International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking; June 26rd.

FORUM: Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2022.

         

Statement by the U.N. Secreatry-General on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking; June 23rd;

This year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking shines a spotlight on the impact of drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises.

Conflicts, climate disasters, forced displacement and grinding poverty create fertile ground for drug abuse — with COVID-19 making a bad situation even worse. At the same time, people living through humanitarian emergencies are far less likely to have access to the care and treatment they need and deserve.

Meanwhile, criminals are profiting from people’s misery, with cocaine production at record highs, and a five-fold increase in seizures of methamphetamines and a near-quadrupling of amphetamine seizures over the last decade.

On this International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we renew our commitment to ending this scourge and supporting those who fall victim to it.

This includes non-discriminatory policy solutions centred around people, health and human rights, underpinned by strengthened international cooperation to curb the illicit drug trade and hold accountable those who profit from human misery.

We must also strengthen science-based treatment and support services for drug users, and treat them as victims who need treatment rather than punishment, discrimination and stigma — including treatment for those living with infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

We cannot allow the world’s drug problem to further shadow the lives of the tens of millions of people living through humanitarian crises.

On this important day, let us commit to lifting this shadow once and for all, and giving this issue the attention and action it deserves.

U.N. Secretary-General.

International Day of the Seafarer 2022; June 25th.

FORUM: 'Your voyage - then and now, share your journey’ International Day of the Seafarer 2022.

 Every seafarer’s journey is different, but they all face similar challenges. For 2022, the campaign of the Day of the Seafarers, with the theme 'Your voyage - then and now, share your journey’, look at seafarer voyages, what it includes and how has it evolved over time and what remains at the heart of seafarers’ reality.

Every seafarer’s journey is different, but they all face similar challenges. For 2022, the campaign of the Day of the Seafarers, with the theme 'Your voyage - then and now, share your journey’, look at seafarer voyages, what it includes and how has it evolved over time and what remains at the heart of seafarers’ reality. This campaign gives seafarers a chance to share what resonates with them currently, whether it's the crew change crisis being unresolved or the future of technology.

Read the  Statement by the IMO Secretary-General on International Day of the Seaferer 2022; June 25th. here

 
                



CAMPAIGN:  Every seafarer’s journey is different, but they all face similar challenges.


Seafarers are invited to post two photos using the hashtags: one of their first voyage and another of their most recent voyage. We would also like to know what has changed during your maritime voyage. Is shipping greener? Is the technology better? Are you more skilled? What have you learnt?


Supportive organizations, shipping companies and port organizations are also invited to show their appreciation for seafarers by resharing their posts or using the hashtags and discussing the importance of seafarer journeys.


Members of the public are encouraged to post about the many ways in which seafarer journeys benefit their lives (e.g. bringing them food, electronics, medicines, etc.) using the same hashtags.

#SeafarerJourney will be the new hashtag for the 2022 campaign. The exisiting hashtag of #DayOfTheSeafarer can also be used.

EVENTS

United Nations Public Service Day 2022; June 23rd.

FORUM: "The role of public institutions and public servants in building back better from COVID-19;" United Nations Public Service Day 2022.

United Nations Public Service Day, celebrated on 23 June each year, recognizes the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlights the contribution of public service in the development process; recognizes the work of public servants, and encourages young people to pursue careers in the public sector.

STATEMENTS

Statement by the U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on U.N. Public Service Day 2022, June 23rd​.

There is no higher calling than serving others.

Each year on United Nations Public Service Day, we honour those women and men around the world who proudly dedicate their ideas, innovations and energies to serving their communities and humankind.

As this year’s theme reminds us, public servants are increasingly working shoulder-to-shoulder with a range of local and global partners to drive recovery and sustainable development in their communities

From teaming up with the private sector on technological solutions to enhance public service delivery, to joining forces with civil society groups to better reflect a variety of voices across public policies, programmes and community responses, partnerships are critical to designing and delivering inclusive services.

As we mark this important day, let us celebrate not only the work of public servants worldwide, but their commitment to working in partnership to build a better future for all people.

António Guterres.

OTHER STATEMENTS

• Statement by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, President of the General Assembly on U.N. Public Service Day 2022; June 23rd.
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, President of the Economic and Social Council on U.N. Public Service Day 2022; June 23rd.

EVENTS:  2022 UN Public Service Day commemoration.

Taking its lead from the 2022 theme of the United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF), the main body for reviewing implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the 2022 UN Public Service Day commemoration, celebrated this year on 22 June, focused on the role of public institutions and public servants in building back better from COVID-19 as they work to meet the 2030 deadline for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

The 2022 United Nations Public Service Award winners were announced during the online event by DESA's Under Secretary General Mr. Liu Zhenmin

2022 United Nations Public Service Awards

International Widows Day 2022; June 23rd.

 FORUM: Towards progress for widows. International Widows Day 2022.

