World Mental Health Day 2013, October 10

Every year on 10th of October, The World Health Organization joins in celebrating the World Mental Health Day. The day is celebrated at the initiative of the World Federation of Mental Health and WHO supports this initiative through raising awareness on mental health issues.
The theme of the day in 2013 is “Mental health and older adults”.

• More about World Mental Health Day

Comprehensive mental health action plan 2013–2020

The 66th World Health Assembly consisting of Ministers of Health of 194 Member States adopted WHO’s Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 on 27th May 2013. Many Member States from all WHO regions took the floor emphasizing the importance of mental health and stating their commitment to implement the Action Plan and achieving the specific targets in the plan by year 2020.

• Comprehensive mental health action plan 2013-2020 - Resolution WHA66/8
• Read more about the action plan

WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP)

The WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) aims at scaling up services for mental, neurological and substance use disorders for countries especially with low and middle income.

• More on mhGAP

• Substance and abuse homepage

Join the Forum :   World Mental Health Day - October 10

World Sight Day 2013, October 10

World Sight Day on October 10th, 2013: Demystification of blindness as scourge of humanity

According to WHO statistics, two thirds of blind children die within two years following their loss of eyesight


OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina-Faso, October 9, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ – 39 million people worldwide are blind. Another 246 million people live with moderate or severe visual impairments. Causes of blindness, still widely unknown 100 years ago, have since been discovered and demystified. Still, tens of thousands of children lose their eyesight due to malnutrition and starvation every year, despite highly effective means of prevention and treatment.


It is the stuff of great stories. It was as early as 1931 that Charlie Chaplin dealt with the topic in his tragicomedy “City Lights”. A tramp falls in love with a blind flower girl from a poor home whose biggest wish is to be able to see. Finally he can help her to gain eyesight.


Charlie Chaplin fictitiously anticipated what is now standard across the globe. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cataract surgery is one of the most cost-efficient and most effective treatment methods. Moreover, it is the most frequently performed surgery in industrialised countries. 46.000 cataract surgeries are made possible with the help of the specialised aid organisation ‘Light for the World’ (http://www.light-for-the-world.org) in developing countries, where every second blind person suffers from cataract and could regain their eyesight by means of a 15 minute operation, even after years of blindness. However, there is a lack of specialised hospitals, eye specialists and medication. This is where ‘Light for the World’ comes in to sustainably improve the situation of visually impaired and blind people. “We devote ourselves to the training of local eye specialists and ophthalmic nurses, as well as the construction of eye clinics and basic health institutions for early diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders,” says Rupert Roniger, Managing Director of ‘Light for the World’ in Austria. At the moment, the construction of an eye clinic including a training centre in the city of Beira in Mozambique is at the top of their agenda.


Early diagnosis of eye disorders is particularly crucial for children in developing countries, where it can save lives. According to WHO statistics, two thirds of blind children die within two years following their loss of eyesight. Malnutrition, in combination with infectious diseases, deprives tens of thousands of infants and small children in Sub-Saharan Africa of sufficient vitamin A, leading to irreversible loss of eyesight. A humanitarian catastrophe is going unnoticed. Even today. Local partners of ‘Light for the World’ supply hundreds of thousands of children with high dosage vitamin A supplements, and thus save these children’s lives. “Every hunger catastrophe in Africa entails a large wake of blindness. Water shortage and starvation cause blindness especially in women and children. That is why our development aid programmes are planned to run for many years in order to absorb also the long-term effects of humanitarian catastrophes,” says Roniger.

The worldwide causes for blindness have mostly been discovered and demystified, and possibilities of treatment are highly developed and effective. 80% of all cases of blindness in developing countries could be treated or prevented. ‘Light for the World’ calls attention to this to mark World Sight Day on October 10th, 2013.

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Light for the World.


Free use of text and photos if credits are mentioned.

Further enquiry note:

Gabriel Müller, Light for the World

Email: g.mueller@light-for-the-world.org

Mobile: +43 676 950 4204

http://www.light-for-the-world.org

SOURCE

Light for the World

World Post Day 2013, October 9

 World Post Day is celebrated on 9 October and marks the founding of the Universal Postal Union in 1874.

