Message from the Director-General on the occasion of the International Literacy Day

This year, International Literacy Day has a special focus on the fundamental relationship between Literacy and Peace.

This has tremendous relevance in our current turbulent times. Countries with patterns of violence have some of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Conflict remains one of the major barriers to the attainment of the Education for All (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Conflict-affected countries are home to over 40% of the world’s out-of-school population of primary school age. 

We must not allow conflict to deprive children and adults of the crucial opportunity of literacy. Literacy is a fundamental human right, and the foundation of all education and lifelong learning. Literacy transforms the lives of people, allowing them to make informed choices and empowering individuals to become agents of change. Lasting peace depends on the development of literate citizenship and access to education for all. Amidst political upheaval and escalating violence in many parts of the world, literacy must be a priority in the peace-building agenda of all nations. 

Peace and sustainable development are interdependent, and it is crucial for the two to develop and strengthen simultaneously. Literacy is also a development accelerator, enabling societies to grow more inclusively and sustainably. Literacy programmes can become a key component of future development strategies, opening new opportunities and skills for all. All of this is vital to achieving Education for All and the Millennium Development Goals.

Progress has been made toward reaching the 2015 targets for literacy, but formidable challenges remain ahead. These challenges need to be met with stronger international resolve, if we are to deliver on the promises made in Dakar in 2000. UNESCO estimates that the global adult illiterate population stands at 775 million, while there are still 122 million illiterate youth worldwide. Women and girls make up nearly two thirds of the illiterate adult and youth population. Great potential is being lost. 

We can end this cycle of exclusion. We all have a shared interest in ensuring that the world becomes a more literate place. As we approach the Education for All deadline in 2015, we have gained new momentum. UNESCO has worked tirelessly to place education and literacy at the top of the global development agenda. The United Nations Secretary-General’s “Education First” initiative, to be officially launched later this month, shall be a strong advocacy platform at the highest level. 

The winners of this year’s UNESCO International Literacy Prizes demonstrate how successful literacy programmes can achieve outstanding results. They are living examples of the central role of literacy in promoting human rights, gender equality, conflict resolution and cultural diversity.

Today, I call upon stakeholders at all levels to strengthen partnerships that will accelerate quality literacy provision. It is essential that literacy programmes incorporate the values of peace, human rights and civic values, if literacy is to become a true means of empowerment. It can be the harbinger of peace and development. Let us make this happen, together and faster.

Irina Bokova

September - United Nations Observances

September

8 September
International Literacy Day [UNESCO]

10 September
World Suicide Prevention Day [WHO]

15 September
International Day of Democracy

16 September
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer

21 September
International Day of Peace

27 September
World Tourism Day [UNWTO] | World Maritime Day [IMO]

28 September
World Rabies Day [WHO]

29 September
World Heart Day [WHO]

Complete list of UN Observances

Literacy is a human right

Why is Literacy important?

Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy. 

Literacy is at the heart of basic education for all, and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy. There are good reasons why literacy is at the core of Education for All (EFA). 

A good quality basic education equips pupils with literacy skills for life and further learning; literate parents are more likely to send their children to school; literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities; and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development.

Cultivating Peace - September 8, 2012

International Day against Nuclear Tests 2012

International Day against Nuclear Tests - 29 August Commemorating the International Day Against Nuclear Tests 2012 Events 2012

 PROGRAMME Informal Meeting of the General Assembly to mark the Observance of the International Day against Nuclear Tests

The Meeting is convened by the President of the 66th session of the General Assembly, His Excellency Mr. Nassir Abdelaziz Al-Nasser and organized in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

 Date: Thursday, 6 September 2012 Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Venue: Conference Room 4, North Lawn Building, UN Headquarters, New York

 Opening statements by: H.E. Nassir Abdelaziz Al-Nasser, President of the 66th session of the General Assembly H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. Timur Zhantikin, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan High-Level Panel on the Role of the United Nations in Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation The official opening ceremony will be followed by a High-Level Panel on the Role of the United Nations in Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. The panelists are expected to cover some key issues, including necessary steps for further progress on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the establishment of further nuclear-weapon-free zones, confidence building and other relevant concerns.

 Moderator: Dr. Randy Rydell, Senior Political Affairs Officer, Office of the United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs General observations: H.E. Tibor Tóth, Executive Secretary, Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization The invited panel speakers include: H.E. Ambassador Susan F. Burk, Special Representative of the President of the United States for Nuclear Nonproliferation, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation H.E. Ambassador Jim McLay, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations H.E. Ambassador Gary Quinlan, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Mr. Geoffrey Shaw, Representative of the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mr. John Burroughs, Executive Director, Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy The panel will be followed by statements and questions and answers from Member States. Entry: Delegates, NGOs and members of the media are welcome to attend. Those without a UN Grounds pass may contact: +1 (212) 230-1900, ext. 322. Download the Press Release PDF document

United Nations Secretary General Message for The International Day Against Nuclear Test 2012

Secretary-General's Message for 2012 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon


 This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.

Since its founding, the CTBTO PrepCom has built the world’s largest multilateral verification regime, overcoming numerous political and practical challenges in the process.

 Today, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty enjoys nearly worldwide support for its goal of a verifiable, permanent, global ban on all types of nuclear explosive tests. Yet eight of the 44 nuclear-capable States which must ratify the CTBT for it to enter into force have yet to do so.

