Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Philosophy Day, 17 November 2011
Background
Philosophy Day has been celebrated by UNESCO every year since 2002, on the third Thursday of November, both at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and other cities around the world. The General Conference of UNESCO established World Philosophy Day in 2005. UNESCO’s objective is to promote an international culture of philosophical debate that respects human dignity and diversity. The Day encourages academic exchange and highlights the contribution of philosophical knowledge in addressing global issues.
World Philosophy Day was introduced in 2002 by UNESCO to honour philosophical reflection in the entire world by opening up free and accessible spaces. Its objective is to encourage the peoples of the world to share their philosophical heritage and to open their minds to new ideas, as well as to inspire a public debate between intellectuals and civil society on the challenges confronting our society.
Why a Philosophy Day?
Many thinkers state that “astonishment” is the root of philosophy. Indeed, philosophy stems from humans’ natural tendency to be astonished by themselves and the world in which they live.
This field, which sees itself as a form of “wisdom”, teaches us to reflect on reflection itself, to continually question well-established truths, to verify hypotheses and to find conclusions.
For centuries, in every culture, philosophy has given birth to concepts, ideas and analyses, and, through this, has set down the basis for critical, independent and creative thought.
UNESCO’s Philosophy Day allowed this institution to celebrate, in particular, the importance of philosophical reflection, and to encourage people all over the world to share their philosophical heritage with each other.
For UNESCO, philosophy provides the conceptual bases of principles and values on which world peace depends: democracy, human rights, justice, and equality.
Philosophy helps consolidate these authentic foundations of peaceful coexistence.
Over seventy countries, including twenty-five in Africa, celebrated the first two Philosophy Days which offered everyone, regardless of their culture, the opportunity to think about different questions such as: “Who are we as individuals and as a world community?” It is up to us to reflect upon the state of the world and determine whether it corresponds to our ideals of justice and equality. It is up to us to ask ourselves whether our society is living according to the ethical and moral norms of our great Declarations.
This Philosophy Day thus provided us with the occasion to ask ourselves questions that are often forgotten: “What do we neglect to think about?” “Which intolerable realities do we get used to?”
Message of the Secretary-General on the occasion of World Philosophy Day, 18 November 2010
Friday, 18 November 2011
Thursday, 17 November 2011
2012 International Summit of Cooperatives - The amazing power of cooperatives
To mark the International Year of Cooperatives proclaimed by the United Nations (UN), decision makers and influencers in the cooperative and mutualist from all continents will meet up in Quebec (Canada) to attend the 2012 International Summit of cooperatives.
Entitled "The amazing power of cooperatives", the Summit aims to identify key business issues unique to cooperative and mutual enterprises and provide solutions to promote their development and performance to propel the influence the cooperative business model in the world.
The 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives has a unique, focused on economic and financial issues facing leaders and managers of cooperatives and mutuals.
Program, more than 125 internationally renowned speakers, panel discussions and workshops as well as sectoral premiere unveiling of the results of six unpublished studies on global trends and prospects for innovation.
The 2012 International Summit of cooperatives is a key event must for leaders of today and tomorrow keen to strengthen the influence of the cooperative movement on the board and mutual economic and political world.
This is an appointment not to be missed, the 8 to 11 October 2012 in Quebec, World Heritage City!
Entitled "The amazing power of cooperatives", the Summit aims to identify key business issues unique to cooperative and mutual enterprises and provide solutions to promote their development and performance to propel the influence the cooperative business model in the world.
The 2012 International Summit of Cooperatives has a unique, focused on economic and financial issues facing leaders and managers of cooperatives and mutuals.
Program, more than 125 internationally renowned speakers, panel discussions and workshops as well as sectoral premiere unveiling of the results of six unpublished studies on global trends and prospects for innovation.
The 2012 International Summit of cooperatives is a key event must for leaders of today and tomorrow keen to strengthen the influence of the cooperative movement on the board and mutual economic and political world.
This is an appointment not to be missed, the 8 to 11 October 2012 in Quebec, World Heritage City!
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
Prof. Noam Chomsky to Lecture at KU for UNESCO World Philosophy Day
THEME : "The United States and the United Nations"
UNESCO World Philosophy Day
Chomsky Lecture FlyerProfessor Noam Chomsky, a leading philosopher, linguist, and political activist of the past 50 years, is coming to the Philosophy Department at Kutztown University on November 21st to help inaugurate a yearly Lecture Series
Professor Chomsky will speak on “The United States and the United Nations.” His lecture will address issues pertaining to global understanding and is expected to critique the current state of affairs and suggest ways for improving global relations.
