World Youth Skills Day 2015, July 15th.

世界青年技能日, 7月15日.
 Всемирный день молодежи Навыки, 15 июля.
World Youth Skills Day , 15 July.
 Día Mundial de las Habilidades de la Juventud, 15 de Julio.
Journée mondiale des compétences des jeunes,15 juillet.

مهارات اليوم العالمي للشباب، 15 يوليو

Secretary-General Poses for Selfie at Event in Brussels with a group of young people.Credit :UN Photo (Evan Schneider)

United Nations Secretary-General Message for the World Youth Skills Day 2015.

I welcome this first-ever commemoration of World Youth Skills Day. On July 15th each year, the international community will underscore the value of helping young people to upgrade their own abilities to contribute to our common future.
While overall more young people have greater educational opportunities than in the past, there are still some 75 million adolescents who are out of school, denied the quality education they deserve and unable to acquire the skills they need.
We may see an understandably frustrated youth population – but that picture is incomplete. With the right skills, these young people are exactly the force we need to drive progress across the global agenda and build more inclusive and vibrant societies.
Skills development reduces poverty and better equips young people to find decent jobs. It triggers a process of empowerment and self-esteem that benefits everyone. And it strengthens youth capacity to help address the many challenges facing society, moving us closer to ending poverty hunger, injustice and environmental degradation.
On this Day, I call for investing politically and financially in developing the skills of young people so that they can help build a more just and sustainable future for all.

Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement by the President of the 69th session of the General Assembly for the World Youth Skills Day 2015.

Delivered by H.E. Maria Cristina Perceval, Permanent Representative Argentina, on behalf of President Kutesa

Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of His Excellency, Sam K. Kutesa, President of the 69th session of the General Assembly.
Excellencies,
Today, we have gathered for the first time to mark World Youth Skills Day. This event is indeed timely, as this year we have been presented a critical opportunity to create a better future for people and the planet.
This September, we will gather in New York to adopt an ambitious and transformative post-2015 development agenda. This week leaders are also meeting in Addis Ababa to put in place adequate means of implementation for the future development framework. Furthermore, in December, we will gather in Paris to adopt a new, universally-binding climate change agreement.
As we pursue efforts to promote sustainable development while also seeking to protect the well-being of the planet, considerations for the needs and aspirations of the youth should be taken into account.
Excellencies,
The issues affecting youth are also taking centre stage in other fora this year including as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY). In an event marking that milestone last May, many participants noted the important strides made in addressing youth development over the last two decades, although many challenges remain, including access to education and unemployment.
The High-level Event on the “Demographic Dividend and Youth Employment”, which I convened last month, provided another occasion to explore the many challenge and opportunities facing today’s youth. Throughout that event, special emphasis was put on human capital development, with specific calls to provide young people with quality education, training and skills development.
Beyond educational, entrepreneurial and vocational skills, there is also a need to enhance the core skills of the youth, including, interpersonal skills, innovation, creativity, values and attitudes all of which will help foster a generation of young people that contributes to the well-being of their homes, their communities, as well as their workplaces.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we mark this first World Youth Skills Day, we are afforded an opportunity to reflect on the important role of young people around the world and identify ways to maximize their potential.
Indeed, the youth are no longer just the leaders of tomorrow, but are valued partners today as we seek to put the world on a course toward a better, more sustainable future.
I thank you.

 Maria Cristina Perceval, Permanent Representative Argentina

Did you know... 

With the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and UNESCO’s Education for All (EFA) campaign coming to their term in 2015, more young people than ever around the world have gained access to education. This has sparked career expectations and raised hopes for a better future in many young people. Education, skills and jobs are rated high in people’s priorities for development: in the global My World 2015 Survey, young people up to the age of 30 across all regions and education levels rated education as their number one priority, with better job opportunities being the third priority. Yet globally,

• youth represent 25% of the total working age population but make up 40% of the unemployed (ILO, FAO, 2013).
• almost 74 million young people (aged 15 to 24) were looking for work in 2014 (ILO, 2015).
• two thirds of youth in developing economies are without work, not studying, or engaged in irregular or informal employment (UNDP, 2014).
• never before have there been so many young people on the planet: 1.8 billion people are aged 10 to 24 (UNFPA, 2014).
• the working-age population is poised to more than double in the least-developed countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa between 2015 and 2050 (UNFPA, 2014).
• the youth unemployment situation is common to all regions in the world and is happening despite improvements in average educational attainment (ILO, 2015).

Never again is there likely to be such potential for economic and social progress. How we meet the needs and aspirations of young people will define our common future. Skilling people through relevant and good-quality vocational education is seen as a factor that can really make a difference in the global youth employment crisis. Yet weak governance structures are key factors holding back the increase of employment opportunities for youth and the sustainable development of countries and economies.

 EVENTS :  World Youth Skills Day  Save the date!!


