GRAND TO GROUND

GIWA ACROSS THE GLOBE

GIWA travels the world for high-level meetings and summits with our world’s leaders, to share our vision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for all.

Accelerating the Promise

RELIGIONS FOR PEACE CONFERENCE IN MANRESA, SPAIN 2022

GIWA in Manresa, Spain at the special Religions for Peace conference of “At a Crossroads – a Multireligious and Intergenerational Response to Social and Environmental Crises.”  Sadhvi Bhagawatiji shared the work that our Global Interfaith WASH Alliance is doing in India for water, sanitation & hygiene and also for so much more — menstrual hygiene, gender equality, ending gender based violence, lifeskills education, ending early child marriage and massive tree plantation programs for climate change abatement.

Finding active and sustainable pathways to peace

UNITED NATIONS ALLIANCE OF CIVLIZATIONS GLOBAL FORUM IN FEZ, MOROCCO 2022

GIWA traveled to the sacred spiritual city of Fez, Morocco to participate in the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Global Forum. High level government representatives, civil society leaders and faith leaders from around the world gathered to work to find active and sustainable pathways to peace and towards an Alliance of Peace: Living Together as One Humanity.

Faith, climate action & sustainability

PARD ANNUAL FORUM ON RELIGION & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN BALI 2022

GIWA participated in the PARD Annual Forum on Religion & Sustainable Development.  It was a joy and an honour for Ganga Nandiniji to share her thoughts, suggestions and ask questions during many of the sessions, as well as present the work that Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and Parmarth Niketan are doing for climate action and sustainability, especially to mitigate climate crisis and natural disasters. She was glad to share the great vision, mission and leadership that drives the efforts that we make with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji & Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji’s inspiration and divine example.

uniting for change

KOFI ANNAN UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (UNGA) FAITH BRIEFINGS 2019

GIWA shared its work to bring interfaith leaders and their congregations together to serve for improved WASH as participants discussed a path forward to combat poverty, climate change, health crises and natural disasters amidst the growing influence of Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs).

ensuring rights for women

UN COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN 2019

Global Interfaith WASH Alliance shared its the work we are doing for women and girls in India.

Religion, Faith, Dialogue & Sustainable Development

GIWA ON STEERING COMMITTEE OF PARD IN VIENNA 2019

GIWA traveled to Vienna for important meetings and events focusing on the role of religion in United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,  the steering committee meeting of the International Partnership for Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD).

Caring for our Common Future ̶ Advancing Shared Well-being

WORLD ASSEMBLY OF RELIGIONS FOR PEACE CONFERENCE IN LINDAU, GERMANY 2019

GIWA joined with faith leaders and representatives of governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil society groups in the lakeside town to forge partnerships for the common good. 

Accelerating the Promise

ICPD25 NAIROBI SUMMIT 2019

GIWA participated in the ICPD25 Nairobi Summit Accelerating the Promise, speaking in an event organized by WSSCC, WaterAid UK, WASH United and the African Coalition for Menstrual Health Management on “Inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health – Accelerating Menstrual Health at ICPD25 & Beyond” in which they came together across sectors to advocate for menstrual hygiene management.

FROM WORSHIP TO WASH

PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS 2018

GIWA participated and inspired the Parliament of World’s Religions, advocating and pledging for improved WASH and to work tirelessly to protect our sacred rivers, our fresh water systems and all of Mother Nature.

FROM WORSHIP TO WASH

GIWA AT UNITED NATIONS ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS GLOBAL SUMMIT 2018

GIWA addressed the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Global Summit at UN World Headquarters, focusing on the crucial importance of women’s leadership and sustainable development in a time of increasing global strife and insecurity as well as the importance of the role of religion and religious leaders in fostering peaceful and inclusive societies.

Where it matters

GIWA AT UNITED NATIONS

GIWA participates regularly in United Nations advocacy activities and meetings, to help ensure our world realizes a sustainable future for which everyone, everywhere can have access to healthy Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and where our women and girls are empowered with adequate Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM).

GIWA AT

The World Bank

GIWA has participated in and planned two high-level meetings at the World Bank’s Washington DC Headquarters, working directly with previous World Bank President, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, World Bank officials and leaders from the world’s many faiths to set a new course of interfaith togetherness to end poverty and conserve our world’s natural resources, such as water, through inclusive sustainable development.

Bringing Interfaith togetherness to end poverty

First time in British History

GIWA at the House of Commons 2014

For the first time in British history, an interfaith Water Blessing Ceremony performed at the House of Commons led by GIWA, with prayers that all people, all over the world should have access to safe, sufficient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The event also raised awareness of water scarcity across the globe, which has reached unprecedented dangerous levels where By 2025, it is estimated that two-thirds of the global population could be living under water-stressed conditions. (UNDP).

The House of Commons event, organized by the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, Ganga Action Parivar and Swaminarayan Gurukul Parivar, saw representatives of nine faiths addressing a distinguished gathering of 300 people including royalty, lords, members of parliament and prominent leaders. The event served as a platform for some of society’s most influential individuals across sectors to unite in their common goal of advocating for global access to clean and fresh water.

riverthames
GIWA WITH LONDON'S LEADING RIVER CHARITY

Joining Forces For Cleaning The River Thames 2014

GIWA joined forces recently with Thames21, London’s leading Thames River charity in the signing of an MoU to clean up the riverbanks of the River Thames, thereafter mobilizing the first clean-up of the rubbish strewn banks of the river.

This unique collaboration saw HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Co-Founder of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, mobilize dozens of volunteers of all ages who, in searing heat, donned wellies and gloves to dig up countless discarded plastic bags and other waste that had sunk below the muddy surface at the Isle of Dogs. In the shadow of the O2 Arena, Pujya Swamiji modeled yoga in action by immediately and dedicatedly giving his hands to the massive task at hand.

Royal Visit to GIWA’s Secretariat 2013

Their Royal Highnesses, King Charles, (then Prince of Wales) and Queen Consort Camilla, (then Duchess of Cornwall), paid an official visit to GIWA’s Secretariat of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh as the first destination of their nine-day visit to India in 2013.

Following the ceremonies, their Royal Highnesses took part in a GIWA water blessing ceremony, led by Pujya Swamiji, in which waters from the world’s sacred rivers were offered onto a large globe, symbolizing a prayer that all people across the world should have access to safe and sufficient water.

His Royal Highness King Charles delivered an inspiring speech, expressing his utmost satisfaction in being present at the ceremony and his deep appreciation for the commendable environmental and humanitarian work accomplished by Pujya Swamiji. He remarked “It has been a particular pleasure to meet Swamiji, about whom I have heard so much. I know that he and all the work that he and his colleagues do, is of remarkable significance.”