Statement by the Press Secretary on World Humanitarian Day 2012

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

August 19, 2012

Statement by the Press Secretary on World Humanitarian Day

On this fourth annual World Humanitarian Day, the United States joins the international community in honoring the courage and commitment of the dedicated aid workers who devote their lives to serving their fellow human beings, regardless of who they are and where they are, often in extremely dangerous circumstances.
From Syria to the Sahel, Yemen to Sudan, the eastern Horn of Africa to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, these unarmed aid workers risk their lives to provide life-saving assistance to millions of men, women and children. When disaster strikes, local and international humanitarians are often the first on the scene.
Today we also honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to others. In the past fifteen years, more than 1,000 humanitarian workers have lost their lives while helping innocent civilians in times of conflict and suffering. Since last August, 272 aid workers have been killed, injured or kidnapped. As armed groups increasingly target humanitarians, the United States condemns any effort to harm aid workers and demands that they be given the access they need to reach those in need and save lives.
As we celebrate World Humanitarian Day today, the Syrian regime continues to brutally attack its citizens and restrict the delivery of humanitarian aid to over 2.5 million people in need. Last weekend, the Government of Sudan signed a possible agreement of humanitarian access to Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, where over 665,000 people are in need. We strongly urge the Syrian and Sudanese governments to provide unfettered access to help those in need of urgent humanitarian aid.
Around the world, every humanitarian aid worker must be free to serve without fear for their safety, and every human being must be able to pursue their aspirations in peace, dignity and security.
###

World Humanitarian Day 2012 Theme: "I Was Here"

2012 Theme: "I Was Here"

World Humanitarian Day is a time to recognize those who face danger and adversity in order to help others.
The day was designated by the General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 UN staff.

Every day humanitarian aid workers help millions of people around the world, regardless of who they are and where they are. World Humanitarian Day is a global celebration of people helping people.
This year’s campaign "I Was Here" is about making your mark by doing something good, somewhere, for someone else.
To show your support for World Humanitarian Day visit www.whd-iwashere.org

International Youth Day - August 12

“Today's generation of youth – the largest the world has ever known, and the vast majority of whom live in developing countries – has unprecedented potential to advance the well-being of the entire human family,” Mr. Ban said in a message for the Day, which falls on 12 August.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: World Humanitarian Day 2012

August 19,World Humanitarian Day

-- I WAS HERE

Secretary-General's Message for 2012

This year’s World Humanitarian Day presents an historic opportunity to bring together one billion people from around the world to advance a powerful and proactive idea: People Helping People.
That is the best way to honour the many fallen aid workers we mourn today, and to celebrate the efforts of others who carry on their noble mission by rushing assistance to those who are suffering.
The spirit of solidarity that animates these courageous efforts drives our commemoration of World Humanitarian Day.
I have seen that spirit in my travels around the world, as I meet with relief workers who leave the comforts of their own homes to aid others in need.
I also saw that spirit earlier this month when I met Beyoncé Knowles, the superstar who is donating her song, “I Was Here,” to our global campaign promoting action for a better world.
Millions of people have already gone to our website to register their support and share their actions. From international efforts to avert a hunger crisis in West Africa to urgent assistance to civilians in Syria to a single good deed from one neighbour to the next, the spirit of People Helping People improves conditions for all.
Let us give meaning to World Humanitarian Day by registering acts of good on the website: www.whd‑iwashere.org. Individual actions may seem small, but collectively they will reverberate around the world, generating unstoppable momentum for a better future.

Ban Ki-moon

 1 DAY, 1 WORLD, 1 MESSAGE



 In celebration of World Humanitarian Day, we are challenging people the world over to join together and commit to doing one act -- simply something good, somewhere, for someone else. To make their mark on the world and say 'I WAS HERE'.

Secretary-General's Message for the International Day for the World's Indigenous People 2012

Secretary-General's Message for 2012

 In the five years since the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Pples, communities and individuals have been taking advantage of the reach of traditional and new media to tell their story and make their voices heard.

 The focus of this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices". From community radio and television to feature films and documentaries, from video art and newspapers to the internet and social media, indigenous peoples are using these powerful tools to challenge mainstream narratives, bring human rights violations to international attention and forge global solidarity. They are also developing their own media to reflect indigenous values and fight against myths and misconceptions.

 Indigenous voices are recounting compelling stories of how they are combating centuries of injustice and discrimination, and advocating for the resources and rights that will preserve their cultures, languages, spirituality and traditions. They offer an alternative perspective on development models that exclude the indigenous experience. They promote the mutual respect and intercultural understanding that is a precondition for a society without poverty and prejudice.