WYSD Event in Bonn

 The United Nations in Bonn will observe the first World Youth Skills Day together with guests from Bonn University, WorldSkills competitors and UN Bonn staff with a panel discussion on “Youth skills for work and life in the post-2015 agenda”.
•When : 15 July 2015
•What time: 16:00
•Where : UN Campus Bonn

World Youth Skills Day 2015

 To raise awareness on the importance of investing in youth skills development, the United Nations General Assembly has decided to celebrate the first World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) on 15 July 2015.  #WYSD2015 – spread the word! Join us in celebrating the first-ever World Youth Skills Day on 15 July 2015!   #WYSD at the United Nations in Bonn

WYSD celebrations coincide with an important year of setting the agenda for the future: a new climate agreement, and the adoption of the Sustainable Development goals are just around the corner. That is why this year’s theme is “Youth skills for work and life in the post-2015 agenda”.

WYSD is in line with the upcoming Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, which propose two goals on education and skills for employment:

Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.  Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

In this context, the UN is organizing several events at UN offices in Bonn (Germany), New York (USA), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and elsewhere.  

Publications :

• Global Forum on Skills for work and life: post 2015
• Global Employment Trends for Youth 2013

External Links :

• Youth Employment
• Skills for Youth Employment
• The World Bank - Youth Employment
• UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training

International Day of Happiness 2015, March 20.

International Day of Happiness, 20 March

 Día Internacional de la Felicidad, 20 de marzo

 Международный день счастья , 20 марта.

Journée internationale du bonheur, 20 mars.

 国际幸福日, 3月20日.

 اليوم الدولي للالسعادة - 20 مارس

 Happiness is a state of generalized well-being associated with feelings of pleasure, joy, and satisfaction.

Philosophers, clergy, mental health professionals, and numerous others have debated the meaning of happiness for generations, and happiness is a highly subjective concept. While happiness is sometimes used interchangeably with joy, pleasure, or glee to denote a fleeting emotion, happiness is more typically used to refer to long-term feelings of well-being and satisfaction. Happiness does not necessarily mean freedom from suffering, stress, or negative emotions. Instead, happiness indicates overall satisfaction and a tendency to view one’s life as good, meaningful, and fulfilled. Some criteria common to many definitions of happiness include:

   ° Feeling satisfied with the direction one’s life is going
   ° Holding oneself in high regard and being forgiving of your mistakes and shortcomings
   ° Finding satisfaction in simple pleasures and in relationships
   ° Having several areas of fulfillment in life
   ° Having an optimistic disposition and tending to see the glass as half full
   ° Viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth
   ° Taking responsibility for one’s own satisfaction rather than allowing emotions to be manipulated by outside forces.


The meanings of ‘happiness’

 What is happiness?, This question has no straightforward answer, because the meaning of the question itself is unclear. What exactly is being asked? Perhaps you want to know what the word ‘happiness’ means. In that case your inquiry is linguistic. Chances are you had something more interesting in mind: perhaps you want to know about the thing, happiness, itself. Is it pleasure, a life of ‪prosperity‬, something else? Yet we can't answer that question until we have some notion of what we mean by the word.

Philosophers who write about “ Happiness” typically take their subject matter to be either of two things, each corresponding to a different sense of the term:
° A state of mind
° A life that goes well for the person leading it


The 10 most common positive emotions.

 This list has been the focus of much research and have been found to shape peoples’ lives most often. Hopefully, you’ll be able to stumble upon them more often by noticing when and how they color your experience.

Joy - Think of the most positive and memorable experience you’ve had. A time when you felt safe, happy, and comfortable. This was probably a moment where you experienced joy. Joy comes from delightful and cherished experiences, and raises our well-being  where we feel light and vibrant.

Gratitude - This entails an emotion or attitude of appreciation where we acknowledge some benefit we have received. Gratitude can revolve around anything you feel great appreciation for, and occurs during the times when you feel thankful for someone or something in your life.

Serenity - This emotion comes along when things are going just right. You may experience a state of peacefulness and tranquility. Your mind isn’t flooded with worries, and you’re able to just sit back and relax. Serenity comes from those moments of stillness and calm where you can just “be” in the present moment.


Interest - I’m always wanting to learn more and uncover new fascinating things, so this is an important emotion for me. Interest comes from being curious or engaged in something. It’s a state of intrigue and wonder, where you want to know more and are pulled toward an object of interest. When feeling interested, you are more open to new experiences and have a desire to explore the world around you.

Hope - This is a belief and feeling that things will turn out for the best. It’s knowing our current problems aren’t permanent and that the future is still promising despite tough circumstances. A hopeful person will believe that what they want will be obtained, and no matter how dire the circumstances they have faith that things will turn around and they will be able to do something about their situation.

Pride – This comes from feeling dignified and important in what we do or have accomplished. It’s not about having an overwhelming sense of self-satisfaction, but having accomplished something that is socially valued and feeling proud about this. It may come along from a sense of purpose and meaning in our accomplishments, and offers an increase in confidence to expand the belief in our potential to do greater things.

Amusement - Whenever we experience fun, humorous, and playful situations with others we are being amused. We can get amusement from laughing with others at a funny joke, watching a puppy frolic, or playing a fun game or activity. Amusement helps us build connections with others.

Inspiration - This comes from experiencing a very moving and emotionally uplifting experience, such as those times in life when we see true goodness or where someone goes above and beyond the ordinary. Amazing feats of intellect, strength, and agility can lead to inspiration. A moment of inspiration draws us in and really stands out as an instant of excellence.

