As we enter this final stretch in the run up to the UN International Day of Peace on 21 September, we wanted to take a moment to share a few words to convey a little about what this journey has meant for us – and what lies ahead.
“Peace held together, night after night, travels further than we know."
A Story of Hope
There is so much that is deeply moving about these 100 days. In addition to hearing the sincere and personal reflections from the contributing voices, what touches the heart deeply is the fact that each evening, people put their lives to one side to come together at 9.00pm. We do not see each other, or speak — and perhaps some of us may never know who the other is — but one pure intention, held in shared silence, on behalf of each other and our world, draws us together. And in those ten minutes, we connect — not through the language of words — but through the authentic language of the heart.
What also moved us this week was the response from the community. When the devastating floods struck Nepal, we put the word out just a couple of hours before the evening meditation and many joined in vigil that night. From Bosnia, Dr Mustafa Cerić, Grand Mufti Emeritus and one of our (upcoming) one hundred voices, wrote that same evening on receiving that last-minute call:
"Dear Friends,
My heart joins yours tonight in peace, prayer, and solidarity with the people of Nepal — with the local residents, pilgrims, and visitors whose lives have been touched by this devastating tragedy, and especially with all those who are anxiously searching for their loved ones.
May our shared silence become a language of compassion beyond all borders, religions, and nations. May it bring comfort to the grieving, strength to the rescuers, hope to those who wait, and mercy to all who have suffered.
In moments such as this, we are reminded that humanity is one family: another person's pain is our pain, and another person's hope is our sacred responsibility."
These are such meaningful words - which cultivate hope, peace and compassion - transcending all borders.
A Peaceful Morning Tea — Parliament House, Canberra
On Thursday 17 September 2026 — the final sitting day of Parliament before UN International Day of Peace — a culminating gathering for the 100 Days of Peace will be at Parliament House, Canberra.
A Peaceful Morning Tea will be hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Ms Nicolette Boele MP, in the Speaker's Courtyard, from 10.30-11.30am.
The programme will include brief addresses, a message from the UN Secretary-General, the personal message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama – written in support of the 100 Days of Peace – and ten minutes of shared meditation with gentle music.
However, for those who would like to sit in a collective meditation at the same time (10.30 - 11.30am) and ‘tune in’ with your good wishes for the event, that would be so wonderful - and we will provide details of an online meditation nearer the date.
A Time for Stillness
At the Parliament House gathering, we will also present A Time for Stillness — a proposal to the Australian Parliament.
The proposal is simple: that three times each year, at the opening of the February, May and August sitting periods, Parliament House be the home of a voluntary gathering of gentle music and shared silence — open to all Members of Parliament, Senators, staff and guests, free of charge, and distinct from existing parliamentary practice.
It is motivated by the reflections on peace from our contributing voices and by our shared experience of these evenings — that stillness, held together, is important in the cultivation and sustenance of peace.
Calm in the City is a not-for-profit venture which listens and engages with the city communities to bring calm into the heart of the city. We respectfully acknowledge that all Calm in the City events in Melbourne take place on the lands of the Kulin nations.
Something special arrived this week... We have two pieces of news to share with you today — and the first we are especially sharing with pure joy.
"What we cannot reach with words or action, we may yet touch in silence.”
RECEIVING | A Message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama
We are deeply honoured to announce that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has sent a personal message in support of Australia's 100 Days of Peace.
This Sunday 16 August 2026 evening, the message will be shared with the community by Mr Karma Singey, the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia — joining us at 9pm AEST as our Voice of Peace for the evening.
The message will also be read aloud at the culminating gathering of the 100 Days of Peace — A Peaceful Morning Tea — hosted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives at Parliament House, Canberra, on Thursday 17 September 2026, UN International Day of Peace.
We do not typically announce our contributors in advance. This one is different.
That a message from His Holiness has found its way to an initiative born of quiet, daily collective silence — offered freely each evening by Australians from every walk of life — is something we could not have imagined when this began. We are grateful beyond words.
LAUNCHING | Voices of Unity — a new podcast series
The second piece of news is also wonderful in its own way.
Our contributor Dr Mujib Abid, Initiative for Peacebuilding, University of Melbourne, has launched Voices of Unity, a grassroots podcast series emerging from Melbourne, created in direct support of the 100 Days of Peace.
The series amplifies the often-unheard, everyday practices of peace, care and solidarity shaping community life — through short, intimate conversations, including a distinctive walk-and-talk format across neighbourhood spaces.
