International day : World Breastfeeding Week, 1-7 August [WHO]

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival. However, contrary to WHO recommendations, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed.

 

Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life.

 

Breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

 

Inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes continues to undermine efforts to improve breastfeeding rates and duration worldwide.

#breastmilk #INTERNATIONAL_DAY #WARP_OFFICE #UN #WORLDWIDE #OVERWEIGHT #DPCW_1038 #HWPL #DPCW #IWPG #IPYG #WOMEN

 

WWW.UN.ORG

♈

 

INTERNATIONAL DAY : World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 30 July

2🌏23 Theme: Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind

Global crises, conflicts, and the climate emergency are escalating trafficking risks. Displacement and socio-economic inequalities are impacting millions of people worldwide, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers. Those who lack legal status, live in poverty, have limited access to education, healthcare, or decent work, face discrimination, violence, or abuse, or come from marginalized communities are often the primary targets of traffickers. 

Globally, national responses, particularly in developing States, appear to be deteriorating. Detection rates fell by 11% in 2020 and convictions plummeted by 27%, illustrating a worldwide slowdown in the criminal justice response to trafficking. The COVID-19 pandemic also changed the characteristics of trafficking, pushing it further underground and potentially increasing the dangers to victims by making the crime less likely to come to the attention of the authorities.

 

#DPCW_1038 #GLOBAL #HWPL #IPYG #IWPG #UN #HUMANRIGHTS

#PEACEWALK

 

In fact, 41% of victims who manage to escape their ordeal reach out to the authorities on their own initiative – another clear sign that anti-trafficking responses are falling short.

 

In the context of trafficking in persons, leaving people behind means:

 

▶failing to end the exploitation of trafficking victims,

 

▶failing to support victim-survivors once they are free from their traffickers, and

 

▶leaving identifiable groups vulnerable to traffickers.

 

The campaign for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023 aims to raise awareness of disturbing developments and trends identified by the latest UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons and calls on governments, law enforcement, public services, and civil society to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end impunity.

 

WWW.UN.ORG

 

To #EndHumanTrafficking, we cannot allow this crime to be met with increasing indifference and impunity. We must strengthen resilience against exploitation and the underlying socio-economic and cultural issues that are conducive to trafficking. We must sensitize everyone to the topic of human trafficking and thus push attention towards those who can make a difference in terms of changing policy and national resource management to strengthen prevention measures, improve identification of victims, increase support of survivors and end impunity.

 

 

DPCW_1038 : The movement for a better world

Oxford University of Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group

 

The IPYG UK branch is carrying out various peace activities to resolve the fundamental causes of war, as well as solutions for refugees from around the world including Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and South Sudan.

 

On May 22, the young people in Britain launched the Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW) with students at Oxford University to help the youth become the center of realizing peace and equipping them to carry out specific and regular peace activities.

🌻

Oxford University has supported students and scholars affected by wars as a ‘University of Sanctuary’, starting with welcoming refugee academics during World War II up until now, providing support for students and academics affected by the war in Ukraine.

 

The YEPW was co-hosted by the Oxford Human Rights Student Society (OHRSS) and Oxford Society for International Development (OxSID), who discussed how to cooperate with local refugee communities and organizations in the local Oxford area.

 

The Oxford Society for International Development (OxSID), a member of the working group, facilitate discussions of the challenges and advances within International Development. The Oxford Human Rights Student Society (OHRSS) highlights opportunities for students with interest in the human rights law sector.

♦️

The participating students introduced their major fields and interests and discussed how to engage in local community in practical and effective support for refugees amidst ongoing global crises. This discussion was broken into four stages: goals (awareness, education, and engagement), target audiences, method of intervention, and intervention execution. Through this, students shared ideas for cultural activities based on empathy and understanding, such as sports days and documentary screening with the refugee communities in Oxford.

🌈

The General Director of the IPYG UK branch introduced cases of young people who have worked for peace, including Red Cross founder Henri Dunant and young students who protested the Vietnam War.

 

And, “Examples like this tell us that the power to change history is not just about the state or power. IPYG starts with this hope. This is our purpose to end global war, protect our friends, young people, build sustainable peace, and pass it on to future generations,” she said, highlighting the importance of young people’s participation in peace activities.

 

A student from OHRSS Committee who participated in the event expressed, “Everyone who attended really loved it and we really want to work with you in the future!” Other student from OxSID committee said, “What worked well about the YEPW brainstorming session was the focus on implementation and prolonged contact.” In addition, other participants added that it was a productive and innovative meeting, and a positive platform for young people to plan and implement ways of peacebuilding by participating in it directly and proactively.