Every year, more than 150 countries mark the day in a variety of ways.
Many Posts use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services. Open days are held as are flag-raising ceremonies. Some Posts also use World Post Day to reward their employees for good service.

For countries participating in the UPU International Letter-writing Competition for children, national winners are often honoured on 9 October.

In a video message delivered ahead of World Post Day, celebrated annually on 9 October, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlights the role of postal services as “engines of trade, development and growth.”

The head of the United Nations Organization calls on national governments to use the “tremendous potential” of their postal networks to reach out to their citizens and bridge the gaps in today’s information society. Recalling the enduring value of the daily post in an increasingly digital age, Ban says postal services go beyond physical mail and are adapting and redefining themselves for a 21st-century communication landscape. Indeed, Posts help bring people into the financial fold, says Ban, referring to the financial services being increasingly offered by them. Posts also foster commercial trade, especially with the increasing popularity of e-commerce and online shopping, he says. “Postal services make an important contribution to our shared efforts to build a peaceful, sustainable and equitable future for all,” concludes the secretary-general.

OFFICIAL POSTER 2013-2015 :

World Post Day is celebrated annually on 9 October, the day the Universal Postal Union was created 139 years ago in Berne, Switzerland, by 22 founding countries. One of the world’s oldest international organization, the UPU now has 192 member countries and has been a specialized agency of the United Nations since 1948.

Featuring two well-known symbols of the #Post and #communication, the new poster shows the traditional letter transforming itself into a carrier pigeon taking flight. The bird's digitized lines and shape convey the message that the Post and postal communication are evolving and modernizing, increasingly using electronic features. Through this combination of traditional symbols and modern lines, the poster evokes the fundamental values of the postal service

" .post,  Be part of it. Today."

The postal community’s dedicated top-level Domain name opens up a unique, secure internet space for innovative postal applications to enable cross-border business

More information: www.info.post
dotpost@upu.int

 WORLD POST AUTHORTIES :

• U.S. Postal Postal Inspection Service (United States)
• Aland Post (Finland)
• Correo Argentino
• Correo Ascension IslandPost Office
• Australia Post
• Australian Postal History Pages (John R. Tollan - Australia
• Post and Telekom Austria AG
• Belgium Post
• Bermuda General Post Office
• Brazilian Post
• Brazil Post
• Bulgarian Posts
• Canada Post Corporation.
• Chile Post Office
• POSTFILA: a branch of the Czech Post
• Czech Post
• Post Danmark
• Dutch PTT
• Egyptian Postal Organization
• The Faroe Islands Postal Authority
• Finland Post Ltd.
• Fiji Philatelic Bureau
• French Ministry of Postal Services, Telecommunications and Space
• Postal Administration of Gabon
• Deutsche Post AG Online (Germany)
• Greenland Postal Service
• Guernsey Post Office
• Hong Kong Post Office
• Hungarian Post
• Hungary Post Office
• Icelandic Philatelic Sales
• Indonesian PTT
• An Post Ireland 's National Postal Service
• Isle Of Man Post Office - Stamp Centre
• Stamps Issued in Memory of Prime Minister Rabin (Israel Postal Authority)
• Israel Postal Authority
• Italian Postal Authority
• Japan Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications
• Japanese Institute of Posts and Telecommunication (IPTP)
• Jersey Philatelic Bureau
• Latvia Post
• Lithuania Postal Services
• Luxembourg Postes et Telecommunications
• PTT Macedonia
• Post Malaysia
• Marshall Islands Postal Service
• Mexican Postal Service
• Namibia Post Limited
• New Caledonia Post Office
• New Zealand Post
• New Zealand Post - Philatelic Bureau
• Nigeria Post
• Norway Post - Stamp Bureau
• Norwegian Postal Authorities
• Okinawa Office of Posts and Telecommunications
• Pacific Rim Agency Services (Mark O Dianda - United States)
• Pakistan Post Office
• Philatelic Center of French Polynesia (Manu Schneider - French Polynesia)
• Poczta Polska (Marek Wojciechowski - Poland)
• Portugal Post
• San Marino Post
• Shanghai Postal and Telecommunication
• Singapore Post
• Post of Slovenia
• Spanish Postal Administration
• Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau
• South African Post Office
• South Korean Ministry of Information and Communication
• Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation
• Philatelic Bureau of Sweden
• Sweden Post
• Swiss Post
• Universal Postal Union of Switzerland (Delphine Perret - Switzerland)
• Taiwan (Republic of China) Postal Service Site. Also, a similar site in Chinese.
• The Communications Authority of Thailand: Philatelic Division
• Uganda Post Limited
• United Kingdom Post Office
• United Nations Postal Administration
• United Nations Postal Administration Vienna Office
• United States Postal Service
• Stamps Online - United States Postal Service
• United Kingdom Crown Agents Stamp Bureau
• Universal Postal Union
• Uruguay Postal Service
  Vatican City State Post - Italian only

