Wednesday 31 December 2014

Новогоднее обращение к гражданам России






С праздником вас! С новым, 2015 годом!




31 декабря 2014 года, 23:55 - В.ПУТИН: Дорогие друзья!



Через несколько минут наступит новый, 2015 год.

Как всегда, мы с волнением ждём этот праздник, загадываем желания,
дарим друг другу подарки, радуемся замечательной традиции встречать
Новый год в семейном кругу, с родными для нас людьми и друзьями.
Атмосфера добра, внимания и щедрости согревает наши сердца, открывает их
для светлых помыслов и благородных дел, вселяет надежду.


Конечно, сейчас каждый думает, прежде всего, о благополучии своей семьи,
желает здоровья и счастья своим родным. Из счастья и успеха каждого
человека складывается процветание нашей России.

Любовь к Родине –
одно из самых мощных, возвышающих чувств. Она в полной мере проявилась в
братской поддержке жителей Крыма и Севастополя, когда они твёрдо решили
вернуться в свой родной дом. Это событие навсегда останется важнейшей
вехой в отечественной истории.

Дорогие друзья!

Сейчас,
когда мы подводим итоги уходящего года, хотел бы искренне поблагодарить
вас за сплочённость и солидарность, за глубокие чувства правды, чести,
справедливости, ответственности за судьбу своей страны, за неизменную
готовность отстаивать интересы России, быть вместе с ней и в дни
триумфа, и в пору испытаний, добиваться исполнения наших самых смелых и
масштабных планов.

Ещё несколько лет назад Олимпийские игры в
Сочи воспринимались как мечта. А она не просто сбылась: мы не только
подготовили и провели лучшую в истории зимнюю Олимпиаду, но и победили в
ней. В этой победе – заслуга всех граждан нашей страны: и самих
олимпийцев, и тех, кто их поддержал.

В наступающем году нам
вместе предстоит решить немало задач, и год будет таким, каким мы сами
его сделаем, насколько эффективно, творчески, результативно будет
трудиться каждый из нас. Других рецептов просто нет. И мы должны
выполнить, реализовать всё намеченное – ради себя, ради наших детей,
ради России.

Друзья! Новый год – на пороге. Пора встречать и
сказать самые тёплые слова своим близким. Сказать им спасибо за
понимание и надёжность, за терпение и заботу. Чем больше будет доброты и
любви, тем увереннее и сильнее мы будем, а значит, и успеха обязательно
добьёмся.



С праздником вас! С новым, 2015 годом!



‎Владимир Путин‬, Kremlin‬




Tuesday 25 November 2014

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2014, November 25th.


 
Orange symbolizes International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.


Campaign “Orange YOUR Neighbourhood.”
 联合国秘书长发起“联合起来制止暴力侵害妇女行为
 أعلنت حملة الأمين العام"اتحدوا لإنهاء العنف ضد المرأة"



Sexual and gender-based violence is the most extreme form of the global and systemic inequality experienced by women and girls. It knows no geographic, socio-economic or cultural boundaries. Worldwide, one in three women will suffer physical or sexual violence at some point in her life, from rape and domestic violence to harassment at work and bullying on the internet.
This year alone, more than 200 girls have been kidnapped in Nigeria; we have seen graphic testimony from Iraqi women of rape and sexual slavery during conflict; two Indian schoolgirls were raped, killed and hung from a tree; and in the United States, there have been high-profile cases of sexual violence on sports teams and university campuses.
Women and girls experience violence in all countries and neighbourhoods but these crimes often remain unreported and hidden. We must end the silence. That is why this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is centred on a grassroots effort to raise awareness called Orange Your Neighbourhood. Around the United Nations in New York, the Secretariat building and the Empire State Building will be lit orange, and many other events are planned across the world and on social media.
Everyone has a responsibility to prevent and end violence against women and girls, starting by challenging the culture of discrimination that allows it to continue. We must shatter negative gender stereotypes and attitudes, introduce and implement laws to prevent and end discrimination and exploitation, and stand up to abusive behavior whenever we see it. We have to condemn all acts of violence, establish equality in our work and home lives, and change the everyday experience of women and girls.
Women’s rights were once thought of as women’s business only, but more and more men and boys are becoming true partners in the battle for women’s empowerment. Two months ago, I launched the HeForShe campaign; a global solidarity movement for gender equality that brings together one half of humanity in support of the other, for the benefit of all.
We all have a role to play, and I urge you to play yours. If we stand together in homes, communities, countries and internationally, we can challenge discrimination and impunity and put a stop to the mindsets and customs that encourage, ignore or tolerate the global disgrace of violence against women and girls.

Ban Ki-moon




International Day to End Violence against Women 2014 - Message of UN Women Executive Director.
 
 In her message for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November 2014, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka stresses that violence against women can and must end by addressing its root cause – gender inequality.


Every year, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we are reminded how every day, women and girls experience violence in their lives.

Women are beaten in their homes, harassed on the streets, bullied on the internet. Globally, one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence at some point in her life.

More often than not, violence against women is committed by an intimate partner. Of all women killed in 2012, almost half died at the hands of a partner or family member. It is no exaggeration that the overall greatest threat to women’s lives is men, and often the men they love.

Yet we know how violence against women can be eliminated. In 1995, close to 20 years ago, 189 governments came together in Beijing. They adopted a Platform for Action that spelled out key strategies to end violence against women, empower women, and achieve gender equality.

This includes effective prevention strategies that address the root causes of gender inequality.

This includes better services for women surviving violence, such as hotlines, shelters, legal advice, access to justice, counselling, police protection, and health services.

This includes more accurate reporting rates, better data collection, and strengthened analyses of risk and prevalence factors.

This includes greater support for women’s organizations, which are often on the frontline of the response.

This includes having more men and boys standing up against violence, denouncing it, and stopping it. Male leaders, including traditional and religious leaders, must show the way.

UN Women has launched HeForShe, a global campaign to engage men and boys as advocates and agents of change for the achievement of gender equality and women’s rights. We need men who believe in gender equality to take action now.

A global review of progress and gaps in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action is underway. Preliminary data show that many countries have introduced laws to prohibit, criminalize, and prevent violence against women. Yet implementation and enforcement of these laws are inadequate. Reporting of violence remains low and impunity for perpetrators remains high. Not enough resources are targeted at provision of quality services and effective prevention strategies.

Next year, after the endpoint of the Millennium Development Goals, a new roadmap for development will be adopted by the international community. Ending violence against women and girls must have a central place in this new framework.