Awe - The notion of being awestruck comes from feeling wonder and reverence toward something extremely powerful and admired. Fredrickson points out this may come from experiencing natural phenomenon, such as the grand canyon, a beautiful sunset, or the crashing of ocean waves. It can also come from amazing creations of art or highly impressive developments. These are the moments when we realize how small and ordinary we really are compared to the vastness of the world around us.

Love - Love is the compilation of all of the above emotions. In general, love is related to a feeling of strong affection and personal attachment, where we have a very positive feeling of connection toward another person. This feeling may be enhanced from watching someone achieve an amazing feat, laughing and having fun together, or from kind and selflessness act they commit. Love is an amalgamation of all the emotional states coming together throughout our life.

Hopefully this list helps you consider the wide range of positive emotions you can experience everyday. A large part of experiencing these emotions is choosing to do so. Begin making a choice to be open-minded and letting in moments of inspiration, joy, and interest, while working to cultivate hope for the future and gratitude for the present.

FORUM :  20 March is International Day of Happiness

 NEW REPORT : SUSTAINABLE HAPPINESS

Why sustainable behaviour leads to an increase in quality of life?

The tools of happiness research have the potential to recast the debate between economic growth and environmental protection. This report from the Happiness Research Institute explores the links between happiness and environmental sustainability. Happiness Institute Research


Happiness & Its Causes 2015 - the world's leading happiness forum.

Happiness is important. It's important for your own life satisfaction and enjoyment. And it is equally important for your family, the people in your care and the people you work with.

Over the past 10 years, Happiness & Its Causes has been a forum for exploring the many and varied causes for a happy and fulfilling life. We present the world's brightest minds in psychology, science, education, business, religion and the arts and package it into an unforgettable two days.

Join us in 2015 for an incredible exploration of human potential!
‪

Sustainable Happiness

Resources : 

•  The Happy Planet Index (HPI)- The New Economics Foundation.
• The Pursuit and Promotion of Happiness - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
• Psychology of Well-Being - Springer 
•  Journal of Happiness Studies - Springer 
•  OECD Better Life Index (GDP and economic statistics)
•  The Global Youth Wellbeing Index - OECD
•  All Gallup articles on Well-Being
•  The 2014 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index
•  The 2014 Legatum Prosperity Index ™ Table Rankings
•  CNN Edition - Want to live in the world's happiest place?
•  Happiness Should Have Greater Role in Development Policy - UN Member States

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Millennium Development Goals
• Human Development Report
• State of the World Population
• State of the World's Children

World Humanitarian Day 2014, 19 August

World Humanitarian Day, August 19.

Día Mundial de la Asistencia Humanitaria, 19 de agosto.

Journée mondiale de l'aide humanitaire, 19 août.

 世界人道主义日,8月19日

Всемирный день гуманитарной помощи,19 августа.

اليوم العالمي للعمل الإنساني-19 آب/أغسطس

 

2014 Theme: The World Needs More…

Tema 2014: «El mundo necesita más...»

Thème 2014 : « Le monde a besoin de plus de...»

2014年的主题：世界需要更多

Тема Дня 2014 года: «Миру нужно больше...»

موضوع 2014: العالم يحتاج إلى مزيد …

 

The World Need More .... World Humanitarian Day 2014

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for World Humanitarian Day 2014.

On World Humanitarian Day, we renew our commitment to life-saving relief efforts -- and we remember all those who died serving this noble cause. Last year, more humanitarian workers were kidnapped, seriously injured or killed than ever before. This is an outrage.
In recent weeks, dozens of humanitarians -- including members of the UN family -- have lost their lives in South Sudan and Gaza. Too many people have died or suffered from deliberate attacks.
Humanitarian workers and their families are hit hardest by these crimes.
But they are also felt by millions of others.
Attacks on humanitarian workers hinder the ability of people in desperate need to receive lifesaving assistance.
Children go unvaccinated. Sick and wounded patients go untreated. Those forced from their homes are left without food, water or shelter – exposed to violence, disease or other threats.
On World Humanitarian Day, we honour the heroic aid workers who rush bravely to help people in need.
We remember their sacrifices, and we recognize the millions of people who count on humanitarian workers for their very survival.
Let us honour the fallen by protecting those who carry on their work – and supporting humanitarian relief operations worldwide.

Ban Ki-moon

Messengers of Humanity

As part of this year's World Humanitarian Day activities, a brand new online community called "Messengers of Humanity" was launched on July 31, 2014.
Messengers of Humanity is a platform for global advocates to stand up for humanity by amplifying a generation’s call for a better world.
As a Messenger of Humanity, you will receive the latest advocacy campaigns from humanitarian organisations working with their call to action that you can share on your social networks and amplify the message.
for more information, read the FAQ or visit the official page.

Events

 Remember the fallen : A wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the eleventh anniversary of the Baghdad bombing (organized by the United Nations Staff Union) will be held on Tuesday, 19 August 2014, at 09:30 a.m. EST, in the Secretariat Building South Lobby. The ceremony will be streamed live on UN Webcast.

Jan Eliasson, World Humanitarian Day - Security Council, 7244th meeting.

19 Aug 2014 - Remarks by Mr. Jan Eliasson, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General during the meeting of the Security Council on the Protection of civilians in armed conflict on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day (19 August). 

