International Day for Ear and Hearing 2016, March 3

 Theme 2016 : Childhood hearing loss; act now, here’s how!

 

 World Hearing Day is an annual advocacy event held on 3 March. It aims to raise awareness and promote ear and hearing care across the world. The theme for World Hearing Day 2016 is Childhood hearing loss; act now, here’s how!
 

Childhood hearing loss - act now, here's how.

The way humans perceive their world is mediated through sensory experiences. Of all the senses, it is hearing which fundamentally facilitates communication and fosters social interaction, allowing people to forge relationships, participate in daily activities, be alerted to danger, and experience life events.

Around 360 million people – 5% of the world’s population – live with hearing loss
which is considered disabling; of these, nearly 32 million are children. The vast majority live in the world’s low-income and middle-income countries.

For children hearing is key to learning spoken language, performing academically, and engaging socially. Hearing loss poses a barrier to education and social integration. As such children with hearing loss can benefit greatly from being identified early in life and offered appropriate interventions.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 60% of childhood hearing loss could be avoided through prevention measures. When unavoidable, interventions are needed to ensure that children reach their full potential through rehabilitation, education and empowerment. Action is needed on both

fronts.

 

 

What is the impact of hearing loss if not addressed?

 

 While the most obvious impact of childhood hearing loss is on language acquisition, the condition also has consequences for overall literacy, the development of social skills and attitudes, including self-esteem. Untreated hearing loss is often associated with academic underachievement which can lead to lower job performance and fewer employment opportunities later in life. For a child, difficulties in communication may result in feelings of anger, stress, loneliness and emotional or psychological consequences which may have a profound effect on the family as a whole. In low-resource settings in which a child would already be at higher risk of injury, hearing loss can place a child in unsafe situations due to decreased alertness.

In a broader context, untreated hearing loss affects the social and economic development of communities and countries.

A number of factors determine what the impact of hearing loss is on an individual. These include:

• Age of onset: The initial years of life are the optimal period for speech and language development. The impact of hearing loss is greatest in those who are born with or develop hearing loss soon after birth.

• Degree of hearing loss: This may range from mild to profound. The higher the severity, the greater the impact.

• Age of identification and intervention: The sooner a child is identified with hearing loss, and the earlier he/she receives support services, the greater the opportunity for learning spoken language.
 The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing recommends that all children with hearing loss should receive intervention by six months of age. Early identification and intervention are also credited with significantly reducing the
increased education costs associated with hearing loss, and improving earning capacity, in later life.

• Environment: The overall living environment, including access to services, significantly influences the development of a child with hearing loss. Children with hearing loss who have access to hearing technology such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, sign language and special education are often able to participate on an equal basis with their peers who hear normally. Parent and family support groups facilitate social inclusion of children

with hearing loss.

 

What causes hearing loss in children?

Hearing loss in children has many causes, including congenital causes, meaning those which are present at birth or soon thereafter, and acquired causes, those which occur as a child ages. Hearing loss may be the result of several of these factors combined.

 However, it is not always possible to determine the exact cause. Causes of hearing loss in children may include:

• Genetic factors: Such factors cause nearly 40% of childhood hearing loss. It has been shown that hearing loss is much more frequent in children born of consanguineous marriages or those unions between two individuals who are closely related. Congenital malformations of the ear and the hearing nerve, which may be the result of genetic factors or environmental influences, can be associated with hearing loss.

• Conditions at the time of birth: These may include prematurity, low birth weight, lack of oxygen known as birth asphyxia and neonatal jaundice.

• Infections: During pregnancy the mother may acquire certain infections such as rubella and cytomegalovirus which lead to hearing loss in the child. In addition meningitis, mumps and measles in childhood can also result in hearing loss. Infections of the ear are quite common in children in low-resource settings. These often present with discharging ears (chronic suppurative otitis media). Beyond hearing loss, ear infections can lead to life-threatening complications.

 

• Diseases of the ear: Common ear problems may cause hearing loss in children. These include too much ear wax (impacted cerumen) and glue ear (non-suppurative otitis media) which is caused by accumulation of fluid inside the ear.

 

• Noise: Loud sounds, including those from personal audio devices such as smartphones and MP3 players which are used at loud volume for prolonged periods, may cause hearing loss. Even short high intensity sounds such as those from fireworks may cause permanent hearing loss. The noisy machinery in a neonatal intensive care unit can also contribute to hearing loss.