The promises from 20 years ago are still valid today. Together we must make 2015 the year that marks the beginning of the end of gender inequality. Now is the time for action.
    
UN Women Executive Director



Forum : Int'l Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - November 25

    “Orange your Neighbourhood”

 “Orange Events” in your own neighbourhoods between 25 November and 10 December 2014.


Join us!
Share your photos, messages and videos showing how you orange your neighbourhood at facebook.com/SayNO.UNiTE and twitter.com/SayNO_UNiTE. For more information about “Orange YOUR Neighbourhood,” see flyer and download toolkit.
 
Get inspired!
Watch this video and see how we ‘oranged’ the world last year!
You can also find more information in our UN Women's Focus Package for this Day here:


 Resources
UN WOMEN


Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
UNESCO
World Health Organization
UN High Commissioner for Refugees
UN Food and Agriculture Organization
Rutgers University

Sunday 23 November 2014

Africa Industrialization Day 2014, November 20th.

Africa Industrialization Day, November 20.


2014 Theme: “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development: Agro-Industry for Food Security in Africa’’


Тема 2014 года «Африканская агропромышленность для обеспечения продовольственной безопасности».
 2014年主题:« 包容性和可持续的工业发展:农工业发展促进粮食安全.».
2014 theme : « Inclusive and sustainable industrial development: African agro industry for food security.».
 El tema de 2014 es: «Desarrollo industrial inclusivo y sostenible: el desarrollo agroindustrial para la seguridad alimentaria ».
 Thème 2014: «Développement industriel inclusif et durable : développer le secteur agro-industriel pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire ».
موضوع عام 2014 — التنمية الصناعية المستدامة والشاملة للجميع: التنمية الصناعية - الزراعية من أجل الأمن الغذائي





Many African economies have shown impressive growth rates in recent years, but increased prosperity has not always translated into inclusive wealth creation. Far too often, economic development depends on the extraction of natural resources and on low-skilled labor, which has resulted in a weak manufacturing base and uneven distribution of wealth.
Agriculture still accounts for the major share of rural household income and employs over 60 percent of Africa’s labor force, particularly women.  Low agricultural productivity continues to threaten food security in Africa as a whole.
I therefore welcome this year’s theme for Africa Industrialization Day: the importance of inclusive and sustainable industrialization and the close links between agro-industrial development and food security.
Africa needs a green, clean industrialization that leapfrogs outdated, polluting processes and platforms and benefits from new technologies. Inclusive and sustainable industrialization is a key stepping stone towards sustained economic growth, food security and poverty eradication in Africa.
On the occasion of Africa Industrialization Day, I reaffirm the commitment of the United Nations to promote Africa’s inclusive and sustainable industrial development to help ensure an economically prosperous and socially integrated continent.

Ban Ki-moon


 Delivered by Ambassador Arthur Kafeero, Chef de Cabinet

Excellencies,
Mr. Maged Abdelaziz, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa
Ambassador Tete Antonio, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations
Mr Paul Maseli, Director and Representative of UNIDO to the United Nations

Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to join you here today to celebrate Africa Industrialization Day and deliver remarks on behalf of His Excellency, Mr. Sam Kutesa, President of the General Assembly. 
The theme “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development: African Agro Industry for Food Security” is indeed appropriate for this event.  This theme highlights the importance of industrialization in accelerating the structural transformation and diversification of the economies of African countries to optimise productivity and employment opportunities.
Esteemed Colleagues,
Over the last decade, many African economies have sustained impressive rates of economic growth averaging 5%.  This growth has been largely driven by creation of an enabling environment through sound macro-economic policies, increased domestic and foreign direct investment as well as export of natural resources and commodities.
Yet, in most African countries the economic growth attained has not yet resulted in adequate levels of poverty eradication.
Agriculture has remained the mainstay of many African economies and remains key to poverty reduction. It constitutes the backbone of many African economies.
There still remains limited progress in adding value to primary commodities and exploiting the opportunities for processed agro-food products in local, regional and international markets. While remarkable progress has been made in production, with many countries registering surpluses, a lot of the surplus is often wasted due to lack of processing capacity and marketing. This leads to low returns and the lack of adequate processing, impacts on the length of the stable shelf life of perishable commodities.  This also leads to limited utilisation of food, impacting adversely on food security.
In order to enhance food security, it is essential that investments in agriculture go beyond improvements of on-farm productivity.  Greater efforts and investments need to be devoted to development of post-production segments of agriculture value chains.  Accelerated development of agro-industries will be an indispensable part of such a strategy.    As these structural transformations take place, it is essential that policy makers give due attention to agricultural development, which employs 65% of Africa’s workforce and generates one third of the continent’s GDP.  As highlighted in a recent World Bank report, GDP growth in agriculture is at least twice as effective in reducing poverty as growth in other sectors.
One of the key precursors for spurring sustained and inclusive economic growth for African countries will be industrialization, as it will improve productivity, value-addition and competitiveness. 
Already, there have been notable efforts in African countries to pursue structural transformation of their economies.
Throughout Africa, agriculture has moved to the forefront of the development agenda at both the regional and national levels.  The Africa Union Agenda 2063 underlines the need to consolidate the modernization of African agriculture and agro-business through scaled-up value addition and productivity.   Through this initiative, African leaders are charting a 50-year transformative development framework for the realization of the AU’s vision for an integrated, people-centred, prosperous, peaceful continent.
African leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to boost agricultural productivity through the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). The African Union declared 2014 the African Year of Agriculture and Food Security.  A growing number of countries have also formulated agricultural development strategies and adopted policies supporting agricultural development. Private sector investment in agriculture has also increased in many African countries. 
Excellencies
As we formulate the post-2015 development agenda, it is essential to ensure that the interests of Africa, in the proposed Sustainable Development Goals, are supported. In this regard, the means of implementation for the post-2015 development agenda, in terms of financial resources, technology development and transfer must be ambitious and adequate. 
The Common African Position (CAP) on the Post-2015 Development Agenda should continue to guide Africa’s engagement in the ongoing deliberations on the post-2015 development agenda. It will contribute to galvanizing political will and international commitment for a universal development agenda, focused on the eradication of poverty and the achievement of sustainable development as its overarching objectives.
To accelerate industrialization, it will be essential to improve productivity and address the infrastructure deficits, especially energy, roads, railways, ports and air connectivity.
Interventions in Agro Industry Development in collaboration with the Private Sector will be essential in, designing and creating agro-processing industries, capable of creating jobs and increasing incomes. 
Enhancing regional cooperation and integration will also be essential, as it facilitates better mobilization of resources for infrastructure development, creates bigger markets, and reduces trade barriers, all of which help to stimulate productivity and competitiveness.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As the international community looks to the future, now is an opportune time to accelerate industrialization in order to harness Africa’s vast potential into tangible benefits to improve the livelihoods of the continent’s over one billion people.
I am confident that with our concerted efforts, we can turn the dream of Africa’s illustrious Statesman, the late President Nelson Mandela into reality and create an Africa where there is “work, bread, water and salt for all”.
I thank you for your kind attention.