UNDP Strategic Plan: 2014- 2017

Changing with the World

Helping countries to achieve the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion.

With the changing world as the backdrop, and building on our core strengths, our vision is focused on making the next big breakthrough in development: to help countries achieve the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion.

This is a vision within reach, with the eradication of extreme poverty and major reductions in overall poverty feasible within a generation. It should be possible as well to make significant inroads against income and non- income measures of inequality and exclusion within this time fame.

This ambitious vision will require an institution that meets benchmarks for organizational effectiveness that match or exceed the highest standards set in its peer community. It will also demand that we organize our work around a focused set of outcomes. These outcomes will support the priorities and needs of each country and region, and capture the development changes UNDP will contribute towards directly, significantly and variably during the course of the Strategic Plan. In so doing, we will align our approach to results with other United Nations agencies.

Success Stories :  UNDP Afghanistan , UNDP Yemen, UNDP Kosovo, UNDP in Nepal, UNDP in India ...

World Teacher' Day 2013, October 5

On World Teachers' Day, October 5, the ILO salutes teachers and commits to supporting their key role in building the citizens and societies of the future, says Guy Ryder, the ILO's Director-General.

Joint Message on the occasion of the World Teachers’ Day 2013

A Call for Teachers!
5 October 2013

Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO
Guy Ryder, Director-General, ILO
Anthony Lake, Executive Director, UNICEF
Helen Clark, Administrator, UNDP
Fred van LEEUWEN, General Secretary, Education International


Teachers hold the keys to a better future for all. They inspire, challenge and empower innovative and responsible global citizens. They get children into school, keep them there and help them learn. Every day, they help to build the inclusive knowledge societies we need for tomorrow and the century ahead. On this World Teachers’ Day, we join forces to thank teachers and to call for more, better trained and supported teachers. Nothing can replace a good teacher. Evidence shows that teachers, their professional knowledge and skills are the most important factor for quality education. This requires stronger training upfront and continual professional development and support, to enhance performance and learning outcomes. We know this and yet, far too often, teachers remain under-qualified and poorly paid, with low status, and excluded from education policy matters and decisions that concern and affect them. And there are far too few of them today. At the global level, some 5.24 million teachers need to be recruited in order to reach the goal of universal primary education by 2015 -- 1.58 million new recruits and 3.66 million to replace those leaving the profession. The challenge goes beyond numbers – more teachers must mean better quality learning, through appropriate training and support. This is essential for ensuring every learner’s right to quality education – especially, to reach the 57 million children of primary school age currently out of school. At current pace, we estimate that 49 percent of these children will never enter school, while 28 percent will start school late – 54 percent of them are girls. Equally worrying is the low level of learning. An estimated 250 million children are failing to learn to read and write by the time they reach the age for grade 4. Approximately half of these children are in school. The access and learning crisis must be urgently addressed.

