IBF UNITED NATIONS WORKGROUP

IBF has been granted the Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) since July 2016

IBF-United-Nations-Workgroup1

Introduction

The IBF holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. This means we have the privilege of being part of a group of organizations that contribute to shaping global policies and initiatives. ECOSOC is responsible for nurturing partnerships and fostering collaborations to address the world’s most pressing challenges. The IBF utilizes this United Nations (UN) platform to advocate for the transformative power of conscious breathing on society and our planet, in alignment with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs are 17 goals defined by the UN in 2015 to eradicate poverty, strengthen universal peace and create a sustainable world by 2030. Read Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Background

In July 2016, IBF was awarded Special Consultative Status by ECOSOC. The IBF UN Workgroup was established in 2013 by three former IBF presidents: Brigitte Martin Powell, Judee Gee, and Véronique Batter. We express our gratitude to Dr. Julie Gerland, the Chief UN Representative for the Noble Institution for Environmental Peace, for mentoring us throughout the application process.

The IBF-UN team

The team co-ordinates activities relating to the IBF and its association to the ECOSOC of the UN.

Aims

Our workgroup’s primary objectives are as follows:

  1. Nurturing relationships with aligned organizations and UN bodies: We strive to establish and strengthen connections with like-minded organizations and United Nations entities that share our vision. By collaborating with these entities, we can collectively amplify the impact of conscious breathing in various initiatives.
  2. Contribution to relevant UN meetings: We actively participate in relevant United Nations meetings to promote the significance of conscious breathing and its benefits for humanity. By sharing our expertise and experiences, we can raise awareness about the transformative power of breathwork on a global scale.
  3. . Supporting and promoting IBF initiatives on the UN platform: We work tirelessly to support and promote IBF initiatives, ensuring they have access to the United Nations platform. This enables us to showcase the vital role breathwork plays in addressing the UN’s SDGs and creating a more sustainable and harmonious world.
  4. Raising awareness within our community: We are committed to raising awareness about the SDGs among our community. By advocating for initiatives that align with these goals, we contribute to the collective effort to “end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity” (UN, 2015). We encourage all members to actively engage with and support these initiatives.
  5. Presenting a report to ECOSOC every four years: As a consultative member, we have the responsibility of presenting a comprehensive report to ECOSOC every four years. This report provides concrete evidence of the IBF’s contribution to the SDGs and serves as a means to renew our consultative status, ensuring our continued participation in shaping global policies.

Initiatives

We created and launched Conscious Breathing for Trauma Recovery to provide simple and effective, free online conscious breathing education to refugees, migrants and victims of natural disasters as well as healthcare workers, staff and volunteers of relief organisations. 

Following a successful launch in Athens, the programme was extended to include anyone suffering from trauma, anxiety, burnout, or depression. It offers practical instructions for developing awareness of current breathing habits and teaches specific breathing exercises to recalibrate the autonomic nervous system.

Join the Team

The United Nations Workgroup welcomes passionate and committed members who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. As part of this creative, flexible, and impactful group, you will collaborate with all IBF activities and contribute to our vibrant community.

UN Group Member Requirements:

  1. Excellent leadership, diplomacy, and communication skills: As representatives of the IBF within the United Nations framework, it is crucial to possess strong leadership qualities and the ability to engage in diplomatic and effective communication with diverse stakeholders.
  2. Certification as a breathwork practitioner: Given the focus of our work on promoting the benefits of breathwork, it is essential that members have formal certification as breathwork practitioners. This ensures a deep understanding of the practice and its transformative potential.

UN Group Member Desirable Skills:

  1. Experience of interacting with NGOs: Experience in collaborating with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) demonstrates an understanding of working within the context of diverse organizations and a broader perspective on global issues.
  2. Experience in public relations and social media: Proficiency in public relations and social media management enables members to effectively communicate the IBF’s initiatives, breathwork-related content, and the impact of our work to a wider audience.
  3. Experience in copywriting and infographic creation: The ability to craft compelling copy and create visually engaging infographics enhances our communication efforts, making complex concepts more accessible and engaging for various audiences.

Contact

f you share our passion for making the world a better place and recognize the profound importance of conscious breathing in achieving this vision, we warmly invite you to join the United Nations Workgroup We are also keen to hear from you if you have a conscious breathing initiative that you would like support or increased visibility for.

Together, we can harness the power of breathwork to create positive change, promote well-being, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Email address of the UN workgroup:  ibf_un@ibfbreathwork.org

Other Ways to Contribute

Support IBF initiatives by donating to the IBF Breathwork Development Fund
Become an IBF member and join our team of volunteers
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