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.

 

International Day of Happiness – 20 March

20 mars 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: business, government, growth, happiness, human goal, sustainable development, well-being

What is the International Day of Happiness?

It’s a day to be happy, of course! Since 2013, the United Nations has celebrated the International Day of Happiness as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.

Happiness is a fundamental human goal. The United Nations General Assembly recognizes this goal and calls for “a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes the happiness and well-being of all peoples.”

In 2015, the UN launched the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet – three key aspects that lead to well-being and happiness.

The United Nations invites each person of any age, plus every classroom, business and government to join in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.

Gaza children playing in a water parkBackground

The General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness, recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives. It also recognized the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all peoples.

The resolution was initiated by Bhutan, a country which recognized the value of national happiness over national income since the early 1970s and famously adopted the goal of Gross National Happiness over Gross National Product. It also hosted a High Level Meeting on « Happiness and Well-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm » during the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly.

 

Source: Text & Image (bottom): https://www.un.org/en/observances/happiness-day    Image:https://www.wincalendar.com/ca/International-Day-Happiness 

Global Recycling Day – 18 March 2023

18 mars 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: cooperation, creative solutions, recycling, repurposing, reusing, trash, waste

GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY

Every year on March 18th, Global Recycling Day invites everyone to look at their trash in a different way. The initiative serves as a reminder that much of our trash is reusable, recyclable or not really trash at all.

Worldwide we dump an astonishing 2.12 billion tons of waste. That number includes food, electronics, paper waste, and much more. Eventually, there will be no place to put it all if we don’t develop creative solutions to eliminate and reduce waste.

Communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals promote recycling, reusing, and repurposing items. They also host competitions inspiring a wealth of recycling know-how. It’s an opportunity to develop new ways to use old things and make it a regular habit.

GLOBAL RECYCLING DAY HISTORY

The Bureau of International Recycling established Global Recycling Day in 2018. That same year, the United Nation Industrial Development Organization recognized the event. Since then, organizations around the world have joined the observance by supporting events that increase awareness and encourage international cooperation that will help to reduce the amount of waste we produce.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/global-recycling-day-march-18/

4th Sunday of Lent, Year A – 2023

17 mars 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 1 Samuel 16:10-13, 1 Samuel 16:6-7, actions, condemnations, criticisms, judgements, see, thoughts, values

From the very beginning, human beings have wanted to be like God (Genesis 3:5).
But it is only gradually that we learn the way to become like him.
One thing we especially need to learn is: TO SEE AS GOD SEES.

This is the message of today’s 1st reading (1 Samuel 16:1,6-7,10-13):
“God does not see as man sees;
man looks at appearances, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
 
People looking at others can be attracted by beauty.
They can be fascinated by skill.
They can be interested in wealth.
People can be put off by infirmity.
They can be disappointed by weakness.
They can be misled by timidity.

But these are simply attributes that are not the person himself, or herself.
What defines a human being is something much deeper.

The thoughts and the intentions.
The values and the beliefs.
The actions and the reactions.
The interventions to help.
The intercession to free another.
The mediation to bring peace.
And so much more…

God sees all this and more…
And he invites us to look also at all that is hidden in the… more.

Then, we will avoid:
          the hasty judgements,
          the unfair criticisms,
          the wrongful accusations,
          the mistaken condemnations.

All that leads to misunderstanding, hostility, conflict, enmity, war –
this can be prevented, or at least alleviated, if we only… SEE.
SEE the good will and the efforts of others…

If we only learn, from day to day, to see as God sees…
 
      
Note: In the following video, Laiju Panikassery personifies the Man born-blind and tells us of his meeting with the Man of Nazareth: https://youtu.be/cWtb_kH2Lf0

Another reflection is available, in French, on a different theme, at: https://image-i-nations.com/4e-dimanche-du-careme-de-lannee-a-2023/

 

Source: Image: Bible.com

World Consumers Rights Day – 15 March 2023

15 mars 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: abuses, consumer rights, global action, market, protect, respect

The consumer movement marks 15th March with World Consumer Rights Day every year, as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs. Celebrating the day is a chance to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected, and to protest against market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights. 

