Impacting Millions at
Mass Summits
GIWA has gained a well-deserved reputation for its grand summits and programs, which serve as platforms for bringing together leaders from various faiths, along with esteemed figures from governments, entertainment, business, communities, and more. These remarkable summits and events have been instrumental in inspiring millions of people throughout India, employing a faith-based approach guided by the nation’s most respected leaders. The impact of these events is amplified by national and even global broadcasts on popular networks, reaching audiences numbering in the thousands. Distinguished participants at GIWA’s summits include esteemed figures such as the President and Vice President of India, Chief Ministers, Governors, Union Cabinet Ministers, leaders representing all major faiths in India, Gandhian leaders, tribal leaders from over 35 nations, and renowned entertainers.
Large Scale Summits By GIWA
She is the Solution
Summit of Grace
“She is the Solution: Summit of Grace” was a two-day conference bringing together thousands of women, men, and children, faith leaders and political leaders to Empower Women, through an emphasis on increased access, the end of child marriage, and safe and proper resources for menstrual hygiene management.
Events during the summit included roundtable discussions, where the leaders shared the work they were presently doing in the areas of education, cultural change relative to child marriage, and menstrual hygiene management, and further solutions; musical presentations; inspiring speeches; prayers at the Sangam, and an energizing march from Parmarth Niketan Shivir to the Arail Ghat followed by a rally.
The summit was organized under the auspices of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and Parmarth Niketan, with technical support from the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and UNICEF, in support of the efforts of the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Leave No One Behind Summit
The Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA), in collaboration with the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and the technical support of Fresh Water Action Network South Asia (FANSA), hosted a three-day summit in Rishikesh, India, with the theme of “Leave No One Behind.” The summit, held at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, focused on ensuring access to water and sanitation (SDG 6) for marginalized and at-risk populations in India.
The summit brought together leaders from different faith traditions and groups that are typically excluded from the benefits of development. It aimed to listen to the voices of the voiceless and invisible, promote learning and collaboration, and identify solutions to reach the most marginalized and underserved populations first. The goal was to ensure that no one in India is left behind when it comes to their human rights related to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), including menstrual hygiene and health, as well as accessing and utilizing related WASH services.
The summit highlighted the interconnectedness of challenges faced today, emphasizing the need for collective action and the inclusion of all individuals. Leaders from Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, and Christianity shared their perspectives and stressed the importance of bringing faith into action to ensure no one is left behind. The event included discussions, commitments, and the release of outcomes to address water and sanitation issues effectively.
Participants from various states in India, as well as representatives from international organizations, attended the summit. The gathering was held in honor of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birthday celebration, reflecting his vision for a just society. GIWA, WSSCC, and FANSA firmly believe that achieving the summit’s goals will contribute to the wider enjoyment of interrelated, interdependent, and indivisible human rights for all individuals and foster an increasingly equitable society for women, men, and children.
