Let's #BeatPlasticPollution 

United Nations World Environment Day is the single largest celebration of our environment each year, celebrated by thousands of communities and organisations worldwide.

The theme for 2018 ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ is a call to action.  It invites us all to consider the changes we can make to reduce the heavy burden of plastic pollution on our natural places, our wildlife – and our own health.  Plastic has many valuable uses, but we have become over-reliant on single-use or disposable plastic – with severe environmental consequences.

Each year, United Nations chooses a global host to organize different special events.  India, which has one of the highest recycling rates in the world, is the global host for 2018.

This World Environment Day we are all invited: companies, civil society groups, communities and individuals, to take concrete action to Beat Plastic Pollution.

Let’s all help to clean up our environment

You can register your #BeatPlasticPollution activity

For more information 

Visit - www.worldenvironmentday.global

 

Let's stand together #WithRefugees

On 20 June each year, the United Nations invites us to commemorate the strength, courage, and perseverance of millions of refugees.  World Refugee Day also marks a key moment for the public to show support for families forced to flee.

In September 2016, global leaders agreed to work towards a Global Compact for refugees in 2018 where all parts of society stand together #WithRefugees and do their fair share instead of leaving individual states to bear the burden of mass forced displacement.  2018 is now.

Let us call on these governments to keep their promise by signing the #WithRefugees petition. It asks them to make sure:

• Every refugee child gets an education
• Every refugee family has somewhere safe to live
• Every refugee can work or learn new skills to support their families.

Sign the Petition calling for Global Compact 2018

Click here - http://www.unhcr.org/refugeeday/

Read Pope Francis's 4 points to guide response to Refugees 

Click here - 4 Point Guide response to Refugees

 

On Human Rights Day,10 December 2017, a year-long campaign was launched to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of the the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This milestone document proclaimed the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being -- regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. It is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages.

While its promise is yet to be fully realized, the very fact that it has stood the test of time is testament to the enduring universality of its perennial values of equality, justice and human dignity.

The principles enshrined in the Declaration are as relevant today as they were in 1948. We need to stand up for our own rights and those of others. We can take action in our own daily lives, to uphold the rights that protect us all and thereby promote the kinship of all human beings.  

#StandUp4HumanRights

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights empowers us all.

• Human rights are relevant to all of us, every day.

• Our shared humanity is rooted in these universal values.

• Equality, justice and freedom prevent violence and sustain peace.

• Whenever and wherever humanity's values are abandoned, we all are at greater risk.

• We need to stand up for our rights and those of others.

 

 

 

Some other key dates to save in your calendars

March 8 - International Women's Day (IWD)

April 22 - International Mother Earth Day

April 24 - Feastday of St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier

May 26 - June 24 - Ramadan (varies)

June 5 - World Environment Day

June 14 - 20 - Refugee Week

June 20 - World Refugee Day

June 24 - Good Shepherd Day (Australia)

July 22 - Good Shepherd Day (Aotearoa/New Zealand) 

July 30 - World Day against Trafficking in Persons

August 9 - International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

August 19 - Feastday of St John Eudes

September 1 - World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation

September 21 - International Day of Peace

October 11 - International Day of the Girl Child

October 17 - International Day for the Elimination of Poverty

November 2 - All Souls Day

November 11 - Diwali festival

November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

November 25 - 10 Dec - 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

December 2 - International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

December 5 - International Volunteer Day

December 10 - Human Rights Day