World Maritime Day 2021; September 30th

 The theme of the World Maritime Day 2021 is "Seafarers at the core of shipping’s future."

Interactive webinar featuring seafarers discussing shipping's future.


On World Maritime Day 2021, on 30 September, IMO will host a live webinar at 12.00 BST exploring the theme "Seafarers: at the core of shipping’s future". In addition to hearing from Secretary General Kitack Lim, attendees will hear from four seafarers about the following topics: diversity, safety, crew change and the environment.

 

The IMO headquarters will be lit blue on World Maritime Day, 30 September 2021, as part of efforts to highlight seafarers and their core role in shipping and its future. Going forward, the IMO building, including the Seafarer Memorial, will be bathed in blue light on each World Maritime Day as a symbolic initiative to unite the maritime community and raise awareness of the vital contribution of shipping to the world.


IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has also extended the invitation to IMO Member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in consultative status to join in this annual initiative by lighting up their most iconic buildings, bridges, maritime ports, ships, monuments, museums and other landmarks on World Maritime Day each year.


Social media participation is encouraged, including via Twitter, to share images using the hashtag #WorldMaritimeDay . Photographs can also be sent to: media@imo.org

International Translation Day 2021; September 30th

Theme: ''UNITED IN TRANSLATION.'' International TranslationDay 2021.

Statement by the President of the International Federation of Translators on International Translation Day 2021; September 30th.

Congratulations to all translators, terminologists and interpreters throughout the world on this very special day. The publication date for this Q3 edition of Translatio was deliberately set for 30 September to coincide with your own celebrations of the brilliant and indispensable work translators, terminologists and interpreters do every day. A world without us is unthinkable! Today is your opportunity to pause for at least a few moments to pat yourself or your peers on the back and to acknowledge the importance of the efforts we make in facilitating communication between individuals, groups or even nations. FIT Council has chosen a very fitting title for this year’s International Translation Day: ‘United in Translation’. As we continue to struggle with the global pandemic and in what are trying times for many of us, it is evident from discussions with our member associations that there is an ever-greater need for national and international translators’ organisations. Put quite simply: we are stronger together! And, as I hinted at in my inaugural poem in Brisbane in 2017, language professionals can hardly be said to be a homogenous group. We come from all walks of life, our appearances differ wildly and, in my experience, we are strongly individualistic. Nevertheless, we stand united: To unite all in the field of translation Is a task bestowed on the Federation: To work together to bring together both region and nation By singing our praises And raising our gazes To highlight the plight of language workers Throughout the globe, Be they women in burqas Or a dude in a suit, Or translators working from their comfortable homes, And those less fortunate in conflict zones. As you will see, this edition of Translatio is filled with important information from FIT and its member associations. I would especially like to thank Argentina’s Carolina Bellino, winner of this year’s International Translation Day poster competition for her beautiful design. A special debt of gratitude also goes to chairperson Annette Schiller and the outgoing board of FIT Europe for the magnificent work they have done over the last four years. FIT’s Regional Centres play a crucial role within FIT and FIT Council wishes the new board every success! Happy reading and stay safe!

 Happy International Translation Day 2021! Kevin Quirk president@fit-ift.org

International Day for Universal Access to Information 2021; September 28th

 

Theme: " The right to know: Building back better with access to information." International Day for Universal Access to Information 2021.

The International Day for Universal Access to Information 2021 highlights the importance of expanding access to information laws, and their implementation worldwide to build back strong institutions for sustainable development and to uphold the vision of information as a public good, as well as to strengthen international cooperation in the field of implementing the right to information as a fundamental right. Furthermore, the global discussions on “building back better” remain context adaptive to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The main objective of the International Day for Universal Access to Information is to accelerate sustainable solutions aimed at reaching the Sustainable Development Goals by mobilizing governments, civil society and people to take ownership and contribute to SDG 16 (Just, Peaceful and Inclusive Societies), as measured by public access to information, particularly in regards to building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Two-day Global Commemorative e-Conference

28 & 29 September 2021
Six discussion panels will be held during a two-day period in recognition that well-crafted Access to Information legislation and its rigorous implementation promotes sustainable development as well as democracy and human rights. The panels target policy makers to promote the mobilization of resources to implement laws through independent, transparent and accountable institutions, established to support and expand public good. They also target professional organizations and civil society to advocate for the existence of and implementation of access to information laws.

