Genocide Prevention Day (09 December)

Genocide Prevention Day History

International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime seeks to raise awareness about the Genocide Convention. The Genocide Convention is a list of articles that dictate prevention methods and punishments should a nation be on the verge of genocide. It was adopted by the UN in 1948.

International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime aims to acknowledge and honor the victims of Genocide. It is observed annually on December 9th.

Genocide Prevention Day Facts

• According to the U.N High Commissioner for Refugees agency, over 68 million people around the world are displaced due to conflict and persecution.
• The word genocide was created in 1944 by lawyer Raphael Lemkin. It comes from the Greek word genos, meaning family, tribe, or race, and the Latin suffix –cide, meaning killing.
• The Genocide Convention defines genocide as any of the following acts:

        a) Killing members of a group

        b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of a group

        c) Deliberately inflicting on a group condition of life calculated to bring about its physical                         destruction in whole or in part

        d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within a group

        e) Forcibly transferring children of a group to another group

Genocide Prevention Day Top Events and Things to Do

• Learn the history of genocidal events to help prevent future incidents. There have been efforts to deny or rewrite history regarding genocidal events, most notably by the Turkish government. They have continued to deny their part in the Armenian genocide. Attempts to deny responsibility or alter reality allow oppressive regimes to continue unabated and it opens the door for future incidents to occur.
• Read books or novels that detail genocidal events to better your empathy and understanding. Here are our suggestions: A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility by Taner Akcam Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda by Romeo Dallaire The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows

• Donate to reputable charities or organizations that help prevent genocide. One example is the International Crisis Group

Genocide Prevention Day References and Related Sites

UN: Genocide Prevention Day

www.crisisgroup.org: Preventing War. Shaping Peace

International Anti-Corruption Day (09 December)

 

International Anti-Corruption Day History

International Anti-Corruption Day seeks to raise awareness of corruption and its negative impact on societies. Corruption involves the abuse of entrusted power by dishonest or unethical conduct that leads to personal gain. No country in the world is entirely corruption-free, however, some countries and regions are less affected than others. The Corruption Perceptions Index measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption around the world and states that over 68% of countries in the world have a serious corruption problem. These problems fuel devastation by promoting human trafficking, political instability, environmental destruction, and terrorism.

International Anti-Corruption Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003 in an effort to highlight the negative impact of corruption on economic development and government stability. It is celebrated annually on December 9, a celebration that also showcases the role of the UN's Convention Against Corruption in preventing further corruption.

International Anti-Corruption Day Facts & Quotes

In 2001-2002, the Head of Research at the World Bank published an observation and calculation totaling results about corrupt payments. The total is estimated at somewhere around 1 trillion dollars.

In Malaysia, the Prime Minister, Najib Razak, reportedly deposited $681 million into his personal account that was originally earmarked to be invested in attracting foreign investors and boosting its economy.

Transparency International’s 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) covering 175 countries reveals that more than two-thirds score less than 50 points on a scale, where 100 is fully clean of corruption and 1 is the very opposite. In short, most countries that were covered are deemed corrupt.

Corruption is a true enemy of development. - Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, the current President of Mongolia.

International Anti-Corruption Day Top Events and Things to Do

Watch a movie about the dangers and destructiveness of corruption. Some suggestions are Ramanaa (2002), Internal Affairs (1990), and Training Day (2001).

Spend time reading and researching the Panama Papers problems which exposed the corruption of high-standing politicians and companies worldwide.

Raise awareness on social media by using the hashtags #BreaktheChain, #InternationalAnti-CorruptionDay, and #EndCorruption.

Print out campaign material and post it around the community and your workplace in order to raise awareness. The material can be found in a number of languages at the UN site.

Read a book about the perils of corruption. Some suggestions are: Capital Corruption, Thinking About Political Corruption, and From Watergate to Whitewater.

International Anti-Corruption Day - References and Related Sites

UN: Anti Corruption

www.anticorruptionday.org: Anti Corruption Day

Armed Forces Flag Day

 

Since 1949, 7th December is observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day throughout the country to honour the martyrs and the men in uniform who valiantly fought & continue to fight on our borders to safeguard the country's honour. Soldiers are one of the greatest assets of any country. They are the guardians of the nation and protect its citizens at all costs. To fulfil their duties, soldiers have sacrificed a lot of things in their lives. The country is forever indebted to these gallant heroes who lay down their lives in the service towards the motherland.

It is our duty to not only show our admiration for the martyrs and the living heroes who were wounded while doing their duties but also their families who have been a crucial part of this sacrifice. Apart from Government measures at the Centre and the State level, it is the collective duty of every citizen of our country to make his/her unstinted and voluntary contribution towards providing care, support, rehabilitation and financial aid. Flag Day brings to the forefront our commitment of looking after our war disabled Soldiers, Veer Naris and the families of martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the country.