• Medicines: Medicines, such as those used in the treatment of neonatal infections, malaria, drugresistant tuberculosis and cancers, can lead to permanent hearing loss. These medicines are ototoxic. In many parts of the world, especially where their use is unregulated, children commonly receive ototoxic antibiotics for treatment of common infections.

 

How much of childhood hearing loss could be prevented?

 

WHO estimates that about 60% of hearing loss in children under 15 years of age is preventable. This figure is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (75%) as compared to high-income countries of the world (49%). The difference could be due to the overall higher occurrence of hearing loss which results from infections in low-resource settings as well as stronger maternal and child health services in high-income countries.

Over 30% of childhood hearing loss is caused by diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella meningitis and ear infections. These can be prevented through immunization and good hygiene practices. Another 17% of childhood hearing loss results from complications at birth, including prematurity, low birth weight, birth asphyxia and neonatal jaundice. Improved maternal and child health practices would help to prevent these complications. The use of ototoxic medicines in expectant mothers and newborns, which is responsible for 4% of childhood hearing loss, could potentially be avoided.

 

Estimates of causes of preventable hearing loss

 

 

 

 

Why is early identification so important?

Early identification of hearing loss in children when followed by timely and appropriate interventions can minimize developmental delays and facilitate communication, education and social development. Hearing screening programmes for infants and young children can identify hearing loss at very young ages. For children with congenital hearing loss, this condition can be detected within the first few days after birth.

Research suggests that children who are born deaf or acquire hearing loss very early in life and who receive appropriate interventions within six months of age are at par with their hearing peers in terms of language development by the time they are five years old (in the absence of other impairments). For those children who develop hearing loss at a later age, regular pre-school and school-based hearing screening can effectively identify hearing loss soon after its onset, thereby limiting its adverse impact

 

What are the strategies for prevention and care?

Action is required to reduce hearing loss and improve outcomes for children with hearing loss. Governments, public health agencies, social service organizations, educational institutions and civil society groups all need to collaborate in this endeavour. In order to achieve the desired results, there is a need to:

 

 

Strengthen maternal and chihealthcare programmes, including immunization and organizations of people with hearing loss.

 

A. Strengthen:

• immunization programmes: to prevent many of the infections which lead to hearing loss, such as congenital rubella, meningitis, mumps and measles. Potentially, over 19% of childhood hearing loss could be avoided through immunization against rubella and meningitis alone.

ACTION: Include these vaccines in the national immunization programmes and ensure their widespread coverage.

 

• maternal and child health programmes to prevent prematurity, low birth weight, birth asphyxia, neonatal jaundice.

Implement infant and school-based hearing screening

 

B. Implement :

 

  • newborn and infant hearing screening and initiate appropriate interventions to identify and habilitate children with congenital or earlyonset hearing loss. A newborn hearing screening programme should follow a family-centred approach.


ACTION: Put early intervention programmes in place, which focus on:

 

a. appropriate interventions, ideally initiated before six months of age; b. family support, including guidance and counselling of parents;
c. hearing rehabilitation through hearing aids and cochlear implants;
d. suitable therapy and communication options.

• school-based hearing screening with the aim to identify, refer and  manage common ear diseases and hearing loss.

ACTION: Integrate hearing screening into school health programmes and develop linkages

 

 

Train Healthcare professionals in hearing care

 

 

C. Train:

 

• primary level physicians and health workers about the relevance of ear diseases and the need for early intervention for hearing loss and its treatment options. This would enable provision of accessible services and facilitate referral for their management. The WHO documents Primary ear and hearingcare training resource, a set of four training manuals, and Community-based rehabilitation: promoting ear and hearing care through CBR are useful resources for this.

ACTION: Establish training programmes in primary ear and hearing care for primary level health providers.

• otologists, audiology professionals, other medical professionals (such as nurses), therapists and teachers to provide the required care and services. This is an important step for addressing ear and hearing problems.

 

ACTION: Set up professional training programmes to develop human resources in the field of hearing health and education for people with hearing loss

Make accessible hearing devices and communication

 

D. Make accessible:

 

• hearing devices: advances in the field of hearing aids and cochlear implants have considerably improved available options for people with hearing loss. Despite this, only a fraction of those who need these devices can access them, due to a lack of availability and high cost.

