News

Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves

The Multifaith Summit “Healing the Earth, Healing Ourselves” was organised by the Quakers of Britain, Faith for the Climate and Christian Climate Action

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Interfaith and Climate Action

When I started serving at the UN in Geneva, representing the Brahma Kumaris in the arena of Human rights, I became acutely aware of the many violations and breaches of these rights there are in the world. To address these issues, we needed a group of strong, like-minded people and organisations to work together as allies. As the Brahma Kumaris are a spiritual organisation, we naturally turned to the oldest social structures within society, namely religions.

Consequently, the Geneva Interfaith Forum for Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights was formed. We started acting as a proactive group to move forward the topic of climate change and human rights, until we succeeded in obtaining a ‘UN Special Mandate’ and finally a ‘Special Rapporteur’, whose work it was to study climate change from a human rights angle.

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Summary Report BK at UN Climate Change Conference COP29

We connect – We share – We are there – for you at COP Brahma Kumaris Eco Team are thrilled to share a summary of the key highlights from our activities at COP29. We would like to keep you informed about the major initiatives and events that took place, as we believe they can inspire…

Summary Report BK at UN Biodiversity Conference COP16

Brahma Kumaris Eco Team are thrilled to share a summary of the key highlights from our activities at COP16. We would like to keep you informed about the major initiatives and events that took place, as we believe they can inspire us all to take collective action a sustainable future.

New Advanced Solar Cooking System at Gyan Sarovar

«Read more about the new system installed»

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Youth and Faith combinations explored by Youth representatives of the Brahma Kumaris at COP29

@ COP29 – A report by the Brahma Kumaris Youth Biru : The 19th Conference of Youth (COY19) in Baku was an incredibly inspiring event for us, myselfand Nuray. Youth from over 140 countries came together to share their stories, perspectives, and theunique climate challenges they face. Hearing these heartfelt experiences showed the urgent need forchange…

Brahma Kumaris at COP29, 20th – 22nd November

This year, the COP29 Faith Pavilion offered daily ‘Spiritual Moments’ a serene 30-minute space where diverse faith traditions including the Brahma Kumaris, converged to lead moments of meditation, prayer, and contemplation. This sacred environment provided participants with an opportunity to pause, reflect, recharge and reconnect with their inner selves, each other, and the Earth. Each…

UNCCD COP16

Raising ambition and accelrarating action – the Brahma Kumaris at UNCCD COP16 The sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 13 December 2024. UNCCD COP 16 is more than a critical milestone – it…

Brahma Kumaris at COP29, 18th – 19th November

Over the years, food has become an increasingly important issue at COP conferences.  This is partly due to the concerns over food security because of climate change but also because of the predominance of unsustainable farming methods used worldwide.  This year, the COP team hosted regular reflections and meditations in the Food Action Hub and…

Brahma Kumaris at COP29, 14th – 16th November

Faith groups play a crucial role at COP29, contributing to the global climate action discourse and influencing policy decisions. They also provide a moral and ethical framework for climate action grounding it in spiritual teachings and values which can help to mobilise individuals and communities to take action. As we move into the end of…

Brahma Kumaris at COP29, 11th – 13th November

Every year, the COP meets to determine ambitions and responsibilities for climate action, and to identify and assess climate measures.This year’s conference is hosted by Azerbaijan which holds the COP29 presidency.The presidency’s plan is based on two pillars: enhancing ambition, to ensure all parties commit to ambitious national plans enabling action, which highlights the vital…

UN Biodiversity COP16 Report 3

The BK Green Team continued with inspiring activities in the final days of COP 16, focusing on “making peace with nature” through diverse events. They engaged in side events on Indigenous rights, biodiversity, spirituality, and sustainable agriculture, fostering dialogue across faith, youth, and environmental groups.

UN Biodiversity COP16 Report 2

The BK Green Team participated in many events at COP 16 from October 22 to 27, engaging in a range of activities across both official and public spaces.

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BK Activities at COP29 at a glance

Brahma Kumaris Voices at COP29.

UN Biodiversity COP16 Report 1

The Brahma Kumaris have an active delegation at Biodiversity COP 16 in Cali, Colombia.  Over the course of the next two weeks the team will facilitate events such as consciousness and biodiversity, transitioning to harmony, and cultivating a culture of peace, as well as participating in others’ events and following the negotiations.

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Nature’s Lesson: Nurture the Mind

Nature’s Lesson: Nurture the Mind

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Lisbon Green retreat

Regeneration: Nurturing, the self, the soil and the future.

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Biodiversity UN Conference COP16

From 21 October to 1 November, Colombia will host COP16 in Cali. The Biodiversity COP16 will bring together governments to assess progress in halting and reversing nature loss by 2030 and ramp up implementation action. Check Brahma Kumaris Voices at COP16, Calendar of Events

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Voices of nature

As an only child growing up in the forest of Yuin Country (New South Wales) in Australia, I felt a genuine connection with other species and the living landscape. In First Nations languages of Australia, there are many words that capture the profound art of deep, silent listening. One such word is “Dadirri,” a Pitanjajara term from the Western Desert, which conveys an attentive, affectionate, and curious listening to the present moment. It’s about being fully present and open—qualities that form the foundation of how we connect with the world around us.

This newsletter explores non-verbal ways of communication, not just with each other but with all living beings. Often, we rely on words, but there exists a richer dialogue in the silence and subtle exchanges of energy that connect us all.

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Learning to Listen to Nature

In June 2015, at the opening of the EU Green Week, one of the speakers, Almir Surui, stood out from the rest of the panel due to his unique feather headdress.  Almir was the chief of the Surui, a tribe of the Amazonian Rainforest in Brazil.  Since 1992 his people had been trying to find…

The Young People who Brought the Rain: The Power of our Thoughts

We can clearly see how our actions have a profound impact on nature, ranging from nurturing a flourishing garden to  creating desolate wastelands.  What about on a less tangible level though?  Do our thoughts, prayers and meditations also have an influence on nature?  At an event in January at Global Cooperation House, the  International Coordinating…

Living in Harmony with Other Species

I live in a remote forest area at the foothills of the Billawin Mountains (Victoria Range) in Gariwerd (Grampians), Western Victoria, Australia. It’s about four hours from Melbourne and six from Adelaide. Despite being far from the bustling cities, I feel more connected to life here than ever before.   Four years ago, I experienced…

Green Retreat on Lake Baikal

Retreat “Ecology and Spirituality”

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Irnational-Green-Retreat

Green Retreat “Unfolding the nature of the soul”

Green Retreat “Unfolding the nature of the soul”
Petrozavodsk, Karelia, Russia

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Eco Newsletter, June 2024, Issue 11

The focus in this edition of the BKEI Eco-newsletter is on appreciation; appreciation of the contribution that trees can, and do, make to our lives.

However, appreciation for something can be a bit slippery. It is perhaps a little like a rainbow. When you first see it, you stop to wonder at its beauty, you perhaps bring it to other people’s attention, too. Then, gradually, as the rain passes, the intensity begins to fade until there is just the slightest hue remaining before it’s gone. So too, with appreciation. When something is present in your life on a regular basis our appreciation for it can fade into the background.  That is until something or someone comes along and prompts us to look through fresh eyes once again.

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Lifelines: Planting a Network of Hedgerows to Connect People and Nature

Lifelines weekend team of participants along with the Drala Long resident Buddhists    What is a lifeline?  Clearly it’s something that provides an opportunity for life. The Lifelines Project of the St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace is true to its name.  This project connects community and faith groups with farmers, helping to plant…

Woodlands for the Future

Image by Pexels The makeup of England’s woodlands is the result of human activity over centuries. During this time woodlands have been managed under the assumption that the environment they are growing in will be relatively stable, however, this key assumption is no longer valid. The projected rate of climate change we are currently facing…

Living in Harmony with Other Species

I live in a remote forest area at the foothills of the Billawin Mountains (Victoria Range) in Gariwerd (Grampians), Western Victoria, Australia. It’s about four hours from Melbourne and six from Adelaide. Despite being far from the bustling cities, I feel more connected to life here than ever before.   Four years ago, I experienced…

Learning to Listen to Nature

In June 2015, at the opening of the EU Green Week, one of the speakers, Almir Surui, stood out from the rest of the panel due to his unique feather headdress.  Almir was the chief of the Surui, a tribe of the Amazonian Rainforest in Brazil.  Since 1992 his people had been trying to find…

Biodiversity Day 2024

Bio diversity day – 2024

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Earth Day 2024

Celebrating Earth Day  – 22 April 2024 – Planet Vs Plastic – The Brahma Kumaris have been partnering with the Earth Day organisation to promote the awareness of our responsibility towards the Earth. The theme for this year’s Earth Day, on the 22nd of April 2024 is Planet vs Plastic. Along with many others from various…

Waste Nothing; Value Everything

Zeo Waste Day – 30 March 2024

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Eco Newsletter, Feb 2024, Issue 10

At the time of writing, I am sitting in a snow-covered beautiful landscape in the Swedish Forests. It is cold, minus 10, and it is stunningly beautiful. I am reflecting on our participation in the last UNclimate change conference COP28, which took place in Dubai, UAE, in December 2023. With over 80.000 participants, it became the biggest COP conference ever. The Brahma Kumaris is an accredited observer organisation and was represented by an experienced team with over 15 delegates.

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Vison – Unity – Action – Reconnecting with Mother Earth

Reconnecting with Mother Earth –  A collaborative event organised by the Brahma Kumaris Environmental Initiative, The Yoko Forum and The GreenHeart Foundation.

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Brahma Kumaris at COP28 – Food systems and Sustainable Lifestyles 10 – 12 Dec 2023

Food systems and Sustainable Lifestyles 10th-12th Dec. 2023

9th BK Report UN Climate Change Conference COP28, UAE

COP28 Report from 11th -12th December 2023

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Brahma Kumaris at COP28 – Youth Empowerment and Land Restoration 08 – 09 Dec 2023

Faith and Sustainability 8th-9th Dec. 2023

7th BK Report UN Climate Change Conference COP28, UAE

COP28 Report from 8th-9th December 2023

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Brahma Kumaris at COP28 – Energy and Just Transition 05 – 06 Dec 2023

Faith and Sustainability 5th-6th Dec. 2023

6th BK Report UN Climate Change Conference COP28, UAE

COP28 Report from 6th-7th December 2023

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5th BK Report UN Climate Change Conference COP28, UAE

COP28 Report from 4th December 2023

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Brahma Kumaris at COP28 – Faith and Sustainability 3-4 Dec. 2023

Faith and Sustainability 3-4 Dec. 2023

4th BK Report UN Climate Change Conference COP28, UAE

COP28 Report from 3rd December 2023

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Brahma Kumaris at COP28 – World Climate Action 1-2 Dec 2023

World Climate Action 1-2 Dec 2023

Brahma Kumaris at COP28 – Talanoa Dialogue – 30 November 2023

Informal Interfaith Gathering in the Spirit of Talanoa Dialogue at COP28

3rd BK Report UN Climate Change Conference COP28, UAE

COP28 Report from 1-2 December 2023

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Rising to the Climate Emergency – Brahma Kumaris at COP28

U.A.E. will host the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai 30th Nov – 12th Dec 2023

COP 28 Events

Brahma Kumaris Voices at COP28 – Calendar of Events

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Eco Newsletter, Nov 2023, Issue 9

Just as a lizard under attack has the ability to shed and regrow its tail, are we able to let go of destructive practices and restore the web of life which human activity has exploited and knocked out of balance?…

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World Food Day 2023

Celebrating World Food Day 2023 Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind. An inspiring in-depth interview celebrating World Food Day. Sister Jayanti and Dr Vandana Shiva share their wisdom and experience in a rich and beautiful conversation, exploring the connection between water, food, and life.

Panel discussion themed ‘Climate Wisdom from COP28’

As we collectively address the pressing issues surrounding our planet’s future, the Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative is privileged to invite you to our LIVE panel discussion themed ‘Climate Wisdom from COP28’.

Grasslands in Bharapar, India

Regeneration of Grasslands in Bharapar, India

Grasslands cover approximately twenty five percent of the Earth’s land surface and contain roughly twelve percent of the terrestrial carbon stocks. These ecosystems are mainly found in regions where there is a scarcity of water and not enough regular rainfall to support the growth of forests. There are different types of grasslands – ranging from…

Helping the Bush

by Jessica Yuille, Coordinator of the Blue Mountains Retreat Centre, Australia   In Australia the Brahma Kumaris are fortunate to have four Retreat Centres all with varying amounts of beautiful natural bush and native animals. As custodians of these areas we do our best to care for them. This can mean leaving them alone but…

Africa Climate Summit, Nairobi, Kenya

Sisters Pratibha and Urvashi attended the Africa Climate Summit. It was a great opportunity to meet many dignitaries.  Over 20 heads of State and hundreds of delegates including members of the diplomatic community, ordinary farmers and members of the indigenous communities also attended.

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BK Philippines Service News “Soul-utions to Plastic Pollution” In Observance of UN Environment Day

BK Philippines Service News “Soul-utions to Plastic Pollution” In Observance of UN Environment Day

Malaysia: Report on Climate Change Public Forum

Malaysia: Report on Climate Change Public ForumTheme: Reversibility of Climate Change – The Missing Dimension 23rd July 2023 Sunday 6.00 pm to 8.30 pm,  Bangsar

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SB58 Climate Conference 2023, Side event

Deliver Climate Action – Support a Robust Global Stock Take from a Human Rights and Ethical Perspective The SB58 Side Event held in Bonn aimed to discuss climate action and the importance of a robust Global Stock Take (GST) from a human rights and ethical standpoint. The event took place on Monday, 5th June.  …

SB58 Climate Conference 2023 Report 3

The Brahma Kumaris delegates participated in the daily coordination meeting of RINGO- the Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organizations (RINGO), a constituency to the UN framework convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),in which the Brahma Kumaris is a member. Read more ..

The way to happiness through de-cluttering

Balancing the urge to acquire possessions against the desire to live simply is part of an eternal, never-ending debate. These days, has materialism become the dominant ‘religion’? Covid-19 has offered us the time and opportunity to de-clutter. The question is: Have we used it well? During the pandemic last year, I found I could not…

SB58 Climate Conference 2023 Report 2

The Brahma Kumaris delegates participated in the daily coordination meeting of RINGO- the Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organizations (RINGO), a constituency to the UN framework convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),in which the Brahma Kumaris is a member. Read more ..

SB58 Climate Conference 2023 Report 1

The Brahma Kumaris delegates participated in the daily coordination meeting of RINGO- the Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organizations (RINGO), a constituency to the UN framework convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),in which the Brahma Kumaris is a member. Read more ..

Eco Newsletter, June 2023, Issue 8

Hold a seed in your hand, try to feel the life that it contains within itself. It’s amazing to realise that what I hold in my hands, this humble little seed, is the source of life for us all. A seed is like an embryo, a unit of life that is nurtured by water and the strength of the sunlight. It is also nourished by the richness and accommodation of the soil and all the microorganisms within the soil.

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Brahma Kumaris celebrating World Environment Day, 2023

World Environment Day Om Shanti, warm and heartfelt greetings to all.  June 5th is World Environment Day! Please accept an invitation for all Baba’s Centres to host a public event or BK activity to celebrate this day and add spiritual vibrations to the healing of the land, the waters, the air and the environment that…

Golden Era Eco Service – collaboration project

Golden Era Eco Services was formed to fulfil one purpose – service to Mother Nature and the global community. We use ancient wisdom & experiences & techniques from permaculture with pure vibration to create most self-sustaining natural ecosystems. Learn more about Golden Era Eco Service

Planting Seeds for a Better World

“The earth yields resources to be shared, conserved and used sustainably……. In the freedom of the seed lies the hope and potential for a better world; and in each of us lie the seeds of our deepest and highest humanity, which comes from returning to our membership of the earth family” – Vandana Shiva, scientist…

EARTH DAY 2023

PEACE@SUNRISE 
Sharing Peace Love Gratitude and Hope
As the sun rises worldwide, people of all faiths and of all backgrounds will awaken and arise in prayer or meditation with the dawn. We will be united in our homes and sacred places. At the Brahma Kumaris, we invite you to join our experienced Rajyogis in Sharing Peace, Love and Hope for all life forms. We will celebrate Earth Day by sharing our gratitude for mother earth.

Seeds of Change.

A documentary presenting the approach, commitment and activities of the Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative. The current environmental emergency is a clear call to transform our awareness and lifestyle. The Brahma Kumaris Environmental aims to encourage all of us to feel that we are guardians of the Earth’s resources. As a spiritual organisation our main aim…

Eco Newsletter, February 2023, Issue 7

Many would argue that the world is in a state of degradation, despite the advancements in technology. However, the proof of this lies in the rapid rate by which land is being degraded worldwide. The impacts of land degradation will be felt by most of the world’s population. The two major challenges are soil erosion and desertification.

