. Many people, giving some of their time, can make history."
Peace Pilgrim - Mildred Lisette Norman
UN PEACE DAY INVITATION: "End Racism. Build Peace."
The 2022 theme for the International Day of Peace is "End Racism - Build Peace".
This year's theme is, once again, an invitation to reflect and act on the kind of world we want to live in now and to create for our future generations - a world where compassion, kindness, empathy and respect are the ruling forces.
On UN Peace Day, we invite you to join long term guest meditators and faith leaders in the community to come together for a special UN Peace Day vigil.
This half hour peace-filled event, including messages of hope and a gentle guided meditation, will celebrate and reinforce compassion, resilience, courage and hope within each one of us, within the community - and for our world.
Your thoughts, our thoughts - make a tangible difference. We hope that you are able to join us and make a peaceful, healing and powerful contribution to peace in our hearts, minds, communities and our world.
21 September 2022
Wednesday 6.00 - 6.30pm
BOOK HERE: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vLenoXLsQ0mpOYLS3JpaEQ
FREE online webinar. Bookings required.
Discussion on “Interfaith Leadership & Sustainable Development” at BK UN Office, New York
15 September 2022
New York (USA): “Interfaith Leadership & Sustainable Development” a discussion group gathered together at the Brahma Kumaris UN Office in New York City. Moderator Rev. Denise Scotto, Esq. (Chair, International Day of Yoga Committee at the UN) and Speakers Kiran Bali (United Religions Initiative), Audrey Kitagawa, JD ( International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation), Dr. Ann Frisch (Rotary Club) were present.
Hosting team included BK Gayatri Narine, Representative of Brahma Kumaris to the United Nations, BK Sabita Geer (Brahma Kumaris – UN) and BK Julia Grindon-Welch (Brahma Kumaris – UN).
BK UN Presents an In-Person International Day of Peace event on Friday, Sept. 16 @ 1:00 pm Eastern Time
9 September 2022
End Racism; Build Peace
Friday, 16 September at 1:00 pm - Music, Movement, Meditation
Dear Friends,
As we approach the international day of peace, we invite you to join in observing this special day.
"Now more than ever, kindly focus for a minute in silence and visualize people laying down arms and weapons in areas of war and armed conflict as well as in all corners of our neighborhoods. Let us anchor light and peace even for a moment."
If you are available to join us in the Tillman Chapel of the UN Church Center, we are delighted to announce that our special guest live, in-person is Matt Kahn. Matt Kahn was named one of the top 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People by Watkins magazine, alongside the Dalai Lama and Eckhart Tolle. He is an incomparable spiritual teacher, highly attuned empathic healer, powerful speaker, and captivating author. He enriches people’s lives by providing heart-centered solutions that ignite, delight, and unite! Matt’s highly acclaimed books include: Whatever Arises, Love That, Everything Is Here to Help You, & The Universe Always Has a Plan, which have been translated into more than a dozen languages. His newest book, All For Love: The Transformative Power of Holding Space, is sure to be a best seller.
Music | Modified yoga asanas | Yogic breathing | Meditation.
All are welcome. Please wear masks.
May Peace Prevail on Earth ! Om Shanti, Shanti Om!
Calling all youths: An International Youth Day campaign
15 August 2022
UN International Day of Youth: Intergenerational Solidarity.
Leveraging the full potential of all ages
Dear NCs, CCs, and the Divine family,
Greetings of peace.
The youth group of the Brahma Kumaris at the UN has organized a campaign to celebrate the International Day of Youth. The campaign begins on Youth Day, Friday, August 12 and ends on Peace Day, September 21, 2022.
Kindly share this information with youths in your contacts so they can participate in the campaign.
Click to watch promo video.
Click image for details.
June - July 2022 UN Newsletter
6 August 2022
Dear National and Center Coordinators, and Friends,
Greetings of love.
We invite you to read news of World Environment Day, International Day of Yoga, World Ocean Day Conference, Peace in the Park, and more.
World Environment Day
Only One Earth: Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature
Sunday, June 5
An environment campaign was organized by the Brahma Kumaris called KALP TARUH. Kalp Taruh is a key plantation project/mechanism to ensure land restoration and promote sustainable values for building a society that supports the UN SDGs.
Other branches of the Brahma Kumaris organized events to encourage more respect for the environment and to take responsible action in sustaining the planet.
Yoga for Humanity
Sharing Collective Meditation in Stillness: Tuesday, June 21
This year, Yoga Day had special importance as New York State Assembly officially declared June 21 as World Yoga Day in the State of NY.
The International Day of Yoga (IDY) Committee at the United Nations, of which the Brahma Kumaris is the Vice Chair, co-hosted a unique interfaith event along with other NGOs, in the Tillman Chapel of the UN Church Center, NYC. Hon. Assemblyman, Nader J. Sayegh graced the event and presented a citation honoring many NGOs who support Yoga Day from its inception. The Brahma Kumaris received one such citation and also participated by sharing a Raj Yoga Meditation.