Prof. Chomsky’s lecture will be delivered at 6:30 P.M. on November 21st, in Schaeffer Auditorium on the campus of Kutztown University. To learn more about the event, or for more information on how to obtain tickets , please click here
Prof. Noam Chomsky to Lecture at KU for UNESCO World Philosophy Day
UNESCO World Philosophy Day
Chomsky Lecture FlyerProfessor Noam Chomsky, a leading philosopher, linguist, and political activist of the past 50 years, is coming to the Philosophy Department at Kutztown University on November 21st to help inaugurate a yearly Lecture Series
Professor Chomsky will speak on “The United States and the United Nations.” His lecture will address issues pertaining to global understanding and is expected to critique the current state of affairs and suggest ways for improving global relations.
Prof. Chomsky’s lecture will be delivered at 6:30 P.M. on November 21st, in Schaeffer Auditorium on the campus of Kutztown University. To learn more about the event, or for more information on how to obtain tickets , please click here
Prof. Noam Chomsky to Lecture at KU for UNESCO World Philosophy Day
Secretary-General's message on World Diabetes Day
New York, 14 November 2011 - Secretary-General's message on World Diabetes Day
This year's World Diabetes Day comes at a time of unprecedented international action to confront this and other non-communicable diseases.
Just two months ago, the United Nations General Assembly held its first-ever High-level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, producing a strong Political Declaration with time-bound commitments. Among these was a pledge to make it possible for more people to get quality medicines for diagnosing and treating diabetes by the year 2013.
The Political Declaration also called on the private sector to do its part, building on Millennium Development Goal 8, which calls for partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries.
We have seen meaningful progress in this direction. One company has introduced a differential pricing scheme to supply generic insulin to the least developed countries, benefitting three dozen States to date. But this facility cannot respond alone. We must bring in other partners. And we must address inefficient distribution systems, and the lack of sufficient public funding for medicines.
World Diabetes Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and to show people living with diabetes that the international community stands with them in their struggle. This is especially important for the 277 million people with diabetes who live in developing countries. Too often, the disease hits the poorest especially hard, leading to heart attacks, strokes, blindness, limb amputations, kidney failure and premature death.
I call on governments and pharmaceutical companies to give real meaning to our commemorations by developing joint strategies to make essential medicines more available and affordable in developing countries, especially for the poorest people who need them.
Let us all use World Diabetes Day to work so that people with diabetes everywhere get the care and treatment they deserve.
This year's World Diabetes Day comes at a time of unprecedented international action to confront this and other non-communicable diseases.
Just two months ago, the United Nations General Assembly held its first-ever High-level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases, producing a strong Political Declaration with time-bound commitments. Among these was a pledge to make it possible for more people to get quality medicines for diagnosing and treating diabetes by the year 2013.
The Political Declaration also called on the private sector to do its part, building on Millennium Development Goal 8, which calls for partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries.
We have seen meaningful progress in this direction. One company has introduced a differential pricing scheme to supply generic insulin to the least developed countries, benefitting three dozen States to date. But this facility cannot respond alone. We must bring in other partners. And we must address inefficient distribution systems, and the lack of sufficient public funding for medicines.
World Diabetes Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and to show people living with diabetes that the international community stands with them in their struggle. This is especially important for the 277 million people with diabetes who live in developing countries. Too often, the disease hits the poorest especially hard, leading to heart attacks, strokes, blindness, limb amputations, kidney failure and premature death.
I call on governments and pharmaceutical companies to give real meaning to our commemorations by developing joint strategies to make essential medicines more available and affordable in developing countries, especially for the poorest people who need them.
Let us all use World Diabetes Day to work so that people with diabetes everywhere get the care and treatment they deserve.
Monday, 14 November 2011
World Diabetes Day - November 14th
World Diabetes Day is celebrated worldwide. It brings together millions of people in over 160 countries to raise awareness of diabetes, including children and adults affected by diabetes, healthcare professionals, healthcare decision-makers and the media.
World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes Melittus world and is held on November 14 of each year. It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to the alarming rise of diabetes around the world. World Diabetes Day is a campaign that features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community. While the campaigns last the whole year, the day itself marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.
Each year, World Diabetes Day is centred on a theme related to diabetes. Topics covered have included diabetes and human rights, diabetes and lifestyle, diabetes and obesity, diabetes in the disadvantaged and the vulnerable, diabetes in children and adolescents. and talking about Diabetes.
World Diabetes Day, UN urges action to help hundreds of millions stricken by disease
For 2009–2013, the theme is Diabetes Education and Prevention.
World Diabetes Day is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes Melittus world and is held on November 14 of each year. It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to the alarming rise of diabetes around the world. World Diabetes Day is a campaign that features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community. While the campaigns last the whole year, the day itself marks the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.
Each year, World Diabetes Day is centred on a theme related to diabetes. Topics covered have included diabetes and human rights, diabetes and lifestyle, diabetes and obesity, diabetes in the disadvantaged and the vulnerable, diabetes in children and adolescents. and talking about Diabetes.
World Diabetes Day, UN urges action to help hundreds of millions stricken by disease
For 2009–2013, the theme is Diabetes Education and Prevention.