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Last chance to protect the web of life?

Biodiversity is the web of life – what may be termed a worldwide nature web – of which human beings are an integral part. It encompasses life forms from the tiniest micro-organisms to the largest mammals, on and in the earth, in water, in air. There has long been concern at the loss of species…

A holistic approach to nature

The Brahma Kumaris at COP15 – a Holistic Approach to Nature At the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), progress remained slow and divisions among negotiators difficult to bridge. But the Brahma Kumaris (BKs), often working in collaboration with faith based organisations (FBOs), kept true to their stance that…

Facing the Challenges of our Rapidly Changing World

Global Co-operation House hosted a contribution to the Great Big Green Week: Facing the Challenges of our Rapidly Changing World. The speakers were two spiritual leaders: Maureen Goodman, Canon Giles Goddard and two scientists: Professor James Mair, Dr Thomas Bruhn.

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Tree plantation by Rajyoga centers in Hong Kong

50 Trees planted by the Brahma Kumaris in Hong Kong as a part of the Environment Outreach initiative.

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BIO COP15 Report 4: December 15-19, 2022

The 15th of December was a busy service day for the BK delegation at the CBD COP15 in Montreal, as well as for many ministers and heads of international organizations who lined up for the opening of the high-level segment. In the high-level segment, the COP President, Huang Runique, Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, welcomed delegates and announced the participation of 126 ministers and 77 deputy ministerial representatives from 140 parties as well as 60 heads of international organizations.

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BIO COP15 Report 3: December 12-14, 2022

As the Un Biodiversity Conference COP15 entered its second and final week, negotiation streams multiplied and intensified. The flow of participants increased noticeably in negotiating rooms but also in spaces hosting side-events and the Rio Conventions Pavilion.
The Brahma Kumaris delegation being a member of Multigaigh Group for Biodiversity had a busy week ahead.

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BIO COP15 Report 2: December 9-11, 2022

The Brahma Kumaris delegation entered the 3rd day of the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15 in Montreal. It was another busy day, negotiations in UN CBD COP15 showed signs of progress. Many wondered, however, whether the pace is fast enough to make it to the finish line on time. Deliberations on the global biodiversity framework (GBF) bore some results, although incessant disagreements on its goals indicate that parties’ visions on the future of global biodiversity governance still differ.

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BIO COP15 Report 1: December 6-8, 2022

Biodiversity, the variety of all life on earth, is being lost at an alarming rate. Ecosystems,  from forests and deserts to freshwater and oceans, are in steep decline. One million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction. Genetic diversity is disappearing.
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Awakening A Flourishing Future

Statement of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of Parties (COP15)
December 7-19 2022, Montreal Canada

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From Scarcity to Prosperity: Brahma Kumaris at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP15 in Abidjan

The UNCCD COP15 (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification – 15th Conference of Parties) theme was ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity’ and it took place in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from 9 to 20 May 2022. It was a call to action to ensure land, the lifeline on this planet, continues to benefit present and future generations. It drew nearly 7,000 participants, including heads of state, ministers, delegates from the UNCCD’s 196 Parties and the European Union, as well as members of the private sector, civil society, women, youth leaders, and media.

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COP27 High Lights – A spiritual message of hope and resilience

The Brahma Kumaris (BK) delegation, led by Maureen Goodman, rose energetically to the challenge of communicating hope and resilience in a time of climate emergency at November’s COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, even as the civil society participation was more restricted than at Glasgow in 2021. Our multinational team, drawn from countries in the Arabian…

Event Calendar UN Biodiversity COP15 in Montreal

The Brahma Kumaris and Biodiversity at CEPA Fair Virtual Exhibition:
The Brahma Kumaris and Biodiversity @ CBD.int
Daily reflections and meditations will be organised at Multifaith Pavilion COP155

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Untied Nation Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 in Montreal, Canada, 7-19 December 2022

From December 7-19, 2022, at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, chaired by China in Montreal’s Palais des Congrès, representatives from across the globe are being called on to finalize and approve measures to arrest the dangerous, ongoing loss of terrestrial and marine biodiversity and set humanity on a path to a sustainable relationship with nature…

This is my Now!

Wherever we are in the world, the outcome of the COP27 meeting these past two weeks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, will disappoint many of us. Even so, examples of quiet strength and conviction emerged. Faith-based organisations, present throughout, spoke up for first principles: climate justice, human rights, finance for the suffering. They discussed practical steps,…

Faith-based Organisations: Speaking up for Humanity and the Earth

Well into the second week of the latest COP meeting and certainty is as elusive as ever. An air of mystery around the negotiations is amplified by some prevarication in public by officials, no doubt due in part to the pressure of discussions going right down to the wire. Then, the vocabulary is mind-bending, even…

Building Trust, Leading Transformation

Amid the hustle and bustle, the negotiations and the disagreements of a UN Climate Conference, there are spaces where open-hearted dialogue and quiet reflection, including meditation, take place.

Raising their Voice: Young People at COP27

The young generation steps forward to call for comprehensive action to secure their future and save the Earth

When will we learn?

History, and taking the long view, was woven into the fabric of the opening session of the COP27 meeting, Monday 7th November, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

Delivering the promise: How to ensure future adaptation needs are addressed.

Date/Time: Fri, 11.11.2022, 11.30-13.00 COP27 Side Event Delivering the promise: How to ensure future adaptation needs are addressed. Urgent action is required to close the prevailing adaptation finance gap and deliver finance to communities where it is needed most. While scaled up finance that matches the scale of adaptation needs is required, much remains to be…

COP27 Press conference

Date/Time: Fri, 11.11.2022, 10:00-10:30 COP27 Press conference Core values and ethical principles for climate action – Maureen Goodman, Brahma Kumaris – Programme Director UK, and Representative to UN, Vienna Golo Pilz, Brahma Kumaris Adviser Renewable Energy Thomas Hirsch, Founding Director Climate & Development Advice Germany Venue: Press Conference Room Luxor, Taba Area, Blue zone  

Rising to the Climate Emergency – Brahma Kumaris at COP27

Egypt will host the 27th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh on 6–18 November 2022.

Eco Newsletter, October 2022, Issue 6

We live on a blue planet. The name is misleading, we call it Earth, yet over 70% of its surface is covered by the ocean. It is the Blue Marble as in the beautiful image taken by astronauts in 1972. Sometimes we forget how essential the ocean is for the water we drink, the air we breathe, the food we eat, for life. The ocean is the biggest ecosystem on the planet, holding 99% of all habitable space in the world, it contains 94% of the world’s wildlife and 97% of all the water. It is responsible for at least 50% of the oxygen on Earth. The ocean is a major factor in the water cycle that affects climate and weather. It controls rainfall and droughts. Without this process, most of our planet would be an icy desert. The ocean is our biggest ally in the fight against climate change. It is responsible for absorbing 25-50% of the carbon dioxide humans have released into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. Scientists have determined that the ocean absorbs more than 90% of the excess heat, which is attributed to greenhouse gas emissions.

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Water Conservation and Recycling at the BK Campuses in Rajasthan

The headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, welcomes around 300,000 visitors every year to its 3 campuses, the largest of which is Shantivan situated in Abu Road.  Thirty two thousand people can be accommodated at any one time and they often stay for 3 to 4 days in order to attend spiritual retreats, conferences and workshops, including ones to raise environmental awareness.  The water requirements are therefore massive and include providing cold water for drinking and cooking, water for bathing, water for the Hospital and water for gardening.

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Brahma Kumaris celebrating World Environment Day, India 2022

Across India, Brahma Kumaris centres celebrated World Environment Day with great enthusiasm. Many hundreds of people were taught new ideas about protecting the environment. A photo report was prepared of the events.

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COP27 Events

Brahma Kumaris Voices at COP27 – Calendar of Events, COP27 Blue Zone Exhibition.

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Kalp Taruh

Kalp Taruh is a key plantation project cum mechanism By Brahma Kumaris to ensure land restoration and promote higher order values for building a better civilized society and support many of the UN SDGs.

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KalpTaruh – A Unique Plantation Campaign

Water Conservation and Recycling Report, Mount Abu, India

For conserving rainwater Brahma Kumaris has built reservoirs at its headquarters campuses and in the nearby places of Abu Road. Besides this, all the major center buildings of India have proper underground water harvesting units.

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In the Spirit of the Talanoa Dialogue Report

In the Spirit of the Talanoa Dialogue – Building Trust and Respect with Planet and Community was held on Saturday 3rd July 2022 at Global Cooperation House in London.  This was a hybrid event, in partnership with Faith for the Climate, offered as a contribution to London Climate Action Week with a special focus on Africa, on the road to COP27.

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Peace Drops for the Great Green Wall

Peace Drops for the Great Green Wall,  a Meditation Initiative
Please join us on the second Sunday of each month at 2 pm GMT for English and 6 pm GMT for French program, on YT BKEnvironment and FB EcoBrahmaKumaris.

UN Ocean Conference 2022 Report

The report from the 2022 UN Ocean Conference.

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Save our Ocean, Protect our Future, Ocean2022

Save our Ocean, Protect our Future
2022 UN Ocean Conference Lisbon, Portugal, 27 June – 1 July 2022
The Second United Nations Ocean Conference will take place from 27 June to 1 July 2022, at the Lisbon Altice Arena Convention Center.

Eco Newsletter, June 2022, Issue 5

I grew up in an iron ore mining town in northern Canada. I grew up knowing that food was purchased at the grocery store. I then worked in community development in Canada, Africa and Asia and learned food actually comes from the land. From the land, and the farmers and harvesters, transporters, processors, wholesalers, retailers and all the others involved in the food system. To enjoy food there is also a chain of cooking, eating and disposing of waste. And, when we think about it, there is a huge global, industrial system of food production and consumption based on geo-political relationships, energy consumption, using chemical fertilisers, pesticides and preservatives, financial subsidies, corporate profits, seed patents, land ownership … and as much as 35% of production goes to waste! Food is a complicated issue! 


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Peace Drops

Peace Drops for the Great Green Wall, a Meditation Initiative.

Report Stockholm +50, UN Conference 2-3 June 2022

Stockholm+50 conference commemorates the first United Nations Conference in 1972 on the Human Environment and celebrates 50 years of global environmental action. By recognizing the importance of collaboration in tackling the Earth’s triple planetary crisis – climate, nature, and pollution – the international meeting aimed to drive action toward a healthy planet for the prosperity of all.
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Report Stockholm +50, Inner Transformation, Sustainable Lives

This year marks 50 years since the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, a seminal event in creating awareness and promoting action to combat the degradation of the Earth and natural resources.

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2nd Service Report Brahma Kumaris at UNCCD COP 15 Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (the Ivory Coast)

The second and final week of UNCCD COP15 in Abidjan was a time for creating friends of the Earth among COP delegates and anyone caring for the land, who came in contact with Brahma Kumaris. There were number of gatherings within and outside COP15 venue, such as an informal get together, COP15 Reception, side event and dinner hosted by the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire. These formed a platform to share our inside – out approach to healing the land and creating prosperity. Another highlight was the amazing Great Green Wall that became an inspiration for a new meditation project.

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1st Service Report Brahma Kumaris at UNCCD COP 15 Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (the Ivory Coast)

The Brahma Kumaris is accredited to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and is particpating in the 15th Conference of Parties (COP) taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire from 9 to 20 May 2022. The BK delegation is active in the CSO platform, contributing to various Thematic Working Groups, attending COP15 plenary sessions and side events with the aim of exploring and further understanding challanges related to land restoration, droughts and desertifcation. We bring to these discussions the knowlege of role of consciousness in all aspects and offer practical examples and solutions.

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Stockholm+50 Conference

Stockholm+50 will commemorate the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and celebrate 50 years of global environmental action. Join the Brahma Kumaris Environment team in two associated events.

icon linking to PDF document 1 June: Healthy mind, Healthy planet | icon linking to PDF document 2 June: Shift in Mindset

UNCCD Africa COP15

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP15 Conference is taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 9 to 20 May 2022. Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative is sending a delegation to address the theme: ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity’, a call to action to ensure land, the lifeline on this planet, continues to benefit present and future generations.

Progress Report on “India one”, Solar Thermal Power Plant

“India One” is a 1 MW electrical Solar Thermal Power Plant with 16 hrs thermal energy storage allowing for round the clock operation. This captive power plant supplies power to Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Abu Road, Rajasthan with total capacity of 25,000 people.

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Water management with Rajyoga

Water management with Rajyoga. Water is precious, Life could not exist without it.

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COY 16 – The United Nations Conference of Youth prior COP 26

COY 16, which took place from 28th – 31st October 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland was facilitated by YOUNGO, the official children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Food Care Initiative – BKEI

This toolkit is a resource of information and activities to guide your participation in and contribution to the Brahma Kumaris Food Care Initiative. You are warmly invited to select any aspect which interests you. The toolkit can be used for personal development or to help you design and implement events for youth and adults in your city or country.

 www.foodcare.org  |  PDF icon   Read more.

Eco Newsletter, January 2022, Issue 4

The state of the planet is broken. We must stop our war on nature. Making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century. Food systems are one of the main reasons why we are failing to stay within our planet’s ecological boundaries” Antonio Guterres – Secretary-General of The United Nations

Welcome to our January Newsletter.  In this edition, we are focusing on how we can restore our sacred relationship with the Earth particularly in relation to how we produce our food.

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David Fletcher’s interview

David Fletcher puts the case for returning to more traditional forms of growing and preparing food so as to restore our sacred relationship with the land. David Fletcher has been a community development educator and researcher for over 30 years. He has had the opportunity to work with and learn from indigenous people in Africa,…

Launch Event of Eco Champions Ghana

The Ghana Wing of the Global BK Eco Initiative was launched on 8th December 2021 by the Accra BK Center as ‘Eco-Champions Ghana.’ The official launch was a two-hour long ceremony, including a panel discussion and networking session, at a quaint Coffee Shop named Theia House, with over 50 people in attendance, from various sectors ranging from agriculture, micro-farming, to waste recycling, energy and oil, holistic wellbeing and health, among many others. The owner of the venue, Lana Captan, graciously gave us the space free of cost.

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Parks created and managed by Brahma Kumaris

Gardens promote physical health, mental health through relaxation and satisfaction. It can provide a harmonious space to relax, unwind, reflect and restore ourselves. BKs believe and follow cleanliness inside and outside. They are keenly interested in Environmental Health issues and offer lasting spiritual solutions to world problems. BKs have been entrusted with creating and maintaining a number of parks across the country.

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Climate change – The Hidden Solution

In a paper entitled Underestimating the Challenges of Avoiding a Ghastly Future, CJA Bradshaw and his co-writers observed that there was a general consensus on what needs to be done to prevent a 6th extinction but no consensus on how to do it. Bradshaw points out that many ambitious targets have been set over the…

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, 11th-13th November 2021

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, 11th-13th Nov. 2021 – Glasgow, Scotland

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COP26 – A new generation takes the baton

After weeks of work preparing for COP26, culminating in an intense fortnight of activities in Glasgow, the Brahma Kumaris delegation has left Scotland to return home. They stayed in the beautiful rural surroundings of Linlithgow, making the daily round trip into the city mostly by public transport. Logistical support was provided by the BKs of…

UN Climate Change Conference COP2 : Climate engagement: From protests to play

As negotiations in Glasgow went down to the wire in week two of COP26, civil society organizations presented a rich programme of events to communicate their vision for meaningful action.

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Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 9th-10th November 2021

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, 9th-10th Nov. 2021 – Glasgow, Scotland

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Towards a global transformation

COP26 Report 11.11.2021, Towards a global transformation.

 

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, 7th-9th November 2021

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26,  7th-9th Nov. 2021 – Glasgow, Scotland.

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Raising their voices, calling for justice

A recurring theme – and social media meme – surrounding COP26 is how far the concerns of ordinary people are being heard. Cries of “greenwashing” are getting louder.

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 5th-6th November 2021

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26
5th-6th Nov. 2021Glasgow, Scotland

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“India One” – a model of co-operation in renewables

COP26 Report 3 5.11.21, “India One” – a model of co-operation in renewables

 

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, 2 – 4 November 2021

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, 2nd– 4thNov. 2021Glasgow, Scotland

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Calling for a Nature-Positive World

Faith and spiritual leaders yesterday formally called on politicians and negotiators at COP26 to step up to the plate and deliver on pledges made at Paris in 2015 as well as prioritise the transition to a just and green economy.