World Consumer Rights Day is globally recognised and accredited by the United Nations. For 40 years Consumers International has run the campaign, uniting the consumer movement to celebrate together. Consumers International Members help to select the campaign topic each year to help mobilise global action on pressing issues impacting consumers.  

On 15 March 1962, President John F Kennedy sent a special message to the US Congress in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights. He was the first world leader to do so, and the consumer movement now marks 15 March, with World Consumer Rights Day, every year as a means of raising global awareness about consumer rights and needs. 

President Kennedy said: ‘Consumers include us all. They are the largest economic group, affecting and affected by almost every public and private economic decision. Yet they are the only important group… whose views are often not heard.’

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.consumersinternational.org/    

3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A – 2023

10 mars 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: accusation, desert, Exodus 17:3-7, God's presence, quarrel, test, thirst

It happens so often with Bible texts:
the events related and the scenes described there reflect much of… ourselves.
The way people act and react often depicts something of our own attitudes.

Today’s first reading is a good example of this (Exodus 17:3-17).
The people of Israel, having escaped from Egypt, are now travelling through the desert.
There is no water available at the place they have reached, and they are thirsty.
Being thirsty makes them angry!

They turn to Moses accusing him of being responsible for this situation.
Moses led them out of the country where they were slaves, but they do not credit this to him.
On the contrary, they quarrel with him “almost ready to stone him”.

But more still, they question… God’s presence in their midst.
He does not seem to care for their pressing need of water.
They test him saying:

“Is the Lord among us or not?”

When things do not turn out as we would like, do we throw the blame on others?
When some events happen that we cannot control, do we quarrel and accuse those around us?
When some situations exceed our power, do we attack even people who have helped us?

Would we be ready to question God’s ways with us?
Do we sometimes hold him responsible for our misfortune?
Could it be that we take our distances from him since his help is not coming as we would want it?
Are we ready to test him to see if he really cares?

The Scripture text mentions two words in a foreign language (Hebrew):
“Massah and Meribah”.
Massah means testing and Meribah means quarreling.

The next time we are tempted to quarrel with people and to test God,
we could silently repeat these words, a little like a mantra… ‘Massah… Meribah’…
and wait for God to provide for our need, as he did for his people in the desert.

He cannot fail to do so…

 

Note: In the following video Arlene Priti Mascargnhas personifies the Samaritan Woman who tells us about her meeting at the well of Jacob: https://youtu.be/jU09NpjS27w

Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/3e-dimanche-du-careme-de-lannee-a-2023/

 

Source: Image: Making Him Known

International Women’s Day – 8 March 2023

8 mars 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: change, diversity, DNA, Embrace equity, equal world, equality, inclusive, opportunities, Women

International Women’s Day 2023 campaign theme: #EmbraceEquity

For International Women’s Day and beyond, let’s all fully #EmbraceEquity.

Equity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.

A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society’s DNA.

And it’s critical to understand the difference between equity and equality.

The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action. 

All IWD activity is valid, that’s what makes IWD inclusive.

We can all truly embrace equity.

It’s not just something we say. It’s not just something we write about.

It’s something we need to think about, know, value and embrace.

It’s what we believe in, unconditionally. Equity means creating an inclusive world.

And we can all play a part

Each one of us can actively support and embrace equity within our own sphere of influence. 

We can all challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias, and seek out inclusion. 

Collective activism is what drives change. From grassroots action to wide-scale momentum, we can all embrace equity. 

Forging gender equity isn’t limited to women solely fighting the good fight. Allies are incredibly important for the social, economic, cultural, and political advancement of women.

Everyone everywhere can play a part.

All IWD activity is valid.

That’s what makes IWD so inclusive.

Collectively, we can all forge positive change.

Being included, and a sense of belonging, feel right

When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, and we embrace inclusion.

We embrace equity to forge harmony and unity, and to help drive success for all.

Equality is the goal, and equity is the means to get there. 

Through the process of equity, we can reach equality.