 

The second round of the Oxford University YEPW, which will start again in Autumn 2023, will continue practical discussions on how to address the consequences of global conflict in local contexts, particularly through the lens of international law. IPYG UK will also expand its working group activities by conducting “Changemaker Summer Sessions,” with other YEPW participants including Oxford students during the summer.

 

https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/

 

 

 

 

#IPYG #IWPG #PEACEBUILDING

 

#PEACEWORLD #DPCW_1038 #HWPL

 

#PEACE #WHO #WARP_OFFICE

 

 

DPCW_1038 : Cameroon Human Rights Webinar for National Development

https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/

 

 

On April 15, the “Cameroon Human Rights Webinar for National Development” was held to raise awareness of human rights and peace, hosted by HWPL. Lawyers, law and political science students, a project manager of NGO, and figures from peace education and IPYG attended the event, titled

“Institutionalization for Peaceful Coexistence,”

to find the answer for peace.

 

 

Cameroon was colonized by France and Britain after the defeat of Germany during World War I. 

After its independence, English and French became the official languages, but only about 20% of the people spoke English and the rest spoke French, causing conflicts between the speakers of the two languages.

 

Then, in 2018, when the authority of French-speaking people who are the majority was expanded, the dispute began with English-speaking people who felt discriminated against. The situation became worse as the government responded violently against the nonviolent protesters.

 

Regarding this, Kang Blaise Mua, the President of the Student Association of the Law and Political Science at the University of Buea, said “There is a need to redress governmental strategy, such as a call for major national dialogue and assistance from other peace organizations around the world.”.

 

#WEBINAR #CAMEROON #HWPL #DPCW_1038 #EDUCATION #PEACE_WORLD

#YEPC #WARP_OFFICE #IPYG #IWPG

 

Willbroad Dze- Ngwa, the President of Heritage Higher Institute of Peace and Development Studies, emphasized the importance of peace education, saying “Peace education is taught in some of our schools. What we have to decide to do is to establish clubs in different schools in order to carry on peace and effective citizenship.

 

If we multiply this webinar, our context, and our strategies, peace would reign in all the corners of Cameroon and the world. Because each of us is supposed to be an active factor of peace education.”.

 

Through this webinar, participants were able to recognize that peaceful coexistence is needed for the national development of Cameroon. For peaceful coexistence to be achieved, three elements were presented. They were: peace education that helps children recognize the importance of peace and grow up as peaceful citizens, the establishment of gatherings to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than force, and international law that can present a new paradigm for peace.

 

HWPL introduced the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), an international law for peace, and the Mindanao case where peace came true based on it, as well as peace education and Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC) and Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW). 

 

2022 Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC)

The Youth Empowerment Peace Class is a training program provided by the IPYG and is designed and developed to provide the youth, who are implementers of peace, with opportunities to acquire knowledge and strengthen their capacity.

✉

The 2nd Youth Empowerment Peace Class, held twice in 2022, was conducted to find solutions to problems faced by young people, such as banning drug abuse, parental literacy, gender equality, and strengthening capacity for employment.

 

 

https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en

 

2022 Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC)

https://bit.ly/3MElXSx

 

 

Peace Monument Completion Ceremony: Light of Peace in Zambia

https://bit.ly/3OLQTDh

 

 

HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp was held in Thailand

https://bit.ly/3MJJDVN

 

 

Cameroon Human Rights Webinar for National Development

https://bit.ly/3qi5FHC

As the program deals with everyday problems of the youth, participants were able to empathize with and comfort one another as the same generation. In addition, they encourage each other to utilize IPYG’s global network to work together to achieve peace.

 

The board members of Nepal’s youth organizations took the course to conduct educational services for young people in the community. They went on to hold an Eloquence Competition of Peace and a drawing event for nearby schools in order to effectively spread the values of peace that they learned through YEPC. Around 1,000 students from three schools participated to self-reflect on and express the importance of peace.

💌

The youth of South Africa used social media to publicize YEPC. Youth from Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe took the course together online and held small group meetings after each class. Despite living in different countries, they used messaging apps to share what they learned and started building a community for continual cooperation.

The IPYG is preparing so that the 3rd YEPC, held in 2023, will support the youth in becoming the leaders of peace in their local communities as well as the center of different peace initiatives. The course will be a youth-focused peace education program filled with presentations of HWPL leaders working in various fields including media, education, and religion.

☕️

In addition, IPYG’s YEPC contributes to providing “Quality Education,” one of the SDGs, to youth around the world as well as realizing UNESCO’s goal of “Lifelong Learning.”