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, 26 – 32 October, 1 November 2021

After 2 years of pause due to Corona, the UN Climate Conference COP 26 is finally taking place in Glasgow,Scotland. Almost 25,000 delegates, 200 ministers and heads of states, and most importantly the Brahma Kumaris delegation headed by Sister Jayanti, are coming together to find solutions to the emerging climate disaster.

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Digital Green Zone : Virtual exhibition

We are delighted to inform you that the Digital Green Zone is now live on Google Arts and Culture. Explore our Digital Green Zone and Virtual Exhibition to view the work of Brahma kumaris for Environment.  #COP26 #togetherforourplanet. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/FQVx9zmG-M0i8w

COP26 Report

COP26 Climate Talks Open in Scotland, As world leaders gather for COP26 in Glasgow, representatives of faith and spiritual groups step up to speak for the unheard.

COP26 Lead up report

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP26, Leading-up to Glasgow, Scotland.

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Eco Newsletter, Oct 2021, Issue 3

The Brahma Kumaris in Australia is fortunate to have four Retreat Centres; two just out of Sydney – ‘Leura’ in the Blue Mountains and ‘Wilton’ in the Southern Highlands, and two just out of Melbourne, ‘Baxter’ on the Mornington Peninsula and ‘Yarra Valley’ a recently ‘acquired’ beautiful boutique Retreat Centre in the Yarra Valley.

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COP 26 Events

 

ILC Webinar

A webinar organised by the Interfaith Liaison Committee (ILC) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Inspired Faith Action Towards COP26

icon linking to PDF document Read more, Monday 27 September | 10:00-11:30 AM CEST
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A Meditation for UN Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

A Meditation for UN Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
Tuesday, 7 September  6.00 – 6.30 pm (AEST)  ONLINE on YouTube
Link:  http://tiny.cc/healthyairmeditation

Environment day celebration in India

Environment day celebration in India, Celebrating eternal bond with nature, celebrating awareness and action.

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Yogis For Future

You and the BK Green Community are invited to the Pre-Launch of Yogis For Future. We welcome your feedback and ideas before the launch on Dadis Day 25th Aug.

June/July COP26 News

A report of June/July COP26 News

Click here for the report

Brahma Kumaris celebrating World Environment Day, India 2021

Brahma Kumaris celebrating World Environment Day, India 2021
Across India, Brahma Kumaris centres celebrated World Environment Day with great enthusiasm. Many hundreds of people were taught new ideas about protecting the environment. A photo report was prepared of the events.

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Newsletter July 2021

Welcome to green news in July 2021 for the worldwide BK community.

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Rising to the Climate Emergency – Brahma Kumaris UK 2021 (COP26)

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1–12 November 2021. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26.

Green Newsletter September 2020

Welcome to Green News of September 2020 for the worldwide BK community.

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Green Newsletter September 2020

Newsletter June 2021

Welcome to green news in June 2021 for the worldwide BK community.

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World Environment Day 2021

  Dear Nature, 12 days festival celebrating eternal bond with nature In support of the UN decade of Ecological restoration. Reimagine, Recreate, Restore…it all starts with Realise, Review and Relive Invitation to everyone to participate in the 11 days various activities, enriched with 11 brilliant talks from Great leaders and Local Heros creating Global Impacts…

The Healing Force of Ahimsa

Ahimsa is an ancient philosophy.  Sometimes described as ‘non-violence towards all life’, it is in fact a deeply felt way of being, in which we are able to experience the living energy of other life forms. It comes to us from a different time, a time when we had a deep connection with nature. Of…

Eco Newsletter, May 2021, Issue 2

The springtime in the Celtic tradition is called the return of the solar energy when the sun starts to gather warmth and stimulates the new creation within the soil, a process which begins to unfold in January.   The Solar energy or the fire element needs to combine with Mother Earth for the creation.

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Earth Day 2021

April 22nd is celebrated as Earth Day and the theme this year is ‘Restore Our Earth’. Watch Sister Jayanti in conversation with environmentalist Dr Vandana Shiva, moderated by Br. Srinidhi. April 22nd, 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm IST

Watch: http://tiny.cc/restoreourearth

ECO Yogis

In celebration of nature, and encompassing Mother Earth Day (22 April) and Environment Day (5 June), we invite you to join in on 7 special conversations with some members of the International Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative team where we will harvest their experiences, ideas and perspectives about nature, the environment and the work they do. bit.ly/ecoyogis

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March 2021

Welcome to green news in March 2021 for the worldwide BK community.

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Tree Planting Program by Agriculture & Rural Development Wing

The Rural Development Wing also started to celebrate the annual World Environment Day in 2016 when hundreds of centres arrange environment awareness campaigns and tree plantation events each year.

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Tree Planting at Solar Power Plant India-One

at Brahma Kumaris Spiritual Headquarters, Abu Road, Rajasthan, India

The tree plantation at India-One restores bio-diversity, absorbs carbon and prevents dust on the large 60m2solar plates. India-One Solar Plant became operational in 2017, and the tree planting started long before, in 2010. More than 3000 trees of approximately 45 varieties have been planted. These trees absorb about 42tonnes of CO2 per year.

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Trees are showing the way

Trees Are Showing the Way, How to change the hardest thing to change – the human heart.

The aim of environmental work is to figure out collectively how we can return to a mentality of taking care of the natural systems that sustain us. In order to do this we need to rapidly move into a phase of giving back to the world around us more than we take from it.

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LCOY Australia Report

A brief report of the LCOY Australia 2021 program, Friday 5  – Sunday 7 February.

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Faith for Earth Councilors : Capacity Building and Development program

New Delhi, 17th March; A meeting of high-level faith-based organizations from the Hindu community was held yesterday at UN House, New Delhi to seek synergies between the ongoing work of many faith institutions and the vision of UNEP as part of the Faith for Earth Councilors Program.

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Urgently Addressing Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue

An event offered by the Geneva Interfaith Forum on Climate Change, Environment and Human Rights (GIF) on the occasion of the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Concept Note

Urgently Addressing Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue – Small Island States, Indigenous Peoples, Youth and Faith Perspectives

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Newsletter March 2021

Welcome to green news in March 2021 for the worldwide BK community.

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UNEA5

Programs dedicated to UNEA5.1 – UN Environment Assembly February 2021.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of values. Wednesday, the 3rd of February, at 4.30 – 6.00 PM CET
Inner awareness and commitment for restoring nature. Saturday, the 6th of February, at 9:00 – 10:30 AM CET

LCOY 2021

The Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) is a youth-led global movement under the umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth and children NGOs constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

We invite participation from youth students, young entrepreneurs and those interested to get involved in creating a better world. You will learn about climate change, sustainable initiatives, innovations and network with like-minded youth.
LCOY UAE | LCOY Australia

Eco Newsletter, January 2021, Issue 1

Interfaith and climate change Welcome to the first edition of the Eco Newsletter from the Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative.  This edition highlights our work related to Interfaith and Climate Change as it is an area that is growing in terms of its importance and influence.

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Brahma Kumaris Report (2018 – 2020) to the United Nations

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Report 2018-2020 of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU)

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Newsletter December 2020

Dear BK Green Community This year has truly been a rollercoaster. Corona has changed so many things in such a short time. Who could have imagined this! We hope you are all well and things are all right.

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2019-09-24 Consultation Program

This conference of faith based organisations considered the following topics

  • Climate Justice
  • Climate change Loss and Damage
  • Climate migration
  • Climate emergency declarations
  • 2019 and beyond

    See the programme and details

Video: 10 ways to change the world

By changing our consciousness and re-connecting with our inner spirit we naturally want to make the world a healthier, safer and more beautiful place.

Newsletter November 2020

Dear Friends and servers Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a very beautiful celebration with the universal message of good having victory over evil.

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LCOY India 2020

 LCOY India 2020 workshop.  The registration link for the event is, http://bit.ly/LCOYIndia2020

    See Video.

    See the report and photos (phone)

Faith for the Climate

Faith for the Climate, A message from sister Jayanti, Director, Brahma kumaris Europe & middle east, connecting Diwali and the environment.

    See Video.

    See the report and photos (phone)

 

Faiths Unite: Visions for Transformative Climate Action

The Interfaith Liaison Committee welcomes friends from around the world to learn, discuss and explore climate action in the run-up to what should have been COP26.

Online Event, 27 Oct:  The World We Want

Online Event, 03 Nov:  COP26 –Ramp Up Ambition!

Online Event, 10 Nov:  Hope for the future

World Food Day 2020

The World Food Day event, Food behaviour – Aahaar Vyavhaar(Hindi).

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Brahma Kumaris Report (2014 – 2017) to the United Nations

United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Report 2014-2017 of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU)

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Newsletter September 2020

The workd food day event, Food Behaviour, -aahaar vyavhaar

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Golo’s service tour of Denmark, Sweden and Lithuania

Golo’s service tour of Denmark, Sweden and Lithuania

Easing the lock-down and re-starting BK centre activities

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Green Champions training

Eco Online ‘Green Champions’ Training Report
Sunday 21st June 2020
Facilitators: Joanna Kitto and Nirmala Ragbir-Day

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UNEP: Faith for Earth meeting Dec 2019

This was an international three day workshop, held 17th -19th  December 2019 and attended by Faith for Earth leaders on invitation by UNEP, to develop proposals in line with the sustainable development goals to address issues of climate change.

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BK Statement for the UN 66th DPI/NGO Conference: May 30 – June 1, 2016

The Brahma Kumaris statement for the United Nations 66th DPI/NGO Conference:

“Education for Global Citizenship: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Together.”

Realizing our Interconnectedness Through a Shift in Awareness

Held: May 30 – June 1, 2016 , Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

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Webinar Series on Human Rights, Ethics and Climate Change

GIF Webinar Series on Human Rights, Ethics and Climate Change Report
Webinar #1 and #2: Human Rights, Ethics and Climate Change
Webinar #3: Human Rights, Ethics and Climate Change (in Spanish)

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Newsletter June 2020

The Green Newsletter, Report of World Environment Day.

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COP 13, bio-diversity – third Report

  • The side event: Awakening Biodiversity Consciousness – Connection Between the Inner State and Nature
  • The success arising from the Bioclick programme
  • News from the press conference
  • Activities at the CEPA kiosk
  • a great photo of the team

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Newsletter for World Environment Day

The Green Newsletter special edition for World Environment Day.

Greetings in advance for World Environment Day.

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Healthy Mind, Healthy Planet, Global Online Summit

Eminent speakers and wonderful performers from all walks of life from Peru, Costa Rica, New York, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Philippines, Hong Kong and Australia contributed to the Healthy Mind, Healthy Planet webinar.

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World Environment Day (Youth events).

A new initiative by Brahma Kumaris Youth has been launched on the occasion of the World Environment Day (WED 2020).

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Talk on Effect of COVID-19 on Climate Change & World Renewal

Amidst the worldwide lockdown and in conjunction with World Environment Day, Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative, in cooperation with Brahma Kumaris Malaysia and Awakening TV Channel, hosted a thought-provoking Global YouTube LIVE Public Talk themed:  “Effect of COVID-19 on Climate Change & World Renewal”

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Newsletter May 2020

The Green Newsletter, Happy World Environment Day to all of You.

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COP 13, bio-diversity – second Report

The busy activities of the Brahma Kumaris continued through the first week of the COP13 events including:

  • Taking part in: Handprint: Positive Action for Sustainability
  • Interesting events attended
  • the BK side event: Awakening Biodiversity Consciousness – The role of human awareness preserving biodiversity
  • Our kiosk at the CEPA fair
  • Government representatives met
  • weekend hikes
  • some great photos…

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BioCOP13, Cancun, Mexico 2016, 1st report

Brahma Kumaris are actively attending the Conference of Parties for Biodiversity (BioCop13) being held in Cancun, Mexico 2016.  This first report includes:

  • The background to the conference
  • The Brahma Kumaris theme
  • The delegates
  • Brahma Kumaris activities
  • The participation of the President of Mexico
  • Some of the side events that were attended

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Newsletter April 2020

The Green Newsletter, Happy Earth Day to all of You.

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Green Day in Madhuban 2020

The Green Day dedicated to the environment has now become a bi-annual event in Madhuban. Many activities took place with focus on emergency preparedness and refining our relationship with and service of Mother Earth.

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Meditation for the World

Welcome to our daily 15 minutes synchronised meditation with the whole Brahma Kumaris community around the world to share vibrations of peace with the world.

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Newsletter March 2020

Dear Friends of the Green Newsletter:

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    Newsletter March 2020 (Phone)

Newsletter February 2020

The green newsletter.  Happy Shivratri to all original utopians

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How the light gets in – report 2019 (phone)

Modern Crises and Ancient Gods: How the Light Gets in Festival, Kenwood House, London, UK, 21st September 2019 The annual How the Light Gets In Festival, organized by the Institute of Art and Ideas, brings together leading thinkers and public figures to discuss topical and wide-ranging themes. David Malone, film producer and UK Green Party…

Prakruti Mitra Award

Brahma Kumaris centre in Bangalore was honoured  with the “Prakruti Mitra Award” by BNM Institute of Technology, Banashankari & Heritage Trust(R) , Basavanagudi.

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Building community resilience in the face of environmental injustice

The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute policy conference was held on 5-7 November 2019 in Johannesburg.  Its purpose was to allow faith leaders from Southern Africa and beyond to deliberate, share practices, and jointly develop policy positions on a number of key issues.  Sister Usha of Brahma Kumaris gave an impassioned speech at the closing of the conference.

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Building community resilience in the face of environmental injustice (phone)

Sister Usha offered an impactful input at the closing of SAFCEI’s (Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute) policy conference “A new vision for sacred life and living earth”  It was held on 5-7 November 2019 in Johannesburg. The purpose of this conference was to create a space where faith leaders from Southern Africa and beyond…

COP25 – Chile – Report 2

The programme of events in Chile for COP25 has continued, even though the conference was moved to Spain.  This report describes some of the many team activities.

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LCOY15 Netherlands (phone)

Report: BK participation at LCOY – the Local Conference of Youth for Climate Change in Netherlands 16th – 17th November 2019, Amsterdam The Local Conference of Youth for Climate Change Netherlands (LCOYNL) 2019 took place from 16-17 November at the Amsterdam University College. The Conference of Youth (COY) is a youth-powered conference which take place…

LCOY15 Netherlands

The Brahma Kumaris supported The Local Conference of Youth for Climate Change Netherlands (LCOYNL) 2019 with an experienced team.  This conference took place from 16-17 November at the Amsterdam University College.

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COY15 Madrid

The Conference of Youth (COY) is held annually in the same country and prior to the Conference of the Parties (COP), which is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). COY serves as a preparation session for youth non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to develop position papers, network and form strategic decisions on climate change solutions.  Despite the COP venue moving from Chile to Spain, Brahma Kumaris fielded a strong team of experienced young people.

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COY15 Madrid (phone)

Report: BK participation at COY15 – the Conference of Youth for Climate Change held in Spain November 29 – December 1, 2019, Madrid The Conference of Youth (COY) is held annually in the same country and prior to the Conference of the Parties (COP), which is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework…

LCOY in Germany (phone)

Report about first BK Local Conference of Youth in Germany 4.-6. October 2019, in Heidelberg The Local Conferences of Youth (LCOY´s) are organized in addition to the international COY, which always take place shortly before the UN Climate Change Conference in the same host country. Since the awareness of the need to inform and act…

LCOY in Germany 2019

The Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) for Germany was held in Heidelberg, Germany in October 2019.  Over 550 young people attended the event.  The local BKs, as well as having an exhibition stand, organised many meditation sessions for the participants.  It was a good success.