Peter Maurer (ICRC) on World Humanitarian Day - Security Council, 7244th meeting

19 Aug 2014 - Remarks by Mr. Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (from Geneva) during the meeting of the Security Council on the Protection of civilians in armed conflict on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day (19 August).

World Humanitarian Day (19 August )

Masood Karokhail (Liaison Office), World Humanitarian Day - Security Council, 7244th meeting

19 Aug 2014 - Remarks by Mr. Masood Karakhail, Director and Co-Founder of the Liaison Office, during the meeting of the Security Council on the Protection of civilians in armed conflict on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day (19 August).

  

Resources :

• World Humanitarian Day 2014 - European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection
•  UN World Food Programme celebrates ‘Heroes Among Us’ On World Humanitarian Day 2014.
•  Eastern and Southern Africa Humanitarian Short Film Contest “Humanitarian Action in Africa” August – October 2014- United Nations OCHA Press Releases.
•  World Health Organization :"The world needs more humanitarian heroes."
• Introducing the Humanitarian Data Exchange :  HDX aims to make humanitarian data easy to find and use for analysis.
•  The HumanitarianResponse.info platform is provided to the humanitarian community as a means to aid in coordination of operational information and related activities. 
•  UNHCR staff will celebrate the World Humanitarian Day 2014.
• World Humanitarian Day 2014 : More people than ever need help.
•  Aid Worker Safety & Security - ReliefWeb.

 Join the forum : World Humanitarian Day 2014, The World needs more ...

 This year the UN and its humanitarian partners continue their ground-breaking campaign called The world needs more… which is the first-of-its-kind project that turns words into aid

HUMAN SECURITY UNIT Strategic Plan 2014-2017

International Friendship Day 2014, July 30

Международный день дружбы, 30 июля.

国际友谊日, 7月30日.

International Day of Friendship, 30 July.

Día Internacional de la Amistad, 30 de julio.

Journée internationale de l'amitié, 30 juillet.

 يوم الصداقة الدولية، 30 يوليو

United Nations Secretary-General’s Message for the International Friendship Day 2014.

This year’s International Day of Friendship comes at a time of widespread war, violence and mistrust in many parts of the world. People who have previously lived in harmony find themselves in conflict with their neighbours; people who have no choice but to live together find themselves ever farther apart.
Whatever the cause, and however powerful the forces that drive animosity and armed violence, the human spirit is potentially much stronger. It is our solemn duty to see that it prevails.
In these difficult and unpredictable times, it is vital that we reach out to one another in order to prevent conflict and build the long-term foundations of lasting peace.
On this International Day of Friendship, let us remember the ties that bind us together, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or borders. Let us cultivate solidarity as a single human family on our one and only planet. Let us pursue true and lasting friendship.

Ban Ki-moon

FRIENDSHIP VALUES AND QUALITIES

Generosity

 GENEROSITY: A good friend is openly generous in personality and character. They will be generous with both their time and their money, and they won't hesitate to help you when needed.

Honesty

 HONESTY : Honesty may be the most important quality for Friendship as it is difficult to befriend anyone who tells you lies and can't be trusted. If you can trust someone to do the right thing in all situations and they are not tempted by temporary gain, it's a goof bet they will make a lasting friend.

Humor

 HUMOR : Life is better when approached with a good Sense of humor and people that are happy and outgoing are a lot more fun to be around than someone who is depressed, moody and sees the empty half of the glass all the time.

Intelligence

 INTELLIGENCE : Being a good friend involves being aware of your needs and recognizing your values, and when a person is ignorant and uncaring, it is hard to consider them as a friend.

Listening

 LISTENING : If someone just doesn't " hear " what you are saying when you confide in them, they won't make a very goof friend. Communication is a two-way street and being a good listener is one half of the equation.

Loyalty

 LOYALTY: Loyalty is a quality that everyone looks for in a friend. A loyal friend will stick with you no matter what the situation is and you can always count on them being on your side.

Sensitivity

 SENSITIVITY : Sensitive people make Good Friends because they often see life on their own terms which allows them to understand the thoughts and Feeling of others.

Supportive

 SUPPORTIVE : Good Friends will be supportive of you and your goals, and they will act accordingly. A true friend will help you become the person you want to be and know how to help you handle problems.

Join the Forum :  International friendship Day, July 30.

On Friendship Day 2014 , UN chief urges solidarity among human family

World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2014 , 30 July

World Day against Trafficking in Persons, 30 July.

 Día Mundial contra la Trata, 30 de julio.

 Всемирный день борьбы с торговлей людьми,30 июля.

世界打击贩运人口日,7月30日.

 Journée mondiale de la dignité des victimes de la traite d’êtres humains, 30 juillet.  

 اليوم العالمي لمكافحة الاتجار بالأشخاص، 30 يوليو

 United Nations Secretary-General's Message on World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2014

Human trafficking is a callous global industry that denies victims their rights and dignity and generates billions of dollars for organized criminal networks. Most of those trafficked are vulnerable women and children deceived into a life of suffering. They are exploited for sex and forced to work in conditions akin to slavery. 

