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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240220T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240220T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195433
CREATED:20240112T223834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182539Z
UID:10001144-1708387200-1708473599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Day of Social Justice
DESCRIPTION:2023 Theme: Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice\nThis year’s theme focuses on the recommendations of Our Common Agenda to strengthen global solidarity and to re-build trust in government by “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice”. Therefore\, the 2023 World Day of Social Justice provides an opportunity to foster dialogue with Member States\, youth\, social partners\, civil society\, UN organisations and other stakeholders on actions needed to strengthen the social contract that has been fractured by rising inequalities\, conflicts and weakened institutions that are meant to protect the rights of workers. Despite these multiple crises\, there are many opportunities to build a coalition for social justice and to unleash greater investments in decent jobs\, with a particular focus on the green\, digital and care economy\, and on young people. [Concept note] \n\n\nBackground\nThe International Labour Organization (ILO) unanimously adopted the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization on 10 June 2008. This is the third major statement of principles and policies adopted by the International Labour Conference since the ILO’s Constitution of 1919. It builds on the Philadelphia Declaration of 1944 and the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of 1998. The 2008 Declaration expresses the contemporary vision of the ILO’s mandate in the era of globalization. \nThis landmark Declaration is a powerful reaffirmation of ILO values. It is the outcome of tripartite consultations that started in the wake of the Report of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization. By adopting this text\, the representatives of governments\, employers’ and workers’ organizations from 182 member States emphasize the key role of our tripartite Organization in helping to achieve progress and social justice in the context of globalization. Together\, they commit to enhance the ILO’s capacity to advance these goals\, through the Decent Work Agenda. The Declaration institutionalizes the Decent Work concept developed by the ILO since 1999\, placing it at the core of the Organization’s policies to reach its constitutional objectives. \nThe Declaration comes at a crucial political moment\, reflecting the wide consensus on the need for a strong social dimension to globalization in achieving improved and fair outcomes for all. It constitutes a compass for the promotion of a fair globalization based on decent work\, as well as a practical tool to accelerate progress in the implementation of the Decent Work Agenda at the country level. It also reflects a productive outlook by highlighting the importance of sustainable enterprises in creating greater employment and income opportunities for all. \nThe General Assembly recognizes that social development and social justice are indispensable for the achievement and maintenance of peace and security within and among nations and that\, in turn\, social development and social justice cannot be attained in the absence of peace and security\, or in the absence of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms. \nIt further recognizes that globalization and interdependence are opening new opportunities through trade\, investment and capital flows and advances in technology\, including information technology\, for the growth of the world economy and the development and improvement of living standards around the world\, while at the same time there remain serious challenges\, including serious financial crises\, insecurity\, poverty\, exclusion and inequality within and among societies\, and considerable obstacles to further integration and full participation in the global economy for developing countries\, as well as some countries with economies in transition. \nOn 26 November 2007\, the General Assembly declared that\, starting from the sixty-third session of the General Assembly\, 20 February will be celebrated annually as the World Day of Social Justice. \n\n\n\n\nA Global Coalition for Social Justice\nPoverty and inequalities within and among countries are on the rise in many parts of the world. The economic and social crises of recent years have been exacerbated by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic\, natural disasters due to accelerating climate change\, geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts. Beyond the human tragedies associated with them and their impact on the world of work\, these crises have highlighted the interlinkages and dependencies of economies and societies around the world and shown the crucial need for concerted action to respond to them\, at global\, regional and national levels. \nThis has happened against the background of important changes such as\, inter alia\, growing disruptions in economies linked to globalization and technology\, significant demographic transformations\, increasing migration flows and protracted situations of fragility. The world of work has not been spared by these upheavals. The perceived lack of satisfactory responses to these multiple challenges and changes has led in many countries to growing discontent and mistrust vis-à-vis established institutions and actors of public life. \nConfronted with this complex situation\, the multilateral system has also struggled to adapt to a changing environment and to provide concrete and coordinated responses to many of the world’s most pressing challenges. The growing gap between international commitments and concrete achievements has fragilized multilateral action and its credibility\, resulting in open criticism and disengagement. More than ever\, it is urgent for the multilateral system to deliver and to contribute to bringing solutions to people’s daily problems\, and to do so in a more efficient and coherent manner. \nThis sense of urgency has been shared by many\, including the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General who\, in his report “Our Common Agenda“\, has warned against today’s growing divide and called for a more inclusive and networked multilateralism\, re-embracing global solidarity and renewing the social contract between governments and their people and within societies\, anchored in a comprehensive approach to human rights. \nSocial justice makes societies and economies function better and reduces poverty\, inequalities and social tensions. It plays an important role in attaining more inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development paths and is key for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda)\, especially at a time when the achievement of those goals remains faraway. \nIt is more important than ever that the multilateral system coalesce around a set of shared values and goals and identify the means to respond to peoples’ aspirations and needs. Social justice has therefore to become one of the cornerstones of the renewed multilateralism that is required; a rallying objective but also a significant instrument for a more efficient multilateral system\, ensuring coherence across a range of policy areas. \n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-day-of-social-justice/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/new-social-justice-hero.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240301T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240301T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195433
CREATED:20240112T230413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182438Z
UID:10001146-1709251200-1709337599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Seagrass Day
DESCRIPTION:Healthy seagrass\, healthy planet\nIn May 2022\, the General Assembly adopted A/RES/76/265 proclaiming 1 March as World Seagrass Day. The resolution highlights the urgent need to raise awareness at all levels and to promote and facilitate actions for the conservation of seagrasses in order to contribute to their health and development\, bearing in mind that enhancing ecosystem services and functions is important for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. \n\nWhy seagrass matters\nSeagrasses are marine flowering plants that are found in shallow waters in many parts of the world\, from the tropics to the Arctic circle. They form extensive underwater meadows\, creating complex\, highly productive and biologically rich habitats. \nCovering only 0.1% of the ocean floor\, these seagrass meadows provide food and shelter to thousands of species of fish\, seahorses\, turtles\, etc. and sustain some of the world’s largest fisheries. They improve water quality by filtering\, cycling and storing nutrients and pollutants\, reducing contamination in seafood. Highly efficient carbon sinks\, they can store up to 18% of the world’s oceanic carbon\, making them a powerful nature-based solutions to tackle climate change impacts. Because they buffer ocean acidification\, they contribute to the resilience of the most vulnerable ecosystems and species\, such as coral reefs. And to the coastal populations\, they act as the first line of defense along coasts by reducing wave energy\, protecting people from the increasing risk of floods and storms. \n\nA resource in danger\nDespite its important contribution to sustainable development and climate change mitigation and adaptation\, this core component of marine biodiversity is in danger and only about a quarter of all meadows fall within marine protected areas. \nSeagrasses have been declining globally since the 1930s\, with the most recent census estimating that 7% of this key marine habitat is being lost worldwide per year. It was recently noted that 21% of seagrass species are categorized as Near Threatened\, Vulnerable and Endangered Species under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. \nThe combined pressures of coastal development\, pollution\, including land-based run-off\, climate change\, dredging and unregulated fishing and boating activities are key drivers of the degradation of seagrasses and their associated ecosystems. \n\nProtection works\nDespite a general global trend of seagrass loss\, some areas have shown abating declines or substantial recovery of seagrasses. These recoveries can often be attributed to human interventions reducing the effect of human-caused stressors. \nSeagrasses are critical for life underwater\, but also provide wide-ranging benefits to people on land. Raising awareness about their importance for community well-being\, whether through food security from fish production\, improved quality of water filtered by seagrasses\, protection of coasts from erosion\, storms and floods\, or carbon sequestration and storage will drive efforts around the world to conserve\, better manage and restore these ecosystems. \nUltimately\, the protection and restoration of seagrass meadows will help countries achieve multiple economic\, societal and nutritional objectives\, aligning with and supported by policies implemented at the national\, regional or global levels. For example: \n\nThe benefits from conserving and restoring seagrass meadows can also help countries achieve 26 targets and indicators associated with ten Sustainable Development Goals.\nGiven the carbon storage and sequestration capacity of seagrass ecosystems\, including them in nationally determined contributions (NDCs) can help nations achieve their targets under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).\nInclusion of seagrass ecosystems in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is also critical for protecting the integrity of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.\nRestoration of seagrasses also provides countries with opportunities to achieve commitments to be made to the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.\n\nInclusion of seagrass management\, conservation and restoration should be a critical component of sustainable blue economy strategies in the future. Projects are already underway in various countries\, and a few have even been selected as World Restoration Flagships initiatives. Chosen as best examples of large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration\, these projects embody the 10 restoration principles of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. \n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\nSeagrass meadows exist in 159 countries on six continents\, covering over 300\,000 km2\, making them one of the most widespread coastal habitats on Earth.\nAlmost 30% of global seagrass area has been lost since the late nineteenth century and at least 22 of the world’s 72 seagrass species are in decline.\nSeagrasses\, as a part of the marine ecosystem\, store up to 18% of the world’s oceanic carbon.\nConserving and restoring seagrass meadows can also help countries achieve 26 targets and indicators associated with ten Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-seagrass-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/seagrass-day-benjamin-l-jones.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240301T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240301T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195433