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COP25 – Madrid – Report 11 (last)

After a busy two weeks, much has been done by the team.  Several new collaborations have been created.  The team is now dispersing back to their places around the world.  In this report:

  • A review of the final outcome from COP25
  • Article in German Newspaper “Die Zeit”
  • A Vigil by Interfaith community
  • Travel compensation arrangements
  • A creative reflection and dialogue
  • Feedback meeting
  • A birthday party
  • Goodbye from the editing team
  • Additional reporting on the reflection and dialogue space

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COP25 – Madrid – Report 11 (last) (phone)

Friday 13th December 2019 Madrid, Spain This is the final day, and slowly the last members of green team leave our lovely BK centre in Madrid. Final on late Sunday morning a very weak and almost useless declaration has been signed.  No major breakthrough had been seriously expected but observers had at least hoped to…

COP25 – Madrid – Report 10

The tireless BK COP Team continue holding events and collaborating with other groups.  In this report:

  • More news from the COP
  • Side event in the Chile Pavilion
  • An intergenerational dialogue between all the UN climate bodies and youth representations
  • A UN head of organisations leadership dialogue
  • Civil society forum
  • Some splendid photos

    See the report and photos

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COP25 – Madrid – Report 10 (phone)

Thursday 12 December 2019 Madrid, Spain While protesters were pondering how best to make their point as the Friday evening deadline for the negotiations approached, the conference halls were still thronging with business executives and representatives of corporate groups.  Many were hosting receptions, cocktails and dinners for financial backers, institutions and government officials. There seems…

COP25 – Madrid – Report 9 (phone)

Wednesday 10th December 2019 Madrid, Spain This morning started with a series of talks in the main plenary hall, moderated by Gonzalo Muñoz.  He is the designated climate champion from Chile.  The first Speaker was Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Climate Institute and he summed up the latest findings in climate research.  The picture he…

COP25 – Madrid – Report 9

In this report:

  • Greta Thunberg’s speech and a review of the COP25
  • A side event by BK and Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies, at the German Pavilion
  • Training with Green Faith
  • An interfaith co-ordination meeting
  • A second BK reception
  • Meeting an education leader from Ahmedabad, India

    See the report and photos

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COP25 – Madrid – Report 8 (phone)

Tuesday 10th December 2019 Madrid, Spain Opening of high-level plenum at the COP High level delegates from the Governments are meeting in Madrid for the second week of crucial UN talks on the global response to the climate emergency.  Campaigners have been frustrated by the slow pace of the negotiations, despite growing public clamour, including…

COP25 – Madrid – Report 8

COP25 is now reaching its important stage where decisions need to be made.  The BK team continue to give their message in many creative ways.  In this report, there is:

  • Opening of the high level plenum and where we are at
  • Addressing climate change through a human perspective
  • BK public program dedicated to COP25
  • Youngo daily meeting
  • Side event with Al Gore, chairman of the Climate Reality Project
  • Action for climate empowerment
  • A smoke ceremony

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   See the report and photos (phone)

COP25 – Madrid – Report 7 (phone)

Monday 9th December 2019 Madrid, Spain This Monday morning, we went early to the Conference as Golo had a Press conference along with Solar Cookers inter-national.  At the entrance we were greeted by climate protesters chanting: There is no future without a planet.  But before our press conference, the Hall was used by Fridays for…

COP25 – Madrid – Report 7

The team in Madrid continue to make important connections and meet more VIPs.  Monday 9th December was a particularly busy day for them. In this report is included:

  • The arrival of Greta Thunberg
  • Press conference solar cookers
  • BK press conference with Sister Jayanti
  • Faith leaders meeting UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary
  • A Briefing on Geo-engineering
  • A side event “The power of the religious environmental movement”
  • Meeting the Nigerian Minister of the Environment
  • A Dialogue of the Resistance Frontiers Initiative
  • Some photos of key moments

    See the reports and photos

    See the reports and photos (phone)

COP25 – Madrid – Report 6 (phone)

Saturday 7th December 2019 Madrid, Spain The climate conference is entering in its second week and soon environment and foreign ministers will arrive to give a boost and finalise the outcome.  Interestingly, the overriding issue of how fast the world needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions has received little official attention.  “We are at risk…

COP25 – Madrid – Report 6

The BK COP team in Madrid continue to make important connections and collaborations, sharing the idea that the world needs a change in consciousness.  Included in this report:

  • A report of the state of the COP negotiations
  • The interfaith press conference with Sister Jayanti
  • Activities in the Civil Society space
  • A side event, “Building a spirit of solidarity to deal with the climate emergency
  • The creation of the Sanctuary Space, a new collaboration including BK

    See the report and photos

    See the report and photos (phone)

COP25 – Madrid – Report 5 (phone)

Friday 6th December 2019 Madrid, Spain Half-way briefing This morning, our team met for the half-way briefing.  BKs programs and activities have gone well but it appears the conference is not yet on track to deal adequately with the climate crisis.  There is still a week to go but experts already voice doubts if the…

COP25 – Madrid – Report 5

The team had a chance to take some time out from their busy schedule.  This report includes:

  • The half way briefing
  • A message from Dadi Janki
  • The president of India visiting Madhuban
  • A green outing
  • News of the climate march

    See the report and photos

    See the report and photos (phone)

COP25 – Madrid – Report 4 (phone)

Thursday 5th December 2019 Madrid, Spain Golo and Sonja brought the eternal COP flame from Chile to Madrid.  Sister Jayanti official handed it over to the Spanish Brahma Kumaris (BK’s). Workshop on tracking progress 2020-23 Julia and Maria attended a meeting which was part of a two-day CAMDA workshop on data collection and climate action. …

COP25 – Madrid – Report 4

After the intense period of BK programmes and side events, the team were able to network with other groups and enjoy some social occasions with them.  In this report there is:

  • Workshop on tracking progress 2020-23, a two day CAMDA workshop
  • Inner Dimension of Climate Change, a programme of the Global Peace Initiative
  • A reception for friends
  • How do we relate to future generations? – Organised by the Institute for Advanced Social Studies and BKs helped to facilitate

    See the report and photos

    See the report and photos (phone)

COP25 – Madrid – Report 3 (Phone)

Wednesday 4th December 2019 Madrid, Spain COP Press conference The day started with our press conference “Climate Emergency needs Visionary Leadership”. Prior to us, the Fridays for Future School strike movement held their press Conference and so the hall was packed and vibrant with the energy when we entered. In our press conference, we discussed…

COP25 – Madrid – Report 3

The Brahma Kumaris team continue to be busy meeting organisation leaders from around the world and sharing the message of peace.  In this report there is:

  • BK COP Press conference
  • Lecture at University Carlos III
  • Sister Jayanti meeting the Environment Minister of Argentina
  • A view of the Indian Pavillion

    See the report and photos
    See the report and photos (phone)

Sonja, Shantanau, Golo and Julia at the COP25 entrance

COP25 – Madrid – Report 2

This second report from the COP25 reflects one of the Brahma Kumaris’ busiest days. There were several Brahma Kumaris side events and the exhibition stand has been kept busy as it has been, once again, very popular. This report includes:

  • Background information for COP25
  • 10 ways to change the world exhibition stand
  • The interfaith coordination meeting
  • Side event: Strengthening Peaceful Pathways to Sustainable Solutions
  • Side event: Inspiring Courage to Act and Adapt in a Climate Emergency
  • Side event: Collective Adaptation to the Climate Emergency

    See the report and photos

    See the report and photos (phone)

COP25 – Madrid – Report 2 (phone)

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 Tuesday 3rd December 2019, Madrid, Spain The climate conference has started and is now in full swing.  More than 20,000 delegates have arrived.  The civil society is also present in big numbers and even Greta Thunberg has arrived in Lisbon today by sailboat.  This COP is all…

COP25 – Faith communities demand climate justice

The inadequate response from those in power has already led to harmful consequences.  The legally-binding Paris Agreement must be implemented.  The faith communities offer an empowering voice of hope over fear, of compassion over indifference, and urgent and fair action as a moral obligation.

        See the document

COP25 – Madrid – Report 1 (phone)

Report on the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 Sunday 1st December 2019 Madrid, Spain From 2nd to14th December, the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25) is taking place in Madrid, Spain.  It is the 11th Climate Conference where Brahma Kumaris (BK) is actively participating.  Our BK…

COP25 – Madrid – Report 1

This report records the formation of the highly qualified Brahma Kumaris team from around the world participating in the COP25.  This report includes:

  • The BK team introduction
  • Attending the Indigenous Peoples’ Platform
  • The initiation of action by the interfaith group
  • The opening of the COP25
  • Attending the Human Rights and Climate Change meeting
  • The BK exhibition stand firing into action

PDF             See the report and photos

PDF             See the report and photos (phone)

COP25 – Collective adaptation to the climate emergency

The panel for this side event, 18:30 3rd December, discuss providing support for all humanity.

       See the flyer

COP25 – Inspiring courage to act and adapt in a climate emergency

This side event, 16:45 3rd December, with Sister Jayanti in the panel discusses implementing the Paris Agreement in solidarity and compassion.

See the flyer

COP25 – Chile – Report 1 – Phone

ECO Programs in Chile – November and December 2019 Sonja and Golo visited Chile as part of the preparation for the planned UN climate change conference COP25. The conference has meanwhile been moved to Spain due to civil unrest. They conducted programs in the main centre and in Viña del Mar and experienced a growing…

COP25 – Strengthening peaceful pathways to sustainable solutions

This side event, 2:45 3rd December,  is a collaboration between Brahma Kumaris and Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies.  The panel discuss the co-benefits of working together in peace, for peaceful solutions.

        See the flyer

COP25 – The beginning

As has been the case for many years now, Brahma Kumaris will be participating in the Conference of Parties 25 (COP25).  Even though the event has moved half way around the world, from Chile to Spain, a strong team has been assembled for the event.  Many programs have been arranged to enable us to convey our message of spirituality and its importance to managing climate change. Here we give the team profiles, the calendar of events and a press statement of 2/12/19.

PDF  Team Profiles

PDF  Calendar of events

PDF  Press statement

 

COP25 – Chile – Report 1, November and December

The COP25 team assembled in Chile produced a number of events in preparation for COP25 being in Chile.  This report describes the team and a presentation by Golo Pilz.  This talk included all the main points of the work of Brahma Kumaris for the environment. There is also description of a talk: Healthy mind, healthy planet at Viña del Mar.

PDF  See the report and photos

PDF  See the report and photos (phone version)

LCOY Austria 2019

The Local Climate Conference of Youth (LCOY) for Austria took place in November 2019.  About 300 young people attended.

    See the report

    See the report (phone)

LCOY Austria 2019 (phone)

LOCAL CLIMATE CONFERENCE OF YOUTH The LCOY Austria took place in Vienna from the 8th to 11th of November 2019. About 300 young people participated. The content was well organized and over 65 workshops were offered. As participants had to be under 30 years old to join the conference, Rainer and Stephanie from the BK…

LCOY 15 India

LCOY-15, INDIA is being hosted by Brahma Kumaris from 2nd to 4th November at its spiritual HQ, Mt.Abu, Rajasthan. Youth from all parts of India were invited to participate in this event and make their voices heard.

    See the report

    See the participant stories

LH Positive Planet Forum 2019

5000 people gathered in Le Havre over three days, with 150 speakers from all over the world who presented practical positive propositions to change our societies facing new challenges.  The Brahma Kumaris were invited to participate. Please see the link to the Positive Planet Foundation website:

  positiveplanetfoundation.org

LCOY-15 Invitation

LCOY-15, INDIA is being hosted by Brahma Kumaris from 2nd to 4th November at its International HQs, Mt.Abu, Rajasthan. Youth from all parts of India are invited to participate in this event and make their voices heard.

COY14, Katowice, Poland

The Conference of Youth is organised by and attended by youth of the world who are interested in environmental issues.  It is an opportunity for them to learn about the latest issues, to network and to ensure they are equipped with everyday “tools” for climate action.  The Brahma Kumaris sent 4 members this year.  They organised workshops and meditation sessions as well as attending the events of other parties.  They were kept busy!

LCOY14 held in India

COY14 is a three-day international summit which precedes the deliberations of the United Nations Conference for climate change – COP24. … The aim of COY is to motivate youth to commit to fighting climate change and give them a space to brainstorm about global climate policies. LCOY is an offshoot of COY allowing youth to participate in the discussion at a local level.

COY13 Bonn, Germany – Report

This report is from the Conference of Youth (COY) 13 that was held in Bonn, Germany from 2nd to 4th November. The report includes descriptions of:

  • Delegates
  • Stand
  • Art exhibition
  • 5 workshops
  • Many photos

COY12 for south Asian youth

This meeting of youth from around south Asia looked at a range of environmental issues, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with a number of inspiring indoor and outdoors activities.  They were also entertained with some delightful theatrical events.

UN Conference Combating Desertification 1

The UNCCD COP14 was organized from 2nd to 13th September 2019 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida in which delegates from 196 countries participated.

The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) actively participated in the conference.

UN Conference Combating Desertification

Published: 26 September 2019 The UNCCD COP14 was organized from 2nd to 13th September 2019 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida in which delegates from 196 countries participated. The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (BKWSU) actively participated in the conference. The conference participants also visited Happy Farm to look at the yogic farming

COY12 – Report 4th – 6th November

Marrakesh hosted the 12th annual global Conference of Youth (COY12) for Climate Change and it was run by the Moroccan Youth organizations. Around 1800 young people from 37 countries attended. Included in this report:

  • Events at the Oasys of peace
  • Intergenerational dialogue “Co-creating a future to believe in”
  • The workshop Generation of Change: Harnessing our Highest Potential
  • The closing ceremony

COP21 – COY11 report

The youth of Bahma Kumaris attended the Conference of Youth (COY11) over three days.  They met a number of distinguished people and showed how it is possible to convey a serious message and have fun.

COY11 programmes

There are a number of programmes organised as part of the COY11 event.

UNEP conference, Nairobi, 2019

This UNEP conference held in Nairobi in July 2019, was for youth leaders to come together to discuss actions they can take to facilitate control of climate change. It was a celebration of the 4th anniversary of Laudato Si and the 5th anniversary of the Catholic environment group CYNESA and was attended by a number of world leaders concerned with environmental issues.

Climate Week, Latin America & Caribbean, 2019

LACCWThs is a photo report of the participation of Brhama Kumaris in the Climate Week in Latin America & Caribbean.

Fertigation and orchard farming with meditation

The Brahma Kumaris family in Malaysia held a green retreat to look at aspects of agriculture with experts giving advice on such matters as Fertigation and Hydroponic Farming Systems. This was combined with reflections on the power of meditation to positively affect agriculture yields (yogic farming).

Brahma Kumaris celebrating EU Sustainable Energy Week

As well as attending and participating in the EU event in Brussels, Brahma Kumaris held a number of events in several countries to bring spiritual awareness to a wider audience.  These are described in this short report.

United Religious Initiative Nairobi 2019

A meeting was organised in the Desmond Tutu Conference Centre in Nairobi to commemorate World Environment day, 5th June. Many religious groups attended this meeting and Brahma Kumaris, represented by BK. Jyotsna Patel and Dorcas, were active there.

SB50 Climate Change Conference 2019 – week 2

This report gives a summary on the BKEI involvement in the second week of SB50, the intercessional meeting of the United Nation Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Bonn. In this second week the BKEI served through:

  • a stand with information material and posters
  • Our BKEI official Side Event on Thursday 27th June
  • One focus of networking was with youth to prepare for COY15 in Chile
  • Another focus had been on bilateral meetings with people from the UNFCCC and the new Chilean COP25 Presidency.

COP15 – Copenhagen Archives

Daily Reports from Brahma Kumaris Delegation at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark took place 7th -19th December 2009. It included the fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the fifth Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 5).

Monday 7th December 2009

After long lines for the conference registration, Renaud, Arnold, and Patricia went to the Government meeting and NGO Forum while Sister Jayanti, Julia, and Sonja went to the Religious Leaders meeting.

COP15 Government Meetings, where Brahma Kumaris have observer status.
The main government groups seem to want an agreement, however there are differing opinions as to whether it will be successful or not.

Gathering of Religious Leaders in support of COP-15 (December 7th–13th)

Sister Jayanti is one of the 35 religious leaders who have been called together by an organization called the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW).
The theme of the gathering is Addressing Climate Change by Awakening to Oneness. BKWSU, Denmark was thanked, in all the literature and also at the opening plenary on Monday afternoon, for all the help that they have given as a local partner of this event.

Tuesday 8th December 2009

Morning Session:
Presentation by Sr Joan Chittister, Benedictine Nun, Renowned Author, and Prominent Voice in Interfaith spoke of Judeo-Christian story of creation. There are two versions of the creation story. The first, the masculine domination of the scriptures, has been used to dominate: Come now gentleman – God creates man in His own image – be fruitful and multiply, have dominion over every living thing. You can have it all; it is all for you, it is all here to satisfy your needs.

Wednesday 9th December 2009

A Day of Media Interviews!
COP 15 – Bella Center
Sister Jayanti, Sonja, Julia, Patricia, Winnie, and Arnold set off to COP15, the government meeting. This was Sister Jayanti, Sonja and Julia’s first visit to the Bella Center, as they had been involved with the Religious Leaders meeting up until now.

Thursday 10th December 2009

Meetings with UN Secretariat
Sister Jayanti and Renaud left early for the Bella Center for a pre-arranged meeting with Preety Bhandari, Financial and Technical Support, Climate Change Secretariat. The negotiations are basically divided up into five themes. Finance is one of them, which Preety Bhandari heads up. This was a very pleasant meeting; Preety was very open and listened with attention to our spiritual perspective.

Wednesday 16th December 2009

Sister Jayanti departed from Copenhagen after breakfast, and there were many fond farewells. It had been such a special time for all, spending 10 days together, and everyone was so appreciative of Sister Jayanti’s presence.

