A shared journey of collaboration & regeneration along the Jordan River
Water is at the core of sustaining all life on earth. Sufficient access to clean water is critical for human health, the environment and economic development, but also for establishing stability and sustaining peace. This is particularly true in the region known as the Holy Land, which roughly overlaps with the Jordan River Basin, where water scarcity has, at times, inflamed dissentious regional geopolitics. This dearth of water has shaped the region’s history and will play a crucial role in determining its future, especially now that water issues are further exacerbated by the additional impacts of climate change and population growth.
U Day 2020 – Holy Land Living Water is a continuation of the U Day series which began in Thailand in 2012 before journeying to Ethiopia in 2018 and New York City in 2019 to commemorate UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
UNITY EARTH’s Road to 2020 comes to the Holy Land
Answering the call of the United Nations proclamation to spread the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill, through its UN Interfaith Harmony Week, non-profit organizations UNITY EARTH, United Religions International (URI) and EcoPeace Middle East are celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week of 2020 under the theme of U Day 2020: Holy Land, Living Water.
This week-long “journey of discovery” forms part of UNITY EARTH’s Road to 2020, a series of worldwide events designed to capture new opportunities for weaving a spirit of unity and peaceful coexistence across the Earth. Holy Land, Living Water is building upon UNITY EARTH’s track record of events commemorating UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, including U Day 2018 in Ethiopia and UNITY EARTH: Lift Off 2019 in New York City.
UNITY EARTH EVENTS
Supporting the regeneration of the Jordan River
The focus area of the tour is the Jordan River Valley, which is of great importance to the Abrahamic religions. The purpose of this gathering is to draw attention to the significant role cooperation over water can play in enhancing livelihoods and engendering regional political stability.
The event aims to amplify the impact of interfaith voices nationally and regionally, in order to uphold a common conviction held by the monotheist Abrahamic faiths: a binding obligation on all to practice responsible stewardship, in reverence for our common home. It is the intention of this international gathering to bring greater global public awareness to the work of EcoPeace, in particular, its work for the ecological rehabilitation and sustainable development of the lower Jordan Valley, which is shared by Jordan, Israel and Palestine.
The event uses a faith-based approach showcased in EcoPeace’s Regional NGO Master Plan for the Sustainable Development of the Jordan River Valley, as the symbolism of the Jordan River can encourage Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faithful to actively support conservation efforts of this shared natural resource.
JORDAN RIVER VALLEY
Join the Journey of Discovery!
UNITY EARTH is inviting around 75 international delegates to Holy Land Living Water, including religious, indigenous & spiritual leaders, ecological advocates, diplomats, artists, social entrepreneurs, leading academics and media. Approximately 25 Palestinian, 25 Jordanian and 25 Israeli delegates will also join the series of events from Feb 1-7, 2020.
We are extending the invitation to be a part of Holy Land Living Water to the general public and have room for a small group to join the delegation. If you are interested in participating in this historic journey of discovery, please visit the World Weavers website.