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International Civil Aviation Day, (07 December 2020)

 International Civil Aviation Day History

International Civil Aviation Day seeks to raise awareness about the importance of the civil aviation sector. Civil aviation refers to flights and aircrafts used for personal and business purposes. This day aims to highlight the role of civil aviation in the social and economic development of countries.

International Civil Aviation Day was established in 1994 and officially recognized by the U.N General Assembly in 1996. It is observed annually on December 7th.

International Civil Aviation Day Facts

The theme for International Civil Aviation Day is aligned with the ICAO’s anniversary and spans a period of five years. The theme selected for 2019-2024 was 75 Years of Connecting the World.

The international civil aviation organization (ICAO) was created in 1944 as per the convention on international civil aviation. 52 countries signed an international agreement. This allowed global civil aviation systems to develop peacefully and in such a way that it would benefit all people and nations.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, established in 1919, is one of the world’s oldest airlines.

International Civil Aviation Day Top Events and Things to Do

Thank you a civil aviation worker. Air traffic controllers, pilots, flight attendants, all play a key role in making sure flights go accordingly and safely.

Consider learning more about aviation or careers in aviation. There are lots of resources available and the field has diverse opportunities. Check out flight school and aviation career paths for more details.

Watch a film or documentary about aviation to better understand the responsibility civil aviation workers have. Here are our suggestions:

Sully (2016)

Flight (2012)

One Six Right (2005)

International Civil Aviation Day Theme

 Every five years, coinciding with ICAO anniversaries (2014/2019/2024/2029/etc.), the ICAO Council establishes a special anniversary theme for International Civil Aviation Day. Between these anniversary years, Council representatives select a single theme for the full four-year intervening period. 

In recognition of ICAO’s 75th anniversary, the Council selected the following theme “75 Years of Connecting the World” for the 2019 celebrations.

From now until 2023, the Council has decided that the theme will be:

 “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation Development”

World Soil Day 05 December 2020

 

World Soil Day History

World Soil Day seeks to raise awareness about soil and the issues affecting it such as erosion and pollution. This day aims to promote sustainable management of soil resources in order to ensure healthy ecosystems. It encourages people to help preserve global food supplies and food safety by improving soil health and preventing the loss of soil biodiversity.

World Soil Day was established in 2014 by the U.N General Assembly. It is observed annually on December 5th.

World Soil Day Facts

The theme for World Soil Day in 2020 is to Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity.

Soil is a resource that is home to more than 25% of the Earth's biodiversity.

According to the U.N, an estimated 90% of living organisms live or spend part of their life cycle in soil.

World Soil Day Top Events and Things to Do

Practice soil conservation and preservation in your community by using mulch in your lawn and by planting cover crops which can help manage soil erosion and preserve soil quality.

Help promote and spread awareness about World Soil Day. The Food and Agriculture Organization site has posters and Materials that can aid in the campaign to highlight the importance of soil.

Watch a film or documentary on soil conservation and preservation. Here are our suggestions:

Kiss the Ground (2020)

Living Soil (2018)

Dirt! The Movie (2009)

This years' campaign "Keep soil alive, Protect soil biodiversity" urges us to focus our attention on the workers belowground - from tiny bacteria to agile millipedes and slimy earthworms - all of which contribute to processes that are indispensable to life on Earth.

These days biodiversity loss is a worry – and the soil is also affected. Soil is home to more than 1/4 of our planet's biodiversity. Yet, we only know 1% of this universe. There are more living creatures in a single teaspoon of healthy soil than there are people on Earth. Soil organisms are responsible for many critical ecosystem processes, on which humans depend: from supporting plant growth to storing carbon and being a vast reservoir for pharmaceuticals. But soil biodiversity is under pressure! Unsustainable soil management affects life belowground. Take action to protect soil biodiversity. Let's now about soil.

Fun facts

• In just 3 inches of soil, there is 13 quadrillion living organisms, weighing 100 million tonnes. 
• One hectare of soil contains the weight equivalent of two cows of bacteria. 
• There are more organisms in one gram of healthy soils than there are people on Earth. 
• An earthworm can digest its own weight in the soil every 24 hours. 50% of the planet's soil passes through the gut of earthworms each year.
• Soil organisms process 25,000 kg of organic matter in a surface area equivalent to a soccer field, which is the weight.

Soil Organic Carbon – the treasure beneath our feet

How can you be the solution to soil pollution?

Stop soil erosion, keep soil where it belongs!

Social media cards and key messages

Reference:- www.http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/en/