 Joint Statement of the AUC, UNIDO, UNECA of the Africa Industrialization Day 2014.
2014 Theme: “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development: Agro-Industry for Food Security in Africa’’

Excellencies,Ladies  and  Gentlemen,

On this day, we are gathered to celebrate the Africa Industrialization Day (AID).  Through the constant partnership between the United Nations agencies, the  RECs, government  officials, governmental organizations and NGOs, the AID has been celebrated annually on 20 November since 1990. 

This year, the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Governments declared 2014 to be the “Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa”. 2014  also  marks  the  tenth  anniversary  of  the  Comprehensive  Africa  Agriculture  Development  Programme,  which advocates for agriculture and food security to be the backbone of Africa’s development agenda. Data show that annual agricultural GDP growth has averaged nearly 4 percent since 2003, an increase compared to the previous decades but much more remains to be done.

The  increased  focus on agriculture and food security in Africa is set in the context of increasing  potential  on  the  continent.Indeed, Africa is rising. Africa's average growth is projected to accelerate to close to 5% in 2014 and 5% - 6% in 2015. 

A fabulous window of opportunity. However, at the same time, Africa’s population is growing rapidly as well, set to more than double by 2050.  More people will mean the need for increased agricultural production. Given strong endowments in commodities, Africa also has a comparative advantage in industrializing through the development of agribusiness. This all prompts Africa to transform its agriculture through, ideally, agribusiness and agro industries development to create jobs and revenues and link up other sectors to agriculture.  

Mindful of the remaining structural challenges obstructing Africa’s steady sustainable development, we are renewing our commitment, our concerted  efforts and our actions,to accelerate the design and formulation of viable programs and projects in the agro-industry sector. There is huge potential for these to serve as an anchor for development in many African countries. Boosting agro processing could ensure food security, help curb malnutrition and reduce the continent’s food-trade deficit.


Our theme this year :  “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development: Agro-Industry for Food Security in Africa” calls for a renewed focus of the African development strategy on agricultural and agro-industry. Critically, this will include the strengthening of Africa owned development platforms, including the CAADP framework, especially pillar 2 and 3, AIDA, 3ADI, PIDA, etc.

In line with the Africa Agribusiness and Agro industries Initiative (3ADI), increasing the focus on Agro industrial development is a  promising way towards industrialization and poverty reduction. In particular, processing primary  soft  commodities opens up major possibilities for value addition, job creation and resilience in Africa. To achieve this potential, it will require significant investments and interventions to expand and upgrade agricultural production. Agro-processing is today one of the most significant manufacturing sectors in many African countries, though there exists great potential for improvement.

Most countries have agro processing industries, although with significant variations among countries in size, international competiveness, breadth and processing capabilities, depth of local value added, extent of backward linkages to agriculture and extent of forward linkages to domestic, regional, and international markets. By increasing support for agro processing, with a focus on inclusive industrial development, achieving sustainable development will be possible.  

To create and sustain wealth and production in the long term, Africa’s agricultural related resource endowments should used to develop higher value added and tradable industries.This involves giving priority to expanding production and value addition, and responding to increased demand for more sophisticated consumption goods.

There is a strong consensus that an expanding and prosperous productive economy is crucial to the structural transformation of African economies, and is the only sustainable pathway out of poverty and hunger.

Making productive and valuable use of agricultural resources and upgrading primary products will help address some of the continent’s challenges, including poverty and food insecurity. It could also inspire a virtuous circle of higher output, through intensive technology and  innovation, infrastructure and energy, human resource and institutional capacity development, and elevated national productivity that is linked with regional and global value chain and yields higher average incomes and superior inclusive prosperity.

This year’s AID theme “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development: Agro-Industry for Food Security in Africa” reminds us of the necessity to  enhance our coordinated efforts in tackling food insecurity in Africa, and highlights the significant potential to achieve this goal through agro-industrial development. 

Historically, the pathway out of hunger for most communities and countries has been through a sustained  structural  transformation  process.  This pathway involves higher labor productivity in the overall economy,  convergence in labor productivity between agriculture and non-agriculture  sectors  and  the  realization  of  intensive  value   addition  activities,  primarily in agribusiness.  Agribusiness  is   substantially  labour-intensive  in  terms  of  creating  jobs  and  generating  value  added;   in  it strengthens forward and backward linkages advancing economic transform.

This calls for the adoption of a strategy for agribusiness development rather than simply an agriculture led  development  strategy. The African agribusiness and agro-industry sectors have a high potential and comparative advantage to grow and develop rapidly, taking advantage of both the resource endowment of most African economies and the conditions surrounding the overwhelming majority of the poor people that live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihood. 

Recognizing the critical role agribusiness and agro-industry can play  in reducing poverty and hunger, the African leaders, convened at  the  23rd  AU Assembly,  Malabo, June 26, resolved  to  reduce  poverty  by  50%  through  an inclusive  agricultural growth and transformation process. In this regards, the leaders committed “to support and facilitate preferential entry and participation  for women and youth in gainful and attractive agri-business opportunities”.
They further expressed concern of the “limited progress made in agro-industries and agribusiness development, which hampers value addition and  competitiveness of products in trade both local, regional, and international; and undermines the potential of the sector in transformation and generation of gainful employment opportunities for the growing African youth and women”. Thus, the leaders reaffirmed the resolve “to the achievement of goals as provided in the 2010 Abuja Declaration on Development of Agribusiness and  Agro­-Industries In Africa”.

The African Heads of States have put  agro-industrial development as a key part in the 2063 development agenda for  sustainable   economic and   social  development of  Africa. Increasing the continent’s focus on the development of robust and competitive agro-industries has the potential to spur economic diversification,  sustainable  development  and  the creation of jobs for millions of unemployed young and women.

By and large, the AU, UNECA and UNIDO, in line with their respective  mandates, stand ready to effectively assist African countries in furthering food security and inclusive development through an increased focus on agro-industry.   

We wish you all an excellent celebration of the 2014 Africa Industrialization Day.




