Anglophones et anglophiles – Page 20

World Habitat Day – 2 October 2023

2 octobre 2023

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: collective responsibility, economic recovery, résilience, towns and cities, urban communities

2023 Theme: Resilient urban economies. Cities as drivers of growth and recovery

This year’s World Habitat Day aims to convene various city stakeholders to discuss the ways in which cities can be primed for recovery following the global intersecting negative economic shocks of COVID-19 and conflicts by:

Broaching the different dimensions of economic slowdown that cities are currently experiencing and identifying actions that cities can take to boost economic recovery.
Sharing experiences among different cities on how they are positioning themselves to tackle inflationary pressures and other tight global financial conditions.

Background

The United Nations designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of our habitats, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. The Day is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns.

In 1985 the United Nations designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day. The idea is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.

History

World Habitat Day was first celebrated in 1986 with the theme « Shelter is My Right ». Nairobi was the host city for the observance that year. Other previous themes have included: « Shelter for the Homeless » (1987, New York); « Shelter and Urbanization » (1990, London); « Future Cities » (1997, Bonn); « Safer Cities » (1998, Dubai); « Women in Urban Governance » (2000, Jamaica); « Cities without Slums » (2001, Fukuoka), « Water and Sanitation for Cities » (2003, Rio de Janeiro), « Planning our Urban Future » (2009, Washington, D.C.), « Better City, Better Life » (2010, Shanghai, China) and Cities and Climate Change (2011, Aguascalientes, Mexico).

Source: Text: https://www.un.org/en/observances/habitat-day Image: PHOTO:©United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), 2011

International Coffee Day – 1 October

1 octobre 2023

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: aroma, beverage, civilizations, coffee beans, coffee growers, coffee house, drink

International Coffee Day takes place on October 1 every year. Making the daily journey from tropical Africa to the breakfast mugs of households all over the world, coffee beans have been scattered all over the world for more than 600 years, and their preparation for consuming is a great example of metamorphosis. Humanity has been preparing coffee for many presentations: drinks, candies, medicine, and some ancient civilizations even used it as currency! No matter how you take it, coffee can energize you, warm you up, refresh you, keep you awake, and even catch you up with your loved ones.

HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL COFFEE DAY

According to historical records, Coffee is originally from Ethiopia, and its discovery in Africa comes with an interesting story. Around the 700s AD, a herd of goats started acting strangely, almost as if they were dancing. Their owner, Kaldi, discovered that they were eating a sort of red bean and concluded that was the cause of their behavior. Kaldi decided to share his findings with a monk who required something that could help him to stay awake all night as he prayed; but another story claims that the monk refused and threw the beans into the fire and the pleasing aroma that came from it was just wonderful.

Suddenly, coffee made its way through the north into Yemen in the 15 Century where the beans arrived by the name “Mocha.” Shortly after, they became well known in Egypt, Persia, and Turkey as “wine of Araby” and coffee houses started to open by the name of “Schools of the Wise.”

Next, Arabia became the gatekeeper for coffee, and these beans began a large-scale coffee farming in Southern India. In 1560 coffee made its way through Europe and quickly became popular, until Pope Clement VIII decided that the drink must be satanic. Under inspection, he gave into the glory of the beverage by baptism and declared it a Christian drink. As the 1600s rolled on and coffee houses sprung up all over Europe, the beans followed the wave of colonization and found themselves in America.

Finally, after a long time among humanity in 2014, The “International Coffee Organization” declared October 1, as International Coffee Day, an occasion to celebrate coffee as a beverage and raise awareness for the plight of the coffee growers.