 #HWPL #YEPC #IPYG #UNESCO #EDUCATION #IWPG #DPCW_1038

HWPL and UNESCO Celebrates 30th World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day 30th Anniversary UNESCO Event Post-Report

 

 

(Ghana News Online‎) - World Press Freedom Day: HWPL Discuss solutions for improving the safety and working conditions of journalists

https://bit.ly/3VVngAG

 

 

( Journal Online) - HWPL and UNESCO Celebrates 30th World Press Freedom Day

https://bit.ly/41H8tex

 

 

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, 158 people gathered to commemorate this important date. Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) in collaboration with the Permanent Delegation of Suriname to UNESCO and the National Commission of the Democratic Republic of Congo for UNESCO organized a webinar to highlight the need for press freedom in today’s society. This event aimed to propose solutions for improving the safety and working conditions of journalists with the cooperation between civil society, private sectors, and governments. For this, journalists, delegations to UNESCO, former ministers, and representatives of civil society were present.

 

#DPCW #WORLD_PEACE #SAFETY 

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day. This proclamation marked the beginning of substantial progress for press freedom and freedom of expression around the world, with the proliferation of independent media in many countries and the rise of digital technologies allowing for the free flow of information online.

 

#UN #FREEDOM_DAY #ONLINE #WORLD_PRESS

This year’s celebration of the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day is a call to define press freedom, as well as independent, pluralistic and diverse media, as a necessary condition for the enjoyment of all other human rights. This is because unreliable information that has caused racism and hatred has widely spread through the media during the global pandemic.

 

#MEDIA #RACISM #GLOBAL_PANDEMIC

 

This commemoration was opened with congratulatory speeches from the co-host countries’ delegations. The media-related workers from Congo, Mali, and the Czech Republic gave topic presentations on the protection of press freedom and the protection of human rights through it and the discussions were followed among presenters and participants.

 

#HUMAN_RIGHTS #CONGO

 

In his congratulatory speech, His Excellency Mr. Lazare Liema Ibongo-Botie recalled that UNESCO sensitizes Member States to the need to strengthen standards and policies that promote freedom of expression, press freedom, the safety of journalists, and the right to information. He also reminded governments of the need to respect their commitments to press freedom.

 

#UNESCO #FREEDOM #PRESS #JOURNALIST

H.E. Mr. Yaya Sangaré said, “Healthy and independent journalism is vital to any democratic society. This profession comes from the right to have an opinion, to express it, to disseminate it, and to share it freely, as well as the right to seek information and ideas. This is a guarantee of transparency in the exercise of responsibilities in the conduct of public affairs, as well as in the resolution of issues of general interest. It is also what encourages full and complete participation in socio-political life and in the decision-making process, with full knowledge of the facts. This is why the practice of journalism must be secured, in terms of training, working conditions, and protection.”

 

#JOURNALISM #HEALTHY #HWPL

 

Ms. Severina Papis concluded by saying, “As a peace organization, HWPL hopes to build greater global support for press freedom and encourage journalists to continue their important work in promoting a peaceful and just world. Our organization will strive to work with communities in each country not only for this event but also for the freedom of the press and the respect for other human rights. Especially by activating the MAGP platform, we will try to strengthen a network of journalists and will try to protect numerous other human rights threatened by fake news and content of hate and discrimination.“

 

#DPCW_1038 #PEACE #DISCRIMINATION

 

MAGP (Media Association for Global Peace) is an online-based peace platform that spreads the culture of peace and specializes in sharing various types of peace materials including peace news, and information about peace-related events worldwide. One of MAGP’s key objectives is to ensure freedom of information and freedom of the press, as set forth in international agreements, including the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UN resolutions, the Windhoek Declaration, UN resolutions, and the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) declared by HWPL.

 

#WORLDWIDE #PEACE_NEWS #PEACE_RELATED #PEACE_WALK

 

Global Peace Movement Marks a Decade of the Citizen-led Peacebuilding Efforts

Peace events that commemorate citizen-led peacebuilding efforts for a decade are organized in 89 locations across 59 countries in May. On May 25, 5,000 participants were gathered at the Peace Gate of Seoul Olympic Park in South Korea, and other thousands of individuals around the world, including France, the United States, China, Japan, Australia, and Germany, are expected to join the events until the end of this month.

 

#DPCW_1038

 

Officially named “HWPL's 10th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and the Peace Walk”, the global events are held by an international NGO named Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) affiliated with the United Nations Economic and Social Council with the joint auspices of public and private organizations in different countries.

 

#PEACE_WALK

 

Recalling HWPL's peace activities for the past 10 years, Chairman Lee Man-hee said, "Since we pledged to work together for world peace 10 years ago, we have been calling for peace all over the world. We have advocated that peace should be taught at home and at school, and that everyone should become messengers of peace. I went to the battlefield in Mindanao, Philippines to raise the voice of peace and we were promised not to begin war again." He also emphasized, "Everyone should be one under the title of peace and work together to create a good world and make it a legacy for future generations. This is what we need to do in this era in which we live."