The Day is an opportunity for action towards achieving full rights and recognition for widows – too long invisible, uncounted and ignored.

A dearth of reliable hard data remains one of the major obstacles to developing the policies and programmes to address the poverty, violence and discrimination suffered by widows. There is a need for more research and statistics disaggregated by marital status, sex and age, in order to help reveal the incidence of widow abuse and illustrate the situation of widows.

 Furthermore, Governments should take action to uphold their commitments to ensure the rights of widows as enshrined in international law, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Even when national laws exist to protect the rights of widows, weaknesses in the judicial systems of many States compromise how widows’ rights are defended in practice and should be addressed. Lack of awareness and discrimination by judicial officials can cause widows to avoid turning to the justice system to seek reparations. 

Programmes and policies for ending violence against widows and their children, poverty alleviation, education and other support to widows of all ages also need to be undertaken, including in the context of action plans to accelerate achievement of the Global Goals.

 In post-conflict situations, widows should be brought in to participate fully in peacebuilding and reconciliation processes to ensure that they contribute to sustainable peace and security. Empowering widows through access to adequate healthcare, education, decent work, full participation in decision-making and public life, and lives free of violence and abuse, would give them a chance to build a secure life after bereavement. Importantly, creating opportunities for widows can also help to protect their children and avoid the cycle of inter-generational poverty and deprivation. 

EVENTS: Ending the world's silence on widows: Opportunities for leadership around the world.

For more information about the Global Fund for Widows’ June 21 event please visit

The event, entitled, “Ending the World’s Silence on Widows: Opportunities for Leadership around the World,” will be held on Tuesday, June 21. During the event, the speakers, comprised of policymakers and gender advocates from around the world, will discuss opportunities to mainstream widows into social policies, human rights reporting, and business practices. Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals as its framework, the event aims to provide concrete and actionable recommendations across sectors in order to address the needs of widows suffering human rights violations and discrimination in certain parts of the world.

The panel will feature:

• High Commissioner Callista Mutharika, Former First Lady of Malawi and widow of former President Bingu wa Mutharika.
• The Honourable Baindu Dassama, Minister of Social Welfare of Sierra Leone
• Karen Fowler, designer and Co-Founder of Pour Les Femmes
• Ms. Heather Ibrahim-Leathers, President of the Global Fund for Widows
• and feature Mr. Vikas Khanna, Michelin-starred Chef and Global Goodwill Ambassador for Widows.

International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice 2022, June 21st.

FORUM:  "The solstice as the embodiment of the unity of cultural heritage and centuries-long traditions." International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice 2022

 Mindful that the solstices and equinoxes symbolize the fertility of the land, agricultural and food production systems, cultural heritage and their millenary traditions; the General Assembly of the United Nations acknowledged that the celebration of those events is an embodiment of the unity of the cultural heritage and centuries-long traditions, and further play a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples on the basis of mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good-neighborliness. It, therefore, recognized 21 June as the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice.

EVENTS: International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice 2022.

For the other half of the year, the South Pole gets more light.

International Day of Yoga 2022; June 21st.

 

FORUM: " Yoga for Humanity'' International Yoga Day 2022.

The practice of Yoga has persisted through time and across traditions for centuries, and countless people across the world have made it an integral part of their lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented human tragedy. Beyond itsimmediate impact on the physical health, the pandemic also exacerbated psychological suffering and mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, as pandemic related restrictions were introduced in various forms in many countries. It highlighted the need to address the mental health dimension of the pandemic, in addition to the physical health aspects. Multiple studies have confirmed the interdependent mental and physical benefits of yoga.

The meaning of Yoga is most commonly interpreted as a “union” – the union of the mind and the body. But it also signifies the interconnectedness of the human body and spirit to all the elements of the world that surrounds us.

EVENTS:  Yoga for Humanity - 8th International Day of Yoga, June 21st.

• Yoga lecture & demonstration on the North Lawn of the United Nations Headquarters.
• Celebration of the International Yoga Day 2022. at the Mysuru Palace in India.

World Refugee Day 2022; June 20th.

FORUM: Whoever. Wherever. Whenever. Everyone has the right to seek safety. World Refugee Day 2022.

The number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution has now surpassed 100 million for the first time on record. The World Refugee Day is an occasion to raise awareness on the unique health needs of refugees and people on the move, and the challenges they may face in accessing healthcare during their journeys and in the host country. Join the conversation with the hashtags #WorldRefugeeDay, #20june, #WhoeverWhereverWhenever, #Right2seekSafety.

In Burkina Faso for #WorldRefugeeDay, UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie called on the world to focus on finding solutions to reduce refugee numbers globally.

Statement by the U.N. Secretary-General on World Refugee Day 2022.

On World Refugee Day, we reflect on the courage and resilience of those fleeing war, violence, and persecution – and we recognize the compassion of those who welcome them.
Today, the global refugee population is at a record high.

