hello

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.

 

World Bicycle Day – 3 June

3 juin 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: city planners, cycling, healthy lifestyle, riders, safery, traffic, transportation

On June 3, World Bicycle Day targets individuals as a way to promote a healthy lifestyle, especially for those with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Organizers also target local governments to encourage them to improve road safety and integrate bicycling into transportation infrastructure planning and design.

Bicycles and the routes their riders are on the increase. They’re seen as a healthier, inexpensive and convenient mode of transportation, and they’re sharing the road with more traditional urban transit systems. City planners looking to alleviate the increased flow of automobile traffic encourage bicycles usage. In some cities, public transportation systems can’t handle the demand, so cities are beginning to accommodate bikes with improvements such as “bicycle-only lanes” and other improvements.

Did you know that according to transportation researchers, $50 billion is spent worldwide on bicycles each year – and that number is growing? On top of that, the U.S. cycling market is a $5.9 billion industry.  In many cities, dockless bicycle systems are fueling the popularity of bicycling. Dockless systems allow users to locate a bicycle nearby and unlock it electronically. Did you know that the fastest-growing bicycle type in the market right now is electric?

WORLD BICYCLE DAY HISTORY

The first World Bicycle Day was observed in 2019. In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 as International World Bicycle Day.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-bicycle-day-june-3/

Feast of the Holy Trinity, Year A – 2023

2 juin 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: believe, christian doctrine, Exodus 34:4-6, Exodus 34:8-9, God Father Son Spirit, Scripture scholars, theologians

Most people want to know God.
People of all ages and situations, of various background and experiences, try to discover if there is a God and…
If such a being exists, who is he?

Some specialists publish what they know about God.
Theologians and scripture scholars present what they have found about him.
Their language aims at being precise but… their texts are not always clear for all of us.

This may be the case with the name of today’s feast: the Holy Trinity.
These words translate accurately the Christian doctrine: God is ONE in THREE PERSONS.
While Christians throughout the world express their faith in this God, some people may wonder about the deep meaning of this expression.

If one of them asked me: ‘But who is this God really?’
I would repeat the words we heard in today’s first reading –
What God said of himself to his servant and friend, Moses (Exodus 34:4-6,8-9):

« God passed in front of him (Moses) and called out,
“God, God, a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient –
so much love, so deeply true –
loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin”. 

MERCY, GRACE, PATIENCE, LOVE, TRUTH, FORGIVENESS – this is God as he is,
as he wants to be known in the threefold presence of FATHER, SON, AND SPIRIT.     
        

Note: text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-la-trinite-annee-a-2023/

 

Source: Image: perfectinchrist.org

 

World Day for Responsible Tourism – 2 June

2 juin 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Aboriginal culture, big issues, economy, environment, indigenous land claims, landscapes, sustainability

World Responsible Tourism Day is the internationally recognised date, supported by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, that highlights how tourism can make the world a better place.

Source: Text: Google

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM IN CANADA

Everything is big here. Even the issues around responsible tourism in Canada. And although Canada has a reputation for being environmentally sensitive and caring for the land, it isn’t always true, especially when you look at the big picture. It is a huge resource extraction-based economy, particularly in the Arctic regions. But also with regards to logging, which still happens in a big way – even in places like Vancouver Island, where you will see massive areas just ‘clear cut’. Clearcutting, as opposed to selective cutting of lumber, is very controversial regarding its sustainability.
The other big issue is, of course, the Aboriginal culture, indigenous land claims and so on. Tourism is still slow to embrace Aboriginal communities and vice versa. So, just as your eyes will open wide when you first see the scope of Canadian landscapes, keep your eyes and ears open to the big issues too while you are there. They are still sensitive issues, and so tread carefully, but they are big all the same.
Source: Text: https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/canada/travel-guide/responsible-tourism-in-canada    Image: Unesco.org

Global Day of Parents – 1st June

1 juin 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Children, growth, healthy environment, nurture, parenthood, parenting, relationship, role models

HISTORY OF GLOBAL DAY OF PARENTS

Parents are a beacon of a child’s life. They lay the foundation for children, and nurture and equip them with the skills that are necessary throughout life. Parents protect their children and make countless selfless sacrifices to ensure their growth. 

On Global Parents Day, children express their gratitude to their parents for all that they have done for them. Really, our relationship with our parents is the most important and true bond that most of us will ever have, and our parents’ dedication towards us is respected and cherished on this day. Those of us who have a friendship with our parents and are able to have a healthy relationship based on trust and respect rather than authority or strict guardianship are lucky. It is truly a blessing to have good parents. 