COP15
Because of the planned demonstrations to enter the Bella Center by force, our delegation decided not to go the Bella Center today, but instead to focus on our events and stand at the Klimaform.

Thursday 17th December 2009

We woke up on Thursday to a snow covered Copenhagen.
Julia and Piero set off early in the hopes of getting into the Bella Center, where over 100 Heads of State would be meeting that day. Battling freezing cold winds, they arrived with about 20 others only to find that the numbers of NGOs allowed to enter the Bella Center had been reduced from 1,000 to 300, and that if you were not on a special list –with a green access card – you were not going to get in!

Friday 18th December 2009

The Last Word
This is the final report from the BK COP15 delegation and we just want to mention a couple of additional things:

  • Today Viggo, one of the BKs from another part of Denmark was on the way to work and was listening to the Radio and heard Sonja’s interview on Radio Denmark.
  • Anna Mogensen from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the BK center today. She has a focus on youth and children and they wanted their voices to be heard. She was interested in our visions and principles for their future work in Climate Change. She had seen our stand at the Bella Center, and had collected the material but had never seen anyone – Sonja explained this was because for the last two days we had not been able to get into the Bella Center due to the restrictions on the numbers of NGOs allowed in! Anna is coming to interview Sonja at the Center on Tuesday.
  • Piero gave a phone interview with Lifegate Radio which broadcasts in Milano and Rome about what a spiritual organization like the Brahma Kumaris has to do with COP15. It was a chance let people know the importance of a change in consciousness, starting with thought, to bring a change in the environment.

BK Delegation at the Climate Change Conference in Mexico

Daily reports from the Conference
Setting the Context:
This year’s Climate Change Conference COP16 is being held in the beautiful ‘Mexican Caribbean’ state of Quintana Roo in the port of Morelos, south of Cancun. Our delegation is staying in a gorgeous beach house with unlimited vistas of the ocean where we are constantly accompanied by the sound of breaking waves on long sandy beaches. However, we are here to attend a conference with a busy schedule and so not too much time is spent at the house, but Amrit Vela and the morning sunrises are very special.

2nd Day Climate Change Conference – Tuesday 30th November

Cancun Messe
Half the delegation went to Cancum Messe, the exhibition and workshop center where the Brahma Kumaris have a stand. The afternoon was spent speaking to various people and exploring the area, where Governments, UN secretariat, UN agencies and NGOs are exhibiting together. Some of the governments have large exhibitions and Brazil has particularly wonderful stand, which as you enter, it is as if you are exploring the Amazon jungle full of sights and sounds.

3rd Day — Climate Change Conference – Wednesday 1st December

Our delegation is now complete with the arrival of Sister Jayanti last night and Patricia Itergurri, from Peru arriving mid-morning. We also had an arrival and departure from our local centers, Raquel from Mexico City who departed and Rossy Rea who arrived from Tijuana (close to the USA boarder). After holding a meeting to brief Sister Jayanti and share news with each other from the previous day’s activities, most of us set off for the day.

4th and 5th Day – Climate Change Conference – Thursday and Friday, 2nd & 3rd December

Thursday 2nd December
Golo Pilz set off early in the morning for a live interview with Michelle Begue, Correspondent, Chinese TV Chinese Central Television where he shared how the Brahma Kumaris have been working successfully for the last fifteen years with renewable energies and that India had favorable conditions for successful implementation, as many villages still have little or no electrical connection and they would greatly benefit from such technology.

6th and 7th Day – Climate Change Conference – Saturday and Sunday, 4th and 5th December

Saturday 4th December
Climate Change Village
A group of us accompanied Sister Jayanti, Golo Pilz and Patricia Itergurri for a presentation on Consciousness and Climate: A Confluence of Two Living Systems at the Climate change Village – this is the NGO Forum sponsored by the Mexican Federal Government. The area is a converted go-cart sports arena with large pavilions and huge stages that had been set up for evening entertainment.

8th Day – Climate Change Conference – Monday, 6th December

KlimaForum
A group of us accompanied Piero Musini to the KlimaForum for a talk on “Natural Farming and Yogic Agriculture” It was the perfect place for such a meeting as the setting is the most natural, of all the arena’s of the Climate Change Conference, being open to the outside elements and the audience is the most interested in natural ways of doing things.

9th Day — Climate Change Conference

Meeting with South African Minister at the Moon Palace Hotel (COP16).
A group from our delegation, Sister Jayanti, BK Usha, Sonja and Golo met with Edna Molewa, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs. Sister Jayanti shared with her the necessity for ethics and values to be incorporated into the climate negotiations. The minister agreed and said that when there is not trust it is very difficult to come to an agreement.

10th Day — Climate Change Conference

Yesterday our delegation began to break up as Sister Jayanti, BK Carmen, and Usha left for Merida. Early this morning S Jayanti went to the University of Merida to meet with the alumni of business administration. She spoke on the theme of Administration for the 21st Century: Leading with Love. 200 business people attended. After the program she had a live interview on national radio station called Radio Formula which was also broadcast in twenty-five cities across the US.

11th & 12th Day — Climate Change Conference

Being at our Stand in Cancun Messe . . . .is an interesting experience as many passers by, on seeing the words “spiritual university” are amazed and want to know more about the relationship between spirituality and climate change and are also interested in our presence here.

Brahma Kumaris in South Africa for COP17, UN Conference on Climate Change

The Brahma Kumaris Centre in Durban is currently hosting international visitors for COP17, associated exhibitions, parallel events, and participating in various associated conferences. The UN Conference COP17 is taking place from 28th November – 9th December.

First day of COP17, UN’s Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa

Opening Ceremony
COP17 was officially opened Monday 28th Nov. with a welcome ceremony attended by the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma and H.E. Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation for the Republic of South Africa and President Elect of COP17/CMP7, together with many other dignitaries.

COP17, UN’s Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa – 29th Nov.

Two presentations on Solar Energy

  • NGO Forum, enthusiastic crowd of 200 people at the C7 NGO forum at University of KwaZulu Natel
  • Digital Media Lounge in the Durban Exhibition Centre

The BKWSU has established a solar thermal power plant (India-One Project) at Shantivan Campus in India which is set to reduce the negative effects of global warming.

COP17, UN’s Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa – 30th Nov.

Media morning at C7, NGO Forum at University of KwaZulu-Natal

On this beautiful summer morningSister Jayanti and Golo Pilz were interviewed by both Live TV and radio on the veranda of the university overlooking the green hillsides of Durban.

COP17, UN’s Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa – 1st Dec.

Living in Harmony
Creating Inner resilience in Challenging Times
The tour of talks by Sister Jayanti entitled Living in Harmony started with the first talk in Port Elizabeth. After COP17 there will be total six Living in Harmony talks around South Africa and in neighboring countries.

COP17, UN’s Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa – 2nd Dec.

Press Conference – Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change presents Religion & Science on the same page.
Mr. Stuart Scott, Director of Interfaith Declaration, had arranged this press conference in co-operation with the South African Faith Communities Environment Initiative (SAFCEI). Former Bishop Geoff Davies, coordinator of SAFCEI, underlined that in the spirit of trust there has to be co-operation between us.

COP17, UN’s Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa – 3rd Dec.

COP17 Side event in Durban Exhibition Centre, a joint panel of Brahma Kumaris and Maryknoll Sisters

SUSTAINABLE CAPACITY BUILDING:
Empowering Individuals and Communities to Act.

COP17, UN’s Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa – 4th Dec.

Interfaith Prayer Meeting

The COP17 Faith Secretariat hosted an inter-faith prayer service at the Sports Centre of Steve Biko Campus, Durban University of Technology. Prayers from different faiths were welcomed at the prayer service, and the BKWSU was one of the seven different faiths that took part. Others were from Hindu, Moslem, Baha’I, Christian, Buddhist, and Jewish, traditions.

Cop17, Un’s Climate Change Conference In Durban, South Africa – 5th Dec.

Meetings

Sister Jayanti met with Sheila Sisulu, Deputy Executive Director, Hunger Solutions Office, World Food Programme, who showed a lot of interest both in spirituality and solar energy.

COP17, UN’s Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa – 6th Dec.

Wisdom from the Past, Solutions for the Present – hosted by the Gandhi Development Trust/Satyagraha.

Panel discussion at Diakonia, lead by Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi.

The afternoon began with a visual presentation of posters created by the Gandhi Development Trust with quotations from Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Martin Luther King and E.F. Schumacher.  

COP17, UN’s Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa – 7th Dec.

Sustainable Capacity Building – Empowering Individuals and Communities to Act
Panel discussion at the NGO Forum, UKZN. The first speaker, Golo Pilz, set the context of climate change globally and provided statistics to illustrate the accelerating depletion of the earth’s resources. He highlighted the role of spiritual values and the resulting lifestyle of simplicity, and explained the positive effects these have on reducing the impact of climate change.

COP17, UN’s Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa – 8th Dec.

Research and Independent Non Governmental Organization (RINGO) Constituency Meetings
The Brahma Kumaris are registered with UNFCCC as part of the RINGO constituency. Julia Grindon-Welch and Valeriane Bernard attended these meetings. RINGO does not advocate; it is an independent group whose role is to supply information to COP, indicating how scientific research relates to the Climate Community. 50-100 representatives from RINGO met every other day from 9:00-10:00 am to share the highlights from the negotiations.

Faith Based Leaders Discuss Ethical Dimensions of Climate Change

December 7th – As the closing of COP 18 looms, particularly given how things are going, if one is a person of faith, it is befitting to start this day with prayer, as it the prospective outcomes are far from promising. After the now-routine 1-hour bus ride and 20 minute walk from where the shuttle bus drops us to where the sessions occur, I started my day at the session, “Ethical and Religious Insights on the Climate Crisis,” organized by the World Council of Churches(WCC).

Report for 6 & 7 Dec 2012

Side event at the Intercontinental Hotel: Sustainable Innovation Forum
As COP18 Qatar draws to a close, business and government leaders gathered at the Sustainable Innovation Forum. The forum took place in the Intercontinental Hotel overlooking the beautiful Al Corniche area of Doha and the Arabian Gulf. It was hosted by Climate Action in partnership with UNEP led by Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director and Under Secretary General of the United Nations.

Report for 5 Dec 2012

Qatar Foundation Presentation
Opposite the Qatar National Convention Centre, where COP18 , the venue of COP 18, a new Education City is being built by Qatar Foundation. Many innovative buildings and arenas are in this area, where many international universities are also established. The Qatar Foundation is under the patronage of Her Highness Sheika Mozah.

Report for 4 Dec 2012

Inter-religious Coordination Meeting
This meeting focussed on the need to start preparing now for COP 19 meeting in Warsaw, especially building an inter-religious presence based on partnerships with Polish faith and inter-faith organisations and networks as hosts. It was agreed that faiths are diverse and yet there is a clear common purpose to do what is noble and right, to protect nature, to reduce harm, and to act wisely and in line with faith-based scriptures and values.

Report for 3 Dec 2012

Side event on “Environmental Protection: Religious Perspective”
Dr Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi, Chairman-Board of Directors, DICID, gave an introduction stating that different religions have in common the devotion to God, and His creation, the environment, needs to be protected.

Report for 30 Nov to 2 Dec 2012

30 November 2012
The international delegation had another wonderful day. The early morning lesson was held together with all the Brahma Kumaris members in Qatar and those who came from Dubai and Oman. It was a very warm gathering, in which we shared experiences, presents and a delicious breakfast together.

Report for 29 November 2012

RINGO morning meeting
RINGO is the constituency Brahma Kumaris is affiliated with, it stands for Research and Independent NGO. Valeriane Bernard attended several RINGO meetings. On 29 November, all the participants informed about their activities in COP 18. Some of them followed meetings on mitigation, others on poverty or adaptation.

8th Conference of Youth

The BK Environment Initiative (BKEI) youth participation was scaled up in 2012 with a meaningful and effective participation at COY8 as part of the overall UN set of meetings on climate change in Doha. COY8 was held on 23rd to 25th November 2012 at the Doha Student Centre in Qatar.

Report for 28 November 2012

RINGO meeting
This morning Valeriane Bernard participated in the RINGO meeting (Research Institutions NGO), as Brahma Kumaris is part of this constituency within the Major Groups of the United Nations. It was a short meeting but Valeriane had the opportunity to meet some of the drafters of the declaration that RINGO will present at the COP 18 (text will follow).

Report for 27 November 2012

Side Event: Gender and Climate: Moving beyond the Rhetoric
BKWSU delegates: Sister Jayanti, Golo Piltz, Anthony Phelips, Sonja Ohlsson, Jyothi Hulmani, Teresa Mungazi and Teresa Lugones.

Report for 26 November 2012

Background
Since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force in 1994, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC has been meeting annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change. The COP is the highest decision-making authority of the Convention. There are now 195 parties to the convention taking part in climate change negotiations.

What is needed now is a profound shift in global awareness

Think globally, act locally.
For twenty years this slogan has been used to catch the world’s attention. The good news is that thousands of small scale green projects have popped up all over the world: people acting locally.

This we have done. This we already do.

Summary Report of COP19 and COY9

COP19 was taking place in the atmosphere of a strong call from science as well as from the communities adversely impacted on by climate change, with the most pleading message coming from the Philippines, recently devastated by a typhoon. Their lead negotiator, Mr Naderev Yeb Saño, inspired many to join in the solidarity fast with typhoon victims, which he himself initiated and held throughout the climate change conference, thus protesting global inaction.

Report 20th to 22nd November 2013

The Indian Minister for Environment and Forest, Smt. Jayanthi Natarajan gave a press conference on India’s position in COP19. Sister Jayanti and Golo Pilz were invited by the Indian Ambassador in Poland, Mrs. Monika Kapil to attend, even though this press conference was for press only. They were accompanied by Aneta Loj and Sonja Ohlsson.

CIDSE and Lutheren World Federation press briefing; 22nd November 2013

Sr Jayanti was invited to participate in this press briefing which included an opening statement from the Deputy Minister from the Phillipines. Sister Jayanti spoke of the importance and power of silence and the need to develop awareness and value for human dignity.

Report of 19th November 2013

Every morning, the international group makes a 30 minutes long power walk through the old town of Warsaw to the Smolna meditation center. There they have their daily briefing sessions on the activities of the day. Tuesday will be a busy day…

Report of 17th + 18th November 2015

World Climate Ltd arranges a yearly two-day business forum in connection with the Climate Change Conferences. For the first time they gave five tickets free to selected NGOs in order to fulfil their statement of collaborating with civil society. From the Brahma Kumaris, Francois Becher, Sonja Ohlsson, Nonie Reaño, Aneta Loj and Golo Pilz participated.

This cold and winter-like Sunday in Warsaw finished with a Roman Catholic Mass for the climate in the Cathedral Basilica of the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. It was the first time in the recent Polish history that an orthodox and a protestant priest participated together in a Roman Catholic ecumenical prayer.

Interview, Sister Jayanti, 15th November 2013

Sister Jayanti (Brahma Kumaris) gives a refreshing insight into how our attitudes and how we live can be changed to help make the world a much better place for all of us to live in. The interview by the UNFCCC climate studio can be seen here.

Report of 15th + 16th November 2013

Golo Pilz was invited to present about India One and the use of solar energy in India. The Chair of the Environmental Protection and Management at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering introduced Golo and welcomed more than 20 interested students and lecturers.

Interview with Golo Pilz at UNFCCC studio, 14th November 2013

COP19 (14/11/13) – Golo Joachim Pilz, Director of the Solar Research Institute in India, believes it is important to practically demonstrate alternative clean energy generation.
The Institute has undertaken 25 research projects in cooperation with the German and Indian governments focusing on solar steam generation systems for cooking and independent power generation.
Renewable energy can often be inconsistent so he highlights the need for systems that are able to store energy.
His organisation has found an innovative way to store the energy and he goes into some detail about the system they use. He hopes that this system will be replicated for small to medium scale energy storage projects in the future.

Report of 14th November 2013

I care is the Polish slogan for COP19. For the Brahma Kumaris delegation, Thursday the 14th Nov. it became a continuation of the slogan – I care and I share. A press conference took place, along with interviews with the Climate Change Studio, a public talk in the evening, and a number of meetings.

Report of 12th + 13th November 2013.

The second and third day of COP19 proved to be two days of intense networking, especially for the two best networkers in our delegation – Juan Milling and Valeriane Bernard. The youth group and interfaith group are very active, they share very strong hopes for the future. Our press release got ready and there were some very interesting interviews.