Events : African Agro Industry for Food Security for the occasion of the
Africa Industrialization Day 2014. 
 
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) will host a symposium in Vienna on 24 November to celebrate Africa Industrialization Day and showcase relevant actions and success stories that promote Africa’s industrial development.
The annual commemoration of the Africa Industrialization Day was mandated by the UN General Assembly resolution 44/237 of 22 December 1989. This year UNIDO will convene a symposium under the theme “Inclusive and sustainable industrial development: African agro industry for food security”. It will bring together representatives from the diplomatic corps, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders.
This year theme is particularly important as the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government declared 2014 the Year of Agriculture and Food Security.
Moreover, 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, which advocates for agriculture and food security to be at the centre of the development agenda at all levels. 

The UNIDO symposium will allow experts to discuss issues related to agriculture and food security in line with the Organization’s new mandate that focuses on inclusive and sustainable industrial development. 

The event will be held at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) from 15:00 to 17:30, in Board Room D, 4th floor (C-Building), and will be followed by a cocktail reception at the VIC restaurant.


Working paper ''Agribusinesses’ contribution to food security''
UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization

Resources :
 
Read the Secretary-General's message on Africa Industrialization day in English, FrenchSpanishRussianChinese and Arabic.
Read the Africa Industrialization Day Draft Programme.
Read working paper "Agribusinesses’ contribution to food security" in English and French.
Read the AUC/ECA/UNIDO Joint Statement in English and French.
Read the 2013 Africa Industrialization Day Report in English and French.

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Universal Children's Day 2014, November 20th.





The one thing all children have in common is their rights.  Every child has the right to survive and thrive, to be educated, to be free from violence and abuse, to participate and to be heard. 
These are innate human rights, as inalienable as those held by adults.  But until 1989, these rights were not formally articulated in a legally binding instrument, nor were governments fully accountable to advance these rights for every child.
This all changed 25 years ago, on Universal Children’s Day, when the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  It rapidly became the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. 
To date, almost every nation in the world has ratified the Convention.  In every region of the world, it has inspired changes in laws, changes in policies, and changes in the way we perceive children as holders of their own rights and in the way we work to promote those rights. 
It is fitting that we celebrate a quarter century of the Convention.  But we must do more than celebrate.  We must recommit ourselves to advancing the rights of every child, especially those who have been left behind -- those who have the least and need us the most.
We cannot say that the rights of all children are fulfilled when, despite our progress, some 6.6 million children under 5 years of age died in 2012, mostly from preventable causes; when 168 million children aged 5 to 17 were engaged in child labour in 2012; when 11 per cent of girls are married before they turn 15.
To make the vision of the Convention a reality for every child will require innovative solutions, a major increase in resources, and political will to invest in children and put their wellbeing at the centre of the political, economic and social agenda.
While accountability for the rights enshrined in the Convention lies with governments, we all have a common responsibility to uphold and protect those rights, which are fundamental to the strength of our societies.  Together, let us stand up for the rights of children everywhere, for a more just and equitable world, and for a brighter future for all. 
 Ban Ki-moon.



 EU Children of Peace partners

Universal Children's Day 2014 - " Helping Children of war become Children of Peace."

Resources :
CRC@25 (Convention on the Rights of the Child turns 25 this year)
UNICEF 2014-17 Strategic Plan kicks off this year
UN Global Issues - Children
CyberSchoolBus
MDG Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
MDG Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
20 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
The State of the World’s Children 2009: Maternal and Newborn Health
Voices of Youth
UNICEF and Say Yes for children
UN Study on Violence against Children (UNICEF | OHCHR)
UN Special Session on Children
GA on Children
World Summit for Children
The UN Works for Children
Securing the future – advocating for children (UNAIDS)

World Philosophy Day 2014, November 20th.


World Philosophy Day, 20 November.
اليوم العالمي للفلسفة -20 نوفمبر





 Thème 2014: "La transformation sociale et le dialogue interculturel".

World Philosophy Day provides an opportunity to underline once more the importance of critical thinking to understanding changes in contemporary society. Change forces us to find new ways of living together and building fairer societies, but it can also erode trust and spark tension.
In these circumstances, philosophy is an invaluable ally that draws on reflexive reasoning and engagement in dialogue, to open our minds to a wide variety of opinions and views. Such a shift of focus is crucial in a world of rising diversity. This is both the foundation on which tolerance and peace rest and a means of releasing the creative energy that drives societies forward, while respecting human rights.

“ If, by speaking and expressing their view of the world, people change the world, then dialogue is the means by which people find significance in this ”.– this message by Paulo Freire is enshrined in the Philosophy Manual, a South-South perspective, which will be launched officially by UNESCO on World Philosophy Day, produced with the support of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Programme for a Culture of Peace and Dialogue. There is no genuine
philosophy without dialogue and, in a globalized world, dialogue must embrace the diverse strands of wisdom that have influenced people throughout history and which are not always sufficiently detailed or documented in conventional textbooks.

It is this genuine intellectual and philosophical pluralism that will enable us to identify the best viewpoints for the future. By initiating pupils, teachers and the public in the diversity of these traditions, we can lay the foundations for a global community.
I hope that the manual will inspire younger generations of students and teachers and I call on all Member States and our partners to support this initiative and all others that help us to reflect on philosophy with others.

This is the spirit of the International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures(2013-2022), and it is this wisdom that UNESCO will continue to promote in order to construct the defences of peace in the minds of men and women, in accordance with its Constitution.

Irina Bokova.









When, local time:  Wednesday, 19 November 2014 - 8:30am to Thursday, 20 November 2014 - 5:00pm
Where: Global.
Type of Event:  Special event.
Contact:  wpd@unesco.org

By celebrating World Philosophy Day each year, on the third Thursday of November, UNESCO underlines the enduring value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and for each individual. World Philosophy Day 2014 falls on 20 November. Events at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, on 19 and 20 November 2014, will contribute to the overarching question of “Social Transformations and Intercultural Dialogue” with a round table discussion to launch the “Philosophy Manual, A South-South Perspective”, developed with the support of the Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Programme for a Culture of Peace and Dialogue.

Additional events will take place at UNESCO Headquarters, including in particular a conference on “New Philosophical Practices” and a roundtable on “The contribution of Ali ibn Abi Talib’s thought to a culture of peace and intercultural dialogue”. Events will also take place around the world throughout the month of November.