 On this International Day, I pledge the full support of the UN system to cooperate with indigenous peoples, including their media, to promote the full implementation of the Declaration. I also call on Member States and the mainstream media to create and maintain opportunities for indigenous peoples to articulate their perspectives, priorities and aspirations. Let us use the media – indigenous and non-indigenous, and especially new outlets – to create bridges and establish a truly intercultural world, where diversity is celebrated; a world where different cultures not only coexist but value each other for their contributions and potential.

Ban Ki-Moon

2012 Theme: "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices"

The focus of this year’s International Day is "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices".
The theme aims to highlight the importance of indigenous media in challenging stereotypes, forging indigenous peoples' identities, communicating with the outside world, and influencing the social and political agenda.
A special event at UN Headquarters in New York on 9 August will feature speakers and videos of indigenous media organizations, with a live webcast. On Twitter, use #UNIndigenousDay for regular updates and for sending questions to panel members in the days leading up to and during the event.

 

 2012 Theme: "Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices"

 

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 9 August

World Water Week 2012 in Stockholm

This year the World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden will address the theme "Water and Food Security". UN-Water will jointly organize and contribute to a series of seminars and events and also expects you throughout the week at the UN-Water Pavilion in the exhibition Hall B.




27 August Seminar | 15.45 to 18.45: The UN International Year and World Water Day 2013: Water Cooperation" The UN International Year 2013 and the World Water Day, 22 March 2013, will be devoted to the theme of Water Cooperation. The Seminar will officially launch and introduce the preparations for both, the Year and the Day, and will allow participants to exchange their views and perspectives on the essence of water cooperation. Seminar | 12.00 to 13.45: Tracking National Financial Flows to Sanitation, Hygiene and Drinking-water UN-Water GLAAS proposed a standard approach for tracking national financial flows for sanitation and drinking-water. It is proposed that this method be globally tested in 2012/13 and then used as the methodology to collect the GLAAS 2014 financial data. Participants will discuss how it could be further developed and adopted. Read more on GLASS


28 August Side event | 17.45 to 18.45: UN-Water project on the "Safe Use of Wastewater in Agriculture" Wastewater is a resource in urban and peri-urban areas which can alleviate pressure on (fresh) water sources and improve food security. To ensure that its use is safe, national policies and strategies need to be in place. This UN-Water capacity development project brings together expertise in UN agencies to focus on the issue.



30 August Seminar | 9.00 to 12.30: "Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene – Preparing the Next Generation of Goals, Targets and Indicators" Current global monitoring of drinking-water and sanitation does not provide a detailed assessment of service coverage, nor covers hygiene. JMP and partners are developing post-2015 indicators taking into account the Human right to water and sanitation. The seminar will present first results and invite participants to contribute.

World Water Week in Stockholm, 26-31 August 2012 World Water Week in Stockholm 26-31 August 2012 - Stockholm, Sweden   2012-07-26 | See more while in Stockholm! Explore World Water Week's field trips and excursions! Learn about how Stockholm havs applied technologies for wastewater reuse and treatment and strategies for sustainable city planning. 2012-07-24 | Looming conflicts on transboundary waters? Conflict Resolution & Transboundary Water is one of the themes this year. Check out the seminars and side events exploring transboundary water issues. 2012-07-16 | Climate and Energy events at World Water Week This year we continue the discussion on the connections between water and energy. Also, with natural climate variability and human induced climate change risk worsening, water related climate change remains strong on our agenda. 2012-07-16 | Ecosystems role to be discussed in a workshop This workshop will discuss the impact of food production on water and ecosystems on the context of food security and how to address solutions for managing the trade-offs between human needs and healthy ecosystems. 2012-07-12 | World Water Week launches mobile website The World Water Week now also has its own mobile website! 2012-07-10 | Land and Water Aqusition themed events During the 2012 World Water Week in Stockholm, there are a number of Land and Water Aqusition themed events, to learn more, please click on the events below or use our interactive Event Finder. 2012-07-09 | Financial instruments for food security and water resource use Are there creative financial tools to support poor people in their development and coping capacity following increased natural catastrophes? 2012-07-09 | Closing the Yield Gap Workshop The workshop will address ways to increase water productivity and close yield gaps. How can soil and water management be improved? 2012-07-03 | Gender aspects on food security and water Why women matter to the food security? At this year's week, there are a number of events covering gender aspects on food security and water. 2012-07-02 | Water efficiency in food supply chain A more productive use of limited, highly demanded and unreliable water resources is necessary. In most debates, an increase in water productivity is associated with a more efficient supply chain. See this year's events on this issue. 2012-07-02 | The role of Blue Water workshop By participating in this workshop you will discuss the actual, and potential, role of the blue water resources for food security. 2012-06-29 | Welcome new and longstanding sponsors! The World Water Week in Stockholm is pleased to present the 2012 sponsors.