Sustainability enacted by the guiding values of UNFCCC

Climate Change negotiations are grounded in the values of UNFCCC, such as equity and cooperation. Nevertheless, adherence to these values is sometimes weakened by national interests. We consider the crucial role of systemic and beneficent thinking in ensuring our transition to a sustainable world.

The Green Team Youth Group report.

Poland hosted the 9th Conference of Youth ( COY), a 4 day conference held in Warsaw. 350 youth from over 20 countries participated to share stories, learn skills, per-form solidarity acts and sharpen strategies. COY’s focus has always been to unite youth all over the world in order to strengthen their voice towards global climate change.

Report Monday 11th Nov. – Opening of COP19

The opening day of COP19 has been one of great concern in that the typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines has devastated the country. The lead negotiator from the Philippines gave a passionate, emotional speech at the beginning of the 19th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP19) on Monday. After his speech, Mr. Sano said: “It is always hard to attribute a single weather event to climate change, but we know that the science is also clear that climate change will mean more intense typhoons, potentially. And even if we cannot attribute Haiyan to climate change directly, my country refuses to accept a future where super-typhoons become a regular fixture.”

Report of Preparations for COP 19

United Nations 19th Conference on Climate Change is taking place in Warsaw Poland from Monday 11th to Friday 22nd November 2013. For the Brahma Kumaris it is the 6th COP (Conference of the Parties) to participate in as an observer organization. At this Warsaw gathering, world leaders will work towards developing a climate initiative to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Participants intend for the new plan to be operational by 2020.

Press Release

Brahma Kumaris have issued a press release for immediate use.

Consciousness and Climate Change

What is needed is a profound shift in awareness to transform the quality of the conversation and action among stakeholders: we need to recognize that our preferences and behaviors shape our actions. Real change must begin – and be sustained – in the minds and hearts of human beings.

Global Justice, Equity and Sustainability

Wednesday 20th November 11.00 hrs – 13.30 hrs

Climate negotiations are grounded in UNFCCC values such as equity and co-operation but are weakened by narrow interests. This panel considers the crucial role of systematic and holistic thinking and the principles of imternmational law, human rights and inter-generational equity in the transition to a sustainable world.

Living in Harmony – Public Event with Sister Jayanti

Thursday 14th November 18.00 – 20.00

– Address: Związek Nauczycielstwa Polskiego, Warsaw, Smulikowskiego 6/8

Harmony is synonymous with inner peace and balance, which give feelings of happiness. How can we maintain our inner harmony in the face of negativity? Guest speaker: Jayanti Kirpalani, Director of the Brahma Kumaris for Europe and the Middle East and spiritual leader and an emissary for peace for the last 45 years. Proceeded by: Duśka Markowska Resich.

Consciousness and Climate Change

Tuesday 19th November 18.00 – 20.00

Address: The Meditation Gallery, Smolna 11 Str. 8a (1st floor), intercom No. 88, 00-375 Warsaw

Guest speaker: Golo Pilz, Director of the Solar Research Institute in Rajasthan, has played a key role over the past 20 years in establishing the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University as one of the major developers of renewable energies in India

Workshop at Global Climate Youth Conference – Powershift

Thursday 7th November 2013 & Friday 8th November 2013

“A Journey to Empowerment” and

“Creating Inner Resilience in Challenging Times”.

Calendar of Events for download

On 3rd December, Valériane Bernard, of Brahma Kumaris, was interviewed in Lima at the COP 20 conference by Vilde Blix Huseby of Vårt Land (Our Land), a Christian based newspaper distributed across Norway.

COP 20 – Valériane Bernard interview

On 3rd December, Valériane Bernard, of Brahma Kumaris, was interviewed in Lima at the COP 20 conference by Vilde Blix Huseby of Vårt Land (Our Land), a Christian based newspaper distributed across Norway.

COP 20 Final report

After an action-packed event, the team continued to meet important and beautiful individuals and to work with a wide range of other groups.

COP 20 Report for 10th December

This has been a busy day for the Green Team. They have had interfaith activities plus a press conference and a side event on “Ethics at the heart of climate change”. They have taken part in a panel discussion on Gender Equality and Climate Change as part of Gender Day at COP 20. The team have also taken part in the round table discussion organised by the Universidad Ricardo Palma. They have met ministers from a number of countries and held some BK programmes too.

COP 20 Report 8th – 9th December

These two days have proven to be very busy with numerous high level meetings. Valériane Bernard of Brahma Kumaris addressed the workshop on Strengthening Inner Resilience at the Flora Tristan women’s centre. Meetings were held with Unesco and with Interfaith groups. Golo Pils of Brahma Kumaris was invited by the Peru Government to make a presentation to the Voices for Climate group. Brahma Kumaris took part in the Interfaith ceremony in the beautiful Basilica San Francis in Lima city centre.

COP 20 Report for 5th – 7th December

The delegation have now spent some time with the representatives of the Congress of the Republic of Peru and discussed countering violence against women. They also took great advantage of the Interfaith room, having many meetings. Sunday was a free day – the scenery and food at the beach house were deeply studied!

COP 20 Report for 4th December

The conference is now busy and the Brahma Kumaris have been attending and supporting sessions. Valériane Bernard took part in a panel session on Voices for Climate discussing the relevance of interfaith communities in managing climate change. The youth of the Brahma Kumaris have been especially busy.

COP 20 Report for 3rd December

The conference is now under way and this report describes the the groups they have co-operated with and the side events attended (and the powerful views being expressed at them). Valérian Bernard of Brahma Kumaris participated in one of the panels and was interviewed by the press afterwards.

COP 20: First Report – setting up

The Brahma Kumaris team have arrived in Lima from all over the world and are already actively engaged in meeting other groups and working hard to make all the preparations needed for a successful event (and having a good time too it seems!).

Amazing start of COP 20

The Brahma Kumaris delegation have now all come together in Lima. They are sharing their ideas with others and attending side events at the start of the conference.

Ethics at the Heart of Climate Change

Brahma Kumaris are actively attending the COP 20 for climate change at Lima, Peru.

A side event with a number of distinguished speakers will take place 10th December, 15:00 to 16:30 in Side Event Room Coral (130.) to discuss the ethics required at the heart of climate change management.  The details can be seen in the flyer.

Climate Change: COP 20, Lima, Preparation

The Brahma Kumaris COP delegation are now mobilised to support a global agreement on reducing climate change by attending the COP 20 in Lima. The delegation will use that visit to do service in a number of countries in South America by way of events, talks and ‘green’ retreats. The countries to be visited include Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile and Colombia.

Summary video for Brahma Kumaris at COP21

This video gives an overview of all the activities of the Brahma Kumaris at COP21.

COP21 – Ethical and Faith Achievements

A number of the faith-based organisations came together in Geneva to review what was actually achieved in COP21 from the humanitarian perspective. This report gives a detailed analysis of the agreements made in Paris and their practical effect.

COP21 Sister Jayanti Climate Change TV interview

Sister Jayanti believes in the power of consciousness and thought to positively influence the world around her. The message she wants to bring to COP21 is that when her thoughts are peaceful and free from conflict she can create a situation where there can be peace and harmony with others and with nature. She explains that everything starts with the individual and even minority groups can have a powerful voice.

In this interview, Sister Jayanti expands on this topic with great force of argumant.

COP21 Golo Pilz Climate Change TV interview

Golo Pilz, advisor on renewable energy to Brahma Kumaris (BK), said they are at COP21 because BK want to bring consciousness into the negotiation process. BK believe ethics and values from the inside have to become a fundamental part of the negotiations. Pilz explains that faith leaders reach out to large numbers of people and therefore can have a profound role to play in changing people’s habits and hearts. He also talks about the powerful impact of consciousness.

COP21 Report Friday 11th December

This report includes news of:

  • Meeting Nicolas Hulot, advisor to the president of France
  • Working with the Climate Coalition
  • Very good BK statistics from the COP

COP21 Report Thursday 10th December

This report includes news of:

  • An interview with John Liu at Chateau Millemont, just outside Paris
  • Meeting Professor Rockstrøm
  • News of a very good film “Years of Living Dangerously” (and link to it)
  • About human rights
  • BK art exhibition and reception (with wonderful food!)
  • Amazing scenes around COP (including Golo pedalling for victory)

COP21 Report Wednesday 9th December

This report includes news of:

  • COP21 Solutions at the Grand Palais
  • Interfaith meeting with the Head of Staff of UNFCCC
  • Side event on eating less meat (A first for this subject!)
  • Report of the Interfaith Liaison Committee
  • Views of the Grand Palais

COP21 Report Tuesday 8th December

This report includes news of:

  • Gender day at COP
  • Climate Action Zone presentation
  • The Role of Ethics and Faith in Climate Solutions
  • The Inner Dimensions of Climate Change – A spiritual perspective
  • Networking at the American Cathedral
  • Evening presentation by Golo
  • Champs Élysée at night

COP21 Report Monday 7th December

This report includes news of:

  • Main event at Salons Hoche
  • An interview from the USA delegation
  • Arc de Triomphe

COP21 Report Sunday 6th December

This report includes news of:

  • World Climate summit
  • Solutions COP21 (with a view of the future)
  • Centre programme in Paris new centre
  • Montreuil programme with harpist
  • A view of the Champs Élysée

COP21 Report Saturday 5th December

This report includes news of:

  • Brahma Kumaris side event
  • UN side event
  • Montreuil town hall event (with artistic statement)

COP21 Report Friday 4th December

This report includes news of:

  • Press conference with the World Council of Churches
  • Interfaith Press Conference
  • Presentation by Al Gore (questioned by Sister Jayanti)
  • Concert with Desert Rose

COP21 Report Thursday 3rd December

This report includes news of:

  • The ecumenical service in the majestic cathedral of Notre Dam (great photos)
  • Youth day report
  • COP21 space with pedalling participants for power generation
  • Eiffel tower

COP21 Report Wednesday 2nd December

This report includes news of:

  • The press conference
  • news from the exhibition space
  • Nathalie Cohen band concert
  • The cities of France working together

COP21 Report Tuesday 1st December

This report includes

  • photos of the public Climate Generation Space,
  • the UNESCO meeting on ethics and climate change,
  • an Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change, Sustainability and Resilience,
  • an event organised by the Youth group for the youths of Paris
  • and the breaking of fast event.
  • numerous interviews

COP21 Report Monday 30th November

Monday 30th November has been a busy day for the Brahma Kumaris COP21 team. This is the first day of COP21 with nearly 200 nations and their leaders being present. Brahma Kumaris were able to be present when the USA President gave his powerful speech and there is the feeling of witnessing history in the making. Brahma Kumaris also attended a multifaith meeting in the IUCN pavilion. There is a recognition of the value of the faith-based organisations and their ideas.

COP21 1st Report 27/11 – 29/11

This first report includes Brahma Kumaris activities:

  • Interfaith meeting Basilique Saint-Denis
  • Faith in Climate Justice – handing over the petition
  • Setting up the exhibition stand
  • A talk by Patricia Iturregui Byrne on the background to the climate change negotiations
  • Taking part in the human chain of 10,000

Preparations for COP21

The Conference of Parties for Climate Change 21 will be held in Paris in December. Braham Kumaris will be actively supporting this conference as we have done (for climate change and bio-diversity) for many years.

Message from Brahma Kumaris for Paris

The following message has been issued by Sister Jayanti, the Director of Brahma Kumaris for Europe and the Middle East.

24 hours meditation for COP21

On November 1st, 2015, people from all around the world joined together in meditation in preparation for COP 21, for 24 hours. This was centred on the Grand Rex theatre in Paris where all the events were screened. The event was joined by international musicians who made their own contribution.

Statement of Faith and Spiritual Leaders

The faith and spiritual leaders from around the world created a statement, a call for action, for the leaders attending the COP21 climate change conference in Paris.

Interview with Sister Jayanti – Inner resilience

In this interview, in the Climate Change Studio, Sister Jayanti taks about a number of topics, including inner resilence, the role of faith based organisations in helping to manage climate change and the role of Brahma Kumaris in the climate change negotiations.

COP22 – Interview videos

Here are videos of interviews of Valériane held at COP22.

COP22 – summary video

This video was made from a collection of excellent photos and videos taken at the conference. It gives a good overview of the contribution made by Brahma Kumaris.

Fighting climate change with inner change

This article was prompted by an interview of Golo Pliz by ZME Science. It identifies the need to respond to climate change that is banging on our doors. Golo responds that it is the inner consciousness that needs to change. “If we don’t change our attitudes and awareness on the inside, it will be very difficult to change the world on the outside. The inner world, our mind, and the outer world are very, very strongly interconnected.”

COP22 – Report 17th – 18th November

This report includes:

Thursday:

  • Sister Jayanti’s departure from Morroco
  • UNFCCC Faith Meeting
  • Closing of the Earth Forum
  • Vikram and Manoj presentation in the Agora Space
  • Attending the high level meeting on Accelorating Climate Action and being able to hand out blessing cards to the ministers

Friday:

  • Review of achievements of COP22
  • BK side event “Trust and peace building approaches for ambitious climate action”
  • Team photo

Appendix

  • Transcript of Sister Jayanti’s presentation to the Fez Climate Conscience Summit.

COP22 – Report 16th November

This report includes:

  • Women Leaders and the Global Transformation Summit held in the 5-star Palmaraie Golf Palace and Sister Jayanti’s presentation
  • The COP22 Interfaith Statement being handed over to the UN by Sister Jayanti and others
  • A late afternoon BK programme that was well attended
  • Some great photos of the art exhibition in the Green Zone.

COP22 – Report 15th November

This report includes:

  • Sister Jayanti and Golo facilitating at The Sustainable Innovation Forum in the 5-star Four Seasons Resort and their meeting with Lord Nicholas Stern
  • Attending the welcome speech by the King
  • Valériane describing yogic farming at the Traditional Knowledge side event
  • Piero Mussini describing his work with yogic farming on his own farm
  • Vikram and Manoj giving interviews
  • A dinner party for friends at the villa

COP22 – Report 14th November

This report includes:

  • Valériane chairing the interfaith co-ordination meeting
  • Golo’s presentation on the final day of the Earth Forum
  • Interfaith dinner at Palais Soleiman
  • A Morrocan dinner party at the villa

COP22 – Report 12th & 13th November

This report includes:

  • Forum of the Earth, a two day event
  • Climate change, food and the arts
  • African agriculture
  • Delightful photos

COP22 – Report 11th November

This report includes:

  • Juan interviews
  • Golo presentation at the Climate Change Studio
  • Discussion on women, environment and non-violence
  • Press conference on youth perspectives
  • A roundtable dinner
  • Working with a Moroccan think tank

COP22 – Report 10th November

This report includes:

  • Early morning press conference
  • Brahma Kumaris press conference
  • Interfaith meeting
  • Official handover of the COP22 Interfaith Statement
  • Intergenerational dialogue in the green zone
  • Vikram at the Indigenous Day

COP22 – Report 9th November

The full team have been out and about, making their presence felt in the conference area. This report includes:

  • Interviews with Juan and Romina
  • Dinner with GreenFaith
  • Service on the Climate Train
  • Beautiful music by Desert Rose
  • Social Innovation and Global Ethics Forum
  • Side event: Faith and climate resilience.

COP22 – Report 8th November

The BK team is now applying itself to the business of the conference with many meetings and interactions with other groups. Included in this report:

  • Meeting RINGO
  • faith based organizations coordination meeting
  • working with UN Development Program (UNDP)
  • Sister Jayanti interview in the Climate Change studio
  • Interfaith dialogue organised by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment
  • and music from Myrthe

COP22 – Report 7th November

On this first day of the COP22 itself, the team have set up their exhibition stand and started to meet the other delegates from faith based organisations and government members. This report includes:

  • Sister Jayanti initiating our activities with meditation
  • Exhibition news (colourful wristband and blessing cards very popular)
  • Our activities at the Oasis space (Valériane and Golo holding dialgoues)
  • Some of the people we have met
  • Juan active as a youth leader in the panel discussion on Youth Day.

COP22 off to a flying start

The Brahma Kumaris delegates have all arrived in Marrakech, Morocco in good time for the start of events for the COP22 meeting (Conference of Parties – organised by UN Framework Convention on Climate Change). This first report includes activities of:

  • Fez, summit of conscience, Mr Nizar Baraka, president of the economic, social and environment council of Morocco and president of the science committee of the COP22 was the host for the summit
  • Conference of Youth (COY12) (detailed report to follow)
  • “A Sacred Relationship with Nature”, a programme held in Casablanca
  • Getting organised – meeting after a year of intense preparation.

COP22 – Delegates and calendar of events

The Brahma Kumaris team are now assembling and gettting ready to attend the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP22) in Marrakech, Morocco (7-18 November 2016).