This first World Day against Trafficking in Persons is a call to action to end this crime and give hope to the victims, who often live unrecognized among us. To stop the traffickers, we must sever funding pipelines and seize assets. I urge all countries to ratify and fully implement the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol on Trafficking in Persons. 

 Enforcement, cross-border cooperation and information-sharing can all be effective, but ending human trafficking also means tackling the root causes. Extreme poverty, entrenched inequality and a lack of education and opportunity create the vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit. Ultimately, the best protection is to accelerate development for all. Victims of trafficking who are fortunate enough to be freed need assistance to regain their rights and reintegrate into society. The UN Trust Fund for the Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, works on their behalf but needs additional funding. I appeal to everyone to support the UN campaign, “Have a Heart for Victims of Human Trafficking”.

 Let us open our eyes to this crime and our hearts to the victims. It is time to say no to human trafficking. 

 Ban Ki-moon

World Day against Trafficking in Persons was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/68/192.

Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. UNODC, as guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocols thereto, assists States in their efforts to implement the  Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Trafficking in Persons Protocol).

Article 3, paragraph (a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines Trafficking in Persons as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs


Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking 

Nelson Mandela International Day 2014, 18 July

Nelson Mandela International Day, for freedom, justice and Democracy, July 18.

 Día Internacional de Nelson Mandela, 18 de julio.

 Journée internationale Nelson Mandela, pour la liberté, la justice et la démocraties, 18 juillet.

 رسالة بمناسبة يوم نيلسون مانديلا  -  18 تموز/يوليه

 纳尔逊·曼德拉国际日(7月18日), 为了自由、公正和民主

 Международного дня Нельсона Манделы, 18 июля.

United Secretary-General's Message for Nelson Mandela International Day 2014. 

Last year, the world lost one of its greatest leaders when Nelson Mandela passed away.  We remember his legacy especially on his birthday, the 18th of July.
Nelson Mandela and the United Nations had a strong history together.  Shortly after he was released from prison, he came to our Headquarters. It was a moment of great excitement.
Nelson Mandela’s presence in the General Assembly Hall proved that United Nations resolutions, sanctions and solidarity can win over violence and injustice. His extraordinary compassion after 27 years in prison showed that human rights and equality are stronger than discrimination and hate. On that day in 1990, he said people would always be challenged by the fact that, quote, “it took as long as it has before all of us stood up to say enough is enough.” The room burst into applause.
Apartheid is gone – thanks to Nelson Mandela, countless other individuals and the proud actions of the United Nations. But our planet and its people still face terrible threats -- poverty, discrimination, climate change, conflict and more. Nelson Mandela Day is a call to action. Each of us can celebrate this Day by helping to address real problems in our communities. Together we can give great meaning to our celebration by paving the way for a better future.

Ban Ki-moon

 

Commemorative Events for 2014

New York, UN General Assembly Event

The UN General Assembly will hold a special session meeting to mark Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July 2014.
This year, in New York, UN staff, joined by the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and in partnership with MillionTreesNYC, will volunteer their time on 18 July 2014 and get their hands dirty by pulling weeds, putting down mulch and watering tree beds to help take care of newly planted trees on the streets of Midtown Manhattan and East Harlem. See Take Action to learn more about the activity.
For more information see the UN press release.

Geneva

United Nations Information Service will hold a CinéONU screening at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
"One Humanity" at 5 p.m. on Friday, 18 July 2014, followed by a debate.
Guests include Mr. Michael Møller, Acting Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG); Ms. Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN in Geneva.

South African President Jacob Zuma, second left, in background with a bust of former South African President Nelson Mandela, center, outside Parliament before giving the State of the Nation address in the city of Cape Town, South Africa, June 17, 2014. +VOA News

For South Africans, a Bittersweet Birthday Celebration for Nelson Mandela - http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africans-bittersweet-birthday-celebration-for-nelson-mandela/1958781.html

Mandela Day Public Service Announcement 2014

Join the Forum :  Nelson Mandela International Day - July 18

 UN: Can you spare 67 minutes to take action on Nelson Mandela Day?

• ‘Today We Remember All that Nelson Mandela Taught and Gave’, Secretary-General Says in Tribute as General Assembly Marks International Day
• Nelson Mandela Once Said His Garden in Prison Gave Him Small Taste of Freedom, Recalls Secretary-General at Commemorative Public Service Event
• Secretary-General Joins Global Community Service Activities in Honour of Nelson Mandela on 18 July
•  Honouring Nelson Mandela’s legacy, UN pledges acts of kindness and goodwill.

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, June 26.

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June.
Día Internacional de las Naciones Unidas en Apoyo de las Víctimas de la Tortura, 26 de junio.
Международный день в поддержку жертв пыток, 26 июня.
Journée internationale pour le soutien aux victimes de la torture, 26 juin.
支持酷刑受害者国际日,6月26日.
 اليوم الدولي لمساندة ضحايا التعذيب

Secretary-General's Message on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June 2014.

Every day, mental and physical torture and ill-treatment are intentionally inflicted on women, men, children in all regions of the world at the instigation of public officials – the very people whose job it is to enforce the rule of law, protect human rights and keep people safe.