As the series unfolds in the lead-up to UN International Day of Peace, it reflects a simple but powerful idea: that peace is practised daily — in relationships, in communities, and in the shared spaces of everyday life.
Four episodes have already been released, with new episodes arriving weekly through to 21 September.
Calm in the City is a not-for-profit venture which listens and engages with the city communities to bring calm into the heart of the city. We respectfully acknowledge that all Calm in the City events in Melbourne take place on the lands of the Kulin nations.
Saturday 1 August 2026 is Day 50 of Australia's 100 Days of Peace.
Fifty evenings of shared silence. Fifty voices. Fifty small acts of collective pure intention, offered each night on behalf of each other and of the world.
“Across difference, across distance, the same 10 minutes hold us together”
We wanted to pause at this halfway point and share something of what we have been hearing — because the stories coming back to us are quietly beautiful.
A community finding its voice
Before we share those stories, we want to acknowledge something else that has moved us deeply.
When people sign up to receive updates about the 100 Days of Peace, they often share a few words. We cannot list them all — but the image above is a small sample of what they have written.
Words like stillness, collective intention, hope, healing, harmony, inner peace, compassion, kindness, gratitude — and phrases like "may peace prevail on earth," "little steps together make a difference," and "love and light to planet earth and all within her."
To everyone who has written in, signed up, shared this with a friend, or simply shown up at 9pm — thank you for reaching out and connecting.
The ripple that travels
Lyn Eadie shared that during the meditation she senses "waves of peace trickling into every corner and space in the world — like a soft protective blanket, uniting those who need calm."
When ten minutes becomes thirty
Tim James — one of our own contributors — told us that his ten minutes of meditation rarely ends at ten minutes. Many, many times, he finds it naturally continuing for half an hour afterwards. "It has been a deeply-felt special experience for my whole wellbeing," he said — made all the more meaningful by the unusual time of day, 9pm not being his typical hour to meditate.
The morning after
Greg Church has joined us before — this is his second time (after 2024). He writes:
"Apart from the enjoyment of having 10 minutes of peace at the end of my day — and I do — the main benefit I derive seems to come the next day, in my morning meditation. It is stronger, clearer and more focused. So not only do I feel like I'm contributing to peace in the world, but I am experiencing real personal growth."
Two children in a park
This one touched us deeply.
A participant joining from the UK — in the middle of the recent heatwave — paused her picnic in the park at noon (our 9pm) to sit in the meditation. Her niece, aged five, and nephew, aged eight, were with her. She explained what was happening, and invited them to join.
They went silent. They were transfixed for the full ten minutes.
When the meditation ended, the little girl quietly stood up, walked to a flower bed, and sat down beside it. When asked what she was doing, she said she was sending peace and love to all of nature.
Her brother — without a word — got up, picked up his water bottle, and emptied what remained of it over the plants. "I know the flowers need water too," he said.
Travelling the distance
Finally — a friend writing from a conflict zone.
"At many points of giving up, I suddenly feel waves of uplifting light energy coming to me. I would like to convey my thanks — I strongly feel that it is because of these nightly collective gatherings, travelling the distance."
In peace
If you have been joining us — thank you. If you have been meaning to — there are still evenings to come :).
And if the 100 Days has moved you in some way — however small — we would love to hear about it - please do share your experience with us here so we can share them on.
Fifty evenings in. More still to come. You are always welcome.
Calm in the City is a not-for-profit venture which listens and engages with the city communities to bring calm into the heart of the city. We respectfully acknowledge that all Calm in the City events in Melbourne take place on the lands of the Kulin nations.
From Saturday 13 June 2026, 100 Days of Peace will launch – a national daily collective silent meditation up until the UN International Day of Peace on Monday 21 September 2026.
Each evening at 9.00pm AEST – leaders in the community from Australia and around the world will share a 3-minute reflection on peace, followed by 10 minutes of collective silent meditation. Simple, free and open to all. No registration required.
Join us online daily or whenever you can - and contribute to the collective in creating an atmosphere of peace – and help it spread to all in need in our beautiful, precious world.
