Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow Advancing gender equality in the context of the climate crisis and disaster risk reduction is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. Women are increasingly being recognized as more vulnerable to climate change impacts than men, as they constitute the […]
4th Sunday of Easter, Year C – 2019
Many people are familiar with this English expression: “To hold on for dear life.” Its meaning is obvious: it involves holding on tightly to someone, or something, not to fall. Hearing this expression recently, I went on thinking that, in life, there are quite a few occasions when we must […]
International Day of Older Persons – 1st October
On December 14, 1990, the UN General Assembly made October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons, following up on initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the assembly. […]
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation – 1st September
Pope Francis has asked Catholics and others throughout the world to pray this day and until the Feast of St Francis on 4th October for the care of creation, in line with his recent encyclical Laudato Si. According to a letter from the Pope announcing the annual World Day of […]
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – 15 June
The United Nations (UN) has designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). World Elder Abuse Awareness Day brings together senior citizens, their caregivers, and governments to combat the problem of elder abuse. The day aims to focus global attention on the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse […]
World Environment Day – 5 June
« On World Environment Day, the message is simple: reject single-use plastic. Refuse what you can’t re-use. Together, we can chart a path to a cleaner, greener world. » — Secretary-General, António Guterres Humans are both creatures and moulders of their environment, which gives them physical sustenance and affords them the opportunity […]
World Day for Safety and Health at Work – 28 April
This year, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work (SafeDay) and the World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) are coming together in a joint campaign to improve the safety and health of young workers and end child labour. The campaign aims to accelerate action to achieve Sustainable Development […]
World Alzheimer’s day – 27 September
”Alzheimer’s disease is the cleverest thief, because she not only steals from you, but she steals the very thing you need to remember what’s been stolen.” ~Jarod Kintz Millions of families struggle with challenges due to Alzheimer’s disease. The world lights up purple on World Alzheimer’s day, a day dedicated […]
International Day of the African Child – 16 June
The Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the OAU Organisation of African Unity. It honors those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 on that day. It also raises awareness of the continuing need for […]
International Angelman Day – 15 February
People with Angelman Sydrome have the same basic wants, needs, hopes and dreams as anyone else – a need to feel loved, valued and included, and to experience caring and understanding relationships with family, friends, peers, teachers and their community. An exceptional gift that those with Angelman syndrome usually offer, […]