CREATED:20240112T231245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182218Z
UID:10001147-1709251200-1709337599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:Zero Discrimination Day
DESCRIPTION:ABOUT ZERO DISCRIMINATION DAY\nOn Zero Discrimination Day\, 1 March\, we celebrate the right of everyone to live a full and productive life—and live it with dignity. Zero Discrimination Day highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion\, compassion\, peace and\, above all\, a movement for change. Zero Discrimination Day is helping to create a global movement of solidarity to end all forms of discrimination. \nOn Zero Discrimination Day this year\, under the theme “Save lives: Decriminalise”\, UNAIDS is highlighting how the decriminalisation of key populations and people living with HIV saves lives and helps advance the end of the AIDS pandemic. \n\nCriminal laws targeting key populations and people living with HIV violate people’s human rights\, exacerbate the stigma people face and put people in danger by creating barriers to the support and services they need to protect their health. \nIn 2021\, the world set ambitious law reform targets to remove criminal laws that are undermining the HIV response and leaving key populations behind. Recognising decriminalization as a critical element in the response\, countries made a commitment that by 2025 less than 10% of countries would have punitive legal and policy environments that affect the HIV response. \nHowever\, despite some encouraging reforms\, the world is far from achieving the target. In fact\, today there are 134 countries explicitly criminalising or otherwise prosecuting HIV exposure\, non-disclosure or transmission; 20 countries criminalise and/or prosecute transgender persons; 153 countries criminalise at least one aspect of sex work; and 67 countries now criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity\, according to UNAIDS. In addition\, 48 countries still place restrictions on entry into their territory for people living with HIV\, while 53 countries report that they require mandatory HIV testing\, for example for marriage certificates or for performing certain professions. 106 countries report requiring parental consent for adolescents to access HIV testing. \nCriminalisation drives discrimination and structural inequalities. It robs people of the prospect of healthy and fulfilling lives. And it holds back the end of AIDS. \nWe must end criminalisation to save lives. \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/zero-discrimination-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/zero-discrimination-day.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T120000
DTSTAMP:20260407T195433
CREATED:20240114T001907Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182147Z
UID:10001163-1709460000-1709467200@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Wildlife Day
DESCRIPTION:Online Event accessed through CITES YouTube Channel\n\nThe incalculable value of wildlife\nBillions of people\, in developed and developing nations\, benefit daily from the use of wild species for food\, energy\, materials\, medicine\, recreation\, inspiration and many other vital contributions to human well-being. \nThe accelerating global biodiversity crisis\, with a million species of plants and animals facing extinction\, threatens these contributions to people. \nWorld Wildlife Day (WWD) is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. At the same time\, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species\, which have wide-ranging economic\, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects\, Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss. \n\nFifty years promoting partnerships in favor of wildlife conservation\nWorld Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2023 under the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation“\, honoring the people who are making a difference. \nPartnerships operate on a large scale or involve a few children or a school. For some\, it could be organizing a school sale to benefit a conservation group\, for others it could be posting photographs online to raise awareness of endangered species. All of them are equally valid. \nThis upcoming year\, the UN celebrates a special partnership: the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). \nThis Convention is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. Today\, it grants varying degrees of protection to more than 37\,000 species of animals and plants. \nThrough the past 50 years\, partnerships have been at the heart of CITES\, and WWD will celebrate the bridge that CITES has been for these partnerships to form\, making a significant contribution to sustainability\, wildlife and biodiversity conservation. \nIn accordance with this convention\, UN agencies\, private sector organizations\, philanthropies and non-governmental organizations must keep working for conservation\, the sustainable use of wildlife and in the fight against illegal trade and the depletion of wildlife. \nSustaining existing partnerships and building new ones is critical for the future of life on earth. \nWe need to change our relationship with nature and we need to work together. \n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\n50\,000 Wild Species Meet Needs of Billions Worldwide.\n1 in 5 people around the world rely on wild species for income and food\, while 2.4 billion people depend on wood fuel for cooking.\nIt seems surprising\, but cacti\, seaweeds\, giraffes\, parrots\, and oak trees are groups of species endangered. Currently there are one million species under threat.\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-wildlife-day-2/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gorilla_portrait.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T170000
DTSTAMP:20260407T195433
CREATED:20240112T233257Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182118Z
UID:10001148-1709460000-1709485200@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Wildlife Day
DESCRIPTION:The incalculable value of wildlife\nBillions of people\, in developed and developing nations\, benefit daily from the use of wild species for food\, energy\, materials\, medicine\, recreation\, inspiration and many other vital contributions to human well-being. \nThe accelerating global biodiversity crisis\, with a million species of plants and animals facing extinction\, threatens these contributions to people. \nWorld Wildlife Day (WWD) is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. At the same time\, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species\, which have wide-ranging economic\, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects\, Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss. \n\nFifty years promoting partnerships in favor of wildlife conservation\nWorld Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2023 under the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation“\, honoring the people who are making a difference. \nPartnerships operate on a large scale or involve a few children or a school. For some\, it could be organizing a school sale to benefit a conservation group\, for others it could be posting photographs online to raise awareness of endangered species. All of them are equally valid. \nThis upcoming year\, the UN celebrates a special partnership: the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). \nThis Convention is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. Today\, it grants varying degrees of protection to more than 37\,000 species of animals and plants. \nThrough the past 50 years\, partnerships have been at the heart of CITES\, and WWD will celebrate the bridge that CITES has been for these partnerships to form\, making a significant contribution to sustainability\, wildlife and biodiversity conservation. \nIn accordance with this convention\, UN agencies\, private sector organizations\, philanthropies and non-governmental organizations must keep working for conservation\, the sustainable use of wildlife and in the fight against illegal trade and the depletion of wildlife. \nSustaining existing partnerships and building new ones is critical for the future of life on earth. \nWe need to change our relationship with nature and we need to work together. \n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\n50\,000 Wild Species Meet Needs of Billions Worldwide.\n1 in 5 people around the world rely on wild species for income and food\, while 2.4 billion people depend on wood fuel for cooking.\nIt seems surprising\, but cacti\, seaweeds\, giraffes\, parrots\, and oak trees are groups of species endangered. Currently there are one million species under threat.\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-wildlife-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gorilla_portrait.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240303T170000
DTSTAMP:20260407T195433
CREATED:20240227T182027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T182027Z
UID:10001162-1709460000-1709485200@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Wildlife Day
DESCRIPTION:The incalculable value of wildlife\nBillions of people\, in developed and developing nations\, benefit daily from the use of wild species for food\, energy\, materials\, medicine\, recreation\, inspiration and many other vital contributions to human well-being. \nThe accelerating global biodiversity crisis\, with a million species of plants and animals facing extinction\, threatens these contributions to people. \nWorld Wildlife Day (WWD) is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. At the same time\, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species\, which have wide-ranging economic\, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects\, Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss. \n\nFifty years promoting partnerships in favor of wildlife conservation\nWorld Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2023 under the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation“\, honoring the people who are making a difference. \nPartnerships operate on a large scale or involve a few children or a school. For some\, it could be organizing a school sale to benefit a conservation group\, for others it could be posting photographs online to raise awareness of endangered species. All of them are equally valid. \nThis upcoming year\, the UN celebrates a special partnership: the 50th anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). \nThis Convention is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. Today\, it grants varying degrees of protection to more than 37\,000 species of animals and plants. \nThrough the past 50 years\, partnerships have been at the heart of CITES\, and WWD will celebrate the bridge that CITES has been for these partnerships to form\, making a significant contribution to sustainability\, wildlife and biodiversity conservation. \nIn accordance with this convention\, UN agencies\, private sector organizations\, philanthropies and non-governmental organizations must keep working for conservation\, the sustainable use of wildlife and in the fight against illegal trade and the depletion of wildlife. \nSustaining existing partnerships and building new ones is critical for the future of life on earth. \nWe need to change our relationship with nature and we need to work together. \n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\n50\,000 Wild Species Meet Needs of Billions Worldwide.\n1 in 5 people around the world rely on wild species for income and food\, while 2.4 billion people depend on wood fuel for cooking.\nIt seems surprising\, but cacti\, seaweeds\, giraffes\, parrots\, and oak trees are groups of species endangered. Currently there are one million species under threat.\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-wildlife-day-3/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/gorilla_portrait.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240305T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240305T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195433
CREATED:20240131T232009Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T181850Z
UID:10001218-1709596800-1709683199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness
