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 Environment Day – 5 juin 2024

5 juin 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: carbon storage, désertification, drought, eco-systems, environment, extreme weather, food security, land degradation

World Environment Day is the biggest international day for the environment. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and held annually since 1973, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreach. It is celebrated by millions of people across the world.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host World Environment Day 2024 with a focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. Land restoration is a key pillar of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world, which is critical to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNEP chief’s statement on World Environment Day 2024

Land restoration can reverse the creeping tide of land degradation, drought and desertification. Every dollar invested in restoration can bring up to US$30 in ecosystem services. Restoration boosts livelihoods, lowers poverty and builds resilience to extreme weather. Restoration increases carbon storage and slows climate change. Restoring just 15 per cent of land and halting further conversion could avoid up to 60 per cent of expected species extinctions.

But we must also end the drivers of land degradation, drought and desertification, such as climate change. Last year, temperatures records were shattered. Much of the world felt the impacts, not just in heat but in storms, floods and drought. Restoring land without tackling climate change would be like giving with one hand and taking away with the other, so G20 nations must show leadership across the whole climate agenda – as the Kingdom has done and continues to do on land restoration.

There is real hope. Countries have promised to restore one billion hectares, an area larger than China. If they deliver, this will be huge. Through World Environment Day and through hosting the UN Convention to Combat Desertification’s conference of the parties this December, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can build momentum and action towards these restoration goals, slow climate change, protect nature and boost the livelihoods and food security of billions of people around the world.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/statements/world-environment-day-2024-accelerating-land-restoration-drought

Feast of the Body and Blood of the Lord, Year B – 2024

31 mai 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: faith, Luke 22:19, Mark 14:12-16.22-26, Matthew 28:20, promise, real presence, signs

When I notice the backpack of my guest hanging on the rail of the stairs, I know he is back from his travels.
As I perceive the familiar smell of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread, I know that my sister is in the kitchen with breakfast ready for us.

The backpack and the odor of coffee are signs that speak – they reveal a hidden reality.
I have not seen either my guest or my sister, but I can conclude to their presence.

We could say that this is what today’s feast is about: the celebration of the signs of a presence.
The bread and wine are precisely this: the signs of Christ’s presence with us.

He has promised: “I am with you until the end of times” (Matthew 28:20).
He, himself, has chosen these signs of the bread and wine to assure us of the fulfilment of his promise.

In today’s gospel, we see him offering his apostles the bread and the wine while they can still see him (Mark 14:12-16,22-26).
But, even when he will no longer be visible to them, his presence will be no less real.

In another gospel text, handing the bread to them, we hear him say:
“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

As we repeat this gesture of eating the bread, drinking the wine, he is still, and ever, present with us.
He said he would be – he cannot fail to carry out what he promised.

Our eyes cannot vouch for his physical presence, but our faith can affirm his real presence.

This is worth a celebration, indeed!

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-du-corps-et-du-sang-du-christ-annee-b-2024/

 

Source: Images: pexels.com (Jimbear) (Sumeyye Ugurlu)        https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/

World Thyroid Day – 25 May

25 mai 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, education, endocrine disease, health, prévention, treatment, understanding

« Established in 2008, World Thyroid Day highlights five major goals to:
– Increase awareness of thyroid health,
– Promote understanding of advances made in treating thyroid diseases,
– Emphasize the prevalence of thyroid diseases,
– Focus on the urgent need for education and prevention programs, and
– Expand awareness of new treatment modalities.”

The Logo of the European Thyroid Day – 25th May 

« On the occasion of the European Thyroid Day, the Public Affairs Board of the ETA has produced in Athens a logo with the aim of increasing visibility and requesting the active participation of all who are involved in clinical and experimental thyroidology, sure of their continued commitment and dedication to all our thyroid patients. 

We sincerely hope that the logo is to your liking and trust that it will offer additional inspiration to us for the celebration of this special day, one that hopefully will further stimulate both political and public interest in thyroid disease, the most common endocrine disease worldwide, while simultaneously promoting the ETA ». 

Leonidas Duntas, on behalf of the Public Affairs Board

 

Source: Text & Image: https://thyroid-fed.org/history-wtd-itaw/

Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B – 2024

24 mai 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: "Abba - Father", adoption, child of God, God's faitfhfulness, God's mercy, God's presence, God's Spirit, God's tenderness, Holy Trinity, Romans 8:14-17

It is interesting to observe children doing different things on their own.
It is even more fascinating to see them interacting with one another.