Source: Text & Image: https://nationaltoday.com/international-coffee-day/

World Vegetarian Day – 1 october

1 octobre 2023

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: animal slaughter, Climate change, diet, environment, food, meat, religious concerns, vegetarian

The Many Different Types of Vegetarianism

A vegetarian is a person who does not consume meat or products of animal slaughter due to ethical, moral, or religious concerns. There are many varieties of vegetarianism. Ovo-Lacto vegetarians, for instance, eat eggs and milk, but no other animal products. Adherents of more strict forms of vegetarianism, such as vegans, tend to abstain from consuming anything that may include any kind of animal products or may be made from animal labor, such as animal testing. Other types of vegetarians include raw vegetarianism, where followers only eat raw foods or products that have been dehydrated; and fruitarianism, where adherents only consume fruits and nuts, preferably obtained without any harm to the plant.

In India, members of the Jain religion follow a form of vegetarianism that not only prohibits eating animal products, but also restricts consumption of root vegetables like onions, potatoes, and garlic.

From Religion to Saving the Environment

In many cultures, vegetarianism is an integral part of religion. Many sects of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism prohibit the consumption of meat and animal products, though the use of milk, honey, and sometimes unfertilized poultry eggs is acceptable.

Religious vegetarianism tends to be rooted in a philosophy of non-violence and compassion towards the natural world. Many other people follow vegetarianism as a way to protect the environment – they believe that raising and killing of animals for food negatively affects the environment, creates pollution, and contributes to climate change.

Many follow vegetarianism out of concern for animals and their treatment at farms where they are being raised for food. Others on the hand, adopt the vegetarian diet for its health benefits. Research has shown that a plant-based diet can help reduce the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and some kinds of cancer.

Source: Text: https://www.timeanddate.com/ Image: https://www.lapetite.com/blog/2021/09/world-vegetarian-day/

International Translation Day – 30 September

30 septembre 2023

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: clarity, communication, interprétation, language professionals, opportunity, role, terminology

The role of language professionals

International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security.

Transposition of a literary or scientific work, including technical work, from one language into another language, professional translation, including translation proper, interpretation and terminology, is indispensable to preserving clarity, a positive climate and productiveness in international public discourse and interpersonal communication.

Thus, on 24 May 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development, and declared 30 September as International Translation Day.

Why 30 September?

30 September celebrates the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator, who is considered the patron saint of translators.

St. Jerome was a priest from North-eastern Italy, who is known mostly for his endeavor of translating most of the Bible into Latin from the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. He also translated parts of the Hebrew Gospel into Greek. He was of Illyrian ancestry and his native tongue was the Illyrian dialect. He learned Latin in school and was fluent in Greek and Hebrew, which he picked up from his studies and travels. Jerome died near Bethlehem on 30 September 420.

Multilingualism, a core value of the United Nations

Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and the planet.

There is growing awareness that languages play a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, but also in attaining quality education for all and strengthening cooperation, in building inclusive knowledge societies and preserving cultural heritage, and in mobilizing political will for applying the benefits of science and technology to sustainable development.

An essential factor in harmonious communication among peoples, multilingualism is also regarded by the United Nations General Assembly as a core value of the Organization. By promoting tolerance, multilingualism ensures effective and increased participation of all in the Organization’s work, as well as greater effectiveness, better performance and improved transparency.

Source: Text: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-translation-day

26th Sunday of Year A – 2023

29 septembre 2023

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: a Christian - another Christ, Be the same as Christ, believe, Gregory of Nyssa, Philippians 2:1-11, promise of Christ

There are people we are drawn to – their look, their skill, their attitude –
whatever it is, there is something in them that attracts our attention, and awakens our admiration.
We marvel at the realizations of a talented artist, writer, painter.
The skill of an athlete may provoke our amazement.

But in most situations, we will stop at that – amazement, admiration –
we will not think of imitating those people.
We think they are too talented for us to try and emulate them.
We consider their talent and their skill to be far too great for us to try and do the same.
Be as they are? Most of us would not imagine this for a moment.

This is the reason why the text of today’s 2^nd reading is quite astonishing (Philippians 2:1-11).
Writing to the first Christians of Philippi, Paul tells them:

“In your minds, you must be the same as Christ Jesus.”