Contributions by Sector
Among our contributing voices:
Faith & Spiritual Archbishop of Cape Town: Thabo Makgoba; Father Lawrence Freeman OSB; Archbishop of Melbourne: Ric Thorpe; Sister Jayanti & Sister Shivani (Brahma Kumaris); Satguru Uday Singh Ji (Head: Namdhari Sikhs); Rev Sandy Boyce (Faith Communities Council of Victoria); Rabbi Ralph Genende; Bishop Philip Huggins, Bhakta Dasa
Academic & Research Professor Craig Hassed (Monash); Professor Mark Williams (Oxford); Professor Sara Lazar (Harvard); A/Professor Nicholas van Dam (Melbourne); A/Professor Tilman Ruff AO (Melbourne)
Civic, Business & Community Simon McKeon AO; the Honourable Bob Carr; Commissioner Vivienne Nguyen AM; Sister Brigid Arthur AO; Hugh Mackay AO, Masoom Stanekzai; George Savvides AM; Martin Hosking; Victor Perton; Dr Hyppolite Ntigurirwa
Meditation, Health & Wellbeing Dr Ian Gawler OAM; Pauline McKinnon OAM; Professor George Jelinek; Dr Tami Roos; Asher Packman, Carmen Warrington
Sport Justin Langer AM; Paul Roos; Dr Hannah MacDougall; Cody Weightman
Arts & Culture Simon Tedeschi; Professor Kim Cunio; Caroline Sharpen OAM; David Jones
"I commend your commitment to the 100 Days of Peace, bringing together interfaith, intergenerational and cross-cultural groups in silent meditation. Now more than ever, we must focus on peace." – Clover Moore AO, Lord Mayor of Sydney
Support the 100 Days of Peace through the following means:
Share the flyer (A4) - on emails, newsletters, LinkedIn etc in pdf form.
Follow us on Instragram (@calm_inthecity) and share our posts.
Share a picture of the flyer on social media forums and on WhatsApp.
Closing Thoughts
The problems of our world seem huge. But when we come together in prayer and meditation, holding a collective pure intention, ancient wisdom and science remind us that something does shift — in us and in the world around us. Peace is therefore both a gift and a task.
In peace,
The 100 Days of Peace team
MORE:
Calm in the City (CitC) Melbourne: Meditation Centre, Bookshop and Quiet Room, 256 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy Vic
Calm in the City is a not-for-profit venture which listens and engages with the city communities to bring calm into the heart of the city. We respectfully acknowledge that all Calm in the City events in Melbourne take place on the lands of the Kulin nations.
Warm and peaceful greetings: the Calm Collective meditations will resume every Sunday for the next three months (March, April and May) – starting Sunday 8 March 2026.
As before, these gatherings have one aim: to create a shared, silent space of pure intention and goodwill for 10 minutes, gathering the power of presence. These focused moments are designed to generate an atmosphere of calm, healing and hope within ourselves and extend as a quiet offering for all in need in our precious world.
“Peace in oneself. Peace in the world.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
You are warmly invited to join in - wherever you are - to contribute, connect, as well as to take support from these collective pauses each week. Your presence is most valued and importantly contributes to the quiet strength of this shared field of goodwill which ripples out around you and into the world.
Please register to attend on any Sunday (you only need to register once).
Calm in the City is a not-for-profit venture which listens and engages with the city communities to bring calm into the heart of the city. We respectfully acknowledge that all Calm in the City events in Melbourne take place on the lands of the Kulin nations.
Greetings of peace.You are invited for a silent 10-minute online vigil to remember and honour those affected by the Bondi tragedy.
This will be a gentle space for quiet reflection, shared care, and solidarity, holding the victims, their loved ones, and the wider community in our thoughts.
All are welcome to attend in silence, prayer, meditation or simply to be present together.
Thank you for your presence.
In peace and with community in our hearts - the Calm Collective team
Calm in the City is a not-for-profit venture which listens and engages with the city communities to bring calm into the heart of the city. We respectfully acknowledge that all Calm in the City events in Melbourne take place on the lands of the Kulin nations.
Join us for a powerful, 1-hour online meditation vigil in honour of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.
In alignment with the 2025 UN theme, "Act Now for Peace", we will gather virtually to hold collective intentions of peace for the world.
A gentle, guided meditation will offer intentions of peace to be held throughout the hour, inviting each of us to contribute our hearts, thoughts, and energy toward global harmony.
Whether you can attend for the full hour or join us briefly, come and join us for this meaningful gathering as we unite in peace.
You are welcome. Your presence will be beneficial. Together, we make a difference.
Bishop Philip Huggins will provide the opening reflections with Chrissy Mahoney as the facilitator of the vigil.
Calm in the City is a not-for-profit venture which listens and engages with the city communities to bring calm into the heart of the city. We respectfully acknowledge that all Calm in the City events in Melbourne take place on the lands of the Kulin nations.
Let us come together for this important day with a Multifaith/multicultural celebration and be one step closer to a world of peace through greater understanding.
Presented by United for Human Rights Victoria (UHRV) and hosted by Church of Scientology.
