15 October 2013

UN INTERNATIONAL WATER SUMMIT IN BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

The Budapest Water Summit took place in the frame of the UN International Year of Water Cooperation, from 8-11 October 2013 in Budapest, organized in cooperation with UN institutions in order to discuss the most important issues related to the preservation of the world's water resources and the provision of safe drinking water.

The Water Summit was opened by H.E. Mr János Áder, President of the Republic of Hungary and H.E. Mr Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations.

H.H. Swamiji was invited to the Water Summit as a speaker on behalf of the Sri Swami Madhavananda World Peace Council & Yoga in Daily Life Fellowship.

Presentation of the Desert Rain Water Harvesting Initiative (DRWHI)
at the UN Water Summit

At the Philanthropy Roundtable of the Budapest Water Summit, H.H. Swamiji introduced the Desert Rainwater Harvesting Initiative (DRWHI) of the Sri Swami Madhavananda World Peace Council (SMWPC) and Yoga in Daily Life (YIDL).

He presented a film that impressively showed the practical impact and effectiveness of this initiative for the surrounding community. Swamiji said that the DRWHI will be extended to a community level to support the villagers in creating roof-water catchment facilities.

Planting of 11 Peace Trees

In the frame of the Budapest Water Summit, H.H. Swamiji planted 11 Peace Trees at the Sas-hegy Protected Landscape Area of the Duna-Ipoly National. Taking part alongside Swamiji at this symbolic event were Ministers, representatives of the park authorities and organizers of the Budapest Water Summit.

Swamiji suggested that in accordance with his recent Viennese tree planting ceremony, the trees in Budapest shall be named after the nine planets, the Moon and the Sun being in the middle of the circle.

In accordance with our RIO+20 commitments, members of YIDL Hungary offered their volunteer services to the Director of the National Park, and were received with a warm welcome.

For detailed information about Budapest Water Summit visit:
http://www.budapestwatersummit.hu/ and the daily reports on
http://www.iisd.ca/water/bws/