Recently, I passed by a boy and a girl chatting with much excitement.
The boy said loudly: “My father is stronger than yours”!
But my father is more clever than yours!”, replied the girl.

I kept walking thinking of… the readings of the celebration of this Sunday: Trinity Sunday.
The thought suddenly came to me: Do I have the same enthusiasm at the fact that I the child of… God!
How many Christians experience joy, comfort, security, when they become aware that God is truly their Father?

The Apostle Paul knew he had to remind the Christians of Rome of this extraordinary reality (Romans 8:14-17):

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again;
rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.
And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

Is it that we do not realize that having been baptized we are indeed children of God?…
Could it be that we are so used to hearing sermons that speak about this that the words no longer touch us?…
Do we doubt that this is true, really true, for us personally – feeling unworthy, having been unfaithful to God, unaware of his presence and care?…

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that can deprive us of our special condition of being God’s child.
Our dignity is not self-acquired, it is his gift to us – we are “adopted” by him and without condition!

God our Father showers over us his blessings of all kinds –
         – his tenderness shelters us,
         – his compassion comforts us,
         – his mercy forgives us,
         – his faithfulness accompanies us,
         – his unfailing presence gives us security.

The only thing we need to contribute is… our faith that it is so.
And… even that, he is ready to give us… if only we cry, “Abba, Father”.

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-la-sainte-trinite-annee-b-2024/

 

Source: Image: https://www.scripture-images.com/bible-verse/web/romans-8-16

International Biodiversity Day – 22 May 2024

22 mai 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: biodiversity, écologie, ecosystems, endangered species, évolution, food, fuel, medicine

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity describes the wide range of life forms on Earth, spanning from genes to entire ecosystems. It encompasses the processes that maintain life, including evolution, ecology, and cultural practices. Biodiversity encompasses not only rare, threatened, or endangered species but all living beings, from well-known organisms like humans to lesser-known ones such as microbes, fungi, and invertebrates. 

Why is Biodiversity Important? 

Biodiversity plays a vital role in multiple aspects of our lives. Its importance lies in the numerous benefits humans derive from it, including essential needs like food, fuel, shelter, and medicine. Additionally, ecosystems offer critical services like pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and pest control. Moreover, biodiversity holds value beyond known benefits, potentially offering new medicines and other services yet to be discovered. 

We are all #PartofThePlan.

IDB 2024 is expected to increase the visibility momentum in the lead-up to the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16), to be held in Colombia from 21 October to 1 November 2024.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.undp.org/biodiversity-day-2024

World Metrology Day – 20 May

20 mai 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Fair Trade, lenght, measurement, metric system, universal standard, weight

A bit of history: the metric system which is now the universal standard for measurements was created over 200 years ago. World Metrology Day commemorates the signing, on 20 May 1875, of the Metre Convention, an international treaty designed to ensure that everyone around the world used the same metric system to measure weight and length, in order to ensure fair trade. The Metre Convention has since been ratified by over 100 countries and economies. 

Celebrated on 20 May each year, World Metrology Day helps the public to understand what is meant by the science of measurement and why we are so dependent upon it. This little-known science underpins countless aspects of our daily lives. Every time we buy a kilogram of oranges, use the GPS in our car to navigate, swallow a pill, cross a bridge or enter a building, we should spare a thought for the metrologists who made this possible. Thanks to the metric system, an architect trained in Sudan will be able to design an office building in Mexico, as the standard measurements will be the same in both countries.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/metrology

Pentecost Sunday, Year B – 2024

18 mai 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Acts 2:1-11, dove, fire, Genesis 1:2, God's Spirit, Jesus baptism, John 3:8, John the Baptist, Matthew 3:16, présence, wind

How can we speak of the immaterial, yet very personal?
How can we approach the invisible, yet very close to us?
How can we relate to the divine, creative Spirit?

Human words and usual expressions are weak and poor to establish… a relation!
But symbols may come to our help facilitating the comprehension.
They can possibly assist us as we celebrate today’s Feast of Pentecost.
As we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit on human beings like us, we can look at the symbols used to describe God’s Spirit.

The 1st reading describes the appearance of the Spirit in “what seemed to be tongues of fire” (Acts 2:1-11).
The fire – warmth, light, purifying – exemplifies God’s action for us, in us.

As he started his work as God’s special messenger, Jesus went to be baptized by John the Baptist.
We are told that:
“He (John) saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Jesus” (Matthew 3:16).

The dove – visible to the people present – stands for the invisible but real presence of God’s Spirit.