- World Diabetes Day – Official website
- International Diabetes Federation – Official website
- World Diabetes Day: Global Events Roundup
- World Diabetes Day - Diabetes.co.uk: How World Diabetes Day is celebrated
- Diabetes Facebook Page
World Pneumonia Day - November 12
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs (alveoli)—associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space (consolidation) on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes. Infectious agents include: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.  | |
World Science Day for peace and Development 2011
UNESCO Director-General's Messages
Message from Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO
10 November 2011 - World Science Day for Peace and Development 2011
This question is raised every day by a world that is changing quickly. Natural disasters remind us of the vulnerability of our communities. Climate change is impacting on our societies. The loss of biodiversity is increasing at the fastest rate known in geological history, mainly due to human activity. The pressures of the global economic crisis are rising.
This is the question that the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development must address in Rio next year –- Rio+20.
Science lies at the heart of the answer. It is a core part of the roadmap that UNESCO will bring to Rio to make the most of the transformative power of education, the sciences, culture and media. Our position is clear – for a sustainable future, we must build inclusive and equitable ‘green societies’ along with ‘green economies.’ The two must go together. This is our message for this 2011 World Science Day for Peace and Development, which comes under the theme: “Towards Green Societies: Equity, Inclusiveness, Participation.”
Green societies must be knowledge societies, which harness science to identify emerging challenges and to respond in innovative ways. For this, science must be mobilized and it must be inclusive.
These goals guide UNESCO in all its action. We are working with countries to build capacity in science, technology and engineering and to create international networks. We cooperate with Governments across the world, especially in Africa, to strengthen national policy frameworks for science, technology and innovation. We lead the international community in marine and freshwater sciences, through the unique contributions of our Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and International Hydrological Programme.
Green societies must be inclusive. We must draw on all voices and sources of experience, including local and indigenous knowledge. UNESCO works to empower girls and women in the creation of scientific knowledge. We lead the United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) to foster the attitudes and behaviours necessary for a new culture of sustainability. Small Island Developing States are a special focus of our work. We are committed to capturing the knowledge of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves and our World Heritage Sites. We must identify the links between cultural and biological diversity and build on them.
We must build a greener society also at the global level. This calls for democratizing the creation and achievements of science for the benefit of all. It means tackling the disparities that exist between countries in the development and use of scientific knowledge.
UNESCO will bring all of this to Rio+20. 2012 must be a turning point towards green societies, built on the inclusive and equitable development of science to the benefit of all. This is our message for the 2011 World Science Day for Peace and Development.
Message from Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO
10 November 2011 - World Science Day for Peace and Development 2011
What kind of society do we need for a sustainable future?
This question is raised every day by a world that is changing quickly. Natural disasters remind us of the vulnerability of our communities. Climate change is impacting on our societies. The loss of biodiversity is increasing at the fastest rate known in geological history, mainly due to human activity. The pressures of the global economic crisis are rising.
This is the question that the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development must address in Rio next year –- Rio+20.
Science lies at the heart of the answer. It is a core part of the roadmap that UNESCO will bring to Rio to make the most of the transformative power of education, the sciences, culture and media. Our position is clear – for a sustainable future, we must build inclusive and equitable ‘green societies’ along with ‘green economies.’ The two must go together. This is our message for this 2011 World Science Day for Peace and Development, which comes under the theme: “Towards Green Societies: Equity, Inclusiveness, Participation.”
Green societies must be knowledge societies, which harness science to identify emerging challenges and to respond in innovative ways. For this, science must be mobilized and it must be inclusive.
These goals guide UNESCO in all its action. We are working with countries to build capacity in science, technology and engineering and to create international networks. We cooperate with Governments across the world, especially in Africa, to strengthen national policy frameworks for science, technology and innovation. We lead the international community in marine and freshwater sciences, through the unique contributions of our Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and International Hydrological Programme.
Green societies must be inclusive. We must draw on all voices and sources of experience, including local and indigenous knowledge. UNESCO works to empower girls and women in the creation of scientific knowledge. We lead the United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) to foster the attitudes and behaviours necessary for a new culture of sustainability. Small Island Developing States are a special focus of our work. We are committed to capturing the knowledge of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves and our World Heritage Sites. We must identify the links between cultural and biological diversity and build on them.
We must build a greener society also at the global level. This calls for democratizing the creation and achievements of science for the benefit of all. It means tackling the disparities that exist between countries in the development and use of scientific knowledge.
UNESCO will bring all of this to Rio+20. 2012 must be a turning point towards green societies, built on the inclusive and equitable development of science to the benefit of all. This is our message for the 2011 World Science Day for Peace and Development.
- GA resolution 43/61 proclaiming the "International Week of Science and Peace"
- Proclamation of World Science Day for Peace and Development - resolution 31C/20 (adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 31st session)
- Feasibility Study on a World Science Day for Peace and Development (UNESCO Executive Board document 162 EX11)
- UN documents related to Science and Peace
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