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.

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 planning as well as two high-level meetings at the World Bank’s Washington DC Headquarters recently, working directly with 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

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 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.

Royal Visit to GIWA’s Secretariat

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.”

GIWA WITH LONDON'S LEADING RIVER CHARITY

Joining Forces For Cleaning The River Thames

GIWA joined forces recently with Thames21, London’s leading Thames River charity in the signing of an MoU, during which they mobilized a clean up of the rubbish strewn banks of the River Thames.

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.