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Transformative Feminine Power & More Special Events Service News Report From October And November
31 December 2023
Dear National and Center Coordinators,
Seasons are changing and we are also ushering in the Season of Lights, bringing warmth and hope to the world.
Even though the UN is now fully opened to the public, most events, including international conferences, are still hybrid.
We invite you to read reports of events for Shiv Shakti Leadership Approach, Spirit of the UN Awards, UN International Days, Diwali, and more.
The Culminating Event - UNITING IN YOGIC SILENCE A Transformative Field: December 19th @ 6:30 PM EST
27 November 2023
Turn on the soul light and let it shine on our world.
Tuesday, December 19, 6:30 - 7:30PM EST
At this time of increasing darkness, what the world needs now is for us to turn on the soul light and let it shine at its brightest.
In 2023 the International Day of Yoga Committee at the UN hosted a monthly on-line experience bringing together individuals who are dedicated to exploring the subtle realms through various yoga practices; and to share the impact this has on personal growth, relationships, and the service we do in the community and at work.
Join us on December 19 for this culminating event; a celebration of the light that shines through the darkness.
Kindly feel free to share with your networks.
The culminating event - UNITING IN YOGIC SILENCE A Transformative Field: Dec. 19 @ 6:30 PM EST
Human Rights Spiritual Rights - In honor of the 75th. Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Dec. 1 - Dec. 30
27 November 2023
Human Rights, Spiritual Rights
December 1 - 30, 2023
Dear National and Center Coordinators,
On December 10, the United Nations will be observing Human Rights Day. The Brahma Kumaris at the UN have created a 'spiritual right' for each of the 30 rights mentioned in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In honor of the 75th. Anniversary of the Declaration, we invite you to join us daily from December 1 until December 30 as we focus on each of those rights, both the human right and the spiritual right.
Did you know that the "mudras" or hand gestures can illustrate the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Hand movement or mudra depicts the elegance of universal engagement and progress.
The 30 Mudras or hand gestures invoke the spirit embedded in the Declaration of Human Rights -- the recognition of the existence of individual souls and the relationship between that soul and the Creator.
A daily video will be available on the BKUN YouTube channel from December 1-30 for us to participate in this unique experience as we perform the "mudras" and uphold each article within the human rights declaration.
Each daily video will be premiered at 7:00PM EST.
REMINDER: "Tolerance: Making Peace Possible" - International Day of Tolerance Event On Tuesday, 21st November 2023
20 November 2023
Tolerance: Making Peace Possible
11th. in a series of special Online Reflection in Yogic Silence, a transformative field
Tuesday, November 21, 6:30 - 7:15PM EST
Presenters:
Julia Grindon-Welch, Brahma Kumaris Representative to the United Nations.
Pratiba Daya, Member of National Coordinators - Brahma Kumaris, South Africa.
Robert Perry, Shri Ram Chandra Mission.
Through the practice of deeper listening we come to know the self and develop compassion so that we can connect to our common humanity.
Dedicated to : UN International Day of Tolerance, November 16.
Kindly feel free to share with your networks.
Hosted by the International Day of Yoga Committee at the UN
or more information on the committee, please visit the Facebook.
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims - November 19, 2023
14 November 2023
Dear National and Center Coordinators,
The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR) is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year.
Here's how you can participate on Sunday, November 19th 2023
Remembrance: Take a moment to remember the victims of road traffic accidents and their families. You can light a candle, say a prayer, or simply observe a moment of collective silence to honour their memory.
Raise Awareness: Share information about this day on your social media platforms, within your community, or with your friends and family. Let them know about the importance of safe driving and how we can collectively make a difference.
Positive Thoughts and Actions: Encourage safe driving practices in your own life and inspire others to do the same. Whether it's by obeying traffic rules or being a responsible driver, every action counts.
Experience sharing: You may invite people who survived such accidents and share his/her experiences to inspire people to follow road safety disciplines. Similarly, the person who witnessed such accident and helped the victims at that moment, can also share experiences in a few words.
Dignitaries you can invite
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Higher rank officer from Police Department
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Senior Doctor (Surgeon) who deals with such Trauma Cases
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Psychiatrist who can guide, how to come out of mental impact of such an incident.
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Religious / Spiritual Guru
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Senior Lawyer/Judge who can guide on Dos/Don't during such accident.