Already at the very beginning of the Bible, the narrative of the creation tells us:
“God’s spirit hovered over the water” (Genesis 1:2).
The text does not mention precisely the dove, but some spiritual writers have interpreted the scene as such.

The wind is also seen as a manifestation of God’s Spirit.
Before speaking of the tongues of fire, (referred to above) the text of Acts mentions:
“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven”.

Jesus himself had spoken in this way to Nicodemus who had come to see him.
“The wind blows wherever it pleases.
You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).

A presence surrounding us, inspiring us, guiding us…
Invisible but so very near and gentle…
Always and ever remaining with us, we who are “born of the Spirit”…

 

Note: Another text is available on a different theme, in French, at: https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-la-pentecote-annee-b-2024/

 

Source: Images: Aleteia

World Telecommunications Day – 17 May 2024

17 mai 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: challenges, digital technologies, innovations, policies, progress, prosperity, télécommunications

Digital innovation can help tackle the world’s most pressing challenges

From fighting climate change to eliminating hunger and poverty, digital technologies can help achieve 70% of targets under the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Now more than ever, building a sustainable future demands innovative thinking and action in the digital world.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2024 offers the chance to explore how digital innovation can help connect everyone and unlock sustainable prosperity for all.

With 2.6 billion people still unconnected, glaring digital gaps hinder innovation across much of the world. Many countries – lacking key policies, investments, and digital skills – are struggling to keep up in today’s fast-changing digital landscape.

WTISD 2024 reminds the world of the progress yet to be made to ensure that everyone can benefit from digital technologies.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.un.org/en/observances/telecommunication-day

World Hypertension Day – 17 May

17 mai 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: blood pressure, complications, development, heart attack, hypertension, patients, public health, risks

16 May 2024 – Hypertension is a silent yet deadly public health problem. Today, on World Hypertension Day 2024, we remind all adults to get your blood pressure measured accurately and control it to live longer. Early detection and careful management of hypertension are vital.

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for premature death and disability – in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region especially. Untreated hypertension can lead to serious medical complications such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kidney damage, and other debilitating health issues.

In 2019, hypertension was estimated to affect 38% of adults aged 30–79 years in the Region – more than 104 million people. Shockingly, more than half of them (51%) are unaware of their status, and over 60% of the total are not receiving treatment. Just 16% of the total number have their condition under control.

Established risk factors include unhealthy diet (high salt and low fruit and vegetable intake), physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, and obesity. Emerging risk factors include pollution (air, water, noise, light), urbanization and loss of green space.

In humanitarian settings in the Region, such as conflict-affected contexts or areas affected by man-made and natural disasters including climate-related disasters, the burden of hypertension is even worse. This is the result of limited resources, heightened stress levels and inadequate access to health care in such settings.

Urgent action is needed to improve diagnosis, treatment, and control rates to combat the burden of hypertension in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It’s vital to empower people to accurately measure their blood pressure (or have it measured for them), take control of their health, and embrace lifestyle changes.

Currently, the significant gaps in hypertension management and control efforts in the Region hinder progress towards Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4 – to reduce premature mortality due to noncommunicable diseases.

Hypertension, and its complications, worsens inequalities and imposes economic hardships on patients and their families, as well as on health systems and national economic and development agendas.

 

Source: Text: https://www.emro.who.int/media/news/world-hypertension-day-on-17-may-2024   Image: https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/healthprotection/resources/awareness/world-hypertension-day.

International Day of Families – 15 May 2024

15 mai 2024
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, Climate change, education, families, impact, industries, information, initiatives, participation

2024 Theme: Families and Climate Change

Climate change negatively impacts the health and well-being of families through increased pollution, while extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, such as hurricanes, droughts and floods, often lead to forced displacement and loss of livelihoods for families and individuals. Such events impact agricultural productivity and access to water, intensifying hunger and vulnerability. They cause economic disruption in industries sensitive to climate impacts such as agriculture and fisheries.

Without drastic action, adaptation to and mitigation of the impacts of climate change will become increasingly difficult and costly.

Empowering families through education, changing consumption habits, and advocacy is critical for meaningful and effective climate action. Families pass values across generations, so instilling sustainable habits and climate awareness in families from an early age is important. Integrating circular economy principles into early childhood education can help build a sustainable economic model based on minimizing waste and regenerating natural resources. Families as consumers and advocates can drive the transition to a circular economy.

The 2024 International Day of Families aims to raise awareness of how climate change impacts families and the role families can play in climate action. Through family and community initiatives, we can foster climate action with education, access to information, training and community participation.

 

Source: Text & Image (Fan Xiao): https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families