 

#NO_WAR

In the event, the "Joint Statement of the 10th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace" was unveiled. The statement said that the Declaration developed into the “Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War” (DPCW) to pursue “a transition from the rule of power to the rule of law” based on principles of “democracy, justice, civil liberties and equality, religious freedom and responsibility.” It further said that the decade of peacebuilding achieved millions of participants joining inter-religious dialogues, peace education, advocacy of peace to national leaders, network of youth in over 120 countries.

 

#PEACE

 

Through the joint statement, HWPL and participating organizations affirmed their commitment to institutionalizing peace through international cooperation, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 “Peace, justice and strong institutions.” They pledged to engage in mediation efforts and raising awareness and provide education in conflict areas, empower youth and women, promote best practices for the participation of civil society.

 

#IWPG #IPYG

 

During the event in South Korea, member organizations of IPYG jointly presented a certificate of appreciation to HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee for his dedication and contributions to world peace. Additionally, participants had a moment of remembrance for soldiers sacrificed in wars, and certificates of appreciation were presented to Korean War veterans by HWPL Chairman Lee, who also served as a Korean War veteran.

 

#HWPL

 

HWPL announced its ambitious goal to garner the support of 10 million citizens through their signatures to advocate for the establishment of an international law for peace. Additionally, they have organized various overseas commemorative events aimed at fostering peace within local communities around the world. Membership registration, information about peace projects, and reading the full text of and supporting the DPCW are available on HWPL's official website at www.hwpl.kr.

 

International Day of Families 15 May

In late 2022, the world’s population has reached eight billion people. Characterised by the United Nations Secretary-General as a ‘milestone in human development’ this landmark event illustrates major advancements in health extending human lifespans. Population growth is to continue albeit at a decreasing rate. It is projected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 in 2100 rising concerns about the prospects of sustainable urbanization and management of climate change.

 

Demographic change is one of the most important megatrends impacting our world and the life and well-being of families worldwide. Demographic trends are mostly shaped by fertility and mortality patterns. Declining fertility rates result in benefits for families as they are more able to invest in their children’s health and education which in turns helps with poverty reduction and better socio-economic development.

 

Research indicates that decreasing fertility also increases women’s labour participation. On the other hand, fertility declines results in smaller families which are less likely to cope with care and other household obligations. As such in time of unemployment or illness, families have fewer members to rely on. Moreover, low fertility rates may undermine labour forces and social structures triggering drastic responses with hard to predict consequences for issues raging from social security to gender equality.

 

WWW.UN.ORG

 

The 2023 International Day of Families observance is to raise awareness of the impact of demographic trends on families. The event will include:

 

 

Launch of the Background Paper on

 

“The Impact of Demographic Trends on Families”

 

Presentation of the World Social Report 2023 “Leaving No One Behind in an Ageing World”

Presentation on intergenerational equity and solidarity

An overview of recommendations of policies in response to demographic trends Presentation of civil society initiatives for IYF+30

Interactive discussion with audience participation

 

#DPCW #HWPL #IPYG #IWPG #WARP_OFFICE #PEACE

#PANDEMIC #PEACE_WORLD #DPCW_1038 #GLOBAL #UN #FREEDOM #MAGP

 

The National Youth Council of Côte d’Ivoire Peace Camp: To Spread a Culture of Peace Together

The National Youth Council of Côte d’Ivoire Peace Camp was held over five sessions from 5 November to 3 December 2022. The camp was held online with around twenty participants including the National Youth Council of Côte d’Ivoire members and heads of affiliated NGO youth organizations within Côte d’Ivoire.

 

https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en

👆

The peace camp aimed to plant the value of peace in the youth to foster them as peace citizens to provide HWPL Peace Education across the nation as well as conduct various peace activities.

Twelve lessons from the HWPL Peace Curriculum were taught during the camp, and students shared what they learned after every lesson. On 14 Dec, after the course was completed, the Peace Education Graduation Ceremony was held online and the graduates pledged to spread the value of peace to the Côte d’Ivoire youth.

 

Niangoran Angelina, Président of the Political Women Group, stated in her graduation speech, “I want to thank you for allowing me to take part in this peace training. Abandoned by my biological father, I was confronted with many difficulties that I had to overcome alone; I slept on the street. Today, I give my all for others, I help my learners, but once I find myself alone, it is an inner wound that no one knows about. I found it hard to forgive him, but after this training, the wounds I felt are healed. I understood that I had to forgive him after many years in order to be free myself. I can use this training to educate others. Thank you so much, president.”

 

The National Youth Council of Côte d’Ivoire and Côte d’Ivoire’s youth organizations will continue to work with IPYG to host various peace activities.

 #DPCW_1038 #PEACE #PEACEWORLD #HWPL #WARP_OFFICE #PEACE_EDUCATION #UN #IPYG #IWPG