Tag Archives: UN Days

World Refugee Day

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A refugee is someone who leaves their country due to the ramifications of war, conflict persecution and violence that they have faced within their home country. Through undertaking the process of crossing international borders, some refugees often leave everything behind carrying only minimal clothing and possessions; with the plan to find safety and haven in a different country.

World Refugee Day which took place yesterday is an international day organised every year on 20 June by the United Nations and is designed to celebrate and honour refugees from around the world. The day was first established on 20 June 2001, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. The 1951 Refugee Convention acknowledges a refugee as an individual who is unable to return to their country of origin owing to the founded fear of being affected by their race, religion, participation of a social group or in different political opinions.

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The number of refugees worldwide has been steadily increasing over the past few years. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there were over 103 million forcibly displaced people worldwide by mid 2022. This includes over 32.5 million refugees, 4.9 million asylum seekers, 53.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 5.3 million others in need of international protection. 72% of all refugees originate from just five countries with Syria at the top and Venezuela, Ukraine, Afghanistan and South Sudan, the other four countries. 36% of all refugees are hosted in five countries with Türkiye hosting the largest number of refugees, at 3.7 million people and Colombia is second with more than 2.5 million, Germany with 2.2 million, Pakistan with 1.5 million and Uganda hosting 1.5 million refugees. At the end of 2021, of the 89.3 million forcibly displaced people, an estimated 36.5 million or 41% are children below the age of 18. 1.5 million
children were born as refugees and between 2018 and 2021, an average of between 350,000 and 400,000 children were born into a refugee life per year. 204,500 refugees returned or were resettled with some 162,300 refugees returned to their countries of origin during the first six months of 2022 while 42,300 were resettled. 74% of refugees were hosted in low and middle-income countries with the least developed countries providing asylum to 22% of the total. Data on some 4.3 million stateless people residing in 95 countries were reported as at mid-2022. The true global figure is estimated to be significantly higher. 69 per cent of refugees and other people in need of international protection lived in countries neighbouring their countries of origin.

The event aims to recognise the strength of the refugees who have fled the conflict and persecution of their country in hope of finding sanctuary and living a better life. World Refugee Day builds the concept of understanding their plight which shows one’s resilience and courage in rebuilding their future. The day is seen as an opportunity for everyone to experience, understand and celebrate the rich diversity of the communities of refugees. World Refugee Day is also celebrated through World Refugee Week and is designed to provide an important chance for asylum seekers and refugees to be seen, listened to and valued by the community they are living.

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This year’s World Refugee Day comes at a time when the global refugee crisis is at its worst. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the situation for refugees even direr. Many refugee camps are overcrowded, making it nearly impossible to practice social distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Refugees are also more vulnerable to the economic impact of the pandemic, as many of them rely on informal and low-wage jobs that have been affected by lockdowns and other restrictions. The theme for Refugee Week 2023 is Healing and hopes to help imagine a world where healing replaces harm, and care becomes the world’s shared currency.

In addition to education, refugees also need access to healthcare, housing, and other basic needs. Many refugees live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, which can lead to the spread of diseases. Providing refugees with access to healthcare can help prevent and treat illnesses and improve their overall quality of life. Housing is another important issue for refugees. Many refugees live in temporary shelters such as tents or shipping containers, which are not suitable for long-term living. Providing refugees with safe and affordable housing can help them feel more secure and stable, and can also improve their chances of finding work and integrating into their new communities. Refugees often face discrimination and prejudice when trying to settle in new countries. Integration programs can help refugees learn the language and customs of their new home and find work and housing. These programs can also help to educate the local community about refugees and promote greater understanding and acceptance.

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Refugees play an important role in the globe as when they have access to legal employment opportunities in their host country, they can utilise their knowledge to assist in filling the gap in the country’s labour market. These inclusions in society create a more diverse culture and multiculturalism which provides the community with the opportunity to learn from each other. The majority of refugees come from backgrounds where they have been formally employed and can assist their new country in contributing to the security of the country as well as their revenue. They are also able to create the ability to contribute to society by acting as a mediator in different intercultural exchanges, and the host country will be able to experience more effective socio-cultural diversity within the community.