The prohibition of torture is absolute.  The Convention against Torture states unequivocally that the use of torture is illegal under any circumstances, including armed conflict, the fight against terrorism, political instability or other emergency conditions.  All 155 States that have ratified this treaty have committed to fight impunity by thoroughly investigating and prosecuting violations and bringing perpetrators, no matter their level of office, to justice. They have also accepted the obligation to provide redress to the victims and their families.

Regrettably, the right of victims of torture to effective remedies, including rehabilitation, is yet to become a reality, in particular in the context of armed conflicts and large-scale humanitarian crisis.

The Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture is a practical tool of the United Nations to extend prompt assistance to victims of torture and their families.  Today, along the borders with Syria, the Fund is supporting projects providing vital services to victims of torture fleeing violence and persecution.  Essential psycho-social assistance is being delivered to help victims of all age groups recover and regain their dignity.  I thank the States and private donors that are supporting the Fund's efforts, and urge even more to join in this work.

I urge States that have not yet done so to ratify the Convention against Torture, which this year marks 30 years since its adoption. As we honour the victims on this International Day, let us pledge to strengthen our efforts to eradicate this heinous practice.

Ban Ki-moon

Ratification of the Convention against Torture and other cruel, Inhuman or Degrating treatment or Punishment, January 2013.

Status of ratification of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Join the forum : International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, June 26th.

United Nations Voluntary Fund For Victims of Torture, List of grantees 2014, 38th session of the Board of Trustee

The UN Torture Fund does not receive contributions from the UN Regular Budget or the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Voluntary contributions are made mainly by Member States of the United Nations. Private foundations and individuals contribute as well currently, to a symbolic extent (less than 1%).
In line with UN Rules and Regulations Programme support costs, i.e. overheads, are kept at a minimum, and do not exceed 13% on a yearly basis. Such costs include staffing and equipment.
In 2010, the UN Torture Fund received approximately US$9.4 million in contributions from 25 donors (including 23 Member States) a decrease of 13.8 per cent compared to 2009, when 31 donors supported its activities.
In 2011 the UN Torture Fund faced an additional shortfall to continue to meet requests from grantees at the 2010 level, as contributions were limited to US$7.9 million, which compelled the Board to decide on strategic cuts to grantees.
For 2012, additional cuts had to be applied to all projects. Namely, a decrease of 40 per cent applied to grants awarded to ongoing projects located in Western European and Others Group (WEOG) countries, while the level of support to projects located in other regions was reduced by 30 per cent. With a view to mitigating the effects of the cuts on small-grass roots organizations, in particular those located in remote regions where access to alternative funding is difficult, no strategic cut was applied to grants of US$20,000 or below.
For 2013, at its thirty-sixth session the Board was compelled to maintain the strategic cuts to grants introduced in 2012 in addition to those already introduced for the 2011 cycle, which had decreased by 40 per cent grants awarded to projects located in States of the group of Western European and
other States and by 30 per cent grants awarded to projects located in other regions.
For 2014, due to a further decrease in contributions received, the Board was compelled to introduce measures to absorb the funding shortage. Cuts were introduced in a proportional manner, using among others criteria such as the grantee’s dependency to the Fund and the longevity of support from the Fund to the grantee.
It is to be noted that, as a rule, the maximum support to all grantees was capped at US$80,000 instead of the usual US$200,000. In addition, funding for training and seminars for professionals assisting victims was capped at US$5,000, instead of the usual US$30,000. As it was already the case in 2011, support for direct assistance to new grantees was capped at a maximum of US$20,000 instead of the usual US$50,000.
The need for states to continue to contribute to this crucial humanitarian Fund was recalled by the marking the International day in Support of Victims of Torture.

The historical evolution of contributions to the UN Torture Fund since its creation is charted below.

International Widows Day (IWD) 2014, June 23.

International Widows’ Day, 23 June.

Día Internacional de las Viudas, 23 de junio.

 Международный день вдов, 23 июня.

Journée internationale des veuves, 23 juin.

 国际丧偶妇女日, 6月23日.

 اليوم الدولي للأرامل

United Nations Secretary-General’s Message for International Widow's Day 2014.

No woman should lose her rights when she loses her husband – but an estimated 115 million widows live in poverty, and 81 million have suffered physical abuse.
Girls married to much older men are especially vulnerable.

Let us use International Widows’ Day to advocate for the rights of all widows so they can enjoy better lives and realize their great potential to contribute to our world.

Ban Ki-moon

 International Widows Day (IWD) is a global day of focus for effective action to raise awareness and help widows and their children around the world who are suffering through poverty, illiteracy, HIV/AIDS, conflict and social injustice. There are an estimated 245 million widows and 500 million children in the world, together with their family members the number is well over a billion people. Through no fault of their own they lose their husband or father and continue to suffer for the rest of their lives through stigma, discrimination and poverty. On the 22nd December 2010 at the 65th UN General Assembly, the United Nations recognised 23rd June as International Widows Day.

Why the UN recognised International Widows Day – 23rd June ?

