International Youth Day will be taking place on 12 August 2014. It will bring youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrate the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society. This year, the theme will be “Youth and Mental Health” under the slogan ‘Mental Health Matters’. Youth with mental health conditions can often experience stigma and discrimination, which in turn can lead to exclusion and/or discourage people from seeking help for fear of being … [Read more...]
GLOBAL FEMALE LEADERS SUMMIT 2015 – APRIL 21 & 22, Berlin
July 29, 2014 by
SHAPING TOMORROW‘S BUSINESS REALITIES An organization becomes fit for the future through its richness of ideas, approaches and perspectives. More and more women are taking up positions of responsibility on executive and supervisory boards across the world, thereby entering top management. The growing dynamics of this trend cannot be ignored. And one thing is clear: wherever this happens, old patterns of thought are being disbanded. We profit from this increased variety of thoughts, … [Read more...]
PTSD, The plight of FGM in The Gambia, Africa
July 26, 2014 by
Slowly changing, but unmoving: The plight of FGM in The Gambia, Africa A Stop FGM – Female Genital Mutilation sign in Bakau New Town, Gambia gives a phone number to reach for those women who want talk with someone about FGM. Image: Nichol Brummer/Flickr London, UNITED KINGDOM, WESTERN EUROPE: Rainy season in upcountry rural Gambia, is green. It is a warm, inviting blend of a thousand greens; a mixture of beautiful, calm, peaceful mingling greens. As I look around and soak in the reality … [Read more...]
Iraq: Isis warns women to wear full veil or face punishment
July 25, 2014 by
Sunni insurgents issue guidelines in mosques on how clothes should be worn to prevent women 'from falling into vulgarity' 'Anyone who is not committed to this duty and is motivated by glamour will be subject to accountability.' Photograph: Ali Al-Saadi/AFP/Getty Images Islamic State (Isis), the al-Qaida offshoot that seized large swathes of northern Iraq last month, has warned women in the city of Mosul to wear full-face veils or risk severe punishment. The Sunni insurgents, who have … [Read more...]
July 4, 2014 celebrations dampened by Hurricane Arthur
July 3, 2014 by
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (now officially known as the United Kingdom). Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public … [Read more...]
World Urbanization Prospects Worldwide
July 1, 2014 by
Revealing urbanization trends worldwide The world’s urban population has grown rapidly since 1950 and the coming decades will bring further profound changes to its size and distribution. On 10 July, UN DESA’s Population Division will release the latest urbanization trends, providing data that are critical for assessing current and future needs with respect to urban growth. Scheduled for launch on 10 July, just one day before World Population Day, the latest version of the World … [Read more...]
Iraq, displaced girls/women face increasing risk of sexual violence, UN warns
June 30, 2014 by
An estimated 20,000 women and girls in Iraq are at an increased risk of sexual violence as a result of the mounting crisis in northern and western parts of the country, warned the United Nations today, urging immediate action to ensure their protection. “We must act immediately to ensure that women and girls are protected from sexual violence,” said Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Babatunde Osotimehin, stressing that the international community must not wait for cases to … [Read more...]
Child Prostitution, 2014 World Cup’s Darkest Side
June 30, 2014 by
Amid the events surrounding the 2014 World Cup showcasing Brazil's dynamic culture, food and other assets, and the memorable plays on the soccer field, with perhaps the best so far being Robin Van Persie's masterful header against Spain on the second day of play, there's a 'dark side': deep-rooted problems simmering just below the surface in South America's largest country with child prostitution an especially grim reminder that all is not football and Carnival. In the first decade of the … [Read more...]
The Dark Side of Brazil’s Love for Women’s Soccer
June 30, 2014 by
This summer's World Cup will bring together two things for which Brazil is internationally renowned: soccer and beautiful women. While Brazil's reputation for sexy ladies and futebol are mixed together in the advertising leading up to the games, it's another story on the field. The struggles of women attempting to break into the male-dominated world of soccer reveals the darker side of the beautiful game. For a country renowned for its passion and prowess in the sport, acceptance of … [Read more...]
Global Human Trafficking, a Modern form of Slavery
June 29, 2014 by
Steve McQueen, director of this year’s Oscar winner for best film “12 Years A Slave,” mentioned in his acceptance speech last month that 21 million people are living in slavery today. That quoted figure comes from the 2012 report issued by the United Nation’s International Labor Organization (ILO) that has been attempting to gather international data for over a decade now. In the Asia-Pacific region where most of the world’s forced laborers come from at 56%, an estimated 11.7 million people, … [Read more...]
Ramadan, celebrated in ninth month of Islamic Calendar
June 29, 2014 by
Some homes have lit lanterns in the evenings during the month of Ramadan. May this festival of lights fill your heart and soul, With blessings, joy and prosperity and make you whole, Wishing you and your family, Ramadan Kareem Mubarak Ramadan (also known as Ramadhan or Ramzan) is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of prayer, fasting, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims in Canada. The first verses of the Koran (Qu'ran) were revealed to the Prophet … [Read more...]
Global Warming causes Beach Threat
June 23, 2014 by
7 of the World’s Most Beautiful and Threatened Beaches by Beth Buczynski It’s summer and for most of us, that means at least one trip to the nearest beach. Splashing in the ocean, soaking up the sun, sinking my toes into the sand: these are sensations only the beach can provide. Sadly, our pollution and exploitation of all the ocean has to offer has put the world’s most beautiful beaches in jeopardy. In 100 years, a beach-side vacation may be something people only read about in books. 7 … [Read more...]
