ARDEA Foundation Announces Global Citizen Launch of “11 Days for Earth’s Healing” Movement

In May 2020, as the world witnessed the extraordinary healing impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on our  environment — when human activity paused, the planet healed from clearer skies to wildlife resurgence — a  visionary idea was born: what if humanity voluntarily paused harmful activities every year, not from fear or  crisis, but from collective intention? This gave rise to the call for an annual 11-day voluntary pause from May  1st to 11th, to be celebrated as a global Green Festival — where citizens, communities, and nations must  come together to engage in eco-friendly actions and allow nature to rest, heal, and thrive 

“11 Days for Earth’s Healing” was first proposed in June 2020 to Heads of States by Founder Zunaid Memon,  a filmmaker, broadcaster, and environmental thinker, he first wrote to world leaders in 2020 urging for an  annual 11-day global pause, not to lock people indoors like in the pandemic, but to consciously slow or stop  activities that directly harm the environment — such as vehicular traffic, air travel, construction, and  overconsumption of resources, it should be a voluntary annual observance — not of confinement, but of  conscious disengagement from actions that harm the planet. For five years, the ARDEA Foundation and  collaborators have been developing policy frameworks, white papers, and pilot strategies for different  nations. In 2025, the movement opens its doors globally — inviting citizens, NGOs, schools, corporates, and  communities to participate. 

From May 1st to 11th each year, participants are urged to pause or reduce activities that negatively impact  Earth: vehicular use, flights, excessive appliance usage, unplanned construction, and more. Instead, they are  encouraged to connect with nature, rethink consumption, and honor each day’s specific ecological theme — from “Clean & Heal” to “Fasting for a Food Secure World.” 

The initiative is not just symbolic. It is a step toward a new culture of conscious co-existence. The campaign is  entirely voluntary, inclusive, and non-political. It’s a call to humanity to reflect, reconnect, and respect our  only home. “This isn’t a protest,” says Zunaid Memon. “It’s a pause. A time for humanity to stop doing harm  — not forever, just long enough to allow healing. One week and four days — for the Earth that keeps us alive  every second of our lives.”

Quote from Founder Zunaid Memon: 

“I come from a humble land where the Earth was not a resource — she was family. ‘11 Days for Earth’s  Healing’ is not about sacrifice; it is about remembrance. A small pause by each of us, together, can create the  healing we desperately seek. The planet healed when we paused once; imagine what can happen when we  pause by choice, with love.” 

To learn more or to participate, visit: www.ardeaf.org 

Email for partnerships: info@ardeaf.org