COP23 – Sister Jayanti interview

During COP23 in Fiji, Sister Jayanti gave an interview in the Climate Action Studio. She identifed the link between individual consciousness and the mitigation of the effects of climate change. She gives a number of practical examples. This is a fascinating insight.

Report on debriefing of COP23 16 Jan 18

Valériane Bernard attended the COP23 debriefing on behalf of the Brahma Kumaris. The meeting was held in Geneva. The meeting included a number of senior members of faith-based organisations from around the world. They sought to find ways of maximising the outcomes from the COP23 held in Bonn.

COP23 – Religion World report of Brahma Kumaris

Religion World have created a web site report of the Brahma Kumaris efforts at COP23 and make some very positive statements. Their report includes pages from one of our reports and a video talk from Sister Jayanti talking about the importance of our planet and our universal need to look after it.

COP23 – Press statement, Visionary Leadership

Following the press conference on 13th November (Visionary Leadership for a Sustainable Future), Sister Jayanti issued a press statement.

COP23 – Delivering the message by bicycle

The Parliament of the World’s Religions reports on the delivery by bicycle of the Interfaith Climate Declaration at COP23 by a host of world spiritual leaders, including the Brahma Kumaris.

COP23 Report 16th and 17th Nov

This report includes:

16th Nov

  • Side Event in Bonn Zone: Faith and Community Approach to Climate Action
  • Sharing with Solar Cooker International
  • Interfaith meeting deciding next year’s actions
  • Meeting the Indian Minister of Environment
  • Our panel: Mobilising inner resources towards sustainable living

COP23 Report 15th Nov

This report includes:

  • News of the opening of the high-level negotiations and Sister Jayanti attending
  • Carolin meeting UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Ms. Espinoza
  • Sister Jayanti and the launch of the “Declaration of the ethical principals”
  • Sister Jayanti interviewed by “Balance”
  • COP delegates meeting M. Macron, President of France
  • Side event “Transforming lives, hearts and policies”

Dinner with Markus Kurzdiel of the German Society for International Cooperation

COP23 Report 14th Nov

This report includes:

  • World Climate Summit at the Kameha Grand Hotel
  • RINGO meeting
  • News of the Solar Impulse Foundation
  • News of Climate Action Summit 2018, by USA representatives
  • Sustainable Action Forum, The challenge of changing mindset
  • Visionary Leadership for a Sustainable Future: a public programme in Rheinisches Landesmuseum, Bonn
  • A beautiful place of silence

COP23 Report 13th Nov 2017

This report includes:

  • Launch of International Solar Alliance and meeting ministers
  • BK Press conference: “Visionary leadership for a sustainable future”
  • UNFCCC press conference: “10 must-knows on climate change”
  • Meeting the Dominican and Bolivian delegations
  • Meeting Global Peace Initiative of Women representatives
  • Evening reception
  • Photo: meditation in the main conference hall

COP23 reports 11th Nov and 12th Nov

This report includes:

11th:

  • A summary of the negotiations and the activities of USA
  • Side event at the EU Pavillion: Visionary Leadership for the transition to clean technology
  • Meeting Upendra Tripathy, Director General, International Solar Alliance
  • Interfaith press conference: Changing lifestyle for a sustainable future
  • Köln region carnival – very colourful

COP23 report 10th Nov

This report includes:

  • delivery by rickshaw
  • singing Greenpeace
  • Meeting UNFCCC Secretary General
  • Climate policy frameworks by German research institutes
  • Visiting famous places
  • Hope and strength for a world in transition
  • Interview by Solution Zone TV

COP23 Report 9th Nov

This report includes:

  • Youth and future generations day
  • The multi-faith sustainable living initiative
  • Young feminist day
  • Indo-German dialogue on Sustainable Lifestyles
  • A stage performance: “Close the Gap”
  • 100% Renewable energies
  • Yoga in the Indian Pavilion
  • Great food and farewell to Didier

COP23 report 8th Nov

This report includes:

  • Women and Gender Constituency meeting
  • Meeting of faith-based organisations
  • Sister Jayanti’s interview in the Climate Action Studio
  • some very good photos

COP23 report 7th Nov

This report from the BK COP team includes:

  • Interfaith programme “Sustainable living”
  • RINGO meeting
  • A surprise find
  • Juan’s interview by a North Carolina reporter
  • Juan’s nano interview
  • Photo of our team and stand
  • Sonja and Golo meeting Dr Daniel Klingenfeld, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
  • Photos of the team in action

COP23 report 6th Nov

This report from the BK COP team includes:

  • The opening of the conference
  • The opening of the BK stands
  • The side event: Global implications of rapidly changing Arctic
  • Golo’s presentation at Cologne Institute for Tropical Science
  • BK side event: Visionary leadership for the transition to clean energy
  • Evening reception
  • Team photo

COP23 report 2nd – 5th Nov

This first report from the BK COP team includes:

  • Summary of the meeting
  • News of India One being used for publicity by the German Government
  • News from Hamburg, Bremmen and Bonn
  • The delegation setting up
  • News from Conference of Youth

COP23 – BK Programmes

Seminar: Climate Change, Ethics, Renewable Energy (6 Nov 2017) Panel: Hope and Strength for a World in Transition (10 Nov 2017) Faltblatt auf Deutsch Leaflet in English Panel: Visionary Leadership for a Sustainable Future (14 Nov 2017)

COP23 – UN Climate Change Conference

At the UN Climate Change Conference this year (COP23, from 6 to 17 November) nations of the world will meet to advance the aims and ambitions of the Paris Agreement and achieve progress on its implementation guidelines.

Brahma Kumaris getting ready for COP23

The Brahma Kumaris COP23 team is now assembling and getting ready for a busy time at the COP23 event in Bonn, Germany. We all need to be leaders and change makers in order to face the challenges that are to come with a proceeding climate change. Where do we find the courage to transform ourselves and to inspire our human family? There is an urgent call to create a sustainable life style for all.

COP23 – Visionary Leadership for a Sustainable Future

A panel discussion will be held Tuesday 14th November, 7:00 – 21:00 hrs (reception at 6:15pm) including a number of top speakers:

  • Sister Jayanti, Director, Brahma Kumaris
  • Anne Barre, Women Engage for a common Future (WECF), Coordinator Gender & Climate Policy, Strategic Partnerships.
  • Joachim Golo Pilz, Energy Advisor Brahma Kumaris, Head of India-One solar thermal power plant

The moderator will be:

  • Thomas Bruhn, Potsdam Research Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (iass-potsdam.de)

Welcome to an evening where different pioneers share their visions on how a sustainable future society can look like.

We all need to be leaders and change makers in order to face the challenges that are to come with a proceeding climate change. Where do we find the courage to transform ourselves and to inspire our human family? There is an urgent call to create a sustainable life style for all.

The venue will be:

LVR, Rheinisches Landesmuseum Bonn, Colmantstr. 14-16, 53115 Bonn

Brahma Kumaris Participation in EU-SE Week

EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2013 – Report
This is a summary report of the numerous activities carried out by the Brahma Kumaris in support of the EU energy week.

Strengthening Resilience

ENERGY WEEK EUSEW

Talk, Sharing & Meditation; Beginners Welcome
An evening to consider your strengths and weaknesses
27 June 2013, Glasgow

Living well within the limits of the planet

Sister Jayanti, in dialogue with Joachim Golo Pilz, an entrepreneur in the field of solar power and alternative energy forms.

An evening to see ourselves and our world differently and ask the questions you have always wanted to ask!

Tuesday 25th June 2013, Brussels

EU – Energy Week 2013

Be a part of the EU Sustainable Energy Week

The EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), an initiative of the European Commission, first took place in 2006. Today, it is coordinated by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation, in close cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy. Read more about Brahma Kumaris participation!

EU Energy Week report 2014

This report summarises the activities of Brahma Kumaris in support of the EU Energy Week.

Brahma Kumaris’ participation in EU Energy Week 2014

Brahma Kumaris is dedicating  9 different programs in 8 different cities to EU Energy week 2014 under the main theme of Sustainable transitions demands a new mindset. The main program will be in Brussels 25th June:

New Thinking Creates New Realities…

Sustainable transitions demands a new mindset… and the call of the time now is asking us to shift our awareness towards in the global and EU debate.  So what is the shift in awareness that can ease the transition to the vision we hold?  What is the vision?’

Events in Brussels

Exhibition: Consciousness & the Environment, New Thinking Creates New Realities, World in Transition – New Thinking Creates New Realities

Outdoor Meditation for the Environment, Copenhagen

For 2014, MeditationByLake-reducedBrahma Kumaris in Copenhagen will focus on 10 Values for a Greener Lifestyle. We meditate together for the environment and give lectures focusing on the relationship between our thoughts, lifestyle and the environment. There is a special event: 14:00 to 15:00, Sunday 1st June 2014, Islands Brygge.

World in Transition – New Thoughts Create New Realities, Hamburg

Courageous People in Dialogue
A discussion with:

BK Jayanti Kirpalani, Anna Leidreiter, Dieter Lünse, Joachim Golo Pilz.

7:00 – 9:00pm, Tuesday, 3rd June 2014
Rudolf Steiner Haus, Mittelweg 11, 20148 Hamburg, Germany

Life Style and Climate Change, Gdansk, Poland

How to daily care for the Earth – inspirations for heart and mind.17:00 – 18:30, Sunday, 15th June 2014Brahma Kumaris Center, Gdansk, Grunwaldzka 6/5, Poland

Detox your mind, Warsaw

This is a workshop session on cleaning our thoughts and elevating our feelings for the betterment of the planet Earth. The meeting will be held in Polish. 18:00- 20:00, Tuesday 17th June 2014, Galeria Medytacji, Brahma Kumaris, Smolna 11 8A, Warsaw. Poland

10 Ways To Change The World, Glasgow, UK

Talk , Sharing & Meditation for EU Sustainable Energy Week

“The health and abundance in the natural environment depends entirely on human behaviour. An everyday drama plays out on this world stage as we continue to act our parts. I am not sitting here temporarily. This planet is my eternal theatre…. Let’s increase our regard for the environment. … Om Shanti.” Dadi Janki

Join us for an inspiring evening to explore 10 ways to change the world. Everyone who attends will receive a reminder card listing the 10 ways we can all make a positive difference. 19:00 – 20:30 26th June 2014 Inner Space, 277 High Street, Glasgow G4 0QS, UK

Healthy Mind, Healthy Planet, Kortrijk, Belgium

A lecture: How are our thoughts related to a healthy planet…..Are they? , Wishful thinking or reality? Speakers: Joachim Golo Pilz Director, Solar Research Institute World Renewal Spiritual Trust – Shantivan Campus, Abu Road, Rajasthan, India More Info Sonja Ohlsson Co-ordinator of the Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative Friday 27 June 2014, Budastraat 21/22, Kortrijk, Belgium…

EU Energy Week – 2015

Each year the EU sets aside time to focus on energy issues.  This year it was the period 15-19 June.  Brahma Kumaris (BK) actively supported this with lectures and workshops to raise public awareness of the issues.

Yogic Farming at EXPO 2015 Milan

As part of the Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative, a presentation of Sustainable Yogic Agriculture was made at EXPO 2015 Milan, on 10 July 2015. They described best practices and the significant results of thousands of farmers was described.

Healing the Self, Restoring the Earth

We are living in a technological age which is increasingly out of step with the natural world and its cycles. In the busy-ness of daily life it is easy to get disconnected from ourselves with consequences for our well-being & health on all levels.

This talk and meditation experience will be held in the Brahma Kumaris centre in Glasgow Thursday 18 June 7—8.30pm.

Sustainable Transition Demands a New Mindset

17 June 2015 11:00 to 12:30 (90 minutes) in the Networking Village. This workshop will be promoting the use of workshops and dialogues to encourage / educate / reflect on Personal Resilience and Responsibility in the area of environmental sustainability. There will be tools for organisations, groups, companies, individuals and education. Speakers will be Golo Pilz and Maureen Goodman and it will be facilitated by Sonja Ohlsson: all of Brahma Kumaris.

Yogic Farming Through Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Meditation

This academic paper (published June 2015) describes research carried out over three years on yogic farming using Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga meditation (BKRYM). It gives a positive indication of the benefits of yogic farming. It says, in its conclusion:

Conclusion

If we know the basics of science, such as all matter is different and all matter is made up of energy and that energy is basically vibrations, then it should not be too difficult to understand that metaphysical energy works the same way. The review done on various aspects of crops at different places indicated that the metaphysical energy created during BKRYM and applied to seeds, field crops, or water used for these purposes led to enhanced seed germination and vigor, and quality of crops. While keeping pace with chemical farming, the extensive use of metaphysical energy may lead to higher and pure crop produce in the future. Thus metaphysical energy has been found to play a vital role in enhancing all the stages of crop growth, i.e., from seed germination to final yield. Use of this energy can be successful, as it is a nonmonetary and powerful input as well as being helpful in improving the society. Thus the power of metaphysical energy created during Raja yoga meditation has been found to play a vital role in transforming agriculture as well as human health. All efforts need to be made to obtain such effects through the use of the metaphysical energy produced through Raja yoga meditation. This will not only transform agriculture but also facilitate transforming farming families and other human beings.

Feeding the world with yogic farming

At Rio+20, (19/06/2012) Piero Musini, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University talks to Pavilion TV about Yogic Farming. Yogic farming he explains, exposes the seeds to positive thought for a few days before they are put into the ground – and then throughout the plants lifetime. He says the process – which uses organic methods of…

Strengthening personal resilience and responsibilty

People are at the heart of “energy transition” often they are not aware or interested in the effects of climate change on them directly. During this lunchtime event we will highlight the need for a “profound shift in awareness” to transform the quality of the conversation and action among stakeholders: we need to recognise that our preferences and behaviours shape our actions. Real change must begin and be sustained in the minds and hearts of human beings. This event takes place in Brussels at the Aloft Hotel Shuman, Place Jean Rey 3 Tuesday 16 June, 13:00 – 14:30 with speakers experienced in environmental issues.

Mind and matter

New thinking creates new realities – How is your inner-climate?

When we talk about the sweeping changes that need to be made relative to climate change, we need to include the inner dimension as well as the outer. Fundamental shifts are needed in understanding of the world and humanity as being interdependent entities and also to realise that our way of thinking creates the world around us. This panel discussion, including speakers experienced in environmental issues, takes place in Brussels, Monday 15 June, 19:00 – 21:30 at the Brahma Kumaris centre Bischoffsheimlaan 39, 4c, 1000 Brussels.

Meditation for the Environment , Copenhagen

You can nourish both your soul and the planet with peaceful thoughts in a meditation outdoors. Both beginners and experienced meditators can participate. A brief introduction to meditation and the environment will be given, then 45 minutes meditation with both guidance and silence. Friday 5th June at 11:00 to 12:00, Islands Brygge, Ved den grønne plæne ud for Sturlasgade

One for All Consultation – February 16 2017, India

This important meeting, held in Mumbai, India had the aims:

i) To raise awareness about One for All and it can best advance energy access in India

ii) How can faith engagement help scale up energy access?

iii) To understand the policy and financial barriers and opportunities to scale investments in energy access in India.

EU Sustainable Energy Week, 2016

This report includes some of the many activities Brahma Kumaris carried out to support the EU Sustainable Energy Week. This includes:

  • Outdoor Meditation for the Environment
  • Leading from Within: Creating a Better Life
  • Sustainable Transitions – People and Energy Efficiency
  • An event at Antwerp
  • Simple Living, Antwerp
  • Simple methods of Self Audit
  • Renewable Energy for the Future: Solar Energy

Renewable Energy for the Future Solar energy

This information seminar will discuss the new 1MW solar energy site in Rajastan India, designed to serve the local community. It will cater for 25,000 visitors to the Shantivan complex nearby. This equipment has been designed and built by the Brahma Kumaris renewable energy team. The seminar will be held at the Brahma Kumaris Inner Space, 277 High Street, Glasgow, UK, June 16th 7 – 8:30pm.

First North American Emerging Leaders Multi-Faith Convergence

Organized by GreenFaith the convergence took place at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, June 20th through 24th 2016. At the Convergence over 60 diverse millennial faith leaders – from over 20 states (USA) and across Canada – who care about climate change and the environment, and who are eager to mobilize their communities to protect the Earth gather in a spirit of friendship, hope and optimism. Juan Milling from Canada represented the Brahma Kumaris in this wonderful event.

Meditation for the Environment

You can nourish both your soul and the planet with peaceful thoughts in a meditation outdoors. Both beginners and experienced meditators can participate. An introduction to meditation, to personal responsibility to change lifestyle, and to sustainable energy will be given, followed by 45 minutes of meditation with both guidance and silence.  This event is Sunday 12th June at Den Grønne plæne ved Ørestundsstein 7, Copenhagen.