  °  245 million widows and over 500 million children suffer in silence worldwide
   ° Over 115 million widows live in poverty struggling to survive
  °  Many of these women and their children are malnourished, exposed to disease, and subjected to extreme forms of deprivation
  °  Widowed women experience targeted murder, rape, prostitution, forced marriage, property theft, eviction, social isolation, and physical abuse
   ° 1.5 million widows’ children in the world die before their fifth birthday
  °  Children of widows face horrors such as child marriage, illiteracy, loss of schooling, forced labour, human trafficking, homelessness and sexual abuse
  °  HIV/AIDS, armed conflict and poverty are amongst the most prolific causes of widowhood
  °  Persecution and abuse against widows and their children is not a crisis limited to the developing world, large groups of widows can also be found in Europe, including Russia and Central Asia
  °  Widows in developed countries face social isolation and commonly live with severe insecurity and poverty due to lack of affordable health care and employment.


 Forum and Discussion of The Day

Join the Forum : International Widow's Day, June 23.

Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity, Picture It!

UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka cordially invites you to the launch of UN Women's global campaign to mark the 20th anniversary of the World Conference on Women in Beijing.

Speakers include United Nations Deputy Secretary-General,Jan Eliasson ; Under Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director,Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; activist Gloria Steinem and other eminent personalities, along with renowned musical artists Women of the World, Girl Be Heard and spoken-word artist Carlos Andrés Gómez.

26 June 2014 , Empowering women, Empowering Humanity Picture It! • 5-7 pm • Apollo Theater, 253 W 125th Street, New York

RSVP to http://goo.gl/BTBB9p

Resources

Marking International Widows’ Day 2014, Ban urges end to harmful practices, abuse against women

United Nations Public Service Day 2014, 23 June.

United Nations Public Service Day, United Nations Public Service Day, 23 June.

Día de las Naciones Unidas para la Administración Pública.

День государственной службы ООН, 23 июня.

Journée des Nations Unies pour la fonction publique, 23 juin.

联合国公务员日, 6月23日

 يوم الأمم المتحدة للخدمة العامة

 

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for the UN Public Service Day 2014.

The annual observance of Public Service Day highlights the invaluable contributions of public servants and administrators in our efforts to build a better world for all.
At a time of complex and interdependent global challenges, effective governance and efficient public administration are central to meeting our development goals. They will also be vital for implementing the post-2015 development agenda.
At today’s commemoration in Seoul, the United Nations will recognize 19 public institutions from 14 countries for their outstanding achievements. The winners and finalists come from different regions and different levels of development, but what they have in common is having overcome complex challenges through innovative public service. They have revitalized education for the marginalized, enhanced transparency and accountability, supported environmental protection and deployed technology to increase the efficiency of health and water services. These trail-blazing efforts have resulted in greater equity and inclusion in the delivery of public services in their communities. 
I congratulate these institutions for their dedication to excellence.  I encourage all who work in public service to learn from them and take inspiration from their successes.

Ban Ki-moon

The 2014 United Nations Public Service Forum, Day and Awards Ceremony will take place in Seoul, Republic of Korea at the Korea International Exhibition Centre (KINTEX) from 23 to 26 June 2014. Focusing on the theme “Innovating Governance for Sustainable Development and Well-being of the People”, the Forum will be organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM), in partnership with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in collaboration with the hosting Government of the Republic of Korea.

Innovating Governance for Sustainable Development and Well-being of the people - 2014 UN public Service Forum and Awards Cerenomy - 23-26 June 2014, KINTEX (Goyang, Gyeonggil)

In line with the search for Sustainable Development, the United Nations is dedicated to promoting exchange of experiences, ideas and best practices concerning innovations in governance and public administration in order to contribute to social, economic, and environmental development. The General Assembly itself has reiterated, in resolution 57/277, that particular emphasis should be given to the exchange of experience related to the role of public administration in the implementation of internationally agreed goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration. In resolution 50/225, it also underlined the importance of enhancing international cooperation in the field of public administration, including South-South and inter-regional cooperation.

23-26 June 2014 -Innovating Governanc for Sustainable Development and Well being of People, 2014 UNPSA, Seoul republic of Korea.

  OVERALL EVENT INFORMATION

• Overall Aide Memoire
• Overall Agenda at a Glance
• Information Circular
• Online registration (by 10 June 2014 and by invitation only)
• Republic of Korea on UNPSA 2014
• Forum Venue:  KINTEX

AD-HOC EXPERT GROUP MEETING AND CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS

The United Nations Public Service Forum is a unique global event on public governance that provides a platform to explore, discuss and learn about: Emerging challenges, issues and trends - what are the major challenges and issues governments are facing at present and what is their vision for the future?; Innovative practices to address these challenges - what are the governance solutions that are being spearheaded in different parts of the world?; Capacity development strategies, approaches and tools - how can we learn from these practices and what tools are available or can be developed to move forward?  

