IBF UNITED NATIONS WORKGROUP

Background

At the GIC in 2013, the IBF saw the possibility of bringing Conscious Breathing to a wider audience through the United Nations and the NGO world by applying for the Special Consultative Status of the ECOSOC.

Brigitte Martin Powell, Judee Gee and Véronique Batter – all past presidents of the IBF – joined forces and met regularly during 12 months to prepare the IBF application. On the 26th of July 2016, the IBF was granted Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC).

We are grateful to Dr Julie Gerland, Chief UN Representative for Noble Institution for Environmental Peace (an NGO in consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC since 2015), who mentored us through this process.

The IBF-UN team

This team co-ordinates activities relating to the IBF and its association to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Pippa Wheble, IBF-UN team leader
Vanessa Dietzel
Marie-Therese Maurice
JoAnn Lowell
In coordination with IBF Executive Team

The ECOSOC

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is central to the United Nations operational system and participates in three key levels of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. The ECOSOC main offices are in New York, Geneva and Vienna.

The Special Consultative Status of the ECOSOC is granted to more than 3500 NGOs around the world to contribute to the UN Mission.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

“Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” : 17 new goals and targets defined by the UN in September 2015 to eradicate poverty, strengthen universal peace and create a sustainable world by 2030. Read more in the official UN site.

IBF Responsibilities and Obligations towards the ECOSOC

a) Make effective contributions for improving the wellbeing of humanity, in line with the UN SDGs
b) Submit a report to the ECOSOC every 4 years on our activities (our first report is due on 1st of June 2020)

Promoting Conscious Breathing

In its first phase of development, the team has chosen Conscious Breathing as its primary educational tool. Conscious Breathing is easy to explain, simple to teach and applicable to a diverse public audience.

Conscious Breathing is also the common denominator of all the breathwork modalities represented within the IBF.

IBF Contribution to the ECOSOC

a) Raise the awareness of Conscious Breathing and its many applications to a wider public
b) Offer our expertise during UN meetings to delegates from other NGOs and other institutions.
c) Contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through specific grassroot projects (see below)
d) Inspire government representatives (ministers, ambassadors) to support Conscious Breathing initiatives in their countries

IBF Specific Grassroot Projects

At the IBF Annual General Meeting in 2015 the following areas of activity were identified:
1) Conscious Breathing in Schools (project launched since 2013)
2) Conscious Breathing and Health program
3) Burnout prevention
4) Depression prevention
5) Trauma Recovery

How can you contribute?

> Support our grassroot projects through donating to the IBF Breathwork Development Fund
> Become an IBF member and join our team of volunteers
> Follow us on our IBF Facebook page