The importance of bringing the CTBT into force cannot be overemphasized. The world has endured over 2,000 nuclear tests since 1945. Such tests poison the environment – and they poison the political climate as well. They breed mistrust, isolation and fear.


 I once again call on the leaders of all those States that have not yet signed and ratified the CTBT to do so without delay. I urge them to visit the site of a nuclear test, contaminated beyond remediation; speak to those who were exposed to the fallout, many of whom suffer still. The human and environmental consequences of nuclear testing should compel these leaders to take the necessary action to prevent this from ever happening again.


 The repercussions of nuclear tests are all too familiar in Kazakhstan, where people have coped with the fallout for over 50 years. To its credit, and with the firm intention to put an end to nuclear testing, Kazakhstan proposed the creation of an International Day against Nuclear Tests – a proposal that was unanimously adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 2009. The observance has quickly become a critical initiative aimed at promoting the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world. This ambition goes beyond narrow self-interest or regional rivalries; it is a global imperative meant to serve all humankind. But success will come only if we all put our efforts into this task. Therefore let us commit to work together to achieve a world free of nuclear tests and the terrible weapons that are their cruel legacy. Ban Ki-moon Previous Messages Message for 2011 Message for 2010

International Day against Nuclear Tests - 29 August

Since the International Day against Nuclear Tests was first declared, there have been a number of significant developments, discussions and initiatives relevant to its goals and objectives as well as conferences convened to elaborate and advance these developments.

2012 developments

The United States hosted the third “P5” Conference in Washington, D.C. in late June of this year in which China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States discussed cooperation on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, establishing a standard form of reporting, transparency and mutual confidence-building measures. The P5 also reaffirmed their continued commitment to promote the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and its universalization.

From 30 April-11 May 2012, the First Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) met in Vienna, Austria. The meeting allowed States to review the operation of the NPT and was the first opportunity since the 2010 adoption of an Action Plan to assess activities carried out by Sates and to consider what could be improved upon. Speaking for the first time in her new capacity as United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Angela Kane told the meeting that it is “the review process that helps to sustain the NPT as a living Treaty that is periodically assessed in light of the ever-evolving political and strategic circumstances of our times.”
A follow-up to the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit, which had been convened by US President Barak Obama in Washington DC, the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit took place this past March in Seoul, Korea with expanded participation. World leaders renewed commitments made at the 2010 conference including to continue to use the Work Plan of the Washington Summit as the framework for strengthening nuclear security, and to cooperate internationally on a coherent approach to “ensure the secure peaceful uses of nuclear energy.”

The Conference marking the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Ttatelolco took place in Mexico City in February 2012. The Treaty is an agreement among Latin American and Caribbean countries on the prohibition of nuclear weapons in their region. There are now 33 countries participating in this nuclear-weapons-free-zone (NWFZ). As International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano noted, this treaty was the motivation for several treaties around the world in Africa, Asia and the South Pacific. There are now 133 countries which belong to NWFZs.

International Day against Nuclear Tests - 29 August

 

 

World Humanitarian Day 2012 - UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie has written a special message

August 20, 2012 

UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie has written a special message on the organization’s Facebook page to mark World Humanitarian Day.
“On World Humanitarian Day we remember the aid workers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and we honor the extraordinary courage and dedication of humanitarian workers around the world,” she wrote. “I had the honor and the pleasure of meeting one of these brave individuals before his murder during a visit to Pakistan, where I witnessed first-hand the incredible devotion of a very kind and gentle man. His name was Mr. Zill-e-Usman.”

For this year’s observance of the Day, which fell on 19 August, the UN launched a campaign, entitled ‘I Was Here,’ aimed at engaging one billion people through social media so they can pledge a humanitarian action, and share their individual actions with others through an interactive website, www.whd-iwashere.org. On the morning of Sunday, 19 August, more than one billion messages were shared at the same time.
Organized by OCHA and launched on 2 August, the campaign received the support of US performing artist Beyoncé Knowles, who, along with songwriter Diane Warren, donated the song ‘I Was Here’ to the campaign. Her contribution also included filming a video for the song at the General Assembly Hall at UN Headquarters in New York.

“Thanks to the amazing work of Beyoncé and our partners, we now have a global commitment to humanitarian action. The message of people helping people is universal,” Ms. Amos said. “Making your mark and saying ‘I Was Here’ resonates powerfully with people all over the world.”
According to OCHA, the campaign numbers soared following the release of the ‘I Was Here’ music video on 18 August. The music video’s release included displays on big screens in the cities of Dubai, Geneva, Addis Ababa, as well as in New York City’s Times Square, among other locales.

“I feel like we all want to know that our life meant something and that we did something for someone else. That we spread positivity no matter how big or how small,” Beyoncé had said in the lead up to the Day.
The General Assembly proclaimed 19 August as World Humanitarian Day in 2008 to commemorate the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad, Iraq, which claimed the lives of 22 UN staff members, including the world body’s top envoy to the Middle Eastern country, Sergio Vieira de Mello, and wounded more than 150 people.
The Day aims to honour those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service and those who continue to bring assistance and relief to millions, in addition to drawing attention to humanitarian needs worldwide and the importance of international cooperation in meeting those needs.
Find out more here.

Read more: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8811-angelina-jolies-world-humanitarian-day-message#ixzz24BHkeruE