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Life Coach or Counsellor
Resources Available
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Tribute Song with subtitles "Humsafar..Aaj kho gaye kidhar" Click here to download
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Placards for Display: Click here to download
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Video messages of dignitaries from various countries: Click here to download
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Meditation Commentary: Click here to download
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Photos of past programs for reference: Click here to download
We would appreciate you sharing any service news of observance of this day in photos, videos and brief report via email to bkroadsafety01@gmail.com.
Thank you.
In Spiritual Remembrances
BK Divyaprabha,
Vice Chairperson,
Transport & Travel Wing, RERF
UN Service Newsletter for August - September 2023
8 November 2023
Dear Spiritual Family,
Greetings of love.
We invite you to read news of International Day of Youth, Raksha Bandhan, UN High Level Sustainable Development Goals Summit, International Day of Peace, and more.
Youth Aspirations: The Future from Within
A group of BK youths co-organized an event with the International Day of Yoga Committee at the UN to celebrate International Youth Day. The A.C.T. program - awareness - contemplation - transformation - was introduced through storytelling and meditation.
We invite you to watch the presentation here.
Coordinator of Youth Activities in the BK UN team, Muralindran Mariappan, attended the celebration hosted by the UN Department of Global Communications on August 11, 2023.
Watch full event here.
Universal Brotherhood - Raksha Bandhan
Tuesday, August 22
A small group of Friends at the UN gathered in the Office of the Brahma Kumaris for the UN to celebrate this sacred festival of Universal Brotherhood under the theme, Living with Limitless Love. BK Gayatri Naraine shared some thoughts on the subject and opened the floor for conversation with those present.
Youth Conference
Empowering youth to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals: from
Discussion to Innovation - Inclusion - Action
September 21-24, 2023
This event took place at the ASF Intercultural Centre, Wall Street, NYC and was organized by Generation Next with the support of UN-Habitat, AFS Intercultural Programs, The Civil Society Unit of the UN Department of Global Communications and other civil society organizations.
BK Muralindran receiving his certificate.
BK Muralindran with Ms. Hawa.
Sustainable Development Goals Summit - High Level Political Forum (HLPF)
We are people and planet
UNHQ, NY 16 – 17 September 2023
The SDG Summit was a major event as this year, 2023, is the half-way mark in achieving the 2030 Agenda. The UN took a very close look at the progress made and discussed what more needs to be done to meet the 17 sustainable goals in the next seven and half years. The Brahma Kumaris team at the UN attended some of the workshops and panel discussions.
Read more.
With UN Staff
With Terry Dale Ince (rights advocate)
overall comments
UN International Day of Peace Celebrations
Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals
Thursday, September 14, 2023
This program had 3 sessions. The first session was the Youth Event from 9:00am to 12:00pm held at the UNHQ.
The second segment was a series of workshops organized by the youths to address the role of youths in implementing the SDGs.
The third segment of the celebration was organized by the Committee for Religious NGOs held at the Tillman Chapel of the UN Church Center.
BK UN team participated in these various events.
Read summary.
Watch a flavor of the Youth event.
Holistic Healing and Wellness in Yogic Silence: a transformative field
This monthly series, organized by the International Day of Yoga Committee at the UN, continues with a focus on one of UN international days in the current month.
In August, the focus was on International Youth Day under the theme, Youth Aspirations: the Future from Within. News about this were shared earlier in this newsletter.
In September, the focus was on International Day of Peace. It was dedicated to the release of a book for children, entitled “The First Day of Peace” and is authored by Todd Shuster, literary agent, and film producer who lives in New York City. Todd is the co-founder of The Peace Studio and a very close friend of the Brahma Kumaris.
Watch Peace event here.
Ongoing at the UN
Weekly Thursday evening meditation is a safe space that continues to offer support and strength for UN friends and contacts.
The BKUN team has been attending side events and supporting a number of other causes organized by UN Agencies, NGOs, and Mission States, and is very active on the committees that they are members of.
September is always a busy time at the UN as they prepare for the General Assembly of all Heads of State worldwide. This year, main focus was on the Sustainable Development Goals and what more needs to be done to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
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.
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.
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 Remebrance for Road Traffic Victims
December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 10 Human Rights Day
"Be the Change" - Special Online Reflection in Yogic Silence, A Transformative Field
9 October 2023
Be the Change
10th. in a series of special Online Reflection in Yogic Silence, a transformative field
Tuesday, October 24, 6:30 - 7:15PM EST
Presentation by: Allison Sandhya M. Teach., O.C.T., RYT 500hr, Reiki Master and Anjuli Subhashini PhD, PMP, RYT 500 hr.