ACTION: Develop sustainable initiatives for affordable fitting and maintenance of hearing devices, which can also provide ongoing support for people using these devices.

• communication: a deaf child benefits greatly from early introduction to language. This may be in the form of rehabilitation for verbal communication, such as auditory-verbal and auditory-oral therapy. Policy-makers should also promote alternative communication means including sign language, total communication2, bilingual/bicultural (bi-bi), cued speech and lip-reading approaches. Use of loop and FM systems in classrooms and public places as well as provision of captioning on audio-visual media are important for improving accessibility of communication for people with hearing loss.

ACTION: Ensure access to communication through all available means, in consultation with stakeholders, including people with hearing loss.

Regulate and monitor use of ototoxic medicines and environmental noise

 

　E. Regulate and monitor:

• the use of ototoxic medicines to minimize the dangers posed by their indiscriminate use. Where such use is unavoidable, regular audiological monitoring helps to identify hearing loss at an early stage.

 

ACTION: Develop and implement legislation to restrict the sale and use of ototoxic medicines; and sensitize health care providers regarding hearing conservation during their use.

• noise levels in the environment, especially at recreational venues and sports arenas. High-quality personal audio devices, earphones and headphones with safety features can help to reduce the risk of

hearing loss due to their use.

ACTION: Develop and implement regulation regarding environmental noise, including at recreational venues; implement standards for listening safely to personal audio devices.

Raise awareness to promote hearing care and reduce stigma

 

   F. Raise public awareness:


• about healthy ear care practices which can reduce ear infections. For instance, avoiding insertion of any substance into the ear can help to decrease ear problems. Ensuring that children with ear pain avoid the use of home remedies and are treated by a medical practitioner can prevent chronic ear infections and associated hearing loss.

ACTION: Establish awareness programmes for promoting ear and hearing care within the community.

• about the dangers of loud sounds by educating children at an early age about the risks associated with damaging levels of sound from personal audio devices such as smartphones and noisy entertainment venues including sporting events.

This can help to modify behaviour patterns and promote safe listening, which in turn can prevent the development of noiseinduced hearing loss during childhood and adolescence.

ACTION: Develop and implement awareness programmes targeting young children with the aim to promote safe listening habits.

• in order to reduce the stigma associated with hearing loss in communities. Highlighting and sharing success stories from people with hearing loss can be effective in reducing stigma associated with hearing loss, hearing devices and alternate communication methods.

 

ACTION: Engage role models to raise awareness about hearing loss prevention and care.

In implementing the above, strategic planning can help to reduce hearing loss and diminish its adverse impact on those who live with it. In line with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, improved hearing and access to communication facilitate education and employment and foster social inclusion and psychological well-being among people with hearing loss. Many countries have already initiated strategies in line with the Convention and have established models for prevention, identification and intervention.

Today, the causes of hearing loss are known and preventive strategies identified; technology is available to detect hearing loss at the earliest stage of life; and intervention techniques are well established. Thousands of children with hearing loss are gaining communication and other skills they will need to carry them through life, and many have the same opportunities in life as their peers who hear normally. On the other hand, millions of children are still facing the undesirable consequences of hearing loss.

 

 

 

 

FORUM : International Day for Ear and Hearing - March 3

 

60% of childhood hearing loss is preventable; when unavoidable, appropriate interventions help to

ensure that children with hearing loss reach their full potential. Act now, here’s how!

 

° Strengthen maternal and child Health care programmes, including immunization and organizations of people with hearing loss.
° Train Healthcare professionals in hearing care
° Regulate and monitor use of Ototoxic medicines and Environmental noise

° Implement infant and school-based hearing screening
° Make accessible ecouteur hearing devices and communication therapies
° Raise awareness to promote hearing care and reduce stigma

 

 

Related links

• Fact sheet on deafness and hearing loss
• WHO outlines ways to prevent and mitigate childhood hearing loss
• Report: Childhood hearing loss: act now, here's how             
• Infographic- Childhood hearing loss: act now, here’s how

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Mission Staff Members 2016, March 25.

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, 25 March.

Día Internacional de Solidaridad con los miembros del personal detenidos o desaparecidos, 25 de marzo.

Journée internationale de solidarité avec les membres du personnel détenus ou portés disparus, 25 mars.

