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Greetings to each and everyone of you.


This section for English-speaking viewers –
and all those enjoying the culture –

has developed over the months and is now offering materials of all kinds:

texts, images, poems, videos, etc.

It will continue to provide you with rich contents week after week.

 

International Albinism Awareness Day – 13 June

12 juin 2016
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: albinism, discrimination, human rights, particular needs, social exclusion, superstition

People with albinism face multiple forms of discrimination worldwide. Albinism is still profoundly misunderstood, socially and medically. The physical appearance of persons with albinism is ofteniaad_primary_logotype the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition, which foster their marginalization and social exclusion. This leads to various forms of stigma and discrimination.

In some communities, erroneous beliefs and myths, heavily influenced by superstition, put the security and lives of persons with albinism at constant risk. These beliefs and myths are centuries old and are present in cultural attitudes and practices around the world.

On 18 December 2014, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming, with effect from 2015, 13 June as International Albinism Awareness Day.

The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution in 2013 calling for the prevention of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism. Moreover, in response to the call from civil society organizations advocating to consider persons  with albinism as a specific group with particular needs that require special attention, on 26 March 2015, the Council created  the mandate of Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism.

Source: Texte UN  Image: International Awareness Day

World Day Against Child Labour – 12 June

11 juin 2016
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Child Labour, governments, International Labour Organization (ILO), International labour standards, UN, workers organizations

2016 Theme: End child labour in supply chains – It’s everyone’s business!2016

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Each year on 12 June, the World Day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.

This year, the focus for World Day Against Child Labour is on child labour and supply chains. With 168 million children still in child labour, all supply chains, from agriculture to manufacturing, services to construction, run the risk that child labour may be present.

To support businesses in their actions to remove child labour from their supply chains, the ILO and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) have jointly created the Child Labour Guidance Tool, a resource for companies to increase their knowledge and ability to conduct business in line with international labour standards on child labour.

Source: Text: UN  Image: UN Photo/ Jean Pierre Laffon A Turkish boy selling bricklike sweetcakes on an Istanbul street.

11th Sunday of the Year, C

9 juin 2016
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: compassion, Jesus, Lc. 7:36-50, Mary Magdalene, Pharisee, Ps.34:18, Ps.51:17, Simon the Pharisee, the Man of Nazareth

The scene is well-known, the story it depicts as well, and the woman character in it is no less famous, could we say. So many works of art, works of fiction and of theological reflection are centred on the subject: Mary Magdalene, the women of Magdala.

The gospel text of this Sunday (11th Sunday of the Year, C – Lk.7:36-50) brings again this scene to our minds and hearts. Much has been said and much more could be said about the woman and about her encounter with the Man of Nazareth, that Teacher so different from all others.

For me, the story could be summarizwoman-anointing Im-international.used in two verses of the Psalms:
“My sacrifice is this broken spirit, you will not scorn this broken heart.”   (Ps.51:17)
“The Lord is near to the broken of heart, he helps those whose spirit is crushed.”   (Ps.34:18)

More than the broken jar of her perfume, Mary Magdalene brought to Jesus her broken heart – her sorrow for what she had been and… for what she had not been!
Her crushed spirit was filled with regrets, sincere repentance for what her life had been so far; this is what she brings silently before the Man of God.

Her broken heart shows the scars of what the contempt, the arrogance, the selfishness of people have inflicted on her.
All this added to the bitterness of being conscious of her failings – this is what she can place near the feet that she washes and dries with her hair.

She speaks no word, no confession is heard, no self-accusation or even promise of doing better – all is expressed in her silent offering.
Jesus receives it as it is offered, and he is indeed near the woman with a broken heart.
His nearness makes of him her defender against the silent accusation of the self-righteous Pharisee.

Amazingly, Jesus condemns nobody, not even Simon – he, himself, is the one giving the correct answer which condemns him.
It seems that, like some people still today, he has all the answers but… so little compassion!
And, it seems also that our God is a God of compassion… the very compassion that the Man of Nazareth is showing to the woman at his feet.