DESCRIPTION:The International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness seeks to promote better awareness and understanding of disarmament issues among the public\, especially young people. \nSince the founding of the United Nations\, the goals of multilateral disarmament and arms limitation have been central to the Organization’s efforts to maintain international peace and security. \nWeapons of mass destruction\, in particular nuclear weapons\, continue to be of primary concern\, owing to their destructive power and the threat that they pose to humanity. The excessive accumulation in conventional weapons and the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons jeopardizes international peace and security and sustainable development\, while the use of explosive weapons in populated areas is seriously endangering civilians. New and emerging weapon technologies\, such as autonomous weapons\, pose a challenge to global security and have received increased attention from the international community in recent years. \nObserved on 5 March\, the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness plays a role in deepening the global public’s understanding about how disarmament efforts contribute to enhancing peace and security\, preventing and ending armed conflicts\, and curbing human suffering caused by weapons. \nThrough resolution A/RES/77/51\, the General Assembly invites all Member States\, the organizations of the United Nations system\, civil society\, academia\, the media and individuals to commemorate the International Day\, including through all means of educational and public awareness-raising activities. \n\nDid you know?\nDid you know that in 2021\, global military spending reached $2.1 trillion? 12\,700 nuclear weapons remain an existential threat to humanity today. 26\,000 people can be treated for malaria for the price of 1 battle tank. Here are some outreach materials. \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-for-disarmament-and-non-proliferation-awareness/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/disarnment.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240308T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240308T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240112T234524Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T181744Z
UID:10001149-1709856000-1709942399@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Women's Day
DESCRIPTION:Invest in women: Accelerate progress\nAchieving gender equality and women’s well-being in all aspects of life is more crucial than ever if we want to create prosperous economies and a healthy planet. However\, we are facing a key challenge: the alarming $360 billion annual deficit in gender-equality measures by 2030. \nJoin us on March 8\, 2024\, for International Women’s Day under the theme ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress”\, and take a stand with us using the hashtag #InvestInWomen. \nHere are five key areas needing joint action: \n\nInvesting in women\, a human rights issue: Time is running out. Gender equality is the greatest human rights challenge\, benefiting everyone.\nEnding poverty: Due to the COVID pandemic and conflicts\, 75 million more people have fallen into severe poverty since 2020. Immediate action is crucial to prevent over 342 million women and girls living in poverty by 2030.\nImplementing gender-responsive financing: Conflicts and rising prices may lead 75% of countries to cut public spending by 2025\, negatively impacting women and their essential services.\nShifting to a green economy and care society: The current economic system disproportionately affects women. Advocates propose a shift to a green economy and care society to amplify women’s voices.\nSupporting feminist change-makers: Despite leading efforts\, feminist organizations receive only 0.13% of official development assistance.\n\nThis International Women’s Day\, let’s unite to transform challenges into opportunities and shape a better future for all! \n\n\n\n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\nIn 1984\, Australia introduced the world’s first Women’s Budget Statement\, paving the way for many others to follow suit.\nThere is an alarming lack of financing with a staggering USD 360 billion annual deficit in spending on gender-equality measures.\nJust 5% of government aid is focused on tackling violence against women and girls\, and less than 0.2% is directed to its prevention.\n\n\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-womens-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/international-womens-day.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240308T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240308T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240227T181643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T181643Z
UID:10001152-1709856000-1709942399@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Women's Day
DESCRIPTION:Invest in women: Accelerate progress\nAchieving gender equality and women’s well-being in all aspects of life is more crucial than ever if we want to create prosperous economies and a healthy planet. However\, we are facing a key challenge: the alarming $360 billion annual deficit in gender-equality measures by 2030. \nJoin us on March 8\, 2024\, for International Women’s Day under the theme ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress”\, and take a stand with us using the hashtag #InvestInWomen. \nHere are five key areas needing joint action: \n\nInvesting in women\, a human rights issue: Time is running out. Gender equality is the greatest human rights challenge\, benefiting everyone.\nEnding poverty: Due to the COVID pandemic and conflicts\, 75 million more people have fallen into severe poverty since 2020. Immediate action is crucial to prevent over 342 million women and girls living in poverty by 2030.\nImplementing gender-responsive financing: Conflicts and rising prices may lead 75% of countries to cut public spending by 2025\, negatively impacting women and their essential services.\nShifting to a green economy and care society: The current economic system disproportionately affects women. Advocates propose a shift to a green economy and care society to amplify women’s voices.\nSupporting feminist change-makers: Despite leading efforts\, feminist organizations receive only 0.13% of official development assistance.\n\nThis International Women’s Day\, let’s unite to transform challenges into opportunities and shape a better future for all! \n\n\n\n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\nIn 1984\, Australia introduced the world’s first Women’s Budget Statement\, paving the way for many others to follow suit.\nThere is an alarming lack of financing with a staggering USD 360 billion annual deficit in spending on gender-equality measures.\nJust 5% of government aid is focused on tackling violence against women and girls\, and less than 0.2% is directed to its prevention.\n\n\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-womens-day-2/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/international-womens-day.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240310T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240310T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240113T235120Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T181458Z
UID:10001154-1710028800-1710115199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day of Women Judges
DESCRIPTION:Background\nWhile equality in the judiciary has been historically uneven\, steps are being taken to remedy this as evidenced by the declaration by the United Nations General Assembly of 10 March as the International Day of Women Judges. The General Assembly resolution\, drafted by the State of Qatar\, is tangible proof of an positive shift. \nRedressing gender inequalities is also at the core of UNODC’s Strategy for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women\, and is a goal shared by the Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration\, as it works to promote a culture of lawfulness around the world\, providing education and training and supporting the full participation of women in every professional sphere. \n\nTo achieve justice\, we need more women in justice\nDespite women’s increased engagement in public life\, they remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making positions. In fact\, a relatively small number of women have been\, or are part of\, the judiciary\, particularly at senior judicial leadership positions. \nWomen’s representation in the judiciary is key to ensuring that courts represent their citizens\, address their concerns and hand down sound judgments. By their mere presence\, women judges enhance the legitimacy of courts\, sending a powerful signal that they are open and accessible to those who seek recourse to justice. \nThe entry of women judges into spaces from which they had historically been excluded has been a positive step in the direction of judiciaries being perceived as being more transparent\, inclusive\, and representative of the people whose lives they affect. \nBy marking the day\, we will reaffirm our commitment to develop and implement appropriate and effective national strategies and plans for the advancement of women in judicial justice systems and institutions at the leadership\, managerial and other levels. \nJoin us in celebrating this International Day of Women Judges with the campaign “Women in Justice\, women for justice” to promote the full and equal participation of women at all levels of the judiciary\, to celebrate the progress that has been made and raise awareness about the challenges ahead! \n\nWomen judges and the achievement of gender equality\nThe representation of women in the judiciary is significant for many reasons. In addition to ensuring that the legal system is developed with all of society in mind\, it also inspires the next generation of female judges and motivates them to achieve their goals. \nWomen in the criminal justice system can act as agents of change and contribute to greater accountability. Women judges bring different perspectives and experiences\, strengthening judicial systems. Women in leadership roles help disrupt networks of collusion\, striking a blow against corruption. \nWomen’s representation in law enforcement and judicial institutions has been linked to more effective\, victim-centered responses to crime. \nBy investing in women’s advancement and women justice leaders\, we can help ensure that justice is better served and that women and all members of our societies are met with fairness and equality before the law\, for the benefit of all. \nOnly through the active participation of women\, on equal terms with men\, at all levels of decision-making\, we’ll be able to achieve sustainable development\, peace and democracy. \n\n\n\nGlobal Judicial Integrity Network\nThe Global Judicial Integrity Network of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) brings together female judges to learn from each other’s lived experiences and provide a source of solidarity. Find out more about the Networks’ work. \n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-of-women-judges-2/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/women-judges.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240315T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240315T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240201T003047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T181251Z
UID:10001219-1710460800-1710547199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day to Combat Islamophobia
DESCRIPTION:What is Islamophobia?\nIslamophobia is a fear\, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation\, hostility and intolerance by means of threatening\, harassment\, abuse\, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims\, both in the online and offline world. Motivated by institutional\, ideological\, political and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism\, it targets the symbols and markers of being a Muslim. \nThis definition emphasises the link between institutional levels of Islamophobia and manifestations of such attitudes\, triggered by the visibility of the victim’s perceived Muslim identity. This approach also interprets Islamophobia as a form of racism\, whereby Islamic religion\, tradition and culture are seen as a ‘threat’ to the Western values. \nSome experts prefer the label ‘anti-Muslim hatred\,’ fearing that the term ‘Islamophobia’ risks condemning all critiques of Islam and\, therefore\, could stifle freedom of expression. But international human rights law protects individuals\, not religions. And Islamophobia may also affect non-Muslims\, based on perceptions of nationality\, racial or ethnic background. \n\nAn epidemic of hatred\nA recent report  by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief found that suspicion\, discrimination and outright hatred towards Muslims has risen to ‘epidemic proportions.’ \nFollowing the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and other horrific acts of terrorism purportedly carried out in the name of Islam\, institutional suspicion of Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim has escalated to epidemic proportions. Numerous states\, as well as regional and international bodies\, have responded to security threats by adopting measures that disproportionately target Muslims and define Muslims as high-risk and at risk of radicalization. At the same time\, widespread negative representations of Islam\, and harmful stereotypes that depict Muslims and their beliefs and culture as a threat have served to perpetuate\, validate and normalize discrimination\, hostility and violence towards Muslim individuals and communities. \nIn states where they are in the minority\, Muslims often experience discrimination in accessing goods and services\, in finding employment and in education. In some states they are denied citizenship or legal immigration status due to xenophobic perceptions that Muslims represent national security and terrorism threats. Muslim women are disproportionately targeted in Islamophobic hate crimes. \nStudies show that the number of Islamophobic hate crimes frequently increases following events beyond the control of most Muslims\, including terrorist attacks and anniversaries of such attacks. These trigger events illustrate how Islamophobia may attribute collective responsibility to all Muslims for the actions of a very select few\, or feed upon inflammatory rhetoric. \n\nCombating Islamophobia\nMany Governments have taken steps to combat Islamophobia by establishing anti-hate-crime legislation and measures to prevent and prosecute hate crimes and by conducting public awareness campaigns about Muslims and Islam designed to dispel negative myths and misconceptions. \nThe United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by 60 Member-States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)\, which designated 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The document stresses that terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion\, nationality\, civilization\, or ethnic group. It calls for a global dialogue on the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peace\, based on respect for human rights and for the diversity of religions and belief. \nMarking the first International Day to Combat Islamophobia in 2021\, UN Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out that anti-Muslim bigotry is part of a larger trend of a resurgence in ethno-nationalism\, neo-Nazism\, stigma and hate speech targeting vulnerable populations including Muslims\, Jews\, some minority Christian communities\, as well as others. “As the Holy Quran reminds us:  nations and tribes were created to know one another. Diversity is a richness\, not a threat\,” he added. \nIn response to the alarming trend of rising hate speech around the world\, Secretary-General António Guterres launched the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech. \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-to-combat-islamophobia/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/islam.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240320T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240320T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240201T004142Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T181138Z
UID:10001220-1710892800-1710979199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day of Happiness
DESCRIPTION:What is the International Day of Happiness?\nIt’s a day to be happy\, of course! Since 2013\, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world. \nHappiness is a fundamental human goal. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes this goal and calls for “a more inclusive\, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.” \nIn 2015\, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals\, which seek to end poverty\, reduce inequality\, and protect our planet – three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness. \nThe United Nations invites each person of any age\, plus every classroom\, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness. \n\n\nBackground\nThe General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness\, recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives. It also recognized the need for a more inclusive\, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development\, poverty eradication\, happiness and the well-being of all peoples. \nThe resolution was initiated by Bhutan\, a country which recognized the value of national happiness over national income since the early 1970s and famously adopted the goal of Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product. It also hosted a High Level Meeting on “Happiness and Well-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm” during the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly. \n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-of-happiness/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/happy.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240320T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240320T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240201T004855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T181113Z
UID:10001221-1710892800-1710979199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:French Language Day
DESCRIPTION:On March 20\, the UN celebrates French Language Day\nLanguage Days at the United Nations were introduced in 2010  to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity. \nThe UN celebrates six “Language Days” each year\, dedicated to the six official languages ​​of the United Nations\, which are Arabic\, Chinese\, English\, French\, Russian and Spanish.   \nThese days are an opportunity to raise awareness among the international community of the history\, culture and use of each of these languages. \nThe date of French Language Day was chosen symbolically in reference to March 20\, 1970\, which marks the creation of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation (ACCT)\, which became the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) . \nMultilingualism\, more fundamental than ever\nTo emerge from the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and build back better\, we will need to continue to adopt an approach mobilizing all components of societies\, all public authorities and the entire world in a spirit of compassion and solidarity. . An essential factor in harmonious communication between peoples\, multilingualism is more than ever of particular importance for the UN because it promotes tolerance and ensures the effective participation of all in the Organization’s work process. \n“The Francophonie of the future”\nThe date of March 20 is recognized by the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) as International Francophonie Day. The United Nations regularly cooperates with the OIF and its Member States in the spirit of the provisions of the  resolutions on cooperation with the OIF  adopted periodically by the General Assembly. In 2023\, the OIF wishes to mark the celebrations of the International Day of La Francophonie under the theme “321 million French speakers\, billions of cultural content” . \n\n\nMultilingualism at the UN\n\nOn the occasion of French Language Day at the UN\, consult the latest issue of the “Dossiers Phares” series from the Dag Hammarksjöld Library of the United Nations. The publication\, dedicated to multilingualism at the UN\, provides a historical overview of the linguistic arrangements of the Organization and explains how multilingualism evolved from a founding principle to that of a fundamental value of the UN. \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/french-language-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/french-language.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240321T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240321T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240114T000405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T181021Z
UID:10001155-1710979200-1711065599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
DESCRIPTION:Background\nThe International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville\, South Africa\, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960. \nIn 1979\, the General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. On that occasion\, the General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination\, beginning on 21 March\, would be organized annually in all States. \nSince then\, the apartheid system in South Africa has been dismantled. Racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries\, and we have built an international framework for fighting racism\, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Convention is now nearing universal ratification\, yet still\, in all regions\, too many individuals\, communities and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings. \n\n75th anniversary of the UDHR – an impetus to combat racism\nThe 2023 theme of the International Day focuses on the urgency of combatting racism and racial discrimination\, 75 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). \nSeventy-five years ago\, for the first time\, the international community agreed on a set of common values and acknowledged that rights are inherent to every single human being and not granted by the State. These rights are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights\, a blueprint for international human rights norms. \nThe UDHR states that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms\, without distinction of any kind\, such as race and colour\, among others. However\, racism and racial discrimination continue to affect people all over the world. \nThe commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the UDHR should give States an impetus to take prompt and robust steps\, in law and in practice\, to advance equality and combat racism\, racial discrimination\, xenophobia and related intolerance. \nThe UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights\, Volker Türk\, has invited all States\, as part of the Human Rights 75 initiative\, to combat racial discrimination by committing to take specific and urgent actions. \n\nMajor UN meetings and events\nIn September 2021\, the United Nations General Assembly brought together world leaders for a one day meeting in New York to mark the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action under the theme of “Reparations\, racial justice and equality for People of African Descent.” \nIn 2001\, the World Conference against Racism produced the most authoritative and comprehensive programme for combating racism\, racial discrimination\, xenophobia and related intolerance: the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA). In April 2009\, the Durban Review Conference examined global progress made in overcoming racism and concluded that much remained to be achieved. Undoubtedly\, the greatest accomplishment of the conference was the renewed international commitment to the anti-racism agenda. \nIn September 2011\, the United Nations General Assembly held a one day high-level meeting in New York to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. There\, world leaders adopted by consensus a political declaration proclaiming their “strong determination to make the fight against racism\, racial discrimination\, xenophobia and related intolerance\, and the protection of the victims thereof\, a high priority for [their] countries.” \nComing as it did during the 2011 International Year for People of African Descent\, the 10th anniversary was a chance to strengthen political commitment in fighting racism and racial discrimination. \nOn 23 December 2013\, the General Assembly proclaimed the International Decade for People of African Descent commencing 1 January 2015 and ending on 31 December 2024\, with the theme “People of African descent: recognition\, justice and development.” \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-for-the-elimination-of-racial-discrimination/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/siblings-cameroon.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240321T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240321T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240114T001256Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180948Z
UID:10001156-1710979200-1711065599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Down Syndrome Day
DESCRIPTION:Background\nThe estimated incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1\,000 to 1 in 1\,100 live births worldwide. Each year\, approximately 3\,000 to 5\,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder. \nThe quality of life of people with Down syndrome can be improved by meeting their health care needs\, including regular check-ups with health professionals to monitor mental and physical condition and to provide timely intervention be it physiotherapy\, occupational therapy\, speech therapy\, counselling or special education. Individuals with Down syndrome can achieve optimal quality of life through parental care and support\, medical guidance\, and community based support systems such as inclusive education at all levels. This facilitates their participation in mainstream society and the fulfillment of their personal potential. \n\nDown Syndrome\nDown syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial (or whole) copy of chromosome 21. It is not yet know why this syndrome occurs\, but Down syndrome has always been a part of the human condition. It exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles\, physical characteristics and health. \nAdequate access to health care\, to early intervention programmes\, and to inclusive education\, as well as appropriate research\, are vital to the growth and development of the individual. \nIn December 2011\, the General Assembly declared 21 March as World Down Syndrome Day (A/RES/66/149). The General Assembly decided\, with effect from 2012\, to observe World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year. In order to raise public awareness of Down syndrome\, the General Assembly invites all Member States\, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations\, as well as civil society\, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector\, to observe World Down Syndrome Day in an appropriate manner. \n\nWith Us Not For Us\nThe message of With Us Not For Us is key to a human rights-based approach to disability. \nWe are committed to moving on from the outdated charity model of disability\, where people with disability were treated as objects of charity\, deserving of pity and relying on others for support. \nA human rights-based approach views people with disabilities as having the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else\, working WITH others to improve their lives. \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-down-syndrome-day/