声援被拘留或失踪工作人员国际日, 3月25日.

Международный день солидарности с сотрудниками, содержащимися под стражей и пропавшими без вести, 25 марта.

 

 اليوم العالمي للتضامن مع المعتقلين وأعضاء هيئة التدريس، 25 مارس المفقودين.

 

 

 

 

United Nations Secretary-General’s Message for the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Mission Staff Members 2016, March 25.

Last month, we received the tragic confirmation of the killing of our colleague Amer al-Kaissy in Iraq some nine months after he had been abducted. I repeat my condemnation of this despicable murder and my call on the Iraqi authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

On this International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff, I urge intensified efforts to bring all perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice, and to end impunity.

Last year, six United Nations personnel were abducted and held hostage by non-State actors before being released. Twenty United Nations civilian personnel remain in detention. Five personnel are held by Member States without any reasons given for the arrests.

This unacceptable silence jeopardizes the individuals concerned while undermining the larger mission of the United Nations. Personnel, especially those deployed under dangerous conditions, deserve full protection and rights. Some are local staff striving to advance progress in their own countries. Others are far from their respective homes and families. All represent the best of the United Nations.

I call on all parties to respect the rights, privileges and immunities of United Nations personnel.  I also remind national authorities of their responsibility for protecting all UN personnel and preventing violations against them.

All States must also support the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel as well as the 2005 Optional Protocol to the Convention, which extends legal protection to other humanitarian workers.

Among the many who were affected by the death of Mr. al-Kaissy, one friend wrote in tribute a pledge to carry on his vital work. This moving response testifies to the tenacity and commitment of United Nations staff, who deserve full protection as they strive to fulfil our mission to foster development, peace and human rights around the world.

Ban Ki-moon

United Nations.

 

Remember the Fallen

 

 

 

 

 

Remember the Fallen : Serving the cause of peace in a violent world is a dangerous occupation.  Since the founding of the United Nations, hundreds of brave men and women have lost their lives in its service.

 

Documents

• Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel (A/RES/49/59)
• Optional Protocol to the Convention (A/60/518, annex)
• Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (A/RES/22 (I))

 

 

 

International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 2016, 24 March

اليوم العالمي للحق في معرفة الحقيقة حول الانتهاكات الجسيمة لحقوق الإنسان والكرامة للضحايا، 24 مارس.

Международный день права на установление истины  в отношении грубых нарушений прав человека и достоинства жертв, 24 марта.

 

International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, 24 March.

 

Día Internacional del Derecho a la Verdad en relación con Violaciones Graves de los Derechos Humanos y de la Dignidad de las Víctimas, 24 de marzo.

 

Journée internationale pour le droit à la vérité en ce qui concerne les violations flagrantes des droits de l'homme et pour la dignité des victimes 24 mars.

 

了解严重侵犯人权行为真相权利和维护受害者尊严国际日, 3月24日.

 

 

 

 

 

UN Secretary-General's Message for the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 2016, March 24.


This annual observance pays tribute to the memory of Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered on 24 March 1980. Monsignor Romero was actively engaged in denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable individuals in El Salvador.
Across the world, every victim has the right to kn...ow the truth about violations that affected her or him. But the truth also has to be told for the benefit of all people and communities as a vital safeguard against the recurrence of violations. The right to the truth is closely linked to the right to justice.

To advance this effort, the UN supports fact-finding missions, commissions of inquiry, mapping exercises, and truth commissions, which document human rights violations and make recommendations to ensure accountability, reconciliation, and other reforms.

Throughout the world, from Colombia to Tunisia, from Mali to Sri Lanka, from Nepal to South Sudan, the United Nations has advocated for inclusive and genuine consultations with victims and affected groups, especially women, girls and those who are far too often excluded and marginalized. Their meaningful participation must be ensured in all relevant stages of transitional justice processes, and their specific needs must be fully recognized in any reparation measures.

Securing the testimonies of victims and witnesses is also essential to ensuring the rights to know the truth and to justice. Appropriate mechanisms for the protection of victims and witnesses, including their physical and psychological integrity, privacy, and dignity, must be put in place.

Moreover, the preservation of archives and other documentation relating to human rights violations is crucial for ensuring undistorted historical record and preservation of memory.