Source: Image: Im-international.us

International Archives Day – 9 June

8 juin 2016
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: archives, cultural heritage, human resources, ICA, libraries, Seoul Korea, UNESCO

IAD2016The UNESCO General Conference at its 33rd session in Paris 2005 proclaimed the 27th October as the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. The World Day is an appropriate opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of audiovisual archives. It brings new incentives to the benefit of the preservation of these archives. This was an excellent initiative, but these are not the only archives that are at risk and in need of attention.

This is the reason why the ICA decided at its Annual General Meeting in November 2007  to launch the International Archives Day by its own, on the 9th of June. The date was obvious: on the 9th of June 1948, the International Council on Archives was created under the auspices of the UNESCO. This choice was adopted by ICA Executive Board, and adopted by the archives community as a whole.

Why and International Archives Day?
One might think that we have got a full calendar of international days to celebrate. However the public’s image of the archives is foggy: often confused with libraries, archives continue to be perceived as documents for internal use only, which are difficult to access and are of interest only to historians. The perception of records and archives by the public and the organizations that create them is not clear. This troubled image has an impact on the financial and human resources that responsible managers and administrators dedicate to records and archives operations and/or institutions.

It is therefore essential to remember that records and archives are documents, created, received and maintained as evidence and information by an organization or person, in pursuance of legal obligations, or in the transaction of business. Archival records are those documents that are preserved by their creators, successors or an appropriate archive institution because of their legal value or enduring historical significance. Archives constitute a major cultural heritage and information resource. The archival heritage is a valuable testimony about the economical, political and social development of humanity. The diversity of archival sources and formats is considerable. To ensure the preservation of these sources, a comprehensive approach that considers all types and formats of archives, is required. It is not possible to focus solely on one type of record, as other categories of archives also deserve attention.

Source: Text: ICA.org  

ICA invites you to celebrate the 2016 International Archives Day on the theme “Archives, Harmony and Friendship”. As you will know, this is also the theme of the 2016 ICA Congress in Seoul.

Source: Text & Image: International Archives Day

World Oceans Day – 8 June

7 juin 2016
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: climate, océans, our planet, oxygen we breathe, plastic polution, scientists, wildlife

The ocean is the heart of our planet. Like your heart pumping blood to every part of your body, the ocean connects people across the Earth, no matter where we live. The ocean regulates the climate, oceanfeeds millions of people every year, produces oxygen, is the home to an incredible array of wildlife, provides us with important medicines, and so much more! In order to ensure the health and safety of our communities and future generations, it’s imperative that we take the responsibility to care for the ocean as it cares for us.

This year, the theme is Healthy oceans, healthy planet, and we’re making a special effort to stop plastic pollution.

Source: Text: UN Home Image: Journée mondiale

Oceans Day is a yearly event to celebrate and honour the bodies of water that join us all. The oceans generate most of the oxygen we breathe, they regulate our climate, and they feed us. But the best part is, we still know very little about them; less than 10% has been explored, and scientists believe over 9 million species are yet to be discovered in the deep blue depths!

Source: Text: daysoftheyear

World Orthoptic Day and World Day for Hidradenitis Suppurativa – 5 June

5 juin 2016
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness of disease, French Association for Research on Hidradenitis (AFRH), International Orthoptic Association (IOA)

PrintFor June 6th, two topics of interest:

The International Orthoptic Association (IOA) is the global voice of the orthoptic profession. IOA World Orthoptic Day is the opportunity to heighten the visibility of the orthoptic profession and to promote the activities of orthoptists locally, nationally, and internationally.

When is it? Annually on the first Monday of each June.