Program
Registration and Lunch 11.30am
Event 12.30-3pm
Where: Church of Scientology Community Centre 231-252 Mt Alexander Road, Ascot Vale 3032
Cost: Free
Bookings: RSVP now to reserve your seat. Contact Jan Lester jan.lester@scientology.net
MORE:
Church of Scientology, Victoria United for Human Rights Victoria (UHRV) Address: 231-251 Mt Alexander Road, Ascot-Vale, Victoria
Feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty in our world? Join us for this FREE event, where powerful stories from inspiring speakers, along with uplifting music and calming meditation, will guide you towards hope, clarity, and transformation. Come find your light!
Hon. Clover Moore AO, Lord Mayor City of Sydney
Rev. Jon Owen, CEO, Wayside Chapel, Sydney
Hon. Linda Burney, Former Minister for Indigenous Australians, Member for Barton
Sister Jayanti, Spiritual Teacher, Brahma Kumaris
An afternoon of illuminating wisdom, moderated by journalist and author Dr Julia Baird. The Brahma Kumaris are the organisers of the event. They are a not-for-profit registered charity, run completely by Volunteers.
The Sydney Opera House honours our First Nations by fostering a shared sense of belonging for all Australians, and we acknowledge the Gadigal, traditional custodians of Tubowgule, the land on which the Opera House stands.
A special evening of deep insight and spiritual exploration of Awakening Sacred Intelligence to discover the profound intelligence that emerges through meditation.
This event will bring together two renowned spiritual leaders and thinkers - Sister Jayanti and Dr Ian Gawler OAM. Sister Jayanti is an eminent spiritual teacher with almost 60 years of experience in meditation and a respected representative and teacher of the Brahmakumaris. Dr. Ian Gawler OAM has pioneered holistic healing for the past 40 years. Facilitated by Gold Quill award-winning journalist Martine Harte, together they will offer a thought-provoking discussion for personal transformation.
Calm in the City is a not-for-profit venture which listens and engages with the city communities to bring calm into the heart of the city. We respectfully acknowledge that all Calm in the City events in Melbourne take place on the lands of the Kulin nations.
1. UN | COMMEMORATING | International Day of Peace | 21 September
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.
Each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Never has our world needed peace more.
In that declaration, the United Nations’ most inclusive body recognized that peace “not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.”
In a world with rising geopolitical tensions and protracted conflicts, there has never been a better time to remember how the UN General Assembly came together in 1999 to lay out the values needed for a culture of peace. These include: respect for life, human rights and fundamental freedoms; the promotion of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation; commitment to peaceful settlement of conflicts; and adherence to freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding at all levels of society and among nations.
In follow-up resolutions, the General Assembly recognized further the importance of choosing negotiations over confrontation and of working together and not against each other.
The Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) starts with the notion that “wars begin in the minds of men so it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”. It is this notion that framed the theme and logo of this year’s observance of the International Day of Peace. The ideas of peace, the culture of peace, need to be cultivated in the minds of children and communities through formal and informal education, across countries and generations.
The International Day of Peace has always been a time to lay down weapons and observe ceasefires. But it now must also be a time for people to see each other’s humanity. Our survival as a global community depends on that. More.
2. UNHCR | UPDATING | Forcibly Displaced, Refugees & Stateless | Figures at a Glance | 13 June 2024
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, other forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
At the end of 2023, the total numbers of people:
forcibly displaced is 117.3 million, and
UNHCR protects and/or assists is 122.6 million people.
The total number of forcibly displaced people (117.3 million) encompasses refugees, asylum-seekers, other people in need of international protection and internally displaced people. It includes refugees and other displaced people not covered by UNHCR’s mandate and excludes other categories such as returnees and non-displaced stateless people.
The total population that UNHCR protects and/or assists (122.6 million) includes those who have been forcibly displaced (refugees, asylum-seekers, other people in need of international protection and internally displaced people); those who have returned home within the previous year; those who are stateless (most of whom are not forcibly displaced); and other groups of concern to whom UNHCR has extended its protection or provided assistance on a humanitarian basis.
UNHCR personnel
UNHCR works in over 130 countries around the world.
UNHCR publishes its plans and financial requirements for the coming year each November in the Global Appeal. A review of the previous year is published each June in the Global Report, including a detailed Annual Results Report for over 50 country operations.
How is UNHCR funded? The population UNHCR protects and assists reached a record 122.6 million people and funding decreased from its 2022 peak, resulting in a record funding gap. Emergencies hit a new high, with the war in Sudan causing the year's largest displacement crisis, needing more support than received. The number of protracted refugee situations increased to 59 in 37 countries.