On this day, I urge States to adopt measures to promote truth, justice and reparations for victims, which is so crucial to ensuring that gross human rights violations are not repeated. Let us all do more to protect human rights and human dignity.

 

Ban Ki-moon
United Nations

 

 

The Archbishop Romero Trust : Óscar Romero was a priest and bishop in El Salvador. His love for his people who were suffering violence and oppression led him to take their side and to denounce their oppressors. And so he was killed, whilst saying Mass, on March 24th 1980.

 

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

• The right to the truth
• Forensic genetics and the search for the truth
• Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
• Rule of Law Tools for Post-Conflict States Truth Commissions

 

 

International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2016, March 25.

奴隸制和跨大西洋奴隸貿易受害者的紀念國際和平日, 3月25日.
 International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, 25 March.
Día Internacional de Recuerdo de las Víctimas de la Esclavitud , 25 de Marzo.
.اليوم العالمي لإحياء ذكرى ضحايا الرق وتجارة الرقيق عبر الأطلسي، 25 مارس
 Journée internationale de commémoration des victimes de l’esclavage, 25 Mars.
Международный день памяти жертв рабства и трансатлантической работорговли, 25 марта .

2016 Theme: " Remember Slavery: Celebrating the Heritage and Culture of the African Diaspora and its Roots"

 

 

United Nations Secretary-General for the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2016, March 25th.

 

Each year on this day, the United Nations honours the memory of millions of Africans forcibly removed from their families and homelands over hundreds of years.
The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade also shines a spotlight on prevailing racism and prejudice today.
It is imperative that we work together for equal opportunity, justice and sustainable development for people of African descent.  That is why the United Nations Remember Slavery Programme is reaching out to young and old alike to create awareness, promote understanding and change attitudes.
 
The theme of this year’s observance is “Remember Slavery: Celebrating the Heritage and Culture of the African Diaspora and its Roots”. 
The dynamic culture and traditions of Africa continue to enrich life in the countries that were once involved in the Transatlantic slave trade.
Africa’s influence and legacy are plain to see in the vibrant music, bold art, rich foods and inspiring literature that infuse modern culture.  Less recognized, perhaps, are the contributions that the people of the African diaspora have made to medicine, science, government and general leadership in society.
Tested to the limits of their spirit and endurance, slaves from Africa left their descendants a wide range of invaluable assets, including fortitude, courage, strength, tolerance, patience and compassion.  On this Day, let us renew our resolve to fight racism and celebrate the heritage of Africa that enhances societies around the world today.

Ban Ki-moon

 

 

 

 

 

The “Ark of Return” the permanent memorial to honour the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, located at the Visitors’ Plaza of UN headquarters in New York

 

FORUM :

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade 2016

 

" Remember Slavery: Celebrating the Heritage and Culture of the African Diaspora and its Roots"

 

This theme draws attention to the rich African culture and traditions that have impacted life in countries that were involved in the slave trade and where the African Diaspora continues to make major contribution in all aspects of life. It also highlights the cultural linkages that exist among people of African descent throughout the world.

For more information

Follow us on Twitter @rememberslavery and join us on Facebook.
Contact: Remember Slavery Programme, Education Outreach Section,
Outreach Division, Department of Public Information

The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Constructing New Amistad, Bunce Island, Gullah, Maroon and Nova Scotia Bridges - Panel Discussion and Performance

Special event on the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (25 March) (A/RES/62/122) on the theme “Remember Slavery: Celebrating the Heritage and Culture of the African Diaspora and its Roots”
Panel discussion on “The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Constructing New Amistad, Bunce Island, Gullah, Maroon and Nova Scotia Bridges” (organized by the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Jamaica, the Sierra Leone Monuments and Relics Commission and the United Nations Remember Slavery Programme, and with the Department of Public Information (DPI))
 

2016 Commemorative Programme of Activities dedicated to the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

 

Tuesday, 16 February

 Private Screening of RACE, AMC Loews 34th Street, New York

Directed by Stephen Hopkins, RACE is a film about courage, determination, tolerance, and friendship. It is an inspiring drama about Jesse Owen's fight to become a legend at the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party’s vision of white supremacy. A Q & A follows film.