Despite the many challenges they face, refugees are some of the most resilient people in the world. They have survived war, persecution, and other forms of violence, and have often been forced to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. On World Refugee Day 2023, it is important to remember that refugees are not just statistics, but individuals with unique stories, talents, and aspirations.

World Day against Child Labour

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Held annually on 12 June, the World Day Against Child Labour was first launched in 2002 by the International Labour Organization or ILO to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour. It was spurred by ratifications on the minimum age for employment and the worst forms of child labour. The day is intended to foster the worldwide movement against child labour and spread awareness about the harmful mental and physical problems faced by children forced into child labour, all over the world.

The day was first established in 2002 by the ILO to draw attention to the issue of child labour and to revise and revisit strategies to eliminate child labour. According to ILO’s data, hundreds of millions of girls and boys worldwide are involved in work that deprives them of receiving adequate education, health, leisure and basic freedoms, violating this way their rights. Of these children, more than half are exposed to the worst forms of child labour which include work in hazardous environments, slavery, other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict. World Day Against Child Labour is important because we must pay attention to the problem of child labour and find ways to eradicate it.

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Not all work done by children should be classified as child labour that is to be targeted for elimination. Children’s or adolescents’ participation in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling, is generally regarded as being something positive. This includes activities such as helping their parents around the home, assisting in a family business or earning pocket money outside school hours and during school holidays. These kinds of activities contribute to children’s development and the welfare of their families; they provide them with skills and experience, and help to prepare them to be productive members of society during their adult life.

Today, throughout the world, around 218 million children work, many full-time. They do not go to school and have little or no time to play. Many do not receive proper nutrition or care. They are denied the chance to be children. More than half of them are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, other forms of forced labour, illicit activities including drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.

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Child labour to be eliminated is a subset of children in employment. It includes all unconditional worst forms of child labour, such as slavery or practices similar to slavery, the use of a child for prostitution or for illicit activities; work done by children under the minimum legal age for that type of work, as defined by national legislation under international standards. The worst forms of child labour involve children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses and/or left to fend for themselves on the streets of large cities – often at a very early age. Whether or not particular forms of work can be called child labour depends on the child’s age, the type and hours of work performed, the conditions under which it is performed and the objectives pursued by individual countries. The answer varies from country to country, as well as among sectors within countries.

At the beginning of 2020, 1 in 10 children aged 5 and over were involved in child labour worldwide – equating to an estimated 160 million children, or 63 million girls and 97 million boys. Globally, significant progress has been made in reducing child labour in the past two decades according to a ILO and UNICEF report in 2021. The number of children in child labour declined by 85.5 million between 2000 and 2020, from 16% to 9.6%. Only 26.4% of children worldwide receive social protection cash benefits. At the global level, national expenditure on social protection for children amounts to only 1.1% of the GDP. In Africa, the region with the largest share of children in the population, the highest prevalence of child labour and the greatest need for social protection, an equivalent of 0.4% of GDP is spent on social protection for children. It is estimated that without mitigation strategies, the number of children in child labour could rise by 8.9 million by the end of 2022, due to higher poverty and increased vulnerability.

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Child labour is a global issue that affects millions of children worldwide. It is a violation of children’s rights and can have long-term negative effects on their physical and mental health, education, and prospects. While progress has been made in recent years to reduce child labour, there is still much work to be done. The International Day against Child Labour is a day when everyone, including governments, businesses, and individuals remember that they have a role to play in ending child labour and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow up safe, healthy, and free.

World Environment Day

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Today is World Environment Day. The day is celebrated annually to showcase the importance of the environment and engage people to protect and restore the Earth. First held in 1973, it has been a platform for raising awareness on environmental issues such as marine pollution, overpopulation, global warming, sustainable development, and wildlife crime. World Environment Day has evolved to become one of the world’s largest environmental events with participation from more than 150 countries and millions participating in activities like tree planting, cleaning up the environment, and raising awareness about environmental issues. This year marks the event’s 50th anniversary.