The BKUN representatives also participated in programs organized by various NGOs, such as World Yoga Community and United Consciousness.
Additionally, the Brahma Kumaris worldwide co-hosted events to celebrate Yoga Day. You are invited to read news on onelink website.
Link of Love
A special yoga day event, Link of Love, was organized in New York with contributions from the Americas about the benefits of yoga, thus creating a "link of love." BK Mohini Panjabi, Additional Admin Head of the Brahma Kumaris; Hon. Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in NY; and other officials shared messages on yoga.
You are welcome to watch clips of the event here.
21 days to make a difference: your relationship with your mind
For the first time, the Brahma Kumaris organized a campaign to celebrate Yoga Day. For more information, click here.
UN Ocean Conference
Save our Ocean, Protect our Future
Lisbon, Portugal, 27 June – 1 July 2022
The Brahma Kumaris participated in the Ocean Conference by organizing a virtual panel discussion entitled, Technologies of Consciousness in Scaling Up Ocean Actions.
Read more here.
BK Sr. Jayanti Kirpalani, main representative of the BKs at the UN, Geneva, shares a message for World Ocean Day here.
Peace in the Park: A dedication to UN International Day of Peace
Friday, July 29, 2022
A festival of love filled with glamour amidst tranquility; entertainment alongside meditation; games interweaved with laughter, fun, respect, unity in diversity, inclusivity; as communities come together under the canopy of one people, one planet, one purpose: on Friday, July 29 in Central Park, NYC.
Watch full event on YouTube.
Click image to watch video clip.
Social Media
The Brahma Kumaris UN extended team has been very active in supporting the SDGs and the UN International Days by organizing live interviews, meditations, and videos which are posted on all social media, especially on BKUN Instagram.
World Youth Skills Day Maria Paula Cervera
IDY creative meditation: Sabita Geer
Dharna: the quality of our focus determines the quality of life
Ongoing at the UN
Apart from organizing programs at the UN, the BKUN team has been attending side events and supporting a number of other causes organized by UN Agencies and Mission States.
BK Maria Paula Cervera, Youth representative of the BKs at the UN, attended and participated in a few events organized by youths of NGOs.
BK Julia Grindon-Welch, representative of the BKs at the UN, was appointed Chair for the Committee for Religious NGOs, along with two others Chairs - Beth Blissman and Rev. Doyeon.
We were fortunate to have a few visitors at the Office - BK Meera of Malaysia, Sheila Chaman, Doordarshan TV of Mumbai, and others from various parts of the world.
Appointment of the new Chairs of CRNGOs.
UN International Observances Celebrated by the Brahma Kumaris
International Days
Kindly make a special note of these dates so that events can be organized to celebrate or honor them. As usual, we appreciate a brief report and photos for the facebook page and the blog.
You are welcome to browse this website for updates on themes and other information and international days you may wish to observe.
August 12 International Youth Day
August 19 World Humanitarian Day
September 21 International Day of Peace
October 1 International Day of Older Persons
October 2 International Day of Non-violence
November 16 International Day of Tolerance
November 18 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 10 Human Rights Day
Updated info: Peace in the Park 2022 - July 29
25 July 2022
Dear NCs, CCs, and the Divine family,
Greetings of peace.
You are warmly invited to attend this year's Peace in the Park on Friday, July 29 from 12noon - 7:00pm in Central Park Bandshell.
Please note that the event will be live streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
You are most welcome to share the flier with your contacts and BK networks.
We thank you for all the support you gave "Peace in the Park" over the years and especially during the pandemic when the festival went virtual with the series, "Breathe Peace."
With love,
In Baba's remembrance,
PIP planning team
click image to download flier.
Download flier here.
RECORDING AVAILABLE of the BK International Day of Yoga event at the UN: Link of Love - June 28
29 June 2022
EVENT REPLAY LINK: https://youtu.be/E8Mxg_-fkSw [1:08:58]
BK side event at UN Ocean Conference - June 30th
28 June 2022
Dear family and friends,
You are warmly invited to a virtual side event organized by the Brahma Kumaris at the UN Ocean Conference 2022 in Lisbon.
Technologies of Consciousness in Scaling Up Ocean Actions
Thursday 30 June 2022; 1.00 pm – 2.15 pm GMT+1
Zoom link.
Meeting ID: 918 6720 1526
Passcode: ocean
This panel offers an in-depth discussion on the role of human consciousness in degradation and rebuilding of the ocean life and in achieving sustainable development goals. The participants will examine which shift in mindset is needed so that the well-being of humans and ocean can become the new imperative of our global action.