Wednesday, 17 February

 6:00 p.m. Exhibit Opening - Africans in India: From Slaves to Generals and Rulers, Visitors Lobby, United Nations, New York

The exhibition, which is on display at United Nations Headquarters in New York through 30 March 2016, was created by The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture of The New York Public Library. The curators are Dr. Sylviane A. Diouf, Director of the Lapidus Center for the Historical Analysis of Transatlantic Slavery at The Schomburg Center, and Dr. Kenneth X. Robbins, collector and expert in Indian art.
The exhibit tells the fascinating history of enslaved East Africans in India, known as Sidis and Habshis, who rose to positions of military and political authority.  Through colourful photographs and texts, the exhibit conveys that their success was also a testimony of the open-mindedness of Indian society in which they were a small religious and ethnic minority, originally of low status.  It also sheds light on the slave trade in the Indian Ocean and the history of Africa and its Diaspora in India.
The Remember Slavery Programme is producing  a  travelling version of the exhibition in Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish and displayed by the United Nations Information Centres around the world in observance of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

Thursday 24 March

 1:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Panel Discussion and Performance: “The Transatlantic Slave Trade: Constructing New Amistad, Bunce Island, Gullah, Maroon and Nova Scotia Bridges” ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations, New York

Download the invitation and RSVP

Tuesday, 29 March

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (Observed)

3:00 p.m. General Assembly Commemorative Meeting, GA Hall, United Nations, New York
6:30 p.m. Culinary & Cultural Experience, Visitors Lobby, United Nations, New York
Download the invitation and RSVP

Thursday, 31 March

25th Anniversary of African Burial Ground

9:30 a.m. Student Event (4th grade): Film Screening /Art /Tour
6:15 p.m. Screening of documentary and panel discussion – “Then I'll Be Free to Travel Home: The Legacy of the New York African Burial Ground” featuring Lena Horne, African Burial Ground, 290 Broadway, New York

Thursday, 14 April

11:00 a.m. - NGO Briefing: The Musical Journey of the African Diaspora – Conference Room 11, United Nations, New York
Download the Programme of Events 

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

 "Surprising" lack of awareness as world remembers slavery victims (March 25, 2016)  - United Nations Radio

World Meteorological Day 2016, March 23.

World Meteorological Day, 23 march.

Día Meteorológico Mundial, 23 de marzo.

世界气象日, 3月23日。

Всемирный метеорологический день, 23 марта.

Journée Météorologique Mondiale, 23 Mars.

اليوم العالمي للأرصاد الجوية، 23 مارس.

 

 

 

Тема 2016 года : Жарче, суше, влажнее. Заглядывая в будущее.

全球刚刚度过了有记录以来最热的一年、最热的五年期以及最热的十年。有记录以来最热的16个年份中有15年都发生在本世纪。

Theme 2016 : Hotter, Drier, Wetter, Face the future.

Tema 2016 : Más cálido, más seco, más húmedo. Afrontemos el futuro.

Théme 2016 : Plus chaud, plus sec, plus humide. Regardons l'avenir en face.

 مواجهة المستقبل , وأمطاراً, وجفافاً, عالم أكثر حرارة

 

 

 

World Meteorological Day / Poster 2016

MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF  WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY 2016 BY PETTERI TAALAS SECRETARY-GENERAL WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION.

Climate change is affecting our natural and human environment. Our emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise, and the temperature of the lower atmosphere and the ocean is increasing.

Today the Earth is already 1°C hotter than at the start of the twentieth century. The international community has unanimously recognized the need for bold action.

Governments adopted the Paris Agreement last year to "hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C."

This is an ambitious commitment, and the national plans adopted so far may not be enough to avoid a rise of 3 °C. Yet, we have the knowledge and tools we need to face the future.

WMO and the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are playing an essential role in building climate-resilient societies. Because of past and present emissions, we must prepare for a future with more hot days, warm nights and heatwaves. This will affect public health and put a strain on our societies. We can reduce health risks related to heat through multi-hazard early warning systems that provide timely alerts to decision-makers, health services and the general public.

We must also address droughts more proactively through integrated drought management. We need to provide decision-makers with guidance on effective policies and land management strategies. We also need to improve access to scientific knowledge and share best practices for coping with drought.

Climate change is also increasing the risk of heavy rains and floods. We can protect lives and property from such hazards through impact-based forecasts. This approach to disaster risk is the best way to empower emergency managers with information they can act on.