LOCATION:UN Headquarters\, 405 E 45th St\, New York\, NY\, 10017\, United States
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/down-syndrome-index.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240321T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240321T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240114T002703Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180924Z
UID:10001164-1710979200-1711065599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day of Forests
DESCRIPTION:Background\nThe United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Countries are encouraged to undertake local\, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees\, such as tree planting campaigns. \nThe organizers are the United Nations Forum on Forests and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)\, in collaboration with Governments\, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests and other relevant organizations in the field. \n\nHealthy forest for healthy people\nWhen we drink a glass of water\, write in a notebook\, take medicine for a fever or build a house\, we do not always make the connection with forests. And yet\, these and many other aspects of our lives are linked to forests in one way or another. \nForest sustainable management and their use of resources are key to combating climate change\, and to contributing to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations. Forests also play a crucial role in poverty alleviation and in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet despite all these priceless ecological\, economic\, social and health benefits\, forests are endangered by fires\, pests\, droughts\, and unprecedented deforestation. \nThe theme for 2023 is “Forests and health.” \nForests give us so much to our health. They purify the water\, clean the air\, capture carbon to fight climate change\, provide food and life-saving medicines\, and improve our well-being. \nIt’s up to us to safeguard these precious natural resources. \nThis 2023 calls for giving\, not just taking\, because healthy forests will bring healthy people. \n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\nA study from 43 000 households across 27 countries in Africa found that the dietary diversity of children exposed to forests was at least 25% higher than that of children who were not.\nThe total number of plant species used for medicinal purposes could be as high as 50 000.\nSeveral studies proved that a visit to a forest environment lowers blood pressure and pulse rate\, and reduces cortisol levels.\nThe world is losing 10 million hectares of forest each year due to deforestation – about the size of Iceland- and insects damage around 35 million hectares of forest annually.\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-of-forests/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/forest-day.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240321T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240321T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240201T010212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180850Z
UID:10001223-1710979200-1711065599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Nowruz Day
DESCRIPTION:What is Nowruz and why do we celebrate it?\nThe word Nowruz (Novruz\, Navruz\, Nooruz\, Nevruz\, Nauryz)\, means new day; its spelling and pronunciation may vary by country. \nNowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox\, which usually occurs on 21 March. It is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people all around the world and has been celebrated for over 3\,000 years in the Balkans\, the Black Sea Basin\, the Caucasus\, Central Asia\, the Middle East and other regions. \nInscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a cultural tradition observed by numerous peoples\, Nowruz is an ancestral festivity marking the first day of spring and the renewal of nature. It promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighbourliness\, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities. \nNowruz plays a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples based on mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good neighbourliness. Its traditions and rituals reflect the cultural and ancient customs of the civilizations of the East and West\, which influenced those civilizations through the interchange of human values. \nCelebrating Nowruz means the affirmation of life in harmony with nature\, awareness of the inseparable link between constructive labour and natural cycles of renewal and a solicitous and respectful attitude towards natural sources of life. \n\n\nBackground\nInternational Nowruz Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly\, in its resolution A/RES/64/253 of 2010\, at the initiative of several countries that share this holiday. Under the agenda item of “culture of peace”\, the member states of Afghanistan\, Azerbaijan\, Albania\, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia\, Iran (Islamic Republic of)\, India\, Kazakhstan\, Kyrgyzstan\, Tajikistan\, Turkey and Turkmenistan prepared and introduced a draft resolution (A/64/L.30) entitled “International Day of Nowruz” to the ongoing 64th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations for its consideration and adoption. \nIn the 71st plenary meeting on 23 February 2010\, The General Assembly welcomed the inclusion of Nowruz in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational\, Scientific and Cultural Organization on 30 September 2009. \nIt also recognized 21 March as the International Day of Nowruz\, and invited interested Member States\, the United Nations\, in particular its relevant specialized agencies\, funds and programmes\, and mainly the United Nations Educational\, Scientific and Cultural Organization\, and interested international and regional organizations\, as well as non-governmental organizations\, to participate in events organized by States where Nowruz is celebrated. \n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-nowruz-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nowruzday.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240322T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240322T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240114T003505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180831Z
UID:10001165-1711065600-1711151999@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Water Day
DESCRIPTION:Key messages for World Water Day 2024\n\nWater can create peace or spark conflict. When water is scarce or polluted\, or when people struggle for access\, tensions can rise. By cooperating on water\, we can balance everyone’s water needs and help stabilize the world.\nProsperity and peace rely on water. As nations manage climate change\, mass migration and political unrest\, they must put water cooperation at the heart of their plans.\nWater can lead us out of crisis. We can foster harmony between communities and countries by uniting around the fair and sustainable use of water – from United Nations conventions at the international level\, to actions at the local level.\n\nWater for peace\nWater can create peace or spark conflict. \nWhen water is scarce or polluted\, or when people have unequal\, or no access\, tensions can rise between communities and countries. \nMore than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet\, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water. \nAs climate change impacts increase\, and populations grow\, there is an urgent need\, within and between countries\, to unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource. \nPublic health and prosperity\, food and energy systems\, economic productivity and environmental integrity all rely on a well-functioning and equitably managed water cycle. \n\nCreating a positive ripple effect\nThe theme of World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’. \nWhen we cooperate on water\, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony\, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges. \nWe must act upon the realization that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right\, intrinsic to every aspect of life. \nThis World Water Day\, we all need to unite around water and use water for peace\, laying the foundations of a more stable and prosperous tomorrow. \n\n\n\n\nPlay your part!\n\nBe part of the global campaign on ‘Water for Peace’. We need everyone – from individuals and families to companies and governments – to do what they can to cooperate on water and pave the way for a more harmonious society. Download resources to get involved this World Water Day and find out more about the connection between water and peace. \n\n\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-water-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/world-water-day.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240324T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240324T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240201T011017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180716Z
UID:10001224-1711238400-1711324799@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
DESCRIPTION:The Right to the Truth\nThe right to the truth is often invoked in the context of gross violations of human rights and grave breaches of humanitarian law. The relatives of victims of summary executions\, enforced disappearance\, missing persons\, abducted children\, torture\, require to know what happened to them. The right to the truth implies knowing the full and complete truth as to the events that transpired\, their specific circumstances\, and who participated in them\, including knowing the circumstances in which the violations took place\, as well as the reasons for them. \nInternational Day\nEach year\, on 24 March\, the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is observed. \nThis annual observance pays tribute to the memory of Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero\, who was murdered on 24 March 1980. Monsignor Romero was actively engaged in denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable individuals in El Salvador. \n\n\nPurpose\nThe purpose of the Day is to: \n\nHonour the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice;\nPay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to\, and lost their lives in\, the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all;\nRecognize\, in particular\, the important work and values of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero\, of El Salvador\, who was assasinated on 24 March 1980\, after denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable populations and defending the principles of protecting lives\, promoting human dignity and opposition to all forms of violence.\n\nBackground\nOn 21 December 2010\, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. \nThe date was chosen because on 24 March 1980\, Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador was assassinated\, after denouncing violations of human rights. \nIn a study conducted in 2006 the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concluded that the right to the truth about gross human rights violations and serious violations of human rights law is an inalienable and autonomous right\, linked to the duty and obligation of the State to protect and guarantee human rights\, to conduct effective investigations and to guarantee effective remedy and reparations. \nThe study affirms that the right to the truth implies knowing the full and complete truth as to the events that transpired\, their specific circumstances\, and who participated in them\, including knowing the circumstances in which the violations took place\, as well as the reasons for them. \nIn a 2009 report on the Right to the Truth\, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights identified best practices for the effective implementation of this right\, in particular practices relating to archives and records concerning gross violations of human rights\, and programmes on the protection of witnesses and other persons involved in trials connected with such violations. \nThe Commission on the Truth for El Salvador was established in accordance with the Mexico Agreements of 27 April 1991 to investigate serious acts of violence that had occurred since 1980 and whose impact on society was deemed to require an urgent public knowledge of the truth.  In its report of 15 March 1993\, the Commission documented the facts of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero by pro-government forces\, the so-called “death squads”.  He was shot dead by an assassin as he celebrated mass on 24 March 1980. \n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-for-the-right-to-the-truth-concerning-gross-human-rights-violations-and-for-the-dignity-of-victims/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/right-to-the-truth.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240325T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240325T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240201T011733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180653Z