It goes both ways, with parents also recognizing that they have a primary responsibility towards their offspring and the importance of their roles in the development of their children. It is essential for a child to grow up in a healthy environment with healthy boundaries, and parents are the best role models for that. Studies show that trauma and emotional wounds sustained by a child greatly hinders their development and outlook on life, and are an overall barrier to achieving the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals. It may not seem much at face value, but parenting has an impact on economic prosperity and social development. 

During the 1980s, the United Nations started to focus on issues related to the family, and how the emotional- and mental well-being of a child branches out into other spheres of development on a large scale. On December 9, 1989, the General Assembly passed a resolution that proclaimed the year 1994 as the International Year of the Family. In another resolution in 1993, May 15 was decided on as the day for the observance of the International Day of the Families, every year. 

On September 17, 2012, the United Nations declared June 1 as the day to observe Global Day of Parents. The day aims to stimulate awareness of the importance of parenthood and its role in providing protection and the tools needed for positive development in children. Parents are, after all, the first teachers and human interaction that a child is exposed to. Community leaders, parents, children, teachers, and family organizations get together in celebrating the day and promoting effective parenting.

 

Source: Text: https://nationaltoday.com/global-day-parents/    Image: pexels (Vidal Balielo Jr.)

World Multiple Sclerosis Day – 30 May

30 mai 2023
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, diagnosis, MS, research, resources, support, support systems

World Multiple Sclerosis Day on May 30th creates an opportunity to boost awareness and connect those with MS to resources and improve support systems.

#WorldMultipleSclerosisDay

As one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system, Multiple Sclerosis impacts more than 2.3 million people around the world according to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation.  The term multiple sclerosis means “many scars,” and this term relates to the areas that appear on the brain and spinal cord after the myelin covering our nerves is damaged or dies. The damaged myelin leaves a lesion behind. These lesions are identified by an MRI when symptoms begin to appear.

The resulting symptoms vary and progress at different rates for each person diagnosed with MS. The disease is unpredictable, progressive, and challenging to diagnose. The cause is also unknown.

While there is no cure, treatments are advancing to help slow the progression of MS and reduce the symptoms. As with many conditions, education, research, and funding are necessary.

 

Source: Text: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-multiple-sclerosis-day-may-30/    Image: National Day

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – 29 May

29 mai 2023
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: courage, dedication, pay tribute, peacekeeing, professionalism, UN

Background

The General Assembly, in its resolution 57/129, designated 29 May as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. This is the date when in 1948 the first UN peacekeeping mission named the « United Nations Truce Supervision Organization », or UNTSO, began operations in Palestine. On this day, we pay tribute to the professionalism, dedication and courage of all the men and women serving in UN peacekeeping operations, and honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

Since the first UN Peacekeeping mission was established in 1948, 3,800 military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives in the service of peace as a result of acts of violence, accidents and disease. On 29 May, UN offices, alongside Member States and non-governmental organizations, hold solemn events to honour fallen peacekeepers.

At the UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General presides over a wreath-laying ceremony in honour of all peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag. In addition, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is awarded posthumously to the peacekeepers who have fallen while serving in the cause of peace, during the preceding year.

UN Peacekeeping operations use the Day to strengthen bonds with the local populations that they have been deployed to serve. For example by holding sporting events, school and orphanage visits, art and essay competitions, photo exhibits, neighbourhood clean ups, tree plantings, concerts, and conferences and workshops on peace issues.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.un.org/en/events/peacekeepersday/background

 

Feast of Pentecost, Year A – 2023

26 mai 2023
Nicole Gregoire
2 Comments
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Abba, Acts 2:1-3, dove, Genesis 1:2, Jean 3:8, Matthew 3:16, Romans 8:15, Spirit of God, tongues of fire, wind, wisdom

People think about God… and they talk about God…
Some ask the question whether God exists…
Others wonder about him… Who is he really?…

Professors explain his attributes with expertise,
Scripture scholars search ancient documents to know more about him, as they should…
Theologians teach about his nature and his relation to human beings, of course…
Wise people continue to reflect about what they hear…

It may be appropriate to remind ourselves that…
GOD is NOT
                      a thought
                     a theme
                     a thesis…

He is not the product of our imagination, he is beyond all we can think of.
He is a PERSON really and truly.

Such a reflection is relevant on this feast of Pentecost.
It is significant because it is precisely in ‘signs’ or ‘symbols’ that we can speak of God’s Spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Different Bible texts evoke his presence:

  • “hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2).
  • “descending like a dove and alighting on Jesus” after his baptism in the Jordan (Matthew 3:16).
  • Like “the wind (that) blows where it wishes… So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit”, in the words of Jesus to Nicodemus (John 3:8).
  • “When the day of Pentecost came… they saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:1,3).

Sings, symbols, evocation… leading to the perception of God’s Spirit who alone can reveal himself to us.

