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.
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.
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.”
