2017 United Nations NGO Report
Sunray Meditation Society
January 2017
Sunray is a non-governmental (NGO) in association with the Department of Public information of the United Nations. Sunray supports the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and is most involved with the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
International Day Of The World’s Indigenous Peoples
Every year on August 9 the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated at United Nations Headquarters and throughout the world. For 2016 the focus was Indigenous Peoples and Education. The NGO Committee participated in the organization of this program. It was webcast live on UN TV.
Honoring Indigenous Environmental Leaders
Tragedy of the murder of Indigenous leader, Berta Caceres in Honduras in March 2016. Please read: http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-death-of-berta-caceres
And there are many more situations like this.
Committee Meeting Events
- Standing Rock Sioux Nation – Water Protectors – Information gathering and sharing including visits to and from Standing Rock by committee member & UN.
- Guest Speakers:
- Aine O’Connor, Mining Working Group and Sisters of Mercy
- Cristina Diez, ATD Fourth World – ATD Manual on Eradicating Extreme Poverty: http://www.atd-fourthworld.org/
- Human Rights Advocacy Program, Columbia University, NY – Ching Lamu Sherpa, Mountain Spirit (Nepal), Aeshataou Manu, Africa
New article in Anchor Magazine – Fall/winter 2016 – “Listening to Indigenous Voices: Reflections on my twenty years of service” Sandy Sheridan with thanks to Elissa Melargno.
The NGO Committee meets monthly at or near UN Headquarters in New York City and all are invited. I am most grateful to Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo and her ancestors for providing the vision and path that we may work together for manifesting peace and justice. May this work be of benefit to all.
Sandy Sheridan, Sunray UN/NGO Representative.