A lifetime attuned to this Spirit,
moving under his guidance,
transformed by his presence…

The Spirit enlightening our own spirit,
gently blowing within us his wisdom,
teaching us to speak ‘Abba’ with the unique accent of his children… (Romans 8:15)

This is what this celebration is about.
      

Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-la-pentecote-annee-a-2023/

 

Source: Images: pexels.com (Cesar Coni)   3-Minute Bible Studies    pexels.com (Indonesia Nature)    Living in the Spirit

 

World Turtle Day – 23 May

23 mai 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: endangered species, environment, extinction, protect, reptiles, tortoises

Turtles are a type of reptile that exists in many environments throughout the world and have found their way into literature, poetry, and parable throughout the world’s history. World Turtle Day celebrates these noble reptiles and their place in the world and encourages people to take action to help protect both the common pet turtle and the ever endangered sea turtle.

History of World Turtle Day

Well, the first thing to know is that Turtles and Tortoises are not the same thing, though this day is dedicated to celebrating and protecting both. First created in 1990 by American Tortoise Rescue, World Turtle day recognizes that some species of our hard (and soft!) shelled friends are suffering and almost on the edge of extinction due to environmental hazards, issues with hunting and harvesting of their eggs.

American Tortoise Rescue was created by Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, a married pair of animal activists who had a particular passion for tortoises. We all have to have something that drives us in this life, and for these two it was bonding over animal right’s activist work. Don’t think these two are just closet hippies with an overwhelming adoration for all things shelled and scaly.

Susan is deeply involved with television arts & sciences and the public relations society of America while being a partner in Tellem Grody Public Relations Incorporated. They organize charity collections and works around the world to help protect these amazing critters, and created World Turtle Day to get everyone involved and spread awareness of the shrinking habitat and declining numbers of these sensitive creatures.

So what is the difference between turtles and tortoises? Although they are both reptiles, the main difference between the two is that turtles live in the water at least some of the time, while tortoises live on the land. Because they live in the water, turtles have streamlined and mostly flat shells, while tortoises often have larger and more domed ones.

Our tortoise friends can also live longer than their reptilian cousins. Tortoises can live over 300 years, although their average lifespan can go up to around 150 years. Turtles live up until the age of 40, although one record-breaking turtle almost lived to the age of 90!

 

Source: Text: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/turtle-day/    Image: National Today

International Day for Biological Diversity – 22 May 2023

22 mai 2023
Nicole Gregoire
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Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: conservation, ecosystems, natural world, nature, sustainable development, UN

 Introduction

The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.
Source: Text: https://www.cbd.int/idb/

As the global community is called to re-examine our relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few.

This involves respecting, protecting, and repairing our biological wealth.

Undoubtedly, this year is special in terms of biodiversity conservation. We now have a renewed sense of hope with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a historic agreement signed in December 2022 that sets goals and concrete measures to stop and reverse the loss of nature by 2050.

That is why the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (2023) is from agreement to action: build back biodiversity. The slogan promotes the idea that, now that we have an action plan agreed upon at a global level, we must implement all the measures that the agreement contemplates before 2030. Only in this way will we be able to obtain protected and sustainable biological diversity by 2050. That is the main message from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the key international instrument for sustainable development.

Source: Texte: https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day      Images: Convention on Biological Diversity

World Fish Migration Day – 21 May

21 mai 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: environment, impact, life cycle, océans, rivers, safeguarding, survival

What is a Migratory Fish?

Migratory fish swim short or long distances daily, monthly or annually, to complete their life cycle, mate and feed! Some migratory fish migrate up and down rivers, others between rivers and oceans, and others across the oceans. Are there some migratory fish species you may know? Salmon migrate up rivers as adults to spawn in the same river they were born. On the flipside, freshwater eels are born in the ocean but migrate epic distances to carry out their lives in rivers. Bull sharks migrate up rivers and back through the oceans to breed and feed. And there are many more examples! Check out our downloads page for some cool fish fact sheets. Learn about their migratory routes and about some species you may have never even heard of!

Goals of World Fish Migration Day

We need to ensure the survival of these species for generations to come. But many times, fish do not receive the proper attention they deserve. For this reason, it is important we raise awareness about the plight of migratory fish and the importance of their survival not only for the environment but also for us.

Creating awareness is an essential first step to make real change. The primary purpose of World Fish Migration Day is to improve the public’s understanding of the importance of migratory fish, and how to prevent negatively impacting them. The next step is to enable citizens on the world to take action on these topics. Ultimately, we aim to create sustainable commitments from NGOs, governments and industry on safeguarding rivers and restoring swimways or migratory fish.

Source: Text: https://worldfishmigrationfoundation.com/portfolio-item/world-fish-migration-day/     Image: https://nationaltoday.com/world-fish-migration-day/