Dear National Coordinators, Center Coordinators, and friends,

Greetings of love.

2024 has brought even more promise with full in person access to the UNHQ. The challenges of our world continue to increase making our presence and participation in UN events more demanding.

We invite you to read news of the 62nd. Session for the Commission on Social Development (CSocD62), Shiv Shakti Leadership Approach, International Women's Day, 68th. Session for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), and more.

Love for God, Love of Good, Love thy Neighbor

As you may know, the United Nations annually observes World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW) during the first week of February.

The Brahma Kumaris participated in an Interfaith Dialogue organized by the Tzu Chi Foundation and Global Family for Peace and Happiness. 
A beautiful meditation by 'Chan Space' took everyone beyond sound leaving behind an atmosphere of powerful peace.

As the Co-chair of the Committee of Religious NGOs, Brahma Kumaris at the UN co-hosted a 'Multi-religious Prayer Service for Global Peace, Healing, and Harmony'.

To read more about these events and access links, please click here.

Click image to watch video.

Fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve the overarching goal of poverty.

February 5 - 14, 2024

This year, during the 62nd Session for the Commission on Social Development (CSocD62) held at the UNHQ, NY, the Brahma Kumaris at the UN submitted an oral statement which was read out during the 11th. plenary of the Conference. A panel discussion, entitled, Restoring Human Dignity as a Natural Resource, was co-hosted with three other NGOs.

The BK delegation, Kinnari Murthy, Nidhi Shukla, Sabita Geer, and Muralindran Marriappan, attended other side events and networked with NGOs and other dignitaries. The delegation was supported by Bhanu Prasad and Karen Perusse virtually.

A wonderful outcome was the side event being selected to be featured on UN DESA Website.

Read report: here.

BKs meeting with Chair, CSocD62, Ambassador Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India at the UN.

Acting from Love and Courage: Transformative Strength in Critical Times

This year’s priority theme was

The Brahma Kumaris organized a parallel event on Thursday, March 14 entitled, Dr. Azza Karam , Founder and Principal of Lead- Integrity; Cindy Quesada , Minister of Women, Costa Rica; Gayatri Naraine , Main Representative of the Brahma Kumaris to the UN; and Lebogang Ramafoka , Executive Director of Oxfam South Africa.

As a follow-up to this event, we had an in person experiential gathering called, Time Out to Go In.

You are welcome to read the full report here. 
Watch full event here.

Brahma Kumaris and the Environment

The world’s highest environmental decision-making body, the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) brought about 6000 delegates from 193 Member States to Nairobi to consider proposals for “Effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.”

The Brahma Kumaris was invited to the panel discussion called: Why Faith Matters: Matter in Multilateralism to Combat Climate Change Impacts, Biodiversity Loss, and Plastic Pollution. The event was organised by Catholic Youth Network for Environmental Sustainability in Africa (CYNESA).

Read more here.

GandhiKing Season for Nonviolence Annual Celebration

Learn, Lead, Serve, INC. co-organize the annual celebration of the GandhiKing Season for Nonviolence to honor the legacy of these two historic personalities. This event is usually coordinated by young people and many schools are invited to showcase what nonviolence means to them through art, music, dance, poetry, etc.

This year, the Youths of Brahma Kumaris at the UN prepared a short video sharing their understanding of what "Om Shanti", "Namaste', and "Ahimsa" means and how the practice of saying 'Om shanti" reminds them to be calm and patient. Ranak Tripathi , youth of New Jersey, USA, and Sabita Geer represented the BKs at the event.

Watch the video here.

Ongoing at the BKUN Office

Despite everyone's busy schedules, weekly one hour conversation and meditation is continuing with a small group of BKs along with regular Thursday evening meditation with friends.

The Social Media platforms are continuing to be very active. We do hope you are following us on Twitter , Instagram , and Facebook , and have subscribed to the BKUN YouTube Channel . An extra word of appreciation to the team working behind the scenes, putting it all together.

The BKUN team continues to participate in events organized by ECOSOC and DGC, our many NGO friends and partners: interfaith, climate change, women's empowerment, youth engagement, and more. Committee meetings, of which the BKUN team are members of, continue to take place with the aim of organizing events that support our work at the UN.

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.

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 Remebrance 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 17 - 23 Global Road Safety Week