UNHCR was launched on a shoestring annual budget of US$300,000 in 1950. But as our work and size have grown, so too have the costs. Our annual budget rose to more than US$1 billion in the early 1990s and reached a new annual high of US$10.714 billion in 2022.
The lives of millions have been torn apart by trauma, conflict, persecution, insecurity or human rights violations, and over 130 million people are expected to be forcibly displaced or stateless by the end of 2024.
From 17 displacement situations to detailed plans for 50+ country operations, the urgent call for investment is louder than ever, with budgeted needs of $10.622 billion for 2024.
The Global Appeal provides information about UNHCR’s plans for the coming year and the funding it needs to protect, assist and empower a record number of forcibly displaced and stateless people, and to help them find solutions to their situations.
Angelique Kidjo and friends encourage all to choose love
3. GEIFN | ASPIRING | Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods | Daily
GEIFN exists to promote harmony and respect for faiths, values, cultures and traditions by global engagement in friendlier neighbourhoods.
GEIFN was formed in early 2011 with representation from many faith groups. Currently in caretaker mode with Carey Rohrlach attending.
Promoting harmony and respect for faiths, values, cultures and traditions in our shared community.
Providing opportunities for dialogue, understanding, harmonious interaction, co-operative community service and events that highlight positive contributions in the community.
Demonstrating respect for others belief’s, cultures and traditions. This desire arises from our common humanity and our being people of faith.
Recognising neighbours, that we have responsibilities to ourselves, community and the world.
Encouraging citizens, all to put aside intolerance, prejudice and divisiveness to attain peaceful and fruitful co-existence.
Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Port Phillip, Glen Eira and surrounds are the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.
Respecting past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savour and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully in our place called home.
This annual supplement is a curation from information in public domain. Thankyou to all the many exemplars who have shared their aspiration, experience and results to be the peace making they wish to see in the world. Received with gratitude.
Consider obtaining and distributing from the growing range of collateral below. (Any receipts go towards production costs and ongoing service provision.)
3.1 Badges
For equity: YES, I am
Description: Size: 56mm diametre, safety-pin clasp Pack Contains: 20 Cost: $40 per pack Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
OR download free digital version here for adding to your documents:
What is reconciliation? “Of people spending 60,000 years wiped out by illness and violence in a land rich with creature and plant life, spirit forms and respect... The wish to say sorry, to honour, to respect land, ancestors, people... What is reconciliation? It is a beginning. A process. Healing.” – Ajahn Thanasanti, Australian Buddhist nun
Description: High quality high gloss 1 sided on photographic paper Individual Size: 15x10cm Pack Contains: 10 cards Cost: $6 per pack Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
View 1: Lost Piece in the midst of Desire, Envy, Anger, Pride and Confusion? View 2: Found Peace: If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.
Description:
White ceramic 325ml mug with wrap-around image
Pack Contains: 1 Mug
Cost: $25 ea until stocks last
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
3.4 Contemplations
Take Away Contemplation: (Daily, before meals or anytime)
We give thanks for the precious nature of life.
We give thanks for the precious nature of the lives of those we care for and who care for us.
We give thanks for the precious nature of the many interconnected conditions that come together today to allow us to enjoy this place, this company, this purpose, this potential, this time.
We give thanks for the precious nature of all Teachers, Teachings and Opportunities to Share.
We give thanks for the precious nature of my/your/our life.
May all beings enjoy such benefits or if not, have less Suffering until planting the seeds for growth.
For the benefit of all, thankyou.
Contemplating Departure: (Daily, after meals or at the closing)
Please forgive me For anything I did or said Or failed to do or say, That hurt you or upset you, Whether I did them intentionally or unintentionally
I forgive you For anything you did or said Or failed to do or say That hurt me or upset me, Whether you did them intentionally or unintentionally
May all live in Peace, Wellbeing and Happiness
Description: High quality laserprinted 2 sided leaflet Individual Size: 21x10cm Pack Contains: 12 leafs Cost: $6 until stocks last Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
Be Aspiring, Change View: Found Peace. If it was easy then everybody would be enjoying it.
Beat Time, Check Source: Re:lig:ion = again/back : join/unite : energy
Description: High quality laserprinted 2 sided leaflet Individual Size: 21x10cm Pack Contains: 12 leafs Cost: $6 per pack Includes Postage to Australian Addresses OR download free digital version here:
Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Cities of Port Phillip and Glen Eira are the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrungpeoples of the Kulin Nation. Respect is offered to past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savor and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully with less effort in our place called home.