Moderator
Dr. Tamasin Ramsay, Senior Policy Advisor, Animal Justice Party (Australia)
Speakers
1. Professor Emeritus James Mair, Centre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh (the UK)
2. John Ndiritu, Professor of Water Engineering University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
3. Rabbi Ed Rosenthal, CEO - Repair the Sea (the USA)
4. Valériane Bernard, UN Representative for Brahma Kumaris in Geneva (Switzerland)
Meditation:
Aneta Loj, R&D Coordinator at India One Solar Thermal Power Plant (India/Poland)
April - May 2022 UN Newsletter
28 June 2022
Dear National and Center Coordinators, and Friends,
Greetings of love.
As the changing of seasons brings new and fresh energy, the BKUN team continues to generate the same with their presence in the NY Office thrice a week, along with participating in ongoing UN events across the world.
We invite you to read news of International Earth Day, Conference to Combat Desertification, International Day of Families, World Tea Day, No Tobacco Day, and more.
Earth Day Festival: Invest in our planet
22nd of April.
BK Julia Grindon-Welch shared a message on the impact of the inner world on the outer world and how we can truly invest in our planet, which was the topic of this year's Earth Festival. The event was organized by the World Yoga Community. Watch her message on BKUN Instagram.
The Brahma Kumaris Climate Change team also organized a virtual event entitled, United for Mother Earth, Inspiring for a Greener Future.
BK Jayanti Kirpalani was a panelist at an event organized by Green Faith entitled, Celebration & Interfaith Commemoration of Earth Day.
Watch here
UN International Conference to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity
This year, UNCCD COP15 (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification – 15th Conference of Parties) was held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Ivory Coast from May 9 - 20, 2022.
The Brahma Kumaris participated by facilitating workshops and collaborating with other NGOs and UN Agencies. As Brahma Kumaris was part of the CSO working group planning of the first Open Dialogue Statements, it was agreed to end the session with a 10 minutes Meditation as our contribution to the dialogue. BK Aneta guided the delegates through a peaceful and powerful experience of silence and reflection.
The BK delegation of 5 included BK Pratibha Patel (Kenya), John Ndiritu (South Africa), Aneta Loj (Poland), Grace Lopez-Charles (Ghana), Sonja Ohlsson (Denmark).
Read reports here.
Watch photos here.
Social Media
The Brahma Kumaris UN extended team has been very active in supporting the SDGs and the UN International Days by organizing live interviews, meditations, and videos which are posted on all social media, especially on BKUN Instagram
International Day of Sport for Peace and Development Valerie Still
International Day of Conscience: Carolin Fraude
International Tea Day: Virtual Tea Party
International Day of Families: Karen Perusse and Suresh Nadella
World No Tobacco Day: Radio Madhuban
Ongoing at the UN
Despite everyone’s busy schedules, weekly one hour conversations and meditations continue with our UN community. These meditation sessions are focused on current themes of the UN including international days, as we pay attention to empowering ourselves and sharing peace, love, compassion and hope with the world. Additionally, there is weekly meditation and spiritual conversation for regular students of the Brahma Kumaris.
The BKUN team is also participating in various events organized by our NGO friends. BK Sabita Geer led a special peace meditation at the annual anniversary celebratory event of Lord Mahavir organized by the International Ahimsa Foundation (NGO) and held at the Consulate of India, NYC.
The Brahma Kumaris, Vice-chair of the Committee of Religious NGOs, attend regular monthly meetings as one of three facilitators of the climate change working group of the said committee.
The BKUN Office is slowly opening to visitors as the pandemic guidelines are becoming more relaxed.
UN International Observances Celebrated by the Brahma Kumaris
International Days
Kindly make a special note of these dates so that events can be organized to celebrate or honor them. As usual, we appreciate a brief report and photos for social media and the blog.
You are welcome to browse this website for updates on themes and other information and international days you may wish to observe.
February 11 International Day for Women and Girls in Science
March 8 International Women's Day
March 20 International Day of Happiness
March 22 World Water Day
April 7 World Health Day
April 22 International Earth Day
May 15 International Day of Families
June 5 World Environment Day
June 21 International Day of Yoga
August 12 International Youth Day
August 19 World Humanitarian Day
September 21 International Day of Peace
October 1 International Day of Older Persons
October 2 International Day of Non-violence
November 16 International Day of Tolerance
November 18 World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 10 Human Rights Day
International Weeks:
February 1 - 7 World Interfaith Harmony Week
May 4 - 10 UN Global Road Safety Week (every 2 years)
International Months:
May Mental Health Awareness Month
BK International Day of Yoga event at the UN: Link of Love - June 28
27 June 2022
click on image to register.
Dear National and Center Coordinators,
All are warmly invited to virtually celebrate Yoga Day with us on Tuesday, June 28 at 6:30 - 7:30pm.
Invitation: 8th International Day of Yoga event: June 21
17 June 2022
Dear Sister,
Greetings of peace.
You are warmly invited to join us as we celebrate the 8th. International Day of Yoga hybrid event on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 from 12noon - 3:00pm at the Tillman Chapel, United Nations Church Center, 777 United Nations Plaza.