Taking care of the environment is essential for the survival of both humans and wildlife. The environment is home to millions of species of plants and animals. Biodiversity is essential for the survival of ecosystems and provides essential services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and water purification. The environment plays a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate. Climate change, caused by the burning of fossil fuels and other human activities, is one of the biggest environmental challenges we face today. Taking care of the environment can help to mitigate the impacts of climate change and create a more sustainable future. The environment provides us with clean air and water, which are essential for human health and well-being. Pollution and degradation of the environment can have serious health consequences, such as respiratory illnesses and water-borne diseases. The environment provides us with natural resources such as timber, minerals, and oil. These resources are essential for economic development, but they must be managed sustainably to ensure their long-term availability. Ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and coral reefs protect from natural disasters such as floods, storms, and tsunamis. Degradation of these ecosystems can increase the risk of natural disasters and make communities more vulnerable.

Each year, World Environment Day is hosted by a different country where the official celebrations take place. The host for 2023 is Côte d’Ivoire in partnership with The Netherlands. Both countries are showing leadership in the campaign against single-use plastics. They have also committed to building more circular economies, giving plastic products a second life and creating a host of new opportunities, including for the disadvantaged.

The theme of World Environment Day 2023 takes on plastic pollution, one of the gravest threats to the planet and our health. The world is being inundated by plastic. Plastic is an intrinsic part of everyday life and since 1950, the world has produced more than 9 billion tonnes of the material. Unfortunately, the vast majority of that or more than half has been thrown away, often after just a single use, ultimately polluting land, sea and air. Kess than 10% of plastic is recycled with an estimated 19-23 million tonnes ending up in water bodies. Plastic that is burnt combusts into toxic smoke. Microplastics find their way into our food, water and even air. By some estimates, people consume more than 50,000 plastic particles per year and many more if inhalation is considered. Many plastic products contain hazardous additives, which may pose a threat to our health. World Environment Day will focus on how humanity can end its love affair with single-use plastics and create economies in which plastic is repurposed instead of being jettisoned. For a more detailed blog post on plastic waste and its impact, click here.

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) was launched on World Environment Day 2021, and it aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. The Decade is a global call to action for governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to take urgent action to restore ecosystems and create a sustainable future for all.

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Taking care of the environment is a collective responsibility, and everyone can play a role in protecting the natural world. One of the most effective ways to take care of the environment is to reduce our consumption of resources which can be achieved by reusing and recycling materials like paper, plastic, and glass. Transportation is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major cause of climate change. By using sustainable transportation, such as walking, cycling, or taking public transportation, we can reduce our carbon footprint and help to protect the environment. Conserving energy is another important way to take care of the environment. An easy way to do this is to turn off lights and appliances when they are not in use, use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances, and reduce our use of air conditioning and heating.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. By supporting renewable energy initiatives, we can help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and create a more sustainable future. Trees play a critical role in regulating the Earth’s climate and supporting biodiversity. By planting trees, we can help to sequester carbon and create habitats for wildlife. Agriculture is a major contributor to environmental degradation, but sustainable agriculture practices can help to mitigate these impacts. By supporting sustainable agriculture initiatives, such as organic farming and regenerative agriculture, we can help to protect the environment and promote food security. Waste is a major environmental problem, but we can reduce our waste by choosing products with less packaging, avoiding single-use items, and composting organic

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World Environment Day is an opportunity for everyone to take action to protect our planet and promote sustainable living. It serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our environment and that we must work together to create a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.

World Milk Day

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A drink which every human being is intimately familiar with, milk is a white liquid food produced by the mammary glands of mammals and is the primary source of nutrition for their young, including breastfed human infants before they can digest solid food. Immune factors and immune-modulating components in milk contribute to milk immunity. Early-lactation milk, which is called colostrum, contains antibodies that strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of many diseases. Milk contains many nutrients, including protein and lactose.

Milk is a staple food in many households around the world. It is a rich source of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients that are important for the growth and development of the human body. However, the production of milk has a significant impact on the environment. The dairy sector is responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and deforestation.