Invitation to Support Content Creators
The music/stories/videos have been sourced from public domain. If you like any of the content, please consider buying directly from online marketplaces to support creators and truth telling in the public interest.
Caretaker Disclosure
Words and concepts are conditional things that point to a 'reflection of experience'. They are limited and do not adequately describe the 'full lived experience'. Like the moon's reflection on a lake's surface, it is not the moon, nor the experience of gazing up at the darkened sky transformed by the presence of a full moon. It is in the eyes/ears/nose/mouth/touch/cognisance of the beholder.
This curation is an interpretation of the universal basis of re:lig:ion (Latin = again:uniting:energy) or bodhicitta (Sanskrit = Awakening Consciousness). This email invites a sharing of countless thoughts, words and actions wishing, causing and receiving less Suffering and more Happiness. For benefit initially of the individual increasing in beneficiaries until it includes all across the 3 times and 10 directions. Or not. As each case may be.
It is not personal, it just the way things are.
3.10 Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering
Dechen Shak gives a modern interpretation of Avalokiteshvara/Chenresi/Loving Eyes (Sanskrit/Tibetan/English) mantra
An online vigil bringing collective hearts and minds together for a world in deep need.
"The world is a projection of our collective consciousness. If our collective consciousness reaches that place of peace, harmony, laughter and love, it will be a different world." Deepak Chopra
Your individual contribution can not be underestimated and our collective contribution matters more than we know.
Calm in the City is a not-for-profit venture which listens and engages with the city communities to bring calm into the heart of the city. We respectfully acknowledge that all Calm in the City events in Melbourne take place on the lands of the Kulin nations.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.
In that declaration, the United Nations' most inclusive body recognized that peace "not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation."
The International Day of Peace has always been a time to lay down weapons and observe ceasefires.
But it now must also be a time for people to see each other's humanity. Our survival as a global community depends on that.
For this year's International Day of Peace 2024, the theme is "Cultivating a Culture of Peace".
Let us come together for this important day with a Multifaith/multicultural celebration and be one step closer to a world of peace through greater understanding.
Presented by: COMMON (Centre of Melbourne's Multi-Faith & Others Network)
Hosted by: Youth for Human Rights Australia - Victoria Chapter (YHRAV)
Supported by:
WIN (Women's Interfaith Network) Foundation
Eritrean Jeberti Community in Australia - Somali Community Inc
Moonee Valley Interfaith Network
Avondale Heights and East Keilor Residents Association
Program
Registration & Lunch 11.30am followed by guest speakers
3pm Finish
Where: Church of Scientology Community Centre 231-252 Mt Alexander Road, Ascot Vale 3032
Cost: Free
Bookings: RSVP now to reserve your seat. Contact Connie Curato: 0425 843 733 or info@yhr-australia.org
MORE: Church of Scientology, Victoria
Youth for Human Rights Australia (Victoria Chapter)
Address: 231-251 Mt Alexander Road, Ascot-Vale, Victoria
We have been truly blessed in 2023! Thank you each and every one of you who joined us in 2023, whether you volunteered, or supported us we’re glad to have you part of the Planetary Healing Artists’ community.
SEEKING | Artists Now | submissions in by 27 January 2024
Planetary Healing Artists' Association of Australia is giving artists the opportunity to exhibit for free @ Minerva Gallery for 2-months 3 February–6 April 2024.
Bonus Opportunities:
Be a part of the exhibition opening party
Be part of the Planetary Healing Artists’ Community
RECAPPING | 2023 St Kilda Peace Festival at O'Donnell Gardens
Planetary Healing Artists’ Association of Australia would like to express their gratitude to each and every one of you for your invaluable presence and enthusiastic participation in the recent St Kilda Festival. Planetary Healing Artists St Kilda Peace Festival showcased multicultural and spiritual artists, musicians and creatives with interactive entertainment and music performances.
As we step into the end of 2023 it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the past year. Our deepest appreciation to all of the participants for being part of Planetary Healing Artists' Association of Australia's biggest Peace Festival this year. You contributed to the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere that truly embodied the spirit of peace and unity.
We are immensely proud of all the participants within our community, and we firmly believe that it will continue to inspire peace and goodwill in the future.
Coming soon - Online 'Healing the Spirit' art exhibition 2023 – art works for sale.
If you haven't had an opportunity to visit and/or purchase art works from our recent 'Healing the Spirit' art exhibition. It will be online soon. We are just finalising details.