UID:10001225-1711324800-1711411199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
DESCRIPTION:2024 Remembrance Programme\n   “Creating Global Freedom: Countering Racism with Justice in Societies and Among Nations”\n  \nThe transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans represents one of the most horrific and traumatizing eras in human history. \nThis racialized system of enslavement abducted\, trafficked\, and brutally dehumanized Africans and their descendants over centuries leaving a pernicious legacy of racism grounded in the false narrative of white supremacy. \nA critical antidote to countering racism with justice is to acknowledge the fundamental dignity\, equality\, and rights of people of African descent within communities\, institutions\, policies\, laws\, and governing bodies. \nRecognizing the egregious history and legacies of enslavement the United Nations will step up efforts to address racism\, intolerance\, bigotry and hatred to advance the cause of global freedom. \n\n25 March 2024\nGeneral Assembly Commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and The Transatlantic Slave Trade\nThe United Nations General Assembly will hold a meeting to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade reflecting of this year’s theme “Creating Global Freedom: Countering Racism with Justice in Societies and Among Nations”. Speakers will include the President of the General Assembly\, the Secretary-General\, Member States\, a keynote and a youth speaker. (more to come)\nWatch on UNWebTV: https://webtv.un.org/en \n\nThe Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery was established in 2007 with the adoption of General Assembly resolution 62/122. The Programme raises awareness of the history of the transatlantic slave trade\, its impact on the modern world\, and its legacies\, including racism and prejudice. Over the years\, the Programme has established a global network of partners\, including from educational institutions and civil society\, and developed resources and initiatives to educate the public about this dark chapter of history and promote action against racism. \n  \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/the-international-day-of-remembrance-of-the-victims-of-slavery-and-the-transatlantic-slave-trade/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/slave-trade-.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240325T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240325T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240201T012525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180625Z
UID:10001226-1711324800-1711411199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members
DESCRIPTION:Protecting UN staff\nSince the founding of the United Nations in 1945\, hundreds of brave men and women have lost their lives in its service. During the 1990s\, the growing number and scale of UN peacekeeping missions put many more at risk. More lives were lost during the 1990s than in the previous four decades combined. \nAt that time\, an awareness began to develop among Member States and staff\, that the more active the UN became in the future\, the more it was going to be targeted. \nThe first resolution on staff security was adopted by the UN Security Council in September 1993. \nComplex negotiations subsequently took place in the Sixth (Legal) Committee of the General Assembly on an international legal convention to protect UN personnel. \nThe result of those negotiations was the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel\, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1994. \n\nOrigin\nThe International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is marked each year on the anniversary of the abduction of Alec Collett\, a former journalist who was working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) when he was abducted by armed gunman in 1985.  His body was finally found in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley in 2009. \nThe International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members has taken on even greater importance in recent years\, as attacks against the United Nations intensify.  This is a day to mobilize action\, demand justice and strengthen our resolve to protect UN staff and peacekeepers\, as well as our colleagues in the non-governmental community and the press. \nPurpose\nThis is a day to mobilize action\, demand justice and strengthen our resolve to protect UN staff and peacekeepers\, as well as our colleagues in the non-governmental community and the press. \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-of-solidarity-with-detained-and-missing-staff-members/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/detained-staff-member.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240330T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240330T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240116T194348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180606Z
UID:10001169-1711756800-1711843199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day of Zero Waste
DESCRIPTION:International Day of Zero Waste\nThe International Day of Zero Waste aims to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns\, support the societal shift towards circularity and raise awareness about how zero-waste initiatives contribute to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. \nThe waste sector contributes significantly to the triple planetary crisis of climate change\, biodiversity and nature loss\, and pollution. Humanity generates an estimated 2.24 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually\, of which only 55 per cent is managed in controlled facilities. Every year\, around 931 million tons of food is lost or wasted and up to 14 million tons of plastic waste enters aquatic ecosystems. \nZero-waste initiatives can foster sound waste management and minimize and prevent waste\, helping to address the triple planetary crisis\, protect the environment\, enhance food security and improve human health and well-being. \n\nAdopting zero waste\nA zero-waste approach entails responsible production\, consumption and disposal of products in a closed\, circular system. This means that resources are reused or recovered as much as possible and that we minimize the pollution to air\, land or water. \nAchieving zero waste requires action at all levels. \nProducts should be designed to be durable and require fewer and low-impact materials. By opting for less resource-intensive production and transport methods\, manufacturers can further limit pollution and waste. Advertising and closely managing demand can further enable zero waste throughout products’ life cycles. \nConsumers can also play a pivotal role in enabling zero waste by changing habits and reusing and repairing products as much as possible before properly disposing of them. \nWith governments\, communities\, industries and other stakeholders increasingly recognizing the potential of zero-waste initiatives\, bolstering waste management and improving recovery systems through finance and policymaking. The Global Strategy for Sustainable Consumption and Production can guide this transition. Established by the United Nations General Assembly\, Member States and stakeholders\, the strategy calls for the adoption of sustainable consumption and production objectives across all sectors by 2030. \n\n\n\nBackground\nOn 14 December 2022\, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution at its seventy-seventh session to proclaim 30 March as International Day of Zero Waste\, to be observed annually. Türkiye\, with 105 other countries\, put forward the resolution. It follows other resolutions focused on waste\, including “End plastic pollution: towards an internationally legally binding instrument”\, adopted at the United Nations Environment Assembly on 2 March 2022. \nDuring International Day of Zero Waste\, Member States\, organizations of the United Nations system\, civil society\, the private sector\, academia\, youth and other stakeholders are invited to engage in activities aimed at raising awareness of national\, subnational\, regional and local zero-waste initiatives and their contribution to achieving sustainable development. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) jointly facilitate the observance of International Day of Zero Waste. \nPromoting zero-waste initiatives through this international day can help advance all the goals and targets in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development\, including Sustainable Development Goal 11 and Sustainable Development Goal 12. These goals address all forms of waste\, including food loss and waste\, natural resource extraction and electronic waste. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGet involved\n\nJoin the conversation on social media using #ZeroWasteDay and #BeatWastePollution. \nYou can reduce your carbon footprint and also cut down on waste. Start with these ten impactful actions. \n\n\n\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-of-zero-waste/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/zero-waste-day.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240402T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240402T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240116T195639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180541Z
UID:10001170-1712016000-1712102399@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Autism Awareness Day
DESCRIPTION:Background\nThroughout its history\, the United Nations family has celebrated diversity and promoted the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities\, including learning differences and developmental disabilities. In 2008\, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities entered into force\, reaffirming the fundamental principle of universal human rights for all. Its purpose is to promote\, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities\, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity. It is a vital tool to foster an inclusive and caring society for all and to ensure that all children and adults with autism can lead full and meaningful lives. \nThe United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day (A/RES/62/139) to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society. \nAutism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood\, irrespective of gender\, race or socio-economic status. The term Autism Spectrum refers to a range of characteristics. Appropriate support\, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation allow those on the Spectrum to enjoy equal opportunity\, and full and effective participation in society. \nAutism is mainly characterized by its unique social interactions\, non-standard ways of learning\, keen interests in specific subjects\, inclination to routines\, challenges in typical communications and particular ways of processing sensory information. \nThe rate of autism in all regions of the world is high and the lack of understanding has a tremendous impact on the individuals\, their families and communities. \nThe stigmatization and discrimination associated with neurological differences remain substantial obstacles to diagnosis and therapies\, an issue that must be addressed by both public policy-makers in developing nations\, as well as donor countries. \n\n  \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-autism-awareness-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/autism-awareness.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240404T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240404T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240116T223219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180513Z
UID:10001171-1712188800-1712275199@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