In establishing World Philosophy Day in 2005, UNESCO’s General Conference highlighted the importance of this discipline, especially for young people, underlining that “philosophy is a discipline that encourages critical and independent thought and is capable of working towards a better understanding of the world and promoting tolerance and peace”. UNESCO's General Conference was convinced that “the institutionalization of Philosophy Day at UNESCO as ‘World Philosophy Day’ would win recognition for and give strong impetus to philosophy and, in particular, to the teaching of philosophy in the world”.

UNESCO leads World Philosophy Day – but does not own it. It belongs to everyone, everywhere, who cares about philosophy. If you would like to have your WPD events mentioned on the UNESCO website, simply send brief details of them to: wpd@unesco.org.
 
Links:  
When, local time: 
Wednesday, 19 November 2014 - 8:30am to Thursday, 20 November 2014 - 5:00pm
Where: 
-
Type of Event: 
Special event
Contact: 
wpd@unesco.org
By celebrating World Philosophy Day each year, on the third Thursday of November, UNESCO underlines the enduring value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and for each individual. World Philosophy Day 2014 falls on 20 November. Events at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, on 19 and 20 November 2014, will contribute to the overarching question of “Social Transformations and Intercultural Dialogue” with a round table discussion to launch the “Philosophy Manual, A South-South Perspective”, developed with the support of the Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Programme for a Culture of Peace and Dialogue.
Additional events will take place at UNESCO Headquarters, including in particular a conference on “New Philosophical Practices” and a roundtable on “The contribution of Ali ibn Abi Talib’s thought to a culture of peace and intercultural dialogue”. Events will also take place around the world throughout the month of November.
In establishing World Philosophy Day in 2005, UNESCO’s General Conference highlighted the importance of this discipline, especially for young people, underlining that “philosophy is a discipline that encourages critical and independent thought and is capable of working towards a better understanding of the world and promoting tolerance and peace”. UNESCO's General Conference was convinced that “the institutionalization of Philosophy Day at UNESCO as ‘World Philosophy Day’ would win recognition for and give strong impetus to philosophy and, in particular, to the teaching of philosophy in the world”.
UNESCO leads World Philosophy Day – but does not own it. It belongs to everyone, everywhere, who cares about philosophy. If you would like to have your WPD events mentioned on the UNESCO website, simply send brief details of them to: wpd@unesco.org.
- See more at: http://en.unesco.org/events/world-philosophy-day-2014#sthash.MV0gU6N8.dpuf
Key Documents

World Toilet Day 2014, November 19

 Всемирный день туалета, 19 ноября.
 Día Mundial del Retrete,19 de noviembre.


 Theme 2014 : “Equality, Dignity and the Link Between Gender-Based Violence and Sanitation” 
 «Равенство, достоинство и связь между гендерным насилием и санитарией»
 « Égalité et dignité et le lien entre violence sexiste et l'assainissement » 
 2014年主题:平等与尊严.
موضوع 2014: المساواة والكرامة والصلة بين العنف الجنساني والصرف الصحي


United Nations Secretary-General's Message for World Toilet Day 2014. 


One out of three women around the world lack access to safe toilets.  As a result they face disease, shame and potential violence when they seek a place to defecate.

A staggering 1.25 billion women and girls would enjoy greater health and increased safety with improved sanitation.  Evidence also shows safe and clean toilets encourage girls to stay in school.
We have a moral imperative to end open defecation and a duty to ensure women and girls are not at risk of assault and rape simply because they lack a sanitation facility.  That is why the theme for this year’s World Toilet Day focuses on “Equality, Dignity and the Link Between Gender-Based Violence and Sanitation.”

Addressing the sanitation challenge requires a global partnership.  This is especially crucial as countries work to formulate a sustainable development agenda for the period beyond the year 2015.  Meeting the goal of sanitation for all will involve targeted policies, increased financing, and comprehensive planning underpinned by strong political will.  Communities must be supported as they strive to become open defecation-free.  Advocacy efforts must step up and taboos must be broken.  These are the objectives of the UN Call to Action on Sanitation to mobilize global, national and community efforts to improve hygiene, change social norms and eliminate open defecation by 2025.

On World Toilet Day let us spare no effort to bring equality, dignity and safety to women and girls around the world.  
Ban Ki-moon



Sunday 16 November 2014

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims 2014, November 16th

 Theme for 2014 : "Speed kills - design out speeding"

From Global Remembrance to Global Action across the Decade

I am continually inspired by the potential of youth to transform society. The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is a sobering reminder that crashes are the leading cause of death for people 15 to 29 years old.
Road traffic crashes also claim many younger victims, with more than 500 children killed each day as they travel to and from school, playgrounds and the homes of family and friends. Millions of other people of all ages are seriously injured.
This Day is about compassion and prevention. We mourn those who have perished on the roads. We console grieving families and friends. We raise awareness of the economic hardship so often faced by the bereaved.
Last year on this Day, I was in Lithuania, which is one of many countries seriously addressing this issue. I was deeply moved by the silent spectre of a candlelight vigil in Vilnius featuring one flame for each person who had died on the country’s roads since 1990. Such tributes are a powerful testimony to the need for action.

The focus of this year’s Day on the theme “Speed Kills” points the way forward. A number of governments have moved to address the problem of speeding in the context of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety, which is being observed through the year 2020. China, France, Kenya, the Russian Federation and Turkey are among a growing number of countries adopting new laws, enhancing enforcement and redesigning their roads with speed bumps, rumble strips and other steps to slow traffic.
As we aim to slow traffic, we are accelerating global action against road crashes. Working with partners, the United Nations is carrying out a number of initiatives, including preparing to convene the Second Global High-Level Conference on Road Safety to be hosted by Brazil in November 2015.
On this World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, let us re-commit to making roads that are safe for all.
Ban Ki-moon
16 November 2014

 
Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020

 Magnitude of the problem, increasing trends,Each year nearly 1.3 million people die as a result of a road traffic collision—more than 3000 deaths each day—and more than half of these people are not travelling in a car. Twenty to fifty million more people sustain non-fatal injuries from a collision, and these injuries are an important cause of disability worldwide. Ninety percent of road traffic deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries, which claim less than half the world's registered vehicle fleet. Road traffic injuries are among the three leading causes of death for people between 5 and 44 yearsof age. Unless immediate and effective action is taken, road traffic injuries are predicted to become the fifth leading cause of death in the world, resulting in an estimated 2.4 million deaths each year. This is, in part, a result of rapid increases in motorization without sufficient improvement in road safety strategies and land use planning. The economic consequences of motor vehicle crashes have been estimated between 1% and 3% of the respective GNP of the world countries, reaching a total over $500 billion. Reducing road casualties and fatalities will reduce suffering, unlock growth and free resources for more productive use.