If interested, please email us at: exhibit@planetaryhealingartists.org
The AGM will have reflections on our accomplishments, discussions of future plans, and celebrating the collective efforts that make our organization thrive.
To add a bit of excitement to our upcoming gathering, we're thrilled to share a visual recap of our recent successful St Kilda Peace Festival. We've just uploaded a highlights video on YouTube.
Enjoy the video, showcasing the vibrant moments and achievements from the festival. It's a testament to the incredible support and enthusiasm of our community. Any of the performers in the video if you have a YouTube channel, please give us your address and we can tag you.
Where: 224 Danks Street, Albert Park VIC 3206
MORE:
Planetary Healing Artists Association of Australia (PHAAA)
UN | COMMEMORATING | International Day of Peace | 21 September
UNHCR | UPDATING | Forcibly Displaced, Refugees & Stateless | Figures at a Glance | 14 June 2023
GEIFN | Aspiring Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods
1. UN | COMMEMORATING | International Day of Peace | 21 September
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.
Each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Never has our world needed peace more.
This year’s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Fostering peace contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will create a culture of peace for all.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict are unleashing devastation, poverty, and hunger, and driving tens of millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is all around. And even peaceful countries are gripped by gaping inequalities and political polarization.”
2023 marks the mid-point in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2023 observance of the International Day of Peace coincides with the SDG summit (18–19 September) to mark the mid-point milestone.
The SDGs aim to bring us closer to having more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies, free from fear and violence. But without the buy-in and contribution of a wide range of actors including the 1.2 billion young people alive, the goals will not be achieved. We invite you to join the United Nations’ call to take action for peace: fight inequality, drive action on climate change, and promote and protect human rights.
2. UNHCR | UPDATING | Forcibly Displaced, Refugees & Stateless | Figures at a Glance | 14 June 2023
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, other forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
At the end of 2022 as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order, 108.4 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced.
35.3 million refugees comprising 29.4 million refugees under UNHCR’s mandate and 5.9 million Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate.
62.5 million internally displaced people
5.4 million asylum seekers
UNHCR personnel
UNHCR's workforce is the backbone of operations. At 31 December 2022, there were 18,879 employees, of whom around 91 per cent are based in the field.
We work in 137 countries and territories, with personnel based in a mixture of regional and branch offices and sub and field offices. Our teams work hard to help the displaced, specializing in a wide range of disciplines, including legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs and health.
How is UNHCR funded? UNHCR is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, with 75% from governments and the European Union. 3% comes from other inter-governmental organizations and pooled funding mechanisms, while a further 21% is from the private sector, including foundations, corporations and the public. Additionally, we receive a limited subsidy (1%) from the UN budget for administrative costs, and accept in-kind contributions, including items such as tents, medicines and trucks.
UNHCR was launched on a shoestring annual budget of US$300,000 in 1950. But as our work and size have grown, so too have the costs. Our annual budget rose to more than US$1 billion in the early 1990s and reached a new annual high of US$10.714 billion in 2022. For up-to-date information about UNHCR’s financial needs visit our Global Focus website.
Our yearly budget supports continuing operations and supplementary programmes to cover emergencies, such as the Ukraine crisis, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and the Pakistan floods as well as large-scale repatriation operations.
3. GEIFN | Aspiring Global Engagement in Friendlier Neighbourhoods
GEIFN exists to promote harmony and respect for faiths, values, cultures and traditions by global engagement in friendlier neighbourhoods.
GEIFN was formed in early 2011 with representation from many faith groups. Currently in caretaker mode with Carey Rohrlach attending.
Promoting harmony and respect for faiths, values, cultures and traditions in our shared community.
Providing opportunities for dialogue, understanding, harmonious interaction, co-operative community service and events that highlight positive contributions in the community.
Demonstrating respect for others belief’s, cultures and traditions. This desire arises from our common humanity and our being people of faith.
Recognising neighbours, that we have responsibilities to ourselves, community and the world.
Encouraging citizens, all to put aside intolerance, prejudice and divisiveness to attain peaceful and fruitful co-existence.
Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Port Phillip, Glen Eira and surrounds are the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.
Respecting past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savour and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully in our place called home.
This annual supplement is a curation from information in public domain. Thankyou to all the many exemplars who have shared their aspiration, experience and results to be the peace making they wish to see in the world. Received with gratitude.
