Tuesday, 21 February 2012
" Promote awareness of linguistic, cultural diversity and multilingualism."
International Mother Language Day 2012
International Mother Language Day is an observance held annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
International Mother Language Day is an observance held annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
The (M)Other Tongue: Broadcasts on bilingual education today
Speaking one’s mother language is a right that not everyone can take for granted, especially in places where local, mother tongues are threatened by more dominant languages. Today, bilingual education programmes worldwide illustrate how discussions about “mother languages” must include the “other languages”. SOAS Radio, UNESCO’s partner from the University of London’s School of Oriental & African Studies provides global perspectives on the debate.
Listen in : Arabic | English| Mandarin | Portuguese | Russian
Listen in : Arabic | English| Mandarin | Portuguese | Russian
“ A Society for All”
World Day of Social Justice 2012
FEBRUARY 20 - World Day of Social Justice To achieve “a society for all” governments made a commitment to the creation of a framework for action to promote social justice at national, regional and international levels. They also pledged to promote the equitable distribution of income and greater access to resources through equity and equality and opportunity for all. The governments recognized as well that economic growth should promote equity and social justice and that “a society for all” must be based on social justice and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
FEBRUARY 20 - World Day of Social Justice To achieve “a society for all” governments made a commitment to the creation of a framework for action to promote social justice at national, regional and international levels. They also pledged to promote the equitable distribution of income and greater access to resources through equity and equality and opportunity for all. The governments recognized as well that economic growth should promote equity and social justice and that “a society for all” must be based on social justice and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Friday, 17 February 2012
World Day of Social Justice - 20 February
Secretary-General's Message for 2012
Over the past year, the winds of change have swept across the globe. Citizens by the millions have voiced their discontent around similar themes: inequality, corruption, repression and the absence of decent work. At the heart of this mass mobilization lies a call for social justice.Achieving social justice for all is integrally linked to realizing the agreed development goals articulated at the Copenhagen Social Summit, the Millennium Summit and elsewhere.
As we look to the upcoming Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development, we have a chance to rethink development strategies and business practices so that they point us toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
Sustainability depends on building markets that do a better job of spreading the benefits of development. It means meeting growing consumer demand for greener products and services. And it means laying the foundations for dignity, stability and opportunity for all. As we strive to make this transformation, we must integrate social inclusion into our policies and other efforts.
Let us work together to balance the global economy and build a new social contract for the 21st century. Let us chart a development path that leads to greater social justice and the future we want. .
Ban Ki-moon
- Message for 2011
- Message for 2010
- Message for 2009
Previous Messages
World Interfaith Harmony Week : 1 - 7 February 2012
The General Assembly... "Proclaims the first week of February every year the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs."General Assembly resolution A/RES/65/5, adopted 20 October 2010
General Assembly (UN Photo/ Eskinder Debebe)
World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event to be observed during the first week of February starting in 2011.
World Interfaith Harmony Week was proclaimed by the General Assembly in resolution A/RES/65/5
adopted on 20 October 2010. In the resolution, the General Assembly, points out that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and establishes World Interfaith Harmony Week as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faithRecognizing the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people, the General Assembly encourages all States to support during that week the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship, on a voluntary basis and according to their own religious traditions or convictions
World Interfaith Harmony Week
1 - 7 February 2012
Thursday, 16 February 2012
News and Events | IYC 2012 Australia
Spread the word – promote and publicise your events in 2012 on the nationally endorsed IYC 2012 calendar. Make sure you include your event or activity by submitting it online.
News and Events | IYC 2012 Australia
Stories.coop is a global, digital campaign which aims to promote the understanding and appreciation of the cooperative form of business.
Read Stories.coop news here. For the latest news on cooperative businesses, visit The Global News Hub.
News and Events | IYC 2012 Australia
Stories.coop is a global, digital campaign which aims to promote the understanding and appreciation of the cooperative form of business.
Read Stories.coop news here. For the latest news on cooperative businesses, visit The Global News Hub.
Monday, 13 February 2012
In first-ever observance, UN spotlights radio's role in education, information and debate
In first-ever observance, UN spotlights radio's role in education, information and debate
Sunday, 12 February 2012
UN invites countries to tune in for first World Radio Day
“In a world changing quickly, we must make the most of radio’s ability to connect people and societies, to share knowledge and information and to strengthen understanding,” said UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova in her message marking the Day.
UN invites countries to tune in for first World Radio Day
UN invites countries to tune in for first World Radio Day
World Radio Day interview by CfCSC
World Radio Day interview by CfCSC
To celebrate World Radio Day, Monday, February 13, The University of Queensland's School of Journalism and Communication poses the question is 'radio is still relevant'.
Providing an academic perspective is Associate Professor Pradip Thomas is a leading academic in the area of communication and social change, communication rights and the political economy of communications in India, and has a particular interest in community radio.
Drawing on his twenty-plus year experience as a broadcaster, Anthony Frangi provides a practitioners perspective. Anthony is one of Australia's most respected communicators, trainers and broadcasters, who began his career in community radio and is currently undertaking research into the role of radio in disaster communication internationally.