 Key Road Crash Factors

Speeding


Road speed limits are used in most countries to set the maximum (or minimum in some cases) speed at which road vehicles may legally travel on particular stretches of road. Speed limits may be variable and in some places speeds are unlimited. Speed limits are normally indicated on a traffic sign. Speed limits are commonly set by the legislative bodies of nations or provincial governments and enforced by national or regional police and / or judicial bodies. The first maximum speed limit was the 10 mph (16 km/h) limit introduced in the United Kingdom in 1861. The highest posted speed limit in the world is 140 km/h (87 mph), which applies to some roads in Poland and Bulgaria; similarly Texas posts 85 mph (137 km/h) on one 40-mile long toll road. However, some roads have no speed limit for certain classes of vehicles. Best known are Germany's less congested Autobahns, where automobile drivers have no mandated maximum speed; measurements from the German State of Brandenburg in 2006 showed average speeds of 142 km/h (88 mph) on a 6-lane section of autobahn in free-flowing conditions. Rural areas on the Isle of Man, the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh  and Maharashtra also lack speed limits, but speeds are lower when measured on those lower design roads. Speed limits are usually set to attempt to cap road traffic speed; there are several reasons for wanting to do this. It is often done with an intention to improve road traffic safety and reduce the number of road traffic casualties from traffic collisions.

In their World report on road traffic injury prevention report, the World Health Organization (WHO) identify speed control as one of various interventions likely to contribute to a reduction in road casualties. (The WHO estimated that some 1.2 million people were killed and 50 million injured on the roads around the world in 2004.) Speed limits may also be set in an attempt to reduce the environmental impact of road traffic (vehicle noise, vibration, emissions) and to satisfy local community wishes for streets usable by people out of cars. Some cities have reduced limits to as little as 30 km/h (19 mph) for both safety and efficiency reasons. In situations where the natural road speed is considered too high by governments, notably on urban areas where speed limits below 50 km/h (31 mph) are used then traffic calming is often also used. For some classes of vehicle, speed limiters may be mandated to enforce compliance. Since their introduction, speed limits have been opposed by some motoring advocacy groups.

Impaired Driving (alcohol/drugs/fatigue)


 Use of any psychoactive (mind-altering) drug makes it highly unsafe to drive a car and is illegal—just like driving after drinking alcohol. Drugged driving puts at risk not only the driver but also passengers and others who share the road. After alcohol, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana, is the substance most commonly found in the blood of impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims. Studies in several localities have found that approximately 4 to 14 percent of drivers who sustained injury or died in traffic accidents tested positive for THC. Other drugs commonly implicated in accidents include opiates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and cocaine. For instance, in a 2003 study of seriously injured drivers admitted to a Maryland shock trauma center, drugs other than alcohol were present in more than half of the cases. These included marijuana (26.9 percent), cocaine (11.6 percent), benzodiazepines (11.2 percent), and opiates and other prescription drugs (10.2 percent). A quarter of the cases involved both alcohol and other drugs... The laws of driving under the influence vary between countries. One difference is the acceptable limit of blood alcohol content before a person is charged with a crime. Driving while either intoxicated or drunk is dangerous and drivers with high blood alcohol content or concentration (BAC) are at greatly increased risk of car accidents, highway injuries and vehicular deaths. Possible prevention measures examined here include establishing DWI courts, suspending or revoking driver licenses, impounding or confiscating vehicle plates, impounding or immobilizing vehicles, enforcing open container bans, increasing penalties such as fines or jail for drunk driving, and mandating alcohol education. Safety seat belts, air bags, designated drivers, and effective practical ways to stay sober are also discussed.

THE PROBLEM :
Every single injury and death caused by drunk driving is totally preventable. Although the proportion of crashes that are alcohol-related has dropped dramatically in recent decades, there are still far too many such preventable accidents. Unfortunately, in spite of great progress, alcohol-impaired driving remains a serious national problem that tragically effects many victims annually. It's easy to forget that dry statistics represent real people and real lives. Therefore, this page is dedicated to the memory of one randomly-selected victim of a drunk driver, young Holli Crockett.

THE FACTS : Most drivers who have had something to drink have low blood alcohol content or concentration (BAC) and few are involved in fatal crashes. On the other hand, while only a few drivers have BACs higher than , a much higher proportion of those drivers have fatal crashes.
 The relative risk of death for drivers in single-vehicle crashes with a high BAC is 385 times that of a zero-BAC driver and for male drivers the risk is 707 times that of a sober driver, according to estimates by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). High BAC drivers tend to be male, aged 25-35, and have a history of DWI convictions and polydrug abuse.

THE SOLUTION  : Drunk driving, like most other social problems, resists simple solutions. However, there are a number of actions, each of which can contribute toward a reduction of the problem: DWI courts, sometimes called DUI courts, sobriety courts, wellness courts or accountability courts have proven effective in reducing the crime of drunken driving (driving while intoxicated or while impaired). Such courts address the problem of hard-core repeat offenders by treating alcohol addiction or alcoholism. The recidivism or failure rate of DWI courts is very low. Automatic license revocation appears to be the single most effective measure to reduce drunk driving. Automatic license revocation along with a mandatory jail sentence appears to be even more effective than just automatic license revocation. Impounding or confiscating license plates.Mandating the installation of interlock devices that prevent intoxicated persons from starting a vehicle. Vehicle impoundment or immobilization. Expanding alcohol server training programs. Implementing social norms programs that correct the misperception that most people sometimes drive under the influence of alcohol. Passing mandatory alcohol and drug testing in fatal crashes would promote successful prosecution of drunk and drugged drivers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that 18-20% of injured drivers are using drugs and although drinking is on the decline, drugging is on the increase. However, this figure appears to be much too low. For example: A study of drivers admitted to a Maryland trauma center found that 34% tested positive for drugs only, while 16% tested positive for alcohol only. Think When You Drink sign A study by the Addiction Research Foundation of vehicle crash victims who tested positive for either legal or illegal substances found that just 15% had consumed only alcohol. In a large study of almost 3,400 fatally injured drivers from three Australian states, drugs other than alcohol were present in 26.7% of the cases. Fewer than 10% of the cases involved both alcohol and drugs.NIDA’s Monitoring the Future survey indicated that in 2004, 12.7% of high school seniors in the U.S. reported driving under the influence of marijuana and .2% reported driving under the influence of alcohol in the two weeks prior to the survey. In the State of Maryland’s Adolescent Survey,.8% of the state’s licensed, 12th grade drivers reported driving under the influence of marijuana during the year before the survey. Intoxicated handwriting graphic MADD Canada is to be commended for recognizing this serious but generally unrecognized problem and including the reduction of drugged driving as a major goal. Of course, fighting drugged driving must not detract us from working to reduce drunken driving.