The UN Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals establish a powerful global commitment to end poverty. This includes pursuing improved food security and water and sanitation for all. It calls for clean energy and resilient cities. And it promotes the sustainable management of natural ecosystems.

Building climate and weather resilient communities is a vital part of this global strategy for achieving sustainable development.

The WMO community will continue to support countries in pursuing sustainable development and tackling climate change through the provision of the best possible science and of operational services for weather, climate, hydrology, oceans and the environment.

Thank you

 

 

FORUM :

The theme Hotter, Drier, Wetter. Face the Future highlights the challenges of climate change and the path towards climate-resilient societies.

The world just had its hottest year, hottest five year period and hottest decade on record. 15 of the 16 hottest years on record have occurred this century

Rainfall varies naturally from year to year and from decade to decade, influenced by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and other climate drivers.



Precipitation (rain and snow) varies naturally from year to year and from decade to decade, influenced by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO and other climate drivers.  

Fortunately, the world’s governments are now fully convinced of the scientific evidence of climate change and the need to take urgent action. More research and investment is needed for advancing low-carbon technol- ogies, particularly in the energy sector. But already many policies, technologies and actions are available, and their deployment needs to be scaled up. Individual citizens, community leaders, businesses, civil society organiza- tions, governments and the United Nations system must all contribute

The increase in hot days, warm nights and heatwaves will affect public health. These risks can be reduced by heat-health early warning systems that provide timely alerts to decision-makers, health services and the general public.
Droughts must be addressed more proactively through integrated drought management, which embraces guidance on effective policies and land management strategies and shares best practices for coping with drought.
In the event of heavy precipitation and floods, impact-based forecasts enable emergency managers to be prepared in advance. Integrated flood management is a long-term holistic approach to minimizing the risks of flooding.
Building climate and weather resilient communities is a vital part of the global strategy for achieving sustainable development. The WMO community will continue to support countries in pursuing sustainable development and tackling climate change through the provision of the best possible science and of operational services for weather, climate, hydrology, oceans and the environment.
 

Press Briefing, 11:15 am, Wednesday 23 March
World Meteorological Day: Hotter, Drier, Wetter. Face the Future

 

WMO - Press Conference: the Global Climate and Extreme Weather Events
(Geneva, 21 March 2016) 

Speakers:
· Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General
· Omar Baddour, Scientific Coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

 EVENTS : World Met Day Programme 2016 - +World Meteorological Organization (WMO) .

WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH/ WMO HEADQUARTERS, GENEVA

 

WEDNESDAY, 23 MARCH/ WMO HEADQUARTERS, GENEVA
World Meteorological Day 2016

World Meteorological Day 2016 in the medias

 

 

14:30 Curtain-­‐raiser video Emcee: Sylvie Castonguay

 

14:35 Welcome address

Mr Petteri Taalas Secretary-­‐General of

the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

14:45 Student from Jean Callas primary school,

Ferney Voltaire and the video “M. Tout-­‐le-­‐Monde”

14:55 Statement by Special Guest Ms Valérie Masson-­‐Delmotte, Co-­‐Chair, Working Group I of the

WMO/UNEP Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

15:15 El Niño animation

15:20 Outcomes of the Ferney Model United Nations

(FerMUN) hosted by WMO in January 2016 Student

from International Lycée of Ferney-­‐Voltaire

15:30 Young Earth System Scientists community

15:40 Musical interlude

15:50 Statement by Guest Speaker Mr Robert

Glasser, Special Representative of the Secretary-­‐General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UN

International Strategy for Disaster Risk (UNISDR)

16:10 Discussion

16:35 Close and visit of Photo Exhibit of WMO 2016

calendar

16:45 WMO reception (Attic Restaurant)

Publications : State of the Climate: Record Heat and Weather Extremes.





WMO Satement on the status of Global Climate 2015



Links & Resources  :

 World Meteorological Day commemorates the coming into force on 23 March 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization. It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society.



• WMO.int – Official Website
• WMO country codes from the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set
• WCC-3
• PUB5 (Composition of WMO)

Weather forecasts & Warnings

• MyWorldWeather App: IPhone - (new version) - Android
• World weather (cities, dynamic site) | Tropical cyclones and severe weather
• Gales and high winds | Weather warnings – Europe (meteoalarm)
• Safety at sea







2015 was the Warmest year on record by far, 0.76 °C above 1961–1990 average