The parallel Ad-Hoc Expert Group Meeting, the Capacity Development Workshops and the Ministerial Round Table will be on the following themes: 

• Ad-Hoc Expert Group Meeting on Innovating Governance for Sustainable Development
• Workshop 1: "Innovation and e-Governance for Sustainable Development"
• Workshop 2: "Innovation in Public Accountability: The Role of Supreme Audit Institutions and Citizens"
• Workshop 3: "What Women Get:  Transforming Public Service Delivery to Respond to Women and Girls"
• Workshop 4: "Transformative Initiative towards Open Competent and Service Oriented Government"
• Workshop 5: "E-Government in the Smart Society; the Way Forward: One Day Workshop (24th of June Only)
• Special Session: Effective Governance System for Sustainable Development in the Post-2015 Era
• Ministerial Roundtable

ABOUT THE CO-ORGANIZERS 

• United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)
• Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM)
• The Ministry of Security and Public Administration, Republic of Korea
• United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-WOMEN) 

	Media
2014 Call for Nominations - Press Release

Forum The United Nations Public Service Awards is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that lead to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide. Through an annual competition, the UN Public Service Awards promotes the role, professionalism and visibility of public service MEDIA COVERAGE UNPSA in the News DESA News: Celebrating Public Service Excellence CoPSA: India’s Mobile Governance Project Wins UN Award IndianTelevision: India’s ‘Mobile Governance Initiative’ bags United Nations Public Service Award DESA News: Rewarding Public Service Excellence UN PUBLIC SERVICE DAY AND AWARDS CEREMONY In its Resolution 57/277 the United Nations General Assembly designated 23 June as the United Nations Public Service Day. The United Nations Public Service Awards Programme (UNPSA), which is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service, rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions to a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide. Through an annual competition, the UNPSA promotes the role, professionalism and visibility of public service. It encourages exemplary public service and recognizes that democracy and successful governance are built on a competent civil service. Since 2003, UNDESA has collected, shared, and disseminated innovative practices in public governance through the UNPSA and other knowledge bases. The UNPSA aims at discovering innovations in governance; reward excellence in the public sector; motivate public servants to further promote innovation; enhance professionalism in the public service; raise the image of public service; enhance trust in government; and collect and disseminate successful practices for possible replication. OPENING CEREMONY AND INTERACTIVE GOVERNANCE DIALOGUES

Coming soon.

EGMS, WORKSHOPS & MINISTERIAL ROUND TABLE Workshop 1 - Innovation and e-Governance for Sustainable Development BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS Aide Memoire Agenda Detailed Agenda  Guidelines for Resource Persons Presenters' Biographies PRESENTATIONS (tba) Session 1: E-Government Global/Regional Trends and Emerging Issues Session 2: Collaborative Leadership for Whole-of-Government 2014 UNPSA Winner- "The National Contact Centre", eGovernment Authority (Kingdom of Bahrain) - SYNOPSIS 2014 UNPSA Winner - “Social Security Information System (SSIS)”, Korea Health and Welfare Information Service (Republic of Korea) - SYNOPSIS 2014 UNPSA Winner - “Uruguay Competes”, National Civil Service Bureau (Uruguay) - SYNOPSIS Session 3: Policies and Strategies for Innovative Service Delivery 2014 UNPSA Winner -"I-SEHA", Ministry of Health (Kingdom of Bahrain) - SYNOPSIS 2014 UNPSA Winner - "Secondary School Improvement Programme (SSIP)" Gauteng Department of Education (South Africa) - SYNOPSIS 2014 UNPSA Winner -"Children Working in Ankara Streets Project" Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey) - SYNOPSIS Session 4 - E-Government for Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States EVALUATION REPORT FINAL REPORT Workshop 5 - E-Government in the Smart Society; the Way Forward: One Day Workshop (24th of June only) BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS Aide Memoire Agenda Ad-Hoc Expert Group Meeting on Innovating Governance and Public Administration for Sustainable Development BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS Aide Memoire  Agenda  PRESENTATIONS (tba) CONTACTS John-Mary Kauzya Chief Public Administration Capacity Branch Division for Public Administration and Development Management kauzya@un.org Garegin Manukyan Public Administration Affairs Officer Public Administration Capacity Branch Division for Public Administration and Development Management manukyan@un.org Tiblet Kelemwork Programme Assistant Public Administration Capacity Branch Division for Public Administration and Development Management kelemwork@un.org Workshop 2 - Innovations in Public Accountability: the Role of Supreme Audit Institutions and Citizens BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS Aide Memoire Agenda at a Glance Detailed Agenda Presenters' Biographies CONTACTS Elia Armstrong Chief Development Management Branch Division for Public Administration and Development Management armstronge@un.org Daniel Bato Inter-regional Adviser Development Management Branch Division for Public Administration and Development Management bato@un.org Patricia Penuen Programme Assistant Development Management Branch Division for Public Administration and Development Management penuen@un.org Workshop 3 - What Women Get: Transforming Public Service Delivery to Respond to Women and Girls BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS Aide Memoire Agenda at a Glance  CONTACT Ms. Katherine Gifford Programme Specialist Governance and National Planning United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN WOMEN) Email: katherine.gifford@unwomen.org Workshop 4 - Transformative Initiative towards Open Competent and Service Oriented Government BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS Aide Memoire Agenda Special Session: Effective Governance System for Sustainable Development in the Post-2015 Era BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS Aide Memoire Agenda   Knowledge Base of UNPSA Initiatives Knowledge Base of UNPSA Initiatives Publications Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance Guide for the Transfer and Adaptation of Innovations in Governance: Practical Tools and Steps Social Media UNPSA is now on Facebook. Click here to become a fan Join the Forum : United Nations Public Service Day, June 23