Promising but inadequately evaluated measures include: Marking the license plate to indicate ownership in the family of someone whose driver's license is suspended or revoked for alcohol offenses. Passing and enforcing bans on open containers would probably reduce drunk driving by deterring drinking while driving. Surprisingly, some states have vehicular no open container laws. Imposing graded or multi-tiered penalties based on BAC at the time of arrest. This policy is virtually universal with regard to speeding. Restricting nighttime driving by young people. This appears to be effective in those states with such restrictions. Electronically monitoring repeat DWI offenders.Involving drivers in identifying and reporting possibly drunken drivers to law enforcement authorities by dialing 911 on their cell phones. See Help Police Stop Drunken Drivers Requiring every state to provide adequate information on alcohol and driving to prospective drivers and adequately testing them on the subject in their driver's exams. In too many states, the subject is given only brief mention and do not include any information or testing in the process of obtaining a driver's license. Some actually provide factually incorrect information. All of these very promising measures should be rigorously evaluated scientifically to determine their potential contribution to improving safety.
Measures of little or no value: Incarceration. Jail or prison sentences for alcohol offenses, in spite of their great popularity, appear to be of little value in deterring high BAC drivers. In short, it appears that we can’t "jail our way out of the problem." The perception of swift and certain punishment is more important than severity. Large fines appear have little deterrent effect, according to research. Increasing the cost of alcohol with increased taxation would have virtually no impact on reducing drunk driving. Both research and common sense suggest that heavy drinkers are not deterred by cost and most minors who drink don’t pay for or purchase their beverages.

Improved roads and vehicles can contribute significantly to increased highway safety. Technological improvements include raised lane markers, which are easier to see and also emit a startling sound when a tire wanders over them. Similarly corrugations along the edges of roads emit a sound when driven over, thus alerting inattentive drivers to their inappropriate location. Wider roads, improved street and highway lighting, break-away sign posts, brake lights positioned at eye level, door crash bars, and many other improvements can save lives and be cost-effective.

PROTECT YOURSELF : While society has done much to improve highway safety, you can do much to protect yourself. Don't drink and drive and don't ride with anyone who has too much to drink. Remember, it is usually themselves and their passengers who are harmed by drunk drivers.The risk of collision for high BAC drivers is dramatically higher than for a non-drinking driver. Relative Risk of Fatal Crash graph Volunteer to be a designated driver. Always use a safety seat belt. Use four-lane highways whenever possible. Avoid rural roads. Avoid travel after midnight (especially on Fridays and Saturdays).
Drive defensively. Choose vehicles with airbags. Refer to safety ratings before selecting your next vehicle. "Buying A Safer Car" includes safety ratings of cars, vans, and sport utility vehicles by year, make, and model. Never use illegal drugs. Illicit drugs are involved in a large proportion of traffic fatalities. Never drive when fatigued. The dangers posed when fatigued are similar to those when intoxicated. A drunk or fatigued driver has slowed reactions and impaired judgement. And a driver who nods off at the wheel has no reactions and no judgement! Drivers who drift off cause about 72,500 injuries and deaths each and every year. Don't use a car phone, put on make-up, comb your hair, or eat while driving. Drivers using cellular phones are four times more likely to have an accident than other drivers. Steer clear of aggressive drivers. Aggressive drivers may be responsible for more deaths than drunk drivers. If you must drive after drinking, stay completely sober: Don't be fooled. The contents of the typical bottle or can of beer, glass of wine, or liquor drink (mixed drink or straight liquor) each contain virtually identical amounts of pure alcohol. When it comes to alcohol, a drink is a drink is a drink and are all the same to a breathalyzer.

For more, visit Standard Drinks. Drink Safely graphic

Know your limit. 

If you are not sure, experiment at home with your spouse or some other responsible individual. Explain what you are attempting to learn. Most people find that they can consume one drink per hour without any ill effects. Also, experiment with the Blood Alcohol Educator, which is very informative and useful. Eat food while you drink. Food, especially high protein food such as meat, cheese and peanuts, will help slow the absorption of alcohol into your body. Sip your drink. If you gulp a drink, you lose the pleasure of savoring its flavors and aromas. Don't participate in "chugging" contests or other drinking games. Accept a drink only when you really want one. If someone tries to force a drink on you, ask for a non-alcohol beverage instead. If that doesn't work, "lose" your drink by setting it down somewhere and leaving it. Skip a drink now and then. Having a non-alcoholic drink between alcoholic ones will help keep your blood alcohol content level down, as does spacing out your alcoholic drinks A good general guideline for most people is to limit consumption of alcohol beverages to one drink (beer, wine or spirits) per hour. Keep active; don't just sit around and drink. If you stay active you tend to drink less and to be more aware of any effects alcohol may be having on you. Beware of unfamiliar drinks. Some drinks, such as zombies and other fruit drinks, can be deceiving as the alcohol content is not detectable. Therefore, it is difficult to space them properly. Use alcohol carefully in connection with pharmaceuticals. Ask your physician or pharmacist about any precautions or prohibitions and follow any advice received.

PROTECT OTHERS : Designated Driver graphic Volunteer to be a designated driver. Never condone or approve of excessive alcohol consumption. Intoxicated behavior is potentially dangerous and never amusing. Don't ever let your friends drive drunk. Take their keys, have them stay the night, have them ride home with someone else, call a cab, or do whatever else is necessary - but don't let them drive! Be a good host: Create a setting conducive to easy, comfortable socializing: soft, gentle music; low levels of noise; comfortable seating. This encourages conversation and social interaction rather than heavy drinking. Serve food before beginning to serve drinks. This de-emphasizes the importance of alcohol and also sends the message that intoxication is not desirable. Have a responsible bartender. If you plan to ask a friend or relative to act as bartender, make sure that person is not a drink pusher who encourages excessive consumption. Don't have an "open bar." A responsible person needs to supervise consumption to ensure that no one drinks too much. You have both a moral and a legal responsibility to make sure that none of your guests drink too much. Pace the drinks. Serve drinks at regular reasonable intervals. A drink-an-hour schedule is a good guide. Push snacks. Make sure that people are eating.