 

Source: Text: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/        Image: https://www.newsonline.media/articles/international-womens-day/

International Day of Radio and Television for Children – 6 March

6 mars 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Children, media, problems, productions, professionals, programs, radio, télévision

The International Day of Radio and Television for Children takes place on 6 March. This is a day when media professionals from around the world put themselves on the same page as children.

They broadcast quality programs for children. Most importantly, they give children the opportunity to participate in the production of programs, to talk about their hopes and ambitions and to exchange information among them.

International Day of Radio and Television for Children March 06

Celebrity Television

The Day is a joint initiative of UNICEF and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Every year, thousands of radio and television personalities in more than a hundred countries take part in the Day, celebrating it in such exceptional and special forms as the children themselves.

The International Day of Radio and Television for Children is now a tradition in Latin America that has been participating in International Day every year since 1994.

The actions

As part of this International Day, producers around the world are invited to devote programming to the situation of children and to giving children the opportunity to participate in the production of programs.

It enables these media to exploit the power of television and radio to raise awareness of the problems of children. At the “International Day of Radio and Television for Children” in 1998, some 2000 organizations in 170 countries broadcast special programs on children, often prepared by children.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.vdio.com/international-day-of-radio-and-television-for-children-march-06/

World Obesity Day – 4 March

4 mars 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: crisis, health, misconceptions, obesity, response, share, stigma

About WOD

World Obesity Day is a unified day of action that calls for a cohesive, cross-sector response to the obesity crisis. It takes place on 4 March and is convened by the World Obesity Federation in collaboration with its global members. 

Hundreds of individuals, organisations and alliances contribute to World Obesity Day every year, engaging hundreds of thousands of people across the world.

Previous World Obesity Days have encouraged people to recognise the root causes of obesity, increase knowledge of the disease, tackle weight stigma, foreground the voices of people with lived experience and act to improve the world’s understanding, prevention and treatment of obesity.

This year’s campaign theme is ‘Changing Perspectives: Let’s Talk About Obesity’.  We want to harness the power of conversation and stories so that together we can correct misconceptions surrounding obesity and take effective, collective action. Because when we all talk, debate and share, we can shift norms and transform health outcomes for everybody.

You can find out more about World Obesity Day and read about previous campaigns on the World Obesity website.

 

Source: Text: https://www.worldobesityday.org/about-wod      Images: World Obesity Federation    Accellacare

2nd Sunday of Lent, Year A – 2023

3 mars 2023
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Abram, Genesis 12:1-4, God's faithfulness, human beings, John 16:2, Matthew 6:8, relationship, trust

Human beings and…God: the story of a relationship!
Would you agree to such a title?
Do you recognize it as a REALITY?

Somehow, he – God – is the one leading us to see this.
But, thinking more about it, we must discover what kind of relationship God wants with us…

Today’s 1st reading gives us the beginning of an answer (Genesis 12:1-4).
There, we meet Abram who is told by God:

“Go from your country, your people and your father’s household 
to the land I will show you.”
 
The rest of the text tells us more about what God says to Abram.
Seven promises – a symbolic number in the Bible for full measure –
yes, seven promises are given to the old man.
But… all the verbs outlining what is to come are precisely… in the future tense!

Abram must go now, what will happen to him… he cannot see…
He can only trust the words of the Lord to make all those good things happen.

If we look at our own lives, we realize that they are filled with God’s gifts and blessings.
There is one thing that God wants from us,
one that he especially expects from us: TRUST.

Trust that he loves us and cares for us.
Trust that we are precious to him and that he is always near.
Trust that he will not fail to provide us with all that we need.
Trust that he will not abandon us, no matter what happens.
Trust that even if we are unfaithful, he will remain faithful to us.

This message is constantly repeated by the prophets of the Old Testament.
And it is at the very heart of Jesus’ message:

“The Father Himself loves you.” (John 16:27)
“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8)

Perhaps, this is the one thing that we need to learn anew in this period of Lent…
Trusting God, no matter what… he CANNOT fail us.
  

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/2e-dimanche-du-careme-annee-a-2023/

 

Source: Image: John Dobbs