Another translation of the words of the apostle Paul says:

“Your attitude must be the same as that of Christ.”

Thinking as Jesus thought, valuing what was important for him.
Being as he was in our actions and relations.
This is what is expected of a Christian.

One of the Fathers of the Church, Gregory of Nyssa, said that “a Christian is another Christ”.
“Another Christ”, no less!

Many people would spontaneously react saying: “Impossible! Who can do that?”
Of course, it is impossible for us to become such… on our own!
But precisely, we are NOT on our own.
Jesus has promised us – and sent us – his own Spirit to enable us to be as he was.

From the moment a person is baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
this promise of Christ, this gift of Christ, becomes alive, real, active!
The impossible is no longer so, God’s own power is active within us.

If only… we believe it… and act accordingly…

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/26e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2023/

Source: Images: Scripture Images Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope

World Tourism Day – 27 September 2023

27 septembre 2023

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: goals, people, planet, prosperity, solutions, sustainable development

Investing in People, Planet, and Prosperity

The overall disruption in the tourism sector brought about by COVID-19, provides an opportunity to redefine and recalibrate the direction and narratives of tourism investments for a more sustainable future for the People, the Planet, and prosperity.

This World Tourism Day 2023, the UNWTO, under the theme “Tourism and green investment” highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN roadmap for a better world by 2030. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.

Did you know?

Tourism employs one in every ten people on Earth.
Tourism in rural areas can particularly benefit traditionally disadvantaged groups such as women – who make up 54% of the workforce in the tourism sector compared to 39% for the whole economy – youth and Indigenous people.
In emerging destinations, 50% of young people are unable to work in tourism due to a lack of opportunity, resources, or access to academic training.

Source: Text: https://www.un.org/en/observances/tourism-day Image: ENI CBC Med

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons – 26 September

26 septembre 2023

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: alliances, atomic energy, Cold War, control, disarmament, négotiations, nuclear weapons, treaty

Achieving global nuclear disarmament is the highest disarmament priority of the United Nations. It was the subject of the General Assembly’s first resolution in 1946, which established the Atomic Energy Commission (dissolved in 1952), with a mandate to make specific proposals for the control of nuclear energy and the elimination of atomic weapons and all other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction. The United Nations has been at the forefront of many major diplomatic efforts to advance nuclear disarmament since. In 1959, the General Assembly endorsed the objective of general and complete disarmament. In 1978, the first Special Session of the General Assembly Devoted to Disarmament further recognized that nuclear disarmament should be the priority objective in the field of disarmament. Every United Nations Secretary-General has actively promoted this goal.

Yet, today around 12,512 nuclear weapons remain. Countries possessing such weapons have well-funded, long-term plans to modernize their nuclear arsenals. More than half of the world’s population still lives in countries that either have such weapons or are members of nuclear alliances. While the number of deployed nuclear weapons has appreciably declined since the height of the Cold War, not one nuclear weapon has been physically destroyed pursuant to a treaty. In addition, no nuclear disarmament negotiations are currently underway.

Meanwhile, the doctrine of nuclear deterrence persists as an element in the security policies of all possessor states and many of their allies. The international arms-control framework that contributed to international security since the Cold War, acted as a brake on the use of nuclear weapons and advanced nuclear disarmament, has come under increasing strain. On 2 August 2019, the United States’ withdrawal spelled the end of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, through with the United States and the Russian Federation had previously committed to eliminating an entire class of nuclear missiles. Furthermore, the Russian Federation announced on 21 February 2023 that it will suspend its participation in the Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (“New START”). The extension of New START until February 2026 had provided an opportunity for the possessors of the two largest nuclear arsenals to agree to further arms control measures.

Source: Text: https://www.un.org/en/observances/nuclear-weapons-elimination-day Image: lapresse.ca

World Pharmacists Day – 25 September 2023

25 septembre 2023

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: health care, health services, health systems, medication, needs, patients, professionals

“Pharmacy strengthening health systems” is the theme of World Pharmacists Day in 2023

At a time when health systems around the world are recovering from the COVID-19 crisis and general consensus is that urgent action is needed for health services to meet future needs, this year’s World Pharmacists Day campaign presents opportunities to increase awareness of pharmacists as an intelligent solution.