Learning is not possible without professional, well trained, well supported, accountable and valued teachers. Teachers are the central solution to the learning crisis, and yet too many are poorly trained and poorly supported – often disconnected from the policy decisions that affect them. Teachers are central to the provision of safe and supportive learning environments, and yet too any of them are teaching in circumstances of extreme hardship, emergencies and even attacks. There are however, also bright parts to the picture. We have seen a range of efforts to improve teacher status -- through teacher professionalization and certification schemes, incentives for service in remote or disadvantaged communities, minimum wage laws, career development models, continued professional development, support to female teachers deployed in remote locations, peer-to-peer support and inter-generational mentoring, recognition awards and incentive for teacher progression, raising admission standards for teacher training programmes, public awareness campaigns, free training and recruitment bonuses. All of these practices ensure equality and quality and make a real difference to learning outcomes; they must be scaled up and taken forward. This is where effective international action is essential, in support of national efforts to bolster teachers and education institutions, and improve the education opportunities of all children. All of this work must ensure that teachers’ pay and conditions reflect a commitment to delivering high quality education by a qualified and motivated teaching work force. This is why teachers stand at the heart of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative to make sure every child goes to school, receives a quality education, and develops a new sense of global citizenship. This is our call for teachers today. Join us in thanking and supporting the teachers we have and in recruiting new women and men, to shape more effective education systems and prepare young people and adults for active and responsible participation in society. There is no stronger foundation for lasting peace and sustainable development than a quality education provided by well trained, valued, supported and motivated teachers. The education of future generations hangs in the balance unless we can rise to the challenge of putting the best possible teacher in every classroom.



RELATED INFORMATION :
Press Release: Education unionists Worldwide unite for quality public education

EVENT : "Better Quality Education for a Better World ", Friday, 4 october 2013, UNESCO HQs

 World Teachers' Day 2013 : Celebrations around the world.

Download the Posters (PDF)

AR | CH | EN | FR | RUS | SP

Additional resources:

•  Join the Forum :  October 5th is World Teacher's Day 
• UNESCO  eAtlas of Teachers 

• Read A Teacher for Every Child: Projecting Global Teacher needs from 2015 to 2030 (PDF) 

 

Global Shortage of Teachers 

 

Every Child Needs a Teacher

The supply of teachers is failing to keep pace with the demand for primary education. According to the latest UIS data, the world needs to create 1.6 million new teaching posts by 2015 in order to reach universal primary education, while replacing 5.2 million teachers leaving the profession.

The situation is most extreme in sub-Saharan Africa, where the school-aged population continues to rise. More than 900,000 new primary school teachers are required by 2015.

Explore the data to see where the demand is most acute. 

En savoir plus sur Tableau

World Heart Day, September 29

World Heart Day: Healthy habits starting in childhood can prevent heart disease
 

On World Heart Day (Sept. 29), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is urging the adoption of healthy living habits during childhood to prevent heart disease and other health problems in later life.

Cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, are the leading cause of death worldwide and in most countries of the Americas, where they claim some 1.9 million lives each year. Following a healthy diet, engaging in physical activity, and avoiding tobacco use can prevent these diseases.

“Take theroad to a healthy heart” is the theme of this year’s World Heart Day campaign, which is led by the World Heart Federation and directed primarily at mothers, who play a central role in teaching their children healthy habits, and at children, who are becoming overweight and obese in increasing numbers, thanks to what experts refer to as “obesogenic environments.”

Heart disease prevention begins with breastfeeding and continues with healthy nutrition, eating more vegetables, fruits and other unprocessed foods while limiting salt, avoiding trans fats, sugars and tobacco and doing physical activity throughout one’s life.

Obesity, which is on the rise in children, is a leading risk factor for premature illness and death in adults. “If the pattern continues, we will have more and more people suffering from diabetes and hypertention at earlier ages,” said Pedro Orduñez, PAHO advisor on prevention and control of chronic diseases. “Before, we saw obesity-related diabetes at 60 or 70 years of age. Now we’re seeing it in people who are 40 or 50 years old.”


Resources :  

° World Heart Day ( World Health Organization).

° Cardiac Science AED program management is an investment in making your organization heart safe. Federal (and some state) regulations for AED program management require heart safe training, record keeping, AED maintenance, and a licensed physician to oversee your AED program. As the AED program management partner for your heart safe program, we provide AED training (along with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training), record keeping, AED maintenance services, and medical oversight of your heart safe program.

°  Join the Forum : World Heart Day, September 29 

World Rivers Day, September 29

Join the Forum : 29 September is World Rivers Day.
Here are just some of the activities around the world planned for World Rivers Day, 2013.