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As an agricultural product, dairy milk is collected from farm animals. According to Statista, the volume of cow milk produced worldwide has risen steadily over the last several years. In 2015, 497 million metric tons of cow milk was produced worldwide, by 2022 that figure had risen to around 544 million metric tons. India is the world’s largest producer of milk and the leading exporter of skimmed milk powder, but it exports few other milk products. New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands are the largest exporters of milk products. The US CDC recommends that children over the age of 12 months should have two servings of dairy milk products a day. More than six billion people worldwide consume milk and milk products, and between 750 and 900 million people live in dairy-farming households.

To celebrate the importance and nutritive value of milk as a global food, the Food and Agriculture Organization or FAO of the United Nations established World Milk Day. The day has been observed on June 1 each year since 2001 and is intended to provide an opportunity to bring attention to activities that are connected with the dairy sector. June 1 was chosen because many countries were already celebrating a milk day during that time of year.

The day provides an opportunity to focus attention on milk and raise awareness of dairy’s part in healthy diets, responsible food production, and supporting livelihoods and communities. FAO data shows that more than one billion people’s livelihoods are supported by the dairy sector and that dairy is consumed by more than six billion people globally.

The theme for World Milk Day 2023 is “Reducing the environmental footprint of the dairy sector while providing nutritious foods and livelihoods” The 2023 theme will focus on showcasing how dairy is reducing its environmental footprint, while also providing nutritious foods and livelihoods. This theme highlights the importance of sustainable dairy farming practices that can help reduce the environmental impact of the dairy sector.

One way to reduce the environmental impact of the dairy sector is to promote sustainable farming practices. Sustainable farming practices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and deforestation. For example, farmers can use renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power to power their farms. They can also use organic farming practices that do not rely on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Another way is to promote the use of alternative dairy products like soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk which have a lower environmental impact than traditional dairy products. They require less water and land to produce and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

World Milk Day is an opportunity to celebrate the dairy industry while also promoting sustainable dairy farming practices. By reducing the environmental footprint of the dairy sector, we can ensure that future generations have access to nutritious foods and livelihoods.

International Day of Families

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Today is the International Day of Families. Families are the basic unit of society and play a critical role in shaping individuals and communities. A Family is the smallest and the primary focus of human attachment, nurturance and socialisation. All the lessons of life are learnt from the family and these stay on the psyche for the entire life. Family, which comes from the Latin, familia, is a group of people related either by consanguinity or affinity. The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and society. Ideally, families offer predictability, structure, and safety as members mature and learn to participate in the community.

United Nations declared in 1993 that 15 May would be the International Day of Families to raise awareness of the importance of families and to promote family-oriented policies and programs. The day is an opportunity to recognise the importance of families and to promote their well-being. It also aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by families and to encourage the adoption of policies and programs that support families.

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The theme for the 2022 edition was Families and Urbanisation. Urbanisation is one of the most important megatrends shaping the world and the life and well-being of families worldwide. Sustainable urbanisation is related to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals and targets that depend on how well urbanisation is managed towards benefitting families and enhancing the well-being of all generations living in cities. The theme thus aims to raise awareness of the importance of sustainable, family-friendly urban policies.

The world is becoming increasingly urbanised. According to the United Nations, 55% of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas, and this number is expected to reach 68% by 2050. Urbanisation has many benefits, such as access to better healthcare, education, and job opportunities. However, it also presents challenges for families, such as higher living costs, limited space, and a lack of social support.

One of the biggest challenges facing families in urban areas is housing. In many cities, housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable, forcing families to live in small apartments or even on the streets. Another challenge facing families in urban areas is the lack of social support networks. In traditional, rural communities, families often have access to extended family members, neighbours, and community organizations that provide social and emotional support which may be unable in urban areas. Despite these challenges, families in urban areas also have unique opportunities for growth and development.

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Preparations for the thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2024 have been centring on megatrends and their impact on families. The focus on selected megatrends, including technological change, migration, urbanization, demographic and climate change, aims to facilitate the analysis of their impacts on family life and to recommend responsive family-oriented policies to harness the positive aspects of those trends and counteract their negative facets.