World Tourism Day 2021; September 27th

 Theme: "Tourism for Inclusive Growth" World Tourism Day 2021.

Global tourism has reaffirmed its commitment to making the sector a pillar of inclusive growth. At the official World Tourism Day 2021 celebrations in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, political and business leaders united behind a common message of solidarity and determination to ‘leave nobody behind’ as tourism restarts and grows back.

Tourism's role in Inclusive recovery.

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 2021; September 26th

The United Nations is supporting events both in New York and Geneva. United Nations Information Centres around the world are encouraged to raise awareness to the observance of International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 2021; September 26th.

From the very start, addressing the existential threat of nuclear weapons has been central to the work of the United Nations.

In 1946, the very first General Assembly resolution sought “the elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons and of all other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction.”

Seventy-six years later, we have yet to achieve that resolution’s goals.

As we mark this International Day of the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, we face the highest level of nuclear risk in almost four decades.

Nearly 14,000 nuclear weapons are stockpiled around the world. Hundreds are a pushed button away from being launched. And while the total number has been decreasing for decades, states are qualitatively improving their arsenals, and we are seeing worrying signs of a new arms race.

These weapons are not yesterday’s problem. They remain today’s threat. Despite our progress, humanity remains unacceptably close to nuclear annihilation.

There are, however, signs of hope. The decision by the Russian Federation and the United States to extend the New START Treaty and engage in dialogue are welcome steps, as was January’s entry-into-force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

The responsibility now falls to Member States to build on these developments. The Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons provides a window of opportunity for all countries to take practical steps to prevent the use of, and eliminate, these weapons, once and for all.

As a global family, we can no longer allow the cloud of nuclear conflict to shadow our work to spur development, achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and end the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now is the time to lift this cloud for good, eliminate nuclear weapons from our world, and usher in a new era of dialogue, trust and peace for all people.

Online Webinars: International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons 2021

'' We Sign for Human Rights " International Day of Sign Languages 2021

Theme: '' We Sign for Human Rights " International Day of Sign Languages 2021

The International Day of Sign Languages is an unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users. The 2021 theme, declared by the World Federation of the Deaf, is “We Sign For Human Rights,” highlighting how each of us – deaf and hearing people around the world – can work together hand in hand to promote the recognition of our right to use sign languages in all areas of life.

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. Sign languages are fully fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages. There is also an international sign language, which is used by deaf people in international meetings and informally when travelling and socializing. It is considered a pidgin form of sign language that is not as complex as natural sign languages and has a limited lexicon.

The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) are organising a webinar on 23 September 2021 with a panel of high-level experts from the WFD, UNOG and State-Parties, to raise awareness of the importance of sign languages. This webinar also aims to guide States Parties on what they can undertake to provide sign languages to everyone.

International Day of Peace 2021; September 21st

FORUM: Recovering better for a sustainable and equitable world; International Day of Peace 2021.

On 17 September 2021 the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC) organizes an online youth observance for the 2021 International Day of Peace with the participation of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Messengers of Peace and students from around the world. Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. In 2021, as we heal from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are inspired to think creatively and collectively about how to help everyone recover better, how to build resilience, and how to transform our world into one that is more equal, more just, equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and healthier.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day of Peace 2021 21st September. United Nations.

This year’s International Day of Peace comes at a crisis point for humanity.
COVID-19 has turned our world upside-down.
Conflicts are spinning out of control.
The climate emergency is worsening.
Inequality and poverty are deepening.
And mistrust and division are driving people apart at a time when solidarity and collaboration are needed more than ever.
As a human family, we face a stark choice —
Peace or perpetual peril.
We must choose peace.
That is why I call for a 24-hour ceasefire today.
And by working in solidarity for a lasting, sustainable peace every day, we can tackle the issues facing us.
We need peace to urgently deliver lifesaving vaccines and treatment for COVID-19.
We need peace to recover from the pandemic and re-build shattered systems and shattered lives.
We need peace to level the playing field and reduce inequalities.
We need peace to renew trust in one another — and faith in facts and science.
And we need to make peace with nature — to heal our planet, build a green economy, and achieve our net-zero targets.
Peace is not a naïve dream.
It’s a light in the darkness.
Guiding us to the only pathway to a better future for humanity.
Let’s walk the pathway of peace as if our lives depended on it.
Because they do.
Thank you.