Through the lens of yoga, we will be exploring self-transformation as a way to inspire change in today's ever evolving world.
Dedicated to : UN International Day of Nonviolence, October 2.
Special Online Reflection Igniting Hope: the beauty of the heart, Tuesday, Jul. 18 -- 6:30 pm (7th in the series of HOLISTIC HEALING AND WELLBEING)
13 July 2023
Igniting Hope: The beauty of the heart
7th. in a series of special Online Reflection in Yogic Silence, a transformative field
Tuesday, July 18, 6:30 - 7:15 PM EST
Presentation by: Juan Vasquez, a holistic wellbeing consultant spirituality, natural medicine, regenerative practices, sacred activism
An evening inspired by one of the greatest leaders of modern history, Nelson Mandela or Madiba like many friends called him, became a human rights champion and a beacon of hope. In his darkest hours he found in silence the inner power, the spiritual strength that propelled the societal transformation of an entire nation and influenced the world through his heart that mirrored courage, compassion and forgiveness.
Mandela’s photo/image at the United Nation is symbolic of the inner power and the beauty of the heart that lies within us. The greatest victories are often the ones we face ourselves on our daily lives, his legacy is a reminder that a daily practice that nourishes the self like silence and meditation can ignite active hope in us and allows us to heal, to transform and to make a difference in those around us.
Peace in the Park 2023 Friday, July 28
6 July 2023
One People One Planet One Purpose
Come one, come all to our annual extravaganza! With top-notch performers, rich interactions with multiple expertise, and an enthusiastic crowd with vibrant energy, it's sure to be a good time.
Vision Statement
For all people of the Earth to live in solidarity: in a world of peace, where harmony and respect are preserved among all living beings.
Mission Statement
Peace in the Park (PIP) provides simple tools on how to care for our world, and to respect and uphold the dignity of all races, genders, ages and faiths through artistic expressions.
PIP aims to bring people together to experience what a culture of peace and inclusivity looks and feels like. It is a festival where self-enrichment is a highlight because there is more to life than the day-to-day things we are individually occupied with.
PIP creates a bubble inviting anyone to enter, to experience the different energies in which one can tap into, to explore shifting those energies within the self, and, amazingly, see how the shift takes place in one's outer world.
PIP sees each one as a ripple that impacts the whole.
Friday, July 28, 2023
12:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, NYC
Come and have a shot of positive energy. No matter what time of day, be present, and give yourself a present.
Stay tuned for more to come
Event organized by the Brahma Kumaris and dedicated to UN International Day of Peace.
“Being One World Family”: Brahma Kumaris at the United Nations, New York
29 May 2023
Being One World Family (VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM): An event hosted by the Brahma Kumaris Office for the United Nations (UN).
New York (USA): A conversation focused on the elevated intention of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (World is one Family) included two panelists: H.E. Mrs. Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, and BK Jayanti Kirpalani, Additional Head of the Brahma Kumaris and Main Representative of the Brahma Kumaris at the UN in Geneva, and was moderated by Ramu Damodaran, First Chief, United Nations Academic Impact. There were close to 60 people who gathered in the beautiful space of the Baha’is International Community.
Representatives of the Brahma Kumaris at the United Nations New York : BK Gayatri, BK Sabita, BK Julia were also present on the occasion.
Ambassador Kamboj spoke to India’s walking the talk in its commitment to one human family through its many expressed values, such as respect, kindness, peace, dialogue, cooperation, progress, prosperity, etc. and with India’s large-heartedness through such actions as sending 240 million COVID vaccine doses to many needy countries without any conditions. She also
mentioned that divinity comes from within and that she is a firm believer in what is right, that goodness is a core value.
Sister Jayanti focused on the spiritual perspective of the theme, indicating that it is our spiritual bond that allows us to rise above the physical and come together as one family. The dialogue touched on a number of different aspects of humanity and spirit.
There were also deep questions posed from the audience, who included representatives of other Permanent Missions in Argentina, Guyana and Mauritius, as well as UN staff, other NGOs and members of the New York community.
21 Postures of the Soul - Leading up to International Day of Yoga
29 May 2023
Gentle Reminder: Two special events - May 22 and 23
19 May 2023
Click to register
You are warmly invited to join us on webinar for a conversation on
Being ONE WORLD Family
A dedication to C20, G20 India 2023
Monday, May 22 at 10:30am - 12:30pm
In an era of social fragmentation, conversations about the future focus on balancing power & resolving conflict, but Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (World is One Family) has a more elevated intention: to advance the truth about the core unity of the human family & the natural alignment that flows from this.