Sister Jayanti Climate Change 2019

Here’s the video message from Sister Jayanti that will be shown at a concert organised by Earth’s Call, a nonprofit organisation with the slogan “Funding innovative solutions to fight the climate crisis” on Saturday 18th May.

People and Energy Efficiency, June 14th

People are at the heart of sustainability leading to global innovative solutions in energy efficiency and sustainability to restore balance in relationship with nature. Education and raising awareness that “we are in this together” is of prime importance. This subject and related topics will be discussed Tuesday 14 June 13:00 – 14:30 at Aloft Hotel, Schuman, Brussels. The presenters include

  • Sister Jayanti, Director Brahma Kumaris,
  • Dr Thorsten Ludwig, Berlin Institute for Innovative Energy and Propulsion Technologies
  • Anders Mavik, Vice President EU Political Affairs Office at Statoil
  • Victoria Martín de la Torre (Spain), journalist
  • Yoland Iliano, President of Religions for Peace Europe

OurVoices call for action

Brahma Kumaris have received impassioned requests from the OurVoices organisation to add to the activities of 12th June, 6 months after the COP21 Paris agreement reached by the heads of states present. The letters include links for more information.

EU Sustainable Energy Report 2017

This report describes the numerous activities of the Brahma Kumaris in suport of the EU Sustainable energy week. This includes:

  • Empowering People for a World in Transition, including workshops on:
    • Tracing Consciousness:
    • World view and collective consciousness:
    • From consciousness to implementation:
    • Vision: In which world do we want to live?
    • Which consciousness is the foundation for such a world?
  • The Art of a Positive World View in Turbulent Times
  • Outdoor Meditation for the Environment
  • Clean Energy for all Human Beings
  • Create a Climate for Change!
  • Consciousness & Climate Change – Responsible Leadership
  • Healthy Mind, Healthy Planet

Sacred Earth, Sacred Planet

This poster advertises the Brahma Kumaris’ activities in relation to their share of activities being carried out in 30 countries by many faith-based organisations on 12th June.  It is organised by OurVoices.

EU Energy week 2017

European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 19 – 25 June, is actually a month-long series of activities to build a secure energy future for Europe. It brings together public authorities, private companies, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives to save energy and move towards renewables for clean, secure and efficient power.

Energy Days during EUSE Program May- June 2018

The Brahma Kumaris have been actively supporting the EU initiative for sustainable energy.  This report includes the activities of Greece, Brussels and Denmark.

EUSEW – BK report 1

The BK environment initiative team have as ever been busy in Brussels meeting important people from the EU and sharing our philosophy.

EU Sustainable Energy Week 2018

European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 4 – 8 June, is a series of activities over an extended period. For example, throughout May and June, there will be Energy Days organised all over Europe. EUSEW is the annual flagship event uniting policy makers, authorities, industry, stakeholders, NGOs, researchers and academia in the European sustainable energy sector.

EU Energy week 2019

EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the annual flagship event organised by the European Commission, brings together public authorities, private companies, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives to save energy and move towards renewables for clean, secure and efficient power.  Brahma Kumaris were very active at this event.

EUSEW Berlin: Consciousness in Climate change

As part of the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), a symposium was held at the EUREF-Campus in Berlin in June.  The subject was Consciousness and Climate Change: New Perspectives on a World in Transition.  The Brahma Kumaris were active in this symposium and Carolin Fraude of Brahma Kumaris facilitated.

Report 2 UN Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya 2019

This second report from the UN Environment Assembly includes:

  • Faith for Earth side event, including a visit by Inger Andersen, the incoming Executive Director of UNEP
  • Faith for Earth co-ordination meeting
  • News from our stand
  • Meditation and news from Faith-Based Initiatives for Addressing Environmental Challenges

Report 1 UN Environment Assembly, Nairobi, Kenya 2019

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) has overall responsibility for environmental problems among UN agencies and is a leading global environmental authority. From 11th-15th March 2019, the 4th United Nations Environment Assembly UNEA4 is taking place in Nairobi, Kenya. The Brahma Kumaris in Kenya has been connected to UNEP since 1979 and we have been an accredited observer organization since 2014. Brahma Kumaris has a very active team at the assembly delivering our message to all.

UNEA 3 Report 2017

The third session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) took place in Nairobi from 4 – 6th December 2017.  UNEA was created as a result of the call made by world leaders at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), held in Brazil in June 2012.  Its aim is to strengthen and upgrade the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to be the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Brahma Kumaris actively supported this meeting.

Report 3 from UNEA-2, Nairobi, Kenya

This report describes:

  • the national broadcast of a live interview
  • a talk at Nairobi University
  • A ministerial luncheon
  • A reception with the Indian Environment Minister
  • The opening of the high level segment, including the President of Kenya
  • Meeting the UNEP faith co-ordinator

The team continue to be very busy.

Report 2, UNEA-2, Nairobi, Kenya

On this first day of the assembly, The UNEP President gave a powerful address to the assembly, there was a well-attended side event, the first by faith-based organizations at a UNEP event and the exhibition stand was very busy and popular.  There was also a talk held at Strathmore University.  The team have been busy.

Preparation and events before UNEA-2: Nairobi, Kenya

Brahma Kumaris are actively supporting the United Nations Environment Assembly 2016 (UNEA-2) in Nairobi, Kenya.  This report describes some of the preparation work and events that have been organised by way of training, talks and exhibitions.  It also gives news of a side event called “Exploring the role of the faith community to the Sustainable Development Goals”.   This is a break through event being held for the first time at a UNEA assembly.  The team also managed to fit in a safari visit to the Nairobi National Park.

UNEA – United Nations Environment Assembly 2016 Delivering on the 2030 Agenda

The UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) will convene for the second time (UNEA-2) in 2016. The UNEA of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) represents the highest level of governance of international environmental affairs in the UN system.

Report of UNEA at UNEP headquarters, June 2014

The first session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) of the United Nations Environment Programme took place at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi from 23 to 27 June 2014, under the slogan “Towards a Life of Dignity for All”, with more than 1,200 participants, including Environment Ministers, Government delegates and representatives of major groups and stakeholders. The overarching theme of the first session is “Sustainable Development Goals and the Post-2015 Development Agenda, including sustainable consumption and production”, which is designed to inform on-going discussions on the formulation of a set of targets and indicators that would succeed the Millennium Development Goals. Mambers of Brahma Kumaris attended the meeting and gave environmental help and advice to attendees and held a side event to describe the India One solar power project.

Green retreat at Moringen, 2019

The new retreat centre at Moringen, Germany has focussed on being as environmentally friendly and as self sustaining as possible.  It has made remarkable progress and has been holding Green Retreats this year.

OECPR Meeting Nairobi

Monday 24th March to Friday 28th March 2014

Report on the OECPR meeting held in Nairobi 24th – 28th March 2014The meeting for OECPR (Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives) was attended by delegates from 97 Countries, Civil Society and Religious Groups in Nairobi Kenya.

Worthing ECO retreat 2019

A Green retreat was held in Lighthouse Retreat Centre Worthing where members of Brahma Kumaris from many parts of the UK (and the world) shared news and ideas in relation to protecting and nurturing the environment. Some very creative ideas were shared.

Green Retreat in Portugal, 2018

A green retreat was held in Lisbon, Portugal, 12 – 16 July 2018.  The retreat explored the relationship we have with the five elements through meditations, professional advice and art.  Valériane descibed the Brahma Kumaris support for the ‘Living the Change’ project.

Green Day in Madhuban 2018

This is a short photo report of a day with Mother Earth and emergency preparations held in Madhuban.

Moringen Green Retreat 2017

The Green teams from many countries gathered in the new retreat centre in Moringen, Germany to share their insights and experiences (and to have a lovely time together!). The retreat included many walks and talks with lots of photo opportunites.

BK Australia Environmental Group Retreat 2017

The environmental group of Australia hold a ‘green’ retreat each year. This year, the theme was APPRECIATING AND GIVING – appreciating the colours of nature and giving to the 5 elements of nature, a fascinating insight to the importance of colours.

ECO retreat at Worthing 2016

This retreat in Worthing (11-13 November) for UK BKs was attended by a very eco-active group, from all over the UK, who shared their ideas on various aspects of pratical tips for cleaning materials, creative use of arts and consciousness. Plans have been made to continue these ideas as projects to create real results.

Ecological Retreat, Lisbon June 2016

This retreat for Brahma Kumaris (BK) members was held at the BK centre in Lisbon over the weekend of 16 to 20 June 2016. The subject was ‘Caring for Nature’ There were thought-provoking workshops, some great meals and good weather.

European Teachers ECO workshop, 2015

This was held in Oxford Global Retreat Centre, set in the Oxfordshire countryside, in August. A brief report is given here.

North America Green Retreat 2015

On Friday, July 31, BKs from USA, Canada and Spain gathered at Peace Village on Friday evening with a lot of enthusiasm for the North America BK Green Retreat of 2015. The theme was “Consciousness and Matter, the Confluence of Two Living Systems” It was held at Peace Village Retreat Center, New York (July 31 – August 2).

North America 4th Annual Green Retreat

The Brahma Kumaris family of North America, as part of the Brahma Kumaris Environment Initiative, held their 4th Annual Green Retreat
July 30 – August 2, 2015 in Peace Village, New York. This was facilitated by Neville Hodgkinson of the UK. The flyers for this can be seen

Lisbon Ecological Retreat 2015

About 30 people gathered from around Europe in Lisbon, Portugal from the 2nd–6th July 2015 to experience the soul’s true relationship with the five elements. The retreat looked at interactions with Nature and how to improve efforts to respect the environment. This retreat included meditations, Qigong and Hatha Yoga practices to sustain the body.

The green walking retreat – Germany

In September 2014, it was decided to have a green retreat in Germany. Instead of being based in one place, they chose to go for an extended walk – it was a big challenge.

Vila Serra Serena Retreat Centre, Brazil

The retreat centre at Vila Serra Serena, Brazil has been constructed using sustainable technologies. Here is a photo-report presenting the centre.

Inner Transition for a Greener World

In July 11-13, 2014 at Peace Village, Haines Falls, NY, USA, a ‘Green Retreat’ was held with a range of interesting topics and visits to farms where they put into practice the principles that they spoke about.

Peace Village Learning & Retreat Center – Sunday, July 13 11:00am – 4:00pm

People are increasingly aware of the ecological and spiritual crisis caused by human beings. They want to create harmonious and sustainable lives for themselves and for all beings, and are urgently asking: How can this enormous task be accomplished?? This workshop will provide food for thought, spiritual tools and some action steps.

Ecological Retreat Casa Sangam, Italy

Between Thursday 5th and Monday 9th of June 2014, a retreat focusing on environmental awareness and ecology was held at the retreat centre at Casa Sangam, near Gubbio in Italy.

SB50 Climate Change Conference 2019

The Bonn Climate Change Conference (SB50) hosted a wide range of events, meetings, and negotiating sessions to raise ambitions to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerate resilience-building efforts. Brahma Kumaris were an active participant at this event.

Bonn, Climate Change session April 2018, 2nd report

This report includes:

  • presentation of BK action in climate change mitigation
  • WCCB INterfaith co-ordination meeting
  • Living the change initiative
  • Workshop linking data and aggregation deliverables
  • Earth witness side event
  • Centre for climate change meeting

EU Energy Week 2016

EU Energy Days show citizens and businesses why sustainable energy is important – and help them discover the issues in the transition to secure, clean, efficient energy.

Bonn, Climate Change session April 2018, 1st report

This meeting, held April 2018 in Bonn, was for Civil Society members to discuss and reflect on climate change and human rights. The participants considered ways in which the states who had signed the Paris Agreement could be encouraged to deliver on their undertaking. This meeting was to prepare the strategies available. The Talanoa dialogue was employed. The indigenous peoples and the faith-based communities took part. The impacts of the efforts of each country were gamed with significant results.

Panel: Creating A Negotiator‘s tool-kit, 2017

On Monday 8th May2017, Brahma Kumaris, QUNO and Newcastle University co-organized a panel named: “A Negotiator‘s tool-kit: a range of powerful arguments to engage with busy Ministries on clear and concise reasons for urgent climate action.” The question to the panelists was: “How would you convince your ministry about taking urgent action in 5 minutes?”.

Celebrating World Environment Day in Brazil 2019

The Brahma Kumaris in Brazil celebrated World Environment Day in several places around the country and created a short presentation report with photos of the events.

Brahma Kumaris celebrating World Environment Day, India 2018

Across India, more than 30 Brahma Kumaris centres celebrated World Environment Day with great enthusiasm. Many hundreds of people were taught new ideas about protecting the environment. A photo report was prepared of the events.

Report of side event

On the 16th of May 2016, Segolène Royale, the French minister for the environment, chaired the first meeting that followed the Paris Agreement in Bonn.  The meeting had a number of targets, all aimed at facilitating the implementation of the agreements made at COP 21 in Paris.  It was also a time of saying farewell to Christiana Figueres who was standing down as executive secretary of the UNFCCC.

Thinking from a different mindset to face climate change

The United Nations Climate Change Conference was held in Bonn in June 2015.  This side event was a panel discussion of people with considerable experience of the issues around climate change. It took place 2nd June in Bonn III (72).

June 2014 Report of Global Justice and Equity

A side panel discussion was held at the Bonn Climate Change Conference including:

  • Prince Goodluck Obi, Dir. Global Alert for Defence of Youth and the Less Privileged, Nigeria
  • Dr. Curtis FJ Doebbler, Prof. of Law, Geneva, International-Lawyers.org
  • BK Jayanti Kirpalani, Director, Brahma Kumaris, Europe & United Kingdom
  • Joachim Golo Pilz, Dir. Solar Research Institute, India

Case studies of tree planting in Nigeria and solar energy in India were presented as examples of value based transition.

Treading Lightly on the Earth, London, June 2018

The event was dedicated to the World Environment Day, 5th June, and the focus this year was to ‘beat plastic pollution’. A slogan of the Brahma Kumaris is ‘when we change the world changes’. It was hoped that the afternoon would inspire each one to make positive changes in their life. The event included dancing, meditation and panel discussions.

World Environment Day 2018 – a message from Sister Jayanti

Sister Jayanti has recorded a message for the world in relation to the World Environment Day.

World Environment Day – 2017, India

World Environment Day 2017 was celebrated with great interest at the Brahma Kumaris centers in India.
This year, more than 300 programs and rallies were conducted in different places all over the country.

For a world of Peace – Salvador 2017

This event was held by Brahma Kumaris in Salvador, Brazil on 15th June to celebrate 2017 Environment Day and International Yoga Day. It was a joyous day filled with dancing, lectures and various meditation exercises. They also had a public talk on the “Spiritual dimensions of ecology”, on June 6th.

Chinese BKs meditate for the world

The Chinese BK family had a lovely meeting in their park to meditate for a cleaner, healthier, safer and more beautiful world.

W.E.D. at Lake Tegernsee, Munich

We have received a delightful poster promoting World Environment Day for activities at Lake Tegernsee, Munich.

World Environment Day, 2017

World Environment Day in Mauritius Celebrating World Environment Day 2016 The land and the children of the land The Brahma Kumaris Agriculture and Rural Development Wing are actively celebrating the World Environment Day, 5th June 2017.  Details can be seen here. The aim of the prgrammes is to raise environmental awareness and the conservation of natural resources….

World Environment Day in Mauritius

The Brahma Kumaris in Mauritius celebrated the World Environment day by attending the Regional Fair organized by Ministry of Environment where they introduced solar cooking, yogic farming and a Greening Tree for people top place their goood wishes. They also attended the two day Exhibition on Ecologie Interieure where they shared a number of ideas relating spirituality to the environment.

Celebrating World Environment Day 2016

World Environment Day was celebrated by Brahma Kumaris with enthusiasm by holding cleanliness drives, tree plantation programs, informative talks on our responsibility towards environment, educated the importance of Organic Yogic Farming, competitions for children etc., encouraging different communities to adopt Sustainable Practices and bring awareness on Environmental protection.

The land and the children of the land

On June 8th 2014, Brahma Kumaris centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil, received Marta Maria do Amaral Azevedo to talk on the topic “The land and its children”. She and Sister Luciana Ferraz, national coordinator for BK in Brazil, composed a panel in honor to the International Environment Day.

Living the Change programmes – Pune & Kerela 2018

These successful programmes looked at how individuals can make changes to better protect the environment and live more sustainably.  The reports include feedback from some of the participants as well as recipes for the meals prepared for the events.

Living the Change – Introduction

This global programme is bringing together faith communities who are celebrating sustainable lifestyles with public commitments and local events around the world. Brahma Kumaris are actively supporting this programme.