A small sampling of events now planned for World Rivers Day 2013. Many more important events are coming up such as the 16th International River Symposium in Brisbane, Australia in the days leading up to World Rivers Day. This is being coordinated by the International River Foundation. Many additional events will be listed in future updates in the weeks ahead... please let us know of your plans.

We encourage you to take part in an event in your area (or plan your own), and we wish all the organizers around the world much luck in the success of their ambitious celebrations!




Iraq - Nature Iraq Foundation, together with Nature Iraq and Waterkeepers Iraq, plans to recreate a journey down the Tigris River, starting in southeastern Turkey and traveling through Iraq, using traditional boats and vessels in order to document and bring awareness to the myriad threats facing not only the timeless waters of the Tigris but also the unique cultural heritage of Mesopotamia. The event will start on September 15 and conclude around World Rivers Day. The project strives to connect conservation issues with daily life and enable people to take action. Contact - info@ni-foundation.org or Pete Nichols at Waterkeeper Alliance (212-747-0622).

Australia - World Rivers Day Events throughout Australia
Numerous World Rivers Day events are being planned in river catchments across Australia. In keeping with the original concept, International River Foundation is promoting World Rivers Day throughout its global network, and for the third year in a row, is developing an Australian focused campaign. They are also coordinating a major World Rivers Day photo contest. Email patricia@riverfoundation.org.au to learn more about how the IRF can help with World Rivers Day events for all regions of Australia.

Carinthia, Austria - Children’s River Event in Ferlach Parish
On September 27th, 72 children of the elementary school in Ferlach will spend the day learning and experiencing various interesting things about water in general and rivers in specific. There will be up to eight stations with different core water themes: power, painting, plants, quiz, circulation, taste, experiments and rescue. There will also be a river cleaning contest, where the children who find the most pieces of garbage can win prizes and a little money for their grade in school. The event will take place between 8:30 am and 1 pm. For more information, please contact Katharina Rohner,
katharina.rohner@arco.at

New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada - RiverFest - a celebration of BC & World Rivers Day
Join us Friday, September 27 (4 to 9) and Saturday, September 28 (11 to 6). Inspired by the river, RiverFest will be presented free to the public and will consist of art exhibits, interactive activities from conservation organizations and community groups that build upon the river and environmental themes. Live music and entertainment will complete the weekend offerings for an exciting, family-friendly festival atmosphere. For more information, visit our website at: http://www.fraserriverdiscovery.org/

Belize - World Rivers Day event in Belize
A World Rivers Day event will be coordinated in Belize in celebration of the country’s great rivers. Contact Kenrick Theus for details – kenricktheus@consultant.com

Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada - World Rivers Day Gala Event at Burnaby Village Museum and Surrounding Site. Burnaby will celebrate World Rivers Day in a major way with a gala event at the Burnaby Village Museum, which is bisected by the beautiful Deer Lake Brook. There will be a large array of attractions for young and old – and, along with the many attractions and interpretive displays already on site, there will be live birds of prey, a children’s fishing pond, face painting, music, entertainment of various sorts, a special “living with coyotes” presentation, children’s activities, streamside habitat restoration demonstrations amongst many other fun things to do. Come enjoy a stroll through Burnaby’s marvellous past, a community that has long focused on the many waterways within its midst; its lakes, streams and the great Fraser River that it borders. Open from 11 to 4:30. Contact – Lynda Maeve at lyndamaeve.orr@burnaby.ca

Washington, DC, United States - Paddle for the Potomac
Waterkeeper Alliance SPLASH Paddle for the Potomac to benefit Potomac Riverkeeper. As part of the 2nd Annual Waterkeeper Alliance Splash Series, join us at Key Bridge Boathouse for an afternoon of on the water fun! The event will revolve around paddling in all of its forms, from canoeing, to kayaking, to stand-up paddleboarding. Come down for an informal paddling opportunity, to watch skill demonstrations, or take part in an organized activity led by a local outfitter or certified instructor. We will have food, music, and other on the land activities to enjoy also! Saturday, September 21st, 1 pm to 5 pm. Visit website for more information – www.potomacriverkeeper.org