Central to the world family is the “dignity and worth of the human person,” as in the phrase of the United Nations Charter, the responsibility of that person to immediate family, community, nation and world — and their responsibility to each human person in turn, allowing for what the Brahma Kumaris (BKs) see as the spiritual reawakening of humanity.
Panelists include:
H.E. Mrs. Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the UN
BK Jayanti Kirpalani, Additional Head of the Brahma Kumaris, and Main Representative of the BKs at the UN in Geneva.
Moderator: Ramu Damodaran, First Chief, United Nations Academic Impact
Event organized by the Brahma Kumaris at the UN.
You are welcome to share this with your networks.
Holistic Healing and Well-being
Healing Self Awareness
Join us online for the monthly series in Yogic Silence, a transformative field, with Denis Licul, Co-founder and President of Yoga in Daily Life - New York.
Yoga as a balance of body, mind, and soul, and an agent of physical, mental, and spiritual health. By healing ourselves, we are healing our families, communities, and the world.
Tuesday, May 23 at 6:30 - 7:15pm
Join the Action: UN Global Road Safety Week from 15-21 May, 2023
17 May 2023
Dear Friends, Greetings of Peace and Happiness,
Road Safety is about an elevated awareness when we use shared spaces – our roads. It is about a vision of equality as we navigate through to our destination. Road Safety is not merely about fewer or zero road crashes, but road behavior is essentially an accurate reflection of one’s deep-rooted personality traits.
We invite you to join the campaign in simple and non complicated ways by simply sharing the below campaign with friends and family wherein you can find a beautiful correlation between the facts and spiritual life skills.
With good wishes,
Brahma Kumaris Road Safety Team
BK UN May 2023 Calendar of Events
12 May 2023
Dear National and Center Coordinators,
Greetings of love.
In this month of May, there are a number of special events that we hope you find interesting. Please see information on our participation in the C20 under G20, India 2023, Holistic Healing and Well-Being, 7th. Global Road Safety Week, and International Day of Families. We look forward to receiving news and photos of events you are organizing and participating in.
Click to register
Being ONE WORLD Family
A dedication to C20, G20 India 2023
Monday, May 22 at 10:30am - 12:30pm
In an era of social fragmentation, conversations about the future focus on balancing power & resolving conflict, but Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (World is One Family) has a more elevated intention: to advance the truth about the core unity of the human family & the natural alignment that flows from this.
Central to the world family is the “dignity and worth of the human person,” as in the phrase of the United Nations Charter, the responsibility of that person to immediate family, community, nation and world — and their responsibility to each human person in turn, allowing for what the Brahma Kumaris (BKs) see as the spiritual reawakening of humanity.
Panelists include:
H.E. Mrs. Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the UN
BK Jayanti Kirpalani, Additional Head of the Brahma Kumaris, and Main Representative of the BKs at the UN in Geneva.
Moderator: Ramu Damodaran, First Chief, United Nations Academic Impact
Event organized by the Brahma Kumaris at the UN.
We encourage you to share this with your networks.
Holistic Healing and Well-being
Healing Self Awareness
Join us online for the monthly series in Yogic Silence, a transformative field, with Denis Licul, Co-founder and President of Yoga in Daily Life - New York.
Yoga as a balance of body, mind, and soul, and an agent of physical, mental, and spiritual health. By healing ourselves, we are healing our families, communities, and the world.
Tuesday, May 23 at 6:30 - 7:15pm
Kindly click here for all the details to organize activities during this week.
Demographic Trends and Families
Monday, May 15
UN concept note states, "Megatrends, including new technologies, demographic shifts, rapid urbanization and migration trends, as well as climate change, have been dramatically shaping our world in recent years, impacting individuals and families. In 2021, the focus was on the trend of families and new technologies. This year, it's on demographics and its impact on family structure. Read more.
We invite you to work with various organizations in your local area to organize events. Please send us photos and a brief report.
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 commemorate them. As usual, we appreciate a brief report and photos for the facebook page and the blog.
You are welcome to browse the UN website for updates on themes on other information and international days you may wish to observe.
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 Remebrance for Road Traffic Victims
December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 10 Human Rights Day
International Weeks:
May 15 - 21 UN Global Road Safety Week
2023 January through June UN News Archive
2022 October through December UN News Archive
2022 June through September UN News Archive
2022 January through May UN News Archive
2021 June through December UN News Archive
2021 January through May UN News Archive
2020 October through December UN News Archive
2020 January through September UN News Archive