To celebrate World Radio Day, Monday, February 13, The University of Queensland's School of Journalism and Communication poses the question is 'radio is still relevant'.
Providing an academic perspective is Associate Professor Pradip Thomas is a leading academic in the area of communication and social change, communication rights and the political economy of communications in India, and has a particular interest in community radio.
Drawing on his twenty-plus year experience as a broadcaster, Anthony Frangi provides a practitioners perspective. Anthony is one of Australia's most respected communicators, trainers and broadcasters, who began his career in community radio and is currently undertaking research into the role of radio in disaster communication internationally.
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Preserving world’s wetlands
Tourism can play key role in preserving world’s wetlands, UN agency says
The reflection of a tree in the wetlands of Tasitolu lake, Timor-Leste. UN Photo/Martine Perret
“At the same time, the ‘use’ of wetlands as tourism locations comes with certain risks,” he added. “The challenge is to ensure that sustainable tourism practices are being implemented and bring benefits for wetlands, their wildlife and people… We would emphasize that tourism businesses, if well informed and prepared to adapt their operations, can certainly promote and support wetland biodiversity and the natural beauty of wetlands.”
UNWTO today marked World Wetlands Day, which this year has the theme of wetland tourism, by saying it will join forces with the Ramsar Convention, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, to promote responsible tourism and recreation in wetlands worldwide.
Many wetlands, from the Okavango Delta in Southern Africa to the Danube Delta in Eastern Europe and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, are in a fragile state as a result of both human and natural forces.
Wetland Tourism: a great experience
The Ramsar Convention and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) join forces to celebrate World Wetlands Day – Wetland Tourism: a great experience
PR No.:
PR12006 Madrid
02 Feb 12
From the Great Barrier Reef to the Okavango Delta, the Danube Delta and many other thousands of wetlands, the human love for watery places has sustained tourism and recreation in wetlands around the world for countless decades. 2 February each year is World Wetlands Day. Ramsar’s focus on wetland tourism to celebrate this year’s World Wetlands Day (WWD) has opened the way for the Convention and UNWTO to join forces in exploring common issues and concerns and collaborate in advancing sustainable tourism development in the wetlands.
As Ramsar’s Secretary General Anada Tiéga notes: “This has been an excellent opportunity for the Ramsar Convention to take advantage of UNWTO’s expertise in the sustainable management of tourism, and we appreciate the added value they have brought to our World Wetlands Day activities promoting the wise use of wetlands.”
“Every year, millions of tourists fulfil their longing to see and experience the wonders of nature in the wetlands. Celebrating World Wetlands Day under the theme of wetland tourism offers the perfect occasion to recall the relevance of this unique natural scenery as one of tourism’s greatest assets and a fundamental cornerstone to its long-term growth, while stressing how tourism, when developed and managed in a sustainable way, can be instrumental in safeguarding it,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.
Responsible, sustainable tourism can support wetland conservation and wise use. Wetlands, their wildlife, and the human communities in and around them can benefit directly from tourism through entry fees, sale of local products, and so on. At the same time, the ‘use’ of wetlands as tourism locations comes with certain risks. The challenge is to ensure that sustainable tourism practices are being implemented and bring benefits for wetlands, their wildlife and people. As Mr. Rifai adds: “We would emphasize that tourism businesses, if well informed and prepared to adapt their operations, can certainly promote and support wetland biodiversity and the natural beauty of wetlands.”
Ramsar’s interest in tourism will not end with World Wetlands Day. The focus on wetland tourism will continue at the 11th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP11) in July 2012, in Romania, celebrated under the theme Wetlands, Tourism and Recreation.
COP 11 will debate an important Resolution on wetlands and tourism, one that will point the way forward and express the Contracting Parties’ commitment to sound tourism practices. Mr. Anada Tiéga emphasizes that “the adoption of this Resolution will provide a formal framework for governments, NGOs and civil society for achieving sustainability in wetland tourism.”
Also at COP11, the Ramsar Secretariat, in collaboration with UNWTO, will be launching a case study-based report on tourism in and around Wetlands of International Importance, looking at the direct and indirect impacts of tourism on Ramsar Sites and other wetlands while identifying both the many opportunities and the threats that wetland tourism can bring. Research will also identify key messages for main target groups – land-use as well as wetland policy-makers, local governments, tourism developers, wetland site managers, and others.
A suite of materials have been prepared to support the celebrations of WWD around the world and inspire countries to organize tourism-focused events for this annual wetland-awareness campaign day.
The WWD materials are just the first look at wetlands and tourism, and the ‘great experience’ this can be.
The Ramsar Secretariat looks forward to hearing about World Wetlands Day activities and takes this opportunity to wish you a Happy World Wetlands Day.
Contacts:
For further information from the Ramsar Convention Secretariat:
Sandra Hails
CEPA Programme Officer
Tel: +42 22 999 01 76
World Wetlands Day materials
For further information on UNWTO:
Principal Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
Tel: +34 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications Programme:
Tel: +34 91 567 81 00
Fax: +34 91 567 82 18
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