COVID-19 has presented undeniable evidence of the capabilities of the pharmacy profession to support health systems. According to FIP member organisation the American Pharmacists Association, for example, during the pandemic pharmacy teams in the USA provided over 350 million clinical interventions in the form of COVID testing, vaccination, treatment and in-patient care.

Many international agencies and think tanks define a well-functioning health system as having: an accessible and reliable supply of medicines and technologies; trained and motivated healthcare workers; good infrastructure (including improved governance); evidence-based policies; strong plans; and adequate funding.

Beyond doubt, pharmacy is essential for access to health, a safe supply chan and the responsible use of medicines. FIP supports the profession in these key roles, but is also working to transform practice, science, education and workforce with the FIP Development Goals and aligned resources, supporting national organisations with global policy statements and calling on governments to increase funding for health and improve environments for healthcare professionals.

FIP’s mission is to support global health by enabling the advancement of pharmaceutical practice, sciences and education. Let’s take community pharmacy as an example. This sector of the profession strengthens healthcare through providing advice, information and education, triage, screening/testing and referral, administering vaccinations, prescribing and reducing polymedication, and follow up.

However, there is a wide range of other needs that can be met by community pharmacists, which would relieve pressure on and save time for other areas of the health system. As the experts on medicines, more pharmacists could be allowed to prescribe and initiate medication. Pharmacists also have the skills to take on the management of patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes. Advances and progress in all countries and territories are needed if we are to achieve universal health coverage.

Source: Text & Image: https://www.fip.org/world-pharmacists-day

World Dream Day – 25 September 2023

25 septembre 2023

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: empower, highest potential, inspiration, positive change, vision

On World Dream Day, people all over the world are inspired to take action for their dreams. This day is a powerful reminder that we all have the ability to make positive change in our lives and in the world. By coming together and declaring our dreams, we create a force of positive change that can empower us all to achieve our highest potential.

THE 2023 EXPERIENCE: World Dream Day 2023 will be a time of personal and collective inspiration and upliftment. Together, we will elevate our vision of what’s possible and collectively prepare ourselves to BE the change we want to see, then go out and MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN!

Source: Text & Image: https://worlddreamday.org/

25th Sunday of Year A – 2023

22 septembre 2023

Nicole Gregoire

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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles

Mots-clés: God near, God's power and greatness, God's wisdom and mercy, Incarnation, Isaiah 55:6-9, James 4:8, Ps.145:17-18, Ps.145:2-3, Ps.145:8-9

When someone repeats something, usually the person wants to draw attention to what he/she says.
The same thing could apply to the Scripture texts offered to our reflection.
On this Sunday, the 1^st reading (Isaiah 55:6-9) and the Psalm (Ps.145:2-3,8-9,17-18), both texts repeat something meant to draw our attention.

“Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near” (1^st reading).

“The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth” (Psalm).

If a survey was made and a group of people were asked the first quality they would ascribe to God,
I wonder how many would say that GOD IS NEAR…

When thinking about God, many people, most people perhaps, would remember his greatness and his power.
Some may add his wisdom, a few more could mention his mercy.
But his nearness?… His close presence?…

Could it be that many Christians have yet to understand the true meaning of… the Incarnation?
God becoming a human being!
This was the extraordinary attempt of God to be near to us!
So near as to become one of us!…

Extraordinary is even too weak and too poor a word to describe this reality –
because it is REAL and true, and this is something permanent, it will not change.

The apostle James writing to the first Christians was telling them:
“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

But could we not turn the words around and tell ourselves:
God is near to me, why would I not get near to him?…

Something worth reflecting about…

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/25e-dimanche-de-lannee-a-2023/

Greetings to each and everyone of you.

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