World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. World Red Cross Red Crescent Day is celebrated on 8 May each year. This date is the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Henry Dunant, who was born on 8 May 1828. He was the founder of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.

The idea for an “annual action that could take hold in the whole world … that would be a major contribution to peace” was introduced just after World War I. This initiative, known as the “Red Cross Truce”, was studied by an International Commission established at the 14th International Conference of the Red Cross. Its report, presented to the 15th International Conference of the Red Cross in Tokyo in 1934, was approved. It was only after World War II, in 1946, that the Tokyo proposal was studied by the League of Red Cross Societies (LRCS), renamed the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 1991. Two years later, having considered the principles of the truce and its applicability across different regions of the world, the proposal of an annual International Red Cross Day was adopted and the first Red Cross Day was celebrated on 8 May 1948. The official title of the day changed over time, and became “World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day” in 1984.

3th May (’22): World Press Freedom Day

The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day or just World Press Day, observed to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek in 1991.

n 2018, a conference sponsored by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations was canceled. In 2018, several news organizations joined for an ad campaign. Slain journalists in Kabul were remembered.

UNESCO marks World Press Freedom Day by conferring the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize on a deserving individual, organisation or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger. Created in 1997, the prize is awarded on the recommendation of an independent jury of 14 news professionals. Names are submitted by regional and international non-governmental organisations working for press freedom, and by UNESCO member states.The Prize is named in honour of Guillermo Cano Isaza, a Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of the offices of his newspaper, El Espectador, in Bogotá, on 17 December 1986. Cano’s writings had offended Colombia’s powerful drug barons.

UNESCO also marks World Press Freedom Day each year by bringing together media professionals, press freedom organisations and UN agencies to assess the state of press freedom worldwide and discuss solutions for addressing challenges. Each conference is centred on a theme related to press freedom, including good governance, media coverage of terrorism, impunity and the role of media in post-conflict countries

26° April (’22): World Intellectual Property Day

World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on 26 April. The event was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 to “raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and designs impact on daily life” and “to celebrate creativity, and the contribution made by creators and innovators to the development of societies across the globe”. 26 April was chosen as the date for World Intellectual Property Day because it coincides with the date on which the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization entered into force in 1970.

An exhibition showing the intellectual property (IP) behind Steve Jobs’ innovations opened to the public at WIPO on 30 March 2012 and ran through to World Intellectual Property Day on 26 April 2012. The exhibition tied in with 2012’s World Intellectual Property Day theme – ‘Visionary Innovators’.This event has been criticized by a number of activists and scholars as one-sided propaganda in favor of traditional copyright, ignoring alternatives related to copyleft and the free culture movement.

Following a statement made at the Assembly of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in September 1998, the Director General of the National Algerian Institute for Industrial Property (INAPI) proposed on 7 April 1999 the institutionalisation of an international day for intellectual property, with the aim of: [setting up] a framework for broader mobilization and awareness, [opening up] access to the promotional aspect of innovation and [recognizing] the achievements of promoters of intellectual property throughout the world.On 9 August 1999, the Chinese delegation to the WIPO proposed the adoption of the “World Intellectual Property Day”: in order to further promote the awareness of intellectual property protection, expand the influence of intellectual property protection across the world, urge countries to publicize and popularize intellectual property protection laws and regulations, enhance the public legal awareness of intellectual property rights, encourage invention-innovation activities in various countries and strengthen international exchange in the intellectual property field.In October 1999, the General Assembly of WIPO approved the idea of declaring a particular day as a World Intellectual Property Day.

23th April (’22): World Book Day (UNESCO)

World Book Day, also known as World Book and Copyright Day or International Day of the Book, is an annual event organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. The first World Book Day was celebrated on 23 April in 1995, and continues to be recognized on that day. A related event in the United and Ireland is observed in March. On the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day, UNESCO along with the advisory committee from the major sectors of the book industry, select the World Book Capital for one year. Each designated World Book Capital City carries out a program of activities to celebrate and promote books and reading.

The original idea was conceived in 1922 by Spanish writer Vicente Clavel Andrés as a way to honour the author Miguel de Cervantes. It was first celebrated on 7 October 1926, Cervantes’ birthday, before being moved to his death date, 23 April, in 1930. The celebration continued to enjoy great popularity in Spain, especially in Catalonia, where it coincides with the Diada de Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia. The Diada usually involves the exchange of gifts between loved ones and, since the 1931 Book Fair in Barcelona, the gifts are a book and a rose.In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on 23 April, as the date is also the anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, as well as that of the birth or death of several other prominent authors. (In a historical coincidence, Shakespeare and Cervantes died on the same date — 23 April 1616 — but not on the same day, as at the time, Spain used the Gregorian calendar and England used the Julian calendar; Shakespeare actually died 10 days after Cervantes died, on 3 May of the Gregorian calendar.)

World Cup draw Qatar 2022: Germany in Group E with Spain

DOHA (QATAR) – The draws for the final phase of the World Cup took place in Doha. There will be no Italy of Roberto Mancini who, after winning the European title in the summer, failed to win the pass for the world championship event: third time in history, second consecutive for the Azzurri (Sweden 1958, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022) . 29 national teams have already qualified, while the other three teams will come out of the playoffs scheduled for 13 and 14 June, when Wales, victorious in the semifinal against Austria, will challenge the winner of Scotland-Ukraine, Costa Rica, third in the Concacaf qualifiers for Central and North America, will face New Zealand, who beat the Solomon Islands 5-0, and Lapadula’s Peru will face one between Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

Clash between ‘titans’ in group E of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. In fact, together with the top-seeded Spain, Germany was drawn. Challenges between European national teams also between Belgium and Croatia and between France and Denmark. Qatar 2022 will propose in the first phase a challenge with a not only football flavor. In fact, Iran and the United States will face each other, drawn in group B which also includes England vice-champion of Europe.

31 March (2022): The World Backup Day

World Backup Day on March 31st reminds us to protect our precious digital documents as we’ve become more reliant on technology.

There’s always that one photo, video or memory that you took the time to save, yet for some reason, it’s not yours anymore. Whether it was a lost or broken phone, a faulty hard drive or some other technological mishap, it can feel impossible to keep all your files in one piece.

Thankfully, the day before April Fools is World Backup Day, which saves us from being the punchline of a joke played by our own devices. It is the day when we finally stop saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” and make sure all our precious files find a safe space.

Try not to think of it as a hassle. Remember when you swore to backup all those pictures and videos from your last vacation? Now’s the time buddy.

Each day we depend more and more on data to serve our lives. Although it may be difficult to imagine a future where our precious files aren’t as accessible as they are today, it