DESCRIPTION:Background\nOn 8 December 2005\, the General Assembly declared that 4 April of each year shall be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. \nIt called for continued efforts by States\, with the assistance of the United Nations and relevant organizations\, to foster the establishment and development of national mine-action capacities in countries where mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to the safety\, health and lives of the civilian population\, or an impediment to social and economic development at the national and local levels. \nFor over 20 years\, the work of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has been driven by the needs of affected people and tailored to the threat of explosive hazards faced by civilians\, peacekeepers and humanitarians. \nUNMAS works to save lives\, to facilitate deployment of UN missions and the delivery of humanitarian assistance\, to protect civilians\, to support the voluntary return of the internally displaced and refugees\, to enable humanitarian and recovery activities and to advocate for international humanitarian and human rights law. \n\nHistory\nThe United Nations advocates for the universalization of existing legal frameworks and encourages Member States to expand those regimes and develop new international instruments to protect civilians from the scourges of landmines and explosive remnants of war. It undertakes this work in collaboration with interested states\, civil society\, mine action and international organizations. \nSince the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use\, Stockpiling\, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction\, commonly known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention opened for signature in 1997\, 164 countries have ratified or acceded to it. \nIn addition to anti-personnel mines\, challenges remain with respect to all other explosive remnants of war. On 12 November 2006\, the Secretary-General welcomed the entry into force of Protocol V on explosive remnants of war from the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and reiterated his call for its universalization and implementation. In December 2008\, the Secretary-General welcomed the opening for signature of the Convention on Cluster Munitions\, which was joined by 108 states. \nGuided by its inter-agency policy\, the United Nations Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action (IACG-MA)\, consisting of 12 departments\, agencies\, funds and programmes\, and with observer entities\, such as the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research and World Bank continue to ensure system-wide coherence in all mine action pillars and activities. \nIn 2018 UNMAS convened\, coordinated and led the drafting of the United Nations Mine Action Strategy 2019-2023. Two of the most significant aspects of the Strategy are that it represents an accountability framework for the United Nations system and introduces a Theory of Change for the United Nations engagement in mine action. \n\n\nMine Action Cannot Wait\n\nIn 2023 the United Nations Mine Action Service will acknowledge the day under the campaign “Mine Action Cannot Wait”\, highlighting decades of contamination in Cambodia\, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Viet Nam\, as well as draw attention to recent explosive ordnance contamination. \nThe over-arching goal will be to bring attention to areas of the world that remain contaminated after many years\, and where generations have changed their lives to avoid the threat. \nExplosive ordnance contamination threatens lives\, curtails freedom of movement\, limits access to arable land\, disenfranchises communities and above all instills fear and insecurity. It spreads terror\, and longstanding contamination internalizes this terror. The most affected are the most vulnerable populations. \nThis campaign makes it clear that the eradication of all landmines cannot wait. Whether it is new contamination in Colombia\, Myanmar\, Ukraine or Yemen\, or old contamination\, in Cambodia\, Iraq or Viet Nam\, clearance must be completed by mine action actors and States Parties of the Mine Ban Convention. It is a human problem. \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-for-mine-awareness-and-assistance-in-mine-action/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/mine.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240405T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240405T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240201T013203Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180443Z
UID:10001227-1712275200-1712361599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day of Conscience
DESCRIPTION:Promoting a Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience\nThe preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of humankind\, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people.” Moreover\, article 1 of the Declaration states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” \nThe task of the United Nations to save future generations from the scourge of war requires transformation towards a culture of peace\, which consists of values\, attitudes and behaviours that reflect and inspire social interaction and sharing based on the principles of freedom\, justice and democracy\, all human rights\, tolerance and solidarity\, that reject violence and endeavour to prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation and that guarantee the full exercise of all rights and the means to participate fully in the development process of their society. \nConscious of the need for the creation of conditions of stability and well-being and peaceful and friendly relations based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race\, sex\, language or religion\, the General Assembly declared 5 April the International Day of Conscience. \nThe General Assembly invited all Member States\, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations\, as well as the private sector and civil society\, including non-governmental organizations and individuals\, to build the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience in accordance with the culture and other appropriate circumstances or customs of their local\, national and regional communities\, including through quality education and public awareness-raising activities\, thereby fostering sustainable development. \n\nOrigins of a Culture of Peace\nThe concept of a culture of peace emerged from the International Congress on Peace in the Minds of Men\, organized by the United Nations Educational\, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Côte d’Ivoire in July 1989. Since then the promotion of a culture of peace has increasingly been seen as a worthwhile objective of the international community. The evolving concept has inspired activities at so many levels and in so many regions with the full participation of civil society that the culture of peace is gradually taking on the characteristics of a global movement. \nWithin the United Nations system\, the concept dates back to the Constitution of the United Nations Educational\, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)\, adopted more than 50 years ago\, wherein that organization is called upon to construct the defences of peace in the minds of men because “a peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of Governments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous\, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world\, and … the peace must therefore be founded\, if it is not to fail\, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind”. \n\n\nBuilding a Culture of Peace\nThe task of constructing a culture of peace requires comprehensive educational\, cultural\, social and civic action\, in which each person has something to learn and something to give and share. It addresses all ages and all groups; it is an open-minded global strategy with a specific purpose\, namely\, to make a culture of peace inseparable from culture per se and to take root in people’s hearts and minds. Peace is not only the absence of differences and conflicts. It is a positive\, dynamic\, participatory process linked intrinsically to democracy\, justice and development for all by which differences are respected\, dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are constantly transformed by non-violent means into new avenues of cooperation. \nBased on this broadest and most positive meaning of peace\, a culture of peace is a set of values\, attitudes\, traditions and customs\, modes of behaviour and ways of life that reflect and are directed towards respect for life\, for human beings and their rights\, the rejection of violence in all its forms\, the recognition of the equal rights of men and women\, the recognition of the rights of everyone to freedom of expression\, opinion and information\, attachment to the principles of democracy\, freedom\, justice\, development for all\, tolerance\, solidarity\, pluralism and acceptance of differences and understanding between nations\, between ethnic\, religious\, cultural and other groups and between individuals. \nThe UN and a Culture of Peace\nThe United Nations Educational\, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations play an important role in fostering the intercultural dialogue. They conduct activities related to the culture of peace and non-violence and make efforts in promoting a culture of peace through a number of practical projects in the areas of youth\, education\, media and migration\, in collaboration with governments\, international organizations\, foundations and civil society groups\, as well as the media and the private sector. \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-of-conscience/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://esgnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/conscience-image-index.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240406T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240406T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240206T155728Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180417Z
UID:10001228-1712361600-1712447999@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
DESCRIPTION:IDSDP 2024: Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies\nThe International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP)\, which takes place annually on 6 April\, presents an opportunity to recognize the positive role sport and physical activity play in communities and in people’s lives across the globe. \nThe global theme for 2024 is “Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies”. \nIn observance of the International Day\, on April 4 an event at UN Headquarters in New York will focus on how prominent sporting bodies engage in partnerships to make positive impacts for people and the environments in which they operate. It will bring together members of the international sporting community – including members of the United Nations Football for the Goals initiative – to share best practices\, discuss challenges\, and explore collaborative opportunities to drive positive social change and contribute to global efforts towards sustainable development and peace. \nThe United Nations has long recognized the power and universality of sport\, using it to unite individuals and groups through supporting sport for development efforts\, participating in events from the global to the grassroots level\, and developing its own sports-related campaigns and initiatives. \n\nBackground\nDue to its vast reach\, unparalleled popularity and foundation of positive values\, sport is ideally positioned to contribute towards the United Nations’ objectives for development and peace. \nTo raise awareness of this potential\, 6 April was declared as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) by the UN General Assembly. The adoption of this Day signifies the increasing recognition by the UN of the positive influence that sport can have on the advancement of human rights\, and social and economic development. \nIn its Resolution (A/RES/67/296) establishing the Day\, the General Assembly \n\n“Sport has the power to align our passion\, energy and enthusiasm around a collective cause. And that is precisely when hope can be nurtured and trust can be regained. It is in our collective interest to harness the tremendous power of sport to help build a better and more sustainable future for all.” \n– UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-of-sport-for-development-and-peace/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240412T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240412T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240206T195804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180328Z
UID:10001229-1712880000-1712966399@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Day of Human Space Flight