Source: Text & Image: canada@internationalorthoptics.org

The aim of the IOA is to promote the science of orthoptics worldwide, to provide information and support to national bodies and individual orthoptists, and to help maintain and improve standards of education, training and orthoptic practice. The number of members and member countries continues to increase. The IOA represents national associations stemming from 22 different countries, individual orthoptic members from countries that lack national orthoptic associations and ophthalmologists who are supporters of the profession. The IOA is proud to have approximately 12,000 orthoptist members worldwide.

Source: Text: International Orthoptic Association (IOA)

Since 2012, the French Association for Research on Hidradenitis (AFRH) has organised the World Day for Hidradenitis Suppurativa, which will take place on 6 June this year. The aim is to increasehidradenitisSuppurativa_58192_lg awareness of this disease, which is little known among the general public, and often misdiagnosed.

Hidradenitis supporativa, also known as Verneuil’s disease and acne inversa, is a chronic disease of the skin. It leads to the occurrence of inflammatory nodules, abscesses and fistulas which affect areas containing a certain type of sweat gland, such as the armpits, breasts and groin. According to AFRH, this disease may affect approximately 1% of the population, both sexes combined.

Among other things, the researchers are studying innate immunity and its relationship with the cutaneous flora.

Source: Text: AFRH website  Image: Skinsight

World Environment Day – 5 June

3 juin 2016
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Earth, environment, flora and fauna, international conventions, natural resources, nature, Stockholm Conference, UNEP

Picture1World Environment Day is held each year on June 5. It is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations (UN) stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

What Do People Do?
World Environment Day is celebrated in many ways in countries such as Kenya, New Zealand, Poland, Spain and the United States. Activities include street rallies and parades, as well as concerts, tree planting, and clean-up campaigns. In many countries, this annual event is used to enhance political attention and action towards improving the environment. This observance also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions.

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of UNEP. It is hosted every year by a different city and commemorated with an international exposition through the week of June 5.

Symbols
The main colors featured in many promotions for this event are natural colors depicting nature, the Earth and its natural resources. These colors are often softer shades of green, brown and blue. Images of natural the Earth’s features, such as snowy mountains, clean beaches, unpolluted rivers, and photos of natural flora and fauna, including fern leaves, are used to promote campaigns supporting the day.

Source: Text: www.timeanddate.com  Image: blogs.unimelb.edu.au

10th Sunday of the Year, C

2 juin 2016
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: God at work, God incognito, Jesus raises the dead, only son, pain, suffering, widow of Nain

Men-at-Work-Main_article_image www.keyword.suggestions.comIn this season when there is so much construction and repair work on our roads, we are used to seeing the sign: MEN AT WORK. Well, this Sunday, we could change the text for: GOD AT WORK!

You smile but these words summarize very well the gospel scene we are given to reflect upon (Lk.7:11-17). Jesus comes to the small town of Nain where a group of people accompany a woman on the way to burying her son. She is a widow and the young man was her only son. It is easy to imagine her grief, her pain is beyond words. It is not said whether she has ever met Jesus. She does not seem aware that he is not far away. She does not ask for anything.

Jesus takes the initiative – is this not so often God’s way? He stops the funeral procession and with a simple gesture he brings back the dead to life – simple gesture, powerful intervention: God at work, indeed!

Of course, we find it rather easy to recognize God in Jesus raising the dead – it is such an extraordinary thing for a dead person to be restored to life. But is it not sad that we seem slow to recognize God in so many other interventions typically his?…youtube

Healing after a threatening illness, safe journeys amid dangers, success in an uncertain venture, the unexpected realization of a cherished dream, the sudden return of a long-lost child? And the list – your list – could include many more items, events perhaps forgotten or past unnoticed…

Yes, God is at work today, no less than he was in Jesus’ time. He may work incognito, he may use… a pseudonym, his disguise may cause us to mistaken his identity, but then… perhaps we need to be more attentive and perceptive to discern his presence and recognize his interventions…

Source: Images: keyword.suggestions.com;   www.youtube.com