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada- Formal Opening and Celebration of the Restoration of Hastings Creek.
Vancouver will be having a major World Rivers Day event on Sept 30th at Vancouver’s Creekway Park from 10:30 to 12:30 celebrating the day-lighting and restoration of Hastings Creek, which was previously culverted and paved over more than 80 years. Stage one of this state-of-the-art stream restoration effort will be completed by late September and WRD Chair Mark Angelo, along with representatives from the Vancouver Park Board and Vancouver City Council will participate in the formal opening. Contact Michelle Larigakis, michelle.larigakis@vancouver.ca

Ohio, USA– The fabulous Maumee Bay River Festival takes place on World Rivers Day from 12 noon to 7 PM in downtown Toledo. The event includes great entertainment, river boat rides, riverside walks, educational activities and great fun for all ages. Contact – Sandy Bihn, Lake Erie Waterkeeper, Sandylakeerie@aol.com

Penampang Sabah, Malaysia - Bamboo Rafting Festival
Community-Led Environmental Awareness for our River (CLEAR), a community based organisation, will be organising a BAMBOO RAFTING FESTIVAL to celebrate the World Rivers day in Penampang Sabah, Malaysia. Contact Winnie Jimis for more information: winjimis@yahoo.com.

Langley, British Columbia, Canada - BC Rivers Day Community Festival
Join the Langley Environmental Partners Society and the Township of Langley for the annual celebration of rivers on September 29th, 11 am to 2 pm! This year’s free family event at William’s Park, Langley, BC (238 St. south of 68 Ave.) offers interactive displays and activity booths. More information at: www.leps.bc.ca or 604.532.3511

Cradock, South Africa - Fish River Marathon
As river canoeists and enthusiasts who look for every opportunity to enjoy rivers while also being involved in cleaning/monitoring for pollution, etc., we celebrate these days. Our major annual River Racing event that is extremely popular in South Africa takes place in the Eastern Cape area of Cradock on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September. Contact Jennie Dallas, jennied@highbury.co.za, for more information.

US and International waterkeepers – The Waterkeeper Alliance is approaching all member organizations both nationally and internationally about their possible participation in World Rivers Day. Details on these events will be included in an upcoming September update. Contact – Sharon Khan at skhan@waterkeeper.org

Kilby to Mission, British Columbia, Canada - World Rivers Day Paddle on the Fraser River
In celebration of World Rivers Day, paddle down the Fraser River with Hope Mountain Centre and the company of professional guides and explore the most productive salmon habitat found anywhere in the world. A giant flotilla of canoes, kayaks, and paddle rafts will travel 20 kilometres from Kilby to Mission. Along the way, you’ll visit the gravel bars, side channels, islands, and riparian forests that make this part of the Fraser so important to fish and wildlife. For more information visit us at www.hopemountain.org.

Rivers across Europe - Uniworld River Tours in Europe
On the Rhine, the Danube, the Rhone, the Seine, and the Douro and other great rivers across Europe, there will be Rivers Day awareness events unfolding led by the Uniworld Cruise Line. Uniworld continues to play a leadership role in the promotion of World Rivers Day and will be making this a special day with onboard events highlighting our ongoing project, “sustainable river cruising” to preserve a most precious resource: water and the rivers. Contact Sonja Tischer, Director Program Services, GRC Global River Cruises GmbH, Tel: +41-61-638-96-86 / efax +41-61-638-96-97 / cell +49-15-222-6-999 02, email: stischer@uniworld.com / uniworld.com

New Jersey, USA – On the Woodbridge River, the New Jersey Baykeepers are planning a community day that involves kayaking and clean ups on Sat. Sept. 28. For more information, contact – Deborah A. Mans, NJ Baykeeper & Executive Director - debbie@nynjbaykeeper.org

Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada - 5th Annual Kamloops World Rivers Day Shoreline Cleanup
World Rivers Day is a day to celebrate our rivers by increasing awareness of water related issues and promoting core values associated with sustainability, conservation and river stewardship. This event will help bring a greater awareness to the rivers that we use for drinking water, industry, agriculture, residential uses and recreation. As well, it will increase awareness with historical and cultural issues. Meet at Riverside Park, Sunday, September 29th, Noon to 5 PM. More information: www.kamloops.ca/worldriversday