DESCRIPTION:The beginning of the space era for mankind\nThe General Assembly\, in its resolution A/RES/65/271 of 7 April 2011\, declared 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight “to celebrate each year at the international level the beginning of the space era for mankind\, reaffirming the important contribution of space science and technology in achieving sustainable development goals and increasing the well-being of States and peoples\, as well as ensuring the realization of their aspiration to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes.” \n12 April 1961 was the date of the first human space flight\, carried out by Yuri Gagarin\, a Soviet citizen. This historic event opened the way for space exploration for the benefit of all humanity. \nThe General Assembly expressed its deep conviction of the common interest of mankind in promoting and expanding the exploration and use of outer space\, as the province of all mankind\, for peaceful purposes and in continuing efforts to extend to all States the benefits derived there from. \n\nThe Voyager Golden Record: A reminder that we are all connected\nThe Voyager Golden Record shot into space in 1977 with a message from humanity to the cosmos – and decades later\, it stands as a reminder that we are all connected. The United Nations displays a replica of the Golden Record at its Headquarters\, and shares a deep connection to the process of creating it. A NASA committee asked the UN to provide materials to include on the playlist\, and the first words on the Record itself are those of the then-UN Secretary-General expressing hope for peace and friendship with whoever discovers and plays it. Bill Nye “The Science Guy\,” CEO of the Planetary Society\, walks viewers through how to decipher the Golden Record\, its significance today\, and how reverence for the universe can inspire action for our planet. This aligns with the ongoing work of the United Nations to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space. The Director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs\, Simonetta Di Pippo\, explains the significance of the Golden Record in our world now. “The undertaking of the Voyager project reminds us of who we are\, where we came from\, and that we should treat each other with care.” \n\nBackground\nOn 4 October 1957 the first human-made Earth satellite Sputnik I was launched into outer space\, thus opening the way for space exploration. On 12 April 1961\, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit the Earth\, opening a new chapter of human endeavour in outer space. \nThe Declaration further recalls “the amazing history of human presence in outer space and the remarkable achievements since the first human spaceflight\, in particular Valentina Tereshkova becoming the first woman to orbit the Earth on 16 June 1963\, Neil Armstrong becoming the first human to set foot upon the surface of the Moon on 20 July 1969\, and the docking of the Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts on 17 July 1975\, being the first international human mission in space\, and recall that for the past decade humanity has maintained a multinational permanent human presence in outer space aboard the International Space Station.” \n\nUN and Space\nFrom the very beginning of the Space Age\, the United Nations recognized that outer space added a new dimension to humanity’s existence. The United Nations family strives continuously to utilize the unique benefits of outer space for the betterment of all humankind. \nRecognizing the common interest of humankind in outer space and seeking to answer questions on how outer space can help benefit the people’s of Earth\, the General Asssembly adopted its first resolution related to outer space\, resolution 1348 (XIII) entitled “Question of the Peaceful Use of Outer Space”. \nOn 10 October 1967\, the “Magna Carta of Space“\, also known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space\, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies entered into force. \nToday\, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is the United Nations office responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. UNOOSA serves as the secretariat for the General Assembly’s only committee dealing exclusively with international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space: the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space(COPUOS). \nUNOOSA is also responsible for implementing the Secretary-General’s responsibilities under international space law and maintaining the United Nations Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space. \nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-day-of-human-space-flight/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240420T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240420T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240116T225834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180243Z
UID:10001175-1713571200-1713657599@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:Chinese Language Day
DESCRIPTION:Celebrating United Nations Chinese Language Day\n　　There are six official languages ​​of the United Nations\, namely Arabic\, Chinese\, English\, French\, Russian and Spanish. In order to emphasize the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity and promote the equal use of the six official languages ​​of the United Nations\, in 2010\, the United Nations Department of Public Information (now the Department of Global Communications ) announced the launch of United Nations Language Day. This initiative celebrates multilingualism and cultural diversity and promotes equal use of the six official languages ​​at the United Nations. In the same year\, after argumentation by domestic experts\, the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations proposed to the United Nations that Chinese Language Day be designated as April 20 every year on the traditional Chinese solar term “Grain Rain” to commemorate the contribution of Cangjie\, the “ancestor of Chinese characters” in character creation. . \n　　Since the first celebration was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on November 12\, 2010\, United Nations Chinese Language Day has become a window for people to understand Chinese culture. Every year before and after Chinese Language Day\, the United Nations Headquarters in New York launches a series of colorful activities\, covering art exhibitions\, Chinese learning forums\, special lectures\, fashion and traditional opera exhibitions\, etc. \nIn addition\, the United Nations offices in Geneva\, Bangkok\, Nairobi\, Vienna\, and other United Nations agencies will also hold exhibitions\, lectures\, interesting knowledge tests and other activities to highlight the charm of the Chinese language and culture. \n\nEstablishment of United Nations Language Day\n　　The United Nations has established Language Days for each of its six official languages. \nUnited Nations Language Day celebrates multilingual and cultural diversity and promotes equal use of the six official languages ​​of the United Nations. Under this initiative\, six celebration events will be held at United Nations duty stations around the world to commemorate each of the United Nations working languages. United Nations Language Day is both for entertainment and to remind the public to strengthen respect for the history\, culture and achievements of the six working languages ​​of the United Nations. \n\n\n\nChinese language day activities\nThe Grain Rain season coincides with the annual United Nations Chinese Language Day. Over the past decade or so\, the colorful activities of Chinese Language Day have attracted much attention and expectations because of their role in promoting the Chinese language in the multilateral diplomatic work of the United Nations and highlighting the unique charm of Chinese language and culture. This year’s Chinese Language Day will be themed “Chinese Wisdom\, Green Development” to contribute Chinese wisdom and provide Chinese solutions to green development and sustainable development. \nEVENT DETAILS\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/chinese-language-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,United Nations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240421T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240421T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240206T200837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180154Z
UID:10001230-1713657600-1713743999@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:World Creativity and Innovation Day
DESCRIPTION:Creativity and innovation in problem-solving\nThere may be no universal understanding of creativity. The concept is open to interpretation from artistic expression to problem-solving in the context of economic\, social and sustainable development. Therefore\, the United Nations designated 21 April as World Creativity and Innovation Day to raise the awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development. \n\nCreativity and culture\nThe creative economy too has no single definition. It is an evolving concept which builds on the interplay between human creativity and ideas and intellectual property\, knowledge and technology. Essentially it is the knowledge-based economic activities upon which the ‘creative industries’ are based. \nCreative industries –which include audiovisual products\, design\, new media\, performing arts\, publishing and visual arts– are a highly transformative sector of the world economy in terms of income generation\, job creation and export earnings. Culture is an essential component of sustainable development and represents a source of identity\, innovation and creativity for the individual and community. At the same time\, creativity and culture have a significant non-monetary value that contributes to inclusive social development\, to dialogue and understanding between peoples. Today\, the creative industries are among the most dynamic areas in the world economy providing new opportunities for developing countries to leapfrog into emerging high-growth areas of the world economy. \n\n\nNew momentum for the SDGs\nOn World Creativity and Innovation Day\, the world is invited to embrace the idea that innovation is essential for harnessing the economic potential of nations. Innovation\, creativity and mass entrepreneurship can provide new momentum towards achieving the Sustainable Sustainble Goals (SDGs). It can harness economic growth and job creation\, while expanding opportunities for everyone\, including women and youth. It can provide solutions to some of the most pressing problems such as poverty eradication and the elimination of hunger. Human creativity and innovation\, at both the individual and group levels\, have become the true wealth of nations in the twenty-first century. \nReshaping policies for creativity\nCulture and creativity account for 3.1% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 6.2% of all employment. Exports of cultural goods and services doubled in value from 2005 to reach US$389.1 billion in 2019. Besides being one of the youngest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world\, new and ongoing challenges also make the creative economy one of the most vulnerable sectors that is often overlooked by public and private investment. The 2022 UNESCO report\, Re|Shaping Policies for Creativity – Addressing culture as a global public good offers insightful new data that shed light on emerging trends at a global level\, as well as putting forward policy recommendations to foster creative ecosystems that contribute to a sustainable world by 2030 and beyond. \n\nGrowth through green innovation\nAchieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 SDGs – the most ambitious development agenda in human history – requires both creativity and innovation. Green technologies – those used to produce goods and services with smaller carbon footprints – are growing and providing increasing economic opportunities but many developing countries could miss them without decisive action. Through its Technology and Innovation Report 2023\, UNCTAD calls on governments to align environmental\, science\, technology\, innovation and industrial policies. \n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/world-creativity-and-innovation-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240422T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240422T235959
DTSTAMP:20260407T195434
CREATED:20240117T171857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240227T180119Z
UID:10001177-1713744000-1713830399@esgnews.com
SUMMARY:International Mother Earth Day
DESCRIPTION:When Mother Earth sends us a message\nMother Earth is clearly urging a call to action. Nature is suffering. Oceans filling with plastic and turning more acidic. Extreme heat\, wildfires and floods\, have affected millions of people. Even these days\, we are still trying to get back on track from COVID-19\, a worldwide health pandemic linked to the health of our ecosystem. \nClimate change\, man-made changes to nature as well as crimes that disrupt biodiversity\, such as deforestation\, land-use change\, intensified agriculture and livestock production or the growing illegal wildlife trade\, can accelerate the speed of destruction of the planet. \nThis is the second Mother Earth Day celebrated within the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are\, the healthier the planet – and its people. Restoring our damaged ecosystems will help to end poverty\, combat climate change and prevent mass extinction. But we will only succeed if everyone plays a part. \nFor this International Mother Earth Day\, let’s remimd ourselves – more than ever – that we need a shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet. Let’s promote harmony with nature and the Earth. Join the global movement to restore our world! \n\n\n\n\nLet’s act now\nThere are multiple\, feasible and effective options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change\, and they are available now\, according to the last UN Climate Change report backed by science. \nIPCC REPORT \n\n\nDid you know?\n\n\n\nThe planet is losing 4.7 million hectares of forests every year – an area larger than Denmark.\nA healthy ecosystem helps to protect us from these diseases. Biological diversity makes it difficult for pathogens to spread rapidly.\nIt is estimated that around one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nShealyn Brannon
URL:https://esgnews.com/event/international-mother-earth-day/
CATEGORIES:ESG Awareness,SDGs,United Nations
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