Be sure to offer a diversity of attractive non-alcohol drinks. . Respect anyone's choice not to drink. Remember that about one-third of American adults choose not to drink and that a guest's reason for not drinking is the business of the guest only, not of the host. Never put anyone on the defence for not drinking. End your gathering properly. Decide when you want the party to end and stop serving drinks well before that time. Then begin serving coffee along with substantial snacks. This provides essential non-drinking time before your guests leave. Protect others and yourself by never driving if you think, or anyone else thinks, that you might have had too much to drink. It's always best to use a designated driver. Alcoho-Related Traffic Fatalities graphs

THE GOOD NEWS  : We can do it! While we must do even more to reduce drunk driving, we have already accomplished a great deal. Alcohol-related traffic fatalities have dropped from 60% of all traffic deaths in 1982 down to 31% in 2010. 34 Alcohol-related traffic fatalities per vehicle miles driven have also dropped dramatically -- from 1.64 deaths per 100 million miles traveled in 1982 down to 0.45 in 2006 (the latest year for which such statistics are available). 35 The proportion of alcohol-related crash fatalities has fallen 52% since 1982, but the proportion of traffic deaths NOT associated with alcohol has jumped 78% during the same time. We're clearly winning the battle against alcohol-related traffic deaths. 36 We can and must do even better Remember, don't ever, ever drive if you, or anyone else, thinks that you may have had too much to drink. And don't let anyone else. That includes reporting drivers who may be drunk. It's always safest not to drink and drive.

NOTE: The "Drink Safely" (thumb up) designs is a registered trademark of Coors Brewing Company and used with its permission. http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/ Facts and Stats According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America poll, 60% of adult drivers – about 168 million people – say they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy in the past year, and more than one-third, (37% or 103 million people), have actually fallen asleep at the wheel! In fact, of those who have nodded off, 13% say they have done so at least once a month. Four percent – approximately eleven million drivers – admit they have had an accident or near accident because they dozed off or were too tired to drive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conservatively estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. This results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. These figures may be the tip of the iceberg, since currently it is difficult to attribute crashes to sleepiness.

 Driver Fatigue and Road Accidents: Driver fatigue is a serious problem resulting in many thousands of road accidents each year. It is not possible to calculate the exact number of sleep related accidents but research shows that driver fatigue may be a contributory factor in up to 20% of road accidents, and up to one quarter of fatal and serious accidents. These types of crashes are about 50% more likely to result in death or serious injury as they tend to be high speed impacts because a driver who has fallen asleep cannot brake or swerve to avoid or reduce the impact. http://www.optalert.com/news/driver-fatigue-symptoms-cause-and-effects Driver fatigue: symptoms, cause and effects Wednesday, July 31, 2013 by Dr Andrew Tucker Being fatigued significantly increases the risk of a crash. It makes us less aware of what is happening on the road and impairs our ability to respond quickly and safely if a dangerous situation arises. Driver fatigue is believed to contribute to more than 30% of road crashes.

Deficient Road Infrastructure


Road infrastructure safety plays a key role in influencing the likelihood and severity of a road crash. A footpath for a pedestrian, safe roadsides, separation of high speed oncoming traffic, cycle and motorcycle lanes, safe intersections and good speed management can all be the difference between life and death. The international Road Assessment Programme (www.irap.org) has found that more that 50% of roads assessed worldwide are in the lowest two 1-star and 2-star categories (where 5-star is the safest). As an example more than 80% of roads assessed where there are pedestrians have no footpath; half of all high speed roads with sharp curves have dangerous roadsides (trees, poles and embankments). More free information on the role of safer roads is available at http://toolkit.irap.org/

Non Use of Seat Belts
Seat belt legislation requires the fitting of seat belts to motor vehicles and the wearing of seat belts by motor vehicle occupants. Laws requiring the fitting of seat belts to cars have in some cases been followed by laws mandating their use, with the effect that thousands of deaths on the road have been prevented. Different laws apply in different countries to the wearing of seat belts.

Non Use of Child Restraints
Child Restraint Guidelines - Keeping children as safe as possible while travelling in motor vehicles The National Guidelines for the Safe Restraint of Children Travelling in Motor Vehicles have been developed by Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and Kidsafe - The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia. The National Guidelines provide best practice recommendations that have been approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). NeuRA and Kidsafe want to see all children as safe as they can be when travelling in cars. Ensuring that parents receive straightforward, consistent advice from all sources on how to keep children safe in cars is an important step in making this happen.

Failing to Wear Motorcycle Helmets


A motorcycle helmet is a type of helmet (protective headgear) used by motorcycle riders. The primary goal of a motorcycle helmet is motorcycle safety - to protect the rider's head during impact, thus preventing or reducing head injury and saving the rider's life. Some helmets provide additional conveniences, such as ventilation, face shields, ear protection, intercom etc. Motorcyclists are at high risk in traffic crashes. A 2008 systematic review examined studies on motorcycle riders who had crashed and looked at helmet use as an intervention. The review concluded that helmets reduce the risk of head injury by around 69% and death by around 42%. Although it was once speculated that wearing a motorcycle helmet increased neck and spinal injuries in a crash, recent evidence has shown the opposite to be the case, that helmets protect against cervical spine injury, and that an often-cited small study dating to the mid-1980s, "used flawed statistical reasoning"

Cell-Phone Use/Texting


Texting and Driving Statistics Texting while driving is a growing trend, and a national epidemic, quickly becoming one of the country’s top killers. Drivers assume they can handle texting while driving and remain safe, but the numbers don’t lie.

Texting While Driving Causes:
1. 1,600,000 accidents per year – National Safety Council
2. 330,000 injuries per year – Harvard Center for Risk Analysis Study
3. 11 teen deaths EVERY DAY – Ins. Institute for Hwy Safety Fatality Facts
4. Nearly 25% of ALL car accidents

Texting While Driving Is:
1. About 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving intoxicated
2. The same as driving after 4 beers – National Hwy Transportation Safety Admin.
3. The number one driving distraction reported by teen drivers Texting

 While Driving:
1. Makes you 23X more likely to crash – National Hwy Transportation Safety Admin.
2. Is the same as driving blind for 5 seconds at a time – VA. Tech Transportation Institute .
3.Takes place by 800,000 drivers at any given time across the country.
4.Slows your brake reaction speed by 18% – HumanFactors & Ergonomics Society
5. Leads to a 400% increase with eyes off the road



Join the forum : World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims - November 16


Resources : 
 The Global status report on road safety 2013
 Let’s make 2011-2020 a decade to remember! *based on Global Plan
EventsWorldwide Remembrance
Events around the globe by continent and year; View summary of 2014 events:here