Abuja, Nigeria - Celebration of World Rivers Day in Nigeria
The Foundation for Conservation of Nigerian Rivers will be formally inaugurated to coincide with this year’s celebration of World Rivers Day. The new foundation wants to seize the opportunity to create awareness within Nigeria of the need to protect and restore the country’s rivers. Contact Analiefo A. Nzegwu for more information – anzegwu@yahoo.com

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada - Paddle Event at the Yellowknife River
Paddlers for Parts will once again host a one day event at the Yellowknife river bridge, Yellowknife NT. Being fairly cool here by that time we usually have a few boats to paddle and big fire with goodies to eat at the end. Contact Greg Loftus at cominco@theedge.ca for more information.

Port Harcourt, Nigeria - Celebrating 2013 World Rivers Day in Nigeria
Under the River Ethiope Trust Foundation, founded in 1992 to protect River Ethiope, Dafe Irikefe will organise a River Conservation Essay Competition among secondary schools along River Ethiope to raise awareness among youth. In Abuja, Nigeria Dafe will also be inaugurating a new organization known as Foundation for Conservation of Nigerian Rivers to mark World Rivers Day. An inaugural lecture titled Nigerian Transformation Agenda: Where is the Place of Rivers will be delivered during the occasion and a letter advocating for a law to be enacted to protect rivers in Nigeria will delivered to Nigerian parliament. Dafe Irikefe, CEO and Founder of the River Ethiope Foundation is communicating with key stakeholders in Nigeria seeking their partnership and support for the upcoming World Rivers Day. Email: retfon@yahoo.com

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada - 20th Annual Ridge Meadows Rivers Day
Free, family-friendly event on September 29th, 11 am to 3 pm. We are going to have a great line up of entertainment, exciting environmental exhibits, BBQ lunch, carnival games, face-painting, storytelling and trout-fishing pond! Musical entertainment by Two Tall Women, Tusket, and Gord & Trish.
Location: Allco Fish Hatchery/Allco Park, 24959 Alouette Road, Maple Ridge
For more information, please go to: www.alouetteriver.org or contact (604) 467 6401

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada - Tod Creek Watershed Rivers Day Celebration
Educational, family-oriented activities with a focus on the transformation of Tod Creek into a functioning habitat clear of invasive plants and animals. Time: 1 pm – 3 pm. Snacks and drinks provided. Contact Jillian Stewart for more information – officeadmin@cab-bc.org

Bangladesh and South Asia. – The Riverine People (www.riverinepeople.net) will be participating in World Rivers Day for the 4th consecutive year and is also working with others across South Asia to do the same. Most importantly along with some of the groups and organization we are trying to build a consensus to observe the day in a common theme for South Asia; that is Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal. The Riverine People will also be publishing an edition of the quarterly Bangla journal dedicated to river issue, entitled 'Nadee'. World Rivers Day Chair Mark Angelo was interviewed for this issue. Contact – skrokon@gmail.com

Iran – The Iran Mountain Watch Group will participate in World Rivers Day for the first time and will be working to draw the attention of other NGO's to this event. Contact is Abbas Mohammadi, Mountain Watch Group – am.kouh@gmail.com

England – The organization, Thames21, will be organizing the “Cleaner Thames Challenge” from Sep 19 – 22 in the run-up to World Rivers Day. This event will focus on the on-going effort to clean up one the world’s iconic rivers. Contact – Emily.braham@thames21.org.uk

Many other events are in the planning stages from ranging from events in India focusing on the Yamuna and Ganges (contact - Gopi Duttaakash) to events in Peru focusing on that country’s great rovers and the threats confronting them (contact Hector Flores - liderazgo_indigena@yahoo.es . These and other events will be profiled in future updates.


° To Learn more about these incredible rivers… check out this link to an article from National Geographic

° To see beautiful photos of these protected rivers… check out this link to Michael Melford’s Photos