In This Section
a) Badges
b) Photocards
c) Coffee Mugs
d) Contemplations
e) Inspirations
f) Sharing Downloadable PDF Statements
g) Update Your Contact Details
h) Community Engages
i) Acknowledgments
j) Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering
Consider obtaining and distributing from the growing range of collateral below. (Any receipts go towards production costs and ongoing service provision.)
a) Badges
For equity: YES, I am
Description: Size: 56mm diametre, safety-pin clasp Pack Contains: 20 Cost: $40 per pack Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
OR download free digital version here for adding to your documents:
What is reconciliation? “Of people spending 60,000 years wiped out by illness and violence in a land rich with creature and plant life, spirit forms and respect... The wish to say sorry, to honour, to respect land, ancestors, people... What is reconciliation? It is a beginning. A process. Healing.” – Ajahn Thanasanti, Australian Buddhist nun
Description: High quality high gloss 1 sided on photographic paper Individual Size: 15x10cm Pack Contains: 10 cards Cost: $6 per pack Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
View 1: Lost Piece in the midst of Desire, Envy, Anger, Pride and Confusion? View 2: Found Peace: If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.
Description:
White ceramic 325ml mug with wrap-around image
Pack Contains: 1 Mug
Cost: $25 ea until stocks last
Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
d) Contemplations
Take Away Contemplation: (Daily, before meals or anytime)
We give thanks for the precious nature of life.
We give thanks for the precious nature of the lives of those we care for and who care for us.
We give thanks for the precious nature of the many interconnected conditions that come together today to allow us to enjoy this place, this company, this purpose, this potential, this time.
We give thanks for the precious nature of all Teachers, Teachings and Opportunities to Share.
We give thanks for the precious nature of my/your/our life.
May all beings enjoy such benefits or if not, have less Suffering until planting the seeds for growth.
For the benefit of all, thankyou.
Contemplating Departure: (Daily, after meals or at the closing)
Please forgive me For anything I did or said Or failed to do or say, That hurt you or upset you, Whether I did them intentionally or unintentionally
I forgive you For anything you did or said Or failed to do or say That hurt me or upset me, Whether you did them intentionally or unintentionally
May all live in Peace, Wellbeing and Happiness
Description: High quality laserprinted 2 sided leaflet Individual Size: 21x10cm Pack Contains: 12 leafs Cost: $6 until stocks last Includes Postage to Australian Addresses
Be Aspiring, Change View: Found Peace. If it was easy then everybody would be enjoying it.
Beat Time, Check Source: Re:lig:ion = again/back : join/unite : energy
Description: High quality laserprinted 2 sided leaflet Individual Size: 21x10cm Pack Contains: 12 leafs Cost: $6 per pack Includes Postage to Australian Addresses OR download free digital version here:
Acknowledging traditional inhabitants of Cities of Port Phillip and Glen Eira are the Boon Wurrung, Bunurong and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrungpeoples of the Kulin Nation. Respect is offered to past, present and future elders of all spiritual traditions. May we find together a generous way to accommodate those in need of refuge. Let us be cool, strive individually and together to overcome inequality, violence, disengagement, tragedy and injustice wherever it may be. Let us honour, savor and enjoy results of mindful effort so more thrive peacefully with less effort in our place called home.
Invitation to Support Content Creators
The music/stories/videos have been sourced from public domain. If you like any of the content, please consider buying directly from online marketplaces to support creators and truth telling in the public interest.
Caretaker Disclosure
Words and concepts are conditional things that point to a 'reflection of experience'. They are limited and do not adequately describe the 'full lived experience'. Like the moon's reflection on a lake's surface, it is not the moon, nor the experience of gazing up at the darkened sky transformed by the presence of a full moon. It is in the eyes/ears/nose/mouth/touch/cognisance of the beholder.
Words and concepts are conditional things that point to a 'reflection of experience'. They are limited and do not adequately describe the 'full lived experience'. Like the moon's reflection on a lake's surface, it is not the moon, nor the experience of gazing up at the darkened sky transformed by the presence of a full moon. It is in the eyes/ears/nose/mouth/touch/cognisance of the beholder.
This curation is an interpretation of the universal basis of re:lig:ion (Latin = again:uniting:energy) or bodhicitta (Sanskrit = Awakening Consciousness). This email invites a sharing of countless thoughts, words and actions wishing, causing and receiving less Suffering and more Happiness. For benefit initially of the individual increasing in beneficiaries until it includes all across the 3 times and 10 directions. Or not. As each case may be.
It is not personal, it just the way things are.
j) Dedicating Merit and Best Wishes for Less Suffering
Tinna Tinh gives a modern interpretation of Vajrasattva (Diamond Mind or Enlightening Attitudes) mantra