The war in Ukraine has triggered the largest and fastest displacement in Europe since World War II.
Together with the women, children, and men fleeing conflict elsewhere in the world, the total number of forcibly displaced people has reached 100 million – a grim indictment of our times.

This year’s World Refugee Day affirms a fundamental tenet of our common humanity: everyone has the right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from, and whenever they are forced to flee.
International law is clear:
The right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right.
People escaping violence or persecution must be able to cross borders safely.
They must not face discrimination at borders or be unfairly denied refugee status or asylum due to their race, religion, gender, or country of origin.
They cannot be forced to return if their lives or freedom would be at risk.
And like every human being, they should be treated with respect.
But safety is just the first step.
Once out of harm’s way, refugees need opportunities.
Opportunities to heal, to learn, to work, and to thrive.
Opportunities to return home if they so choose, or to rebuild their lives elsewhere, in safety and dignity.
Across the world, refugees have brought new life, prosperity, and rich cultural diversity to their host communities.
Protecting refugees is a responsibility we all share.

Today, let us pledge to do more for refugees everywhere – and for the countries that host them while themselves facing a cascade of challenges.
Let us stand together in solidarity.
Let us defend the integrity of the international protection regime.
And let us never lose sight of our common humanity.

U.N. Secretary-General.

EVENTS: World Refugee Day 2022 events and festivals will be held in the several UNHCR Headquarters and at United Nations Heaquarters in Geneva and New york. For questions regarding World Refugee Day, please contact hqwrd@unhcr.org

The World Refugee Day observance aims is to step up efforts worldwide to ensure everyone everywhere at any time is able to enjoy the right to health and access high-quality health services that are sensitive to their needs, and appropriate for each person’s culture and needs, without financial impediment. This is key to achieving universal health coverage. If policies that promote the health of refugees and all people on the move are in place, refugees and migrants can contribute to the full and flourishing life of a country and to supporting the economy, culture and a diverse society.

On June 20th for World Refugee Day 2022, UNHCR sends the message that everyone has the right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from, and whenever they are forced to flee.

FUNDAMENTALS OF SEEKING SAFETY

CORE MESSAGES Every person has the right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from, and whenever they are forced to flee

WHOEVER

Whoever they are, people forced to flee should be treated with dignity. Anyone can seek protection, regardless of who they are or what they believe. It is nonnegotiable: seeking safety is a human right.

WHEREVER Wherever they come from, people forced to flee should be welcomed. Refugees come from all over the globe. To get out of harm’s way, they might take a plane, a boat, or travel on foot. What remains universal is the right to seek safety.

WHENEVER Whenever people are forced to flee, they have a right to be protected. Whatever the threat –war, violence, persecution – everyone deserves protection. Everyone has a right to be safe.

FUNDAMENTALS OF SEEKING SAFETY

1. THE RIGHT TO SEEK ASYLUM Seeking asylum is a human right. Anyone fleeing persecution, conflict, or human rights abuses has a right to seek protection in another country. 2. SAFE ACCESS Borders should remain open to all people forced to flee. Restricting access and closing borders can make the journey even more dangerous for people seeking safety. 3. NO PUSHBACKS People can’t be forced to return to a country if their life or freedom would be at risk. This means that countries shouldn’t push anyone back without first evaluating the dangers they would face back home. 4. NO DISCRIMINATION People should not be discriminated against at borders. All applications for refugee status must be given fair consideration, regardless of factors like race, religion, gender and country of origin. 5. HUMANE TREATMENT People forced to flee should be treated with respect and dignity. They are entitled to safe and dignified treatment like any human being. Among other things, this means keeping families together, protecting people from traffickers, and avoiding arbitrary detention.

WHAT DOES THIS MATTER!

PROTECTING PEOPLE TO FLEE IS A COLLECTIVE GLOBAL RESPONSABILITY

Countries and communities that receive and host large numbers of refugees, relative to their national populations and economies, need steadfast support and solidarity from the international community.

REACHING SADETY IS JUST A START

Countries and communities that receive and host large numbers of refugees, relative to their national populations and economies, need steadfast support and solidarity from the international community.

Once they are out of harm’s way, people fleeing war or persecution need opportunities to heal, learn, work and thrive – in line with the Refugee Convention and the Global Compact on Refugees. And they need solutions, such as the chance to return home in safety and dignity, to integrate locally, or in the most vulnerable cases to be resettled to a third country.

HEALTH DOES NOT BEHIN OR END AT A COUNTRY'S BORDER

Highlighting Refugee and Migrant Health. World Health Organization (WHO).

Related

• Refugee and migrant health Q&A
• Refugee and migrant health health topic
• Health and Migration Programme
• Call for submissions: Collecting country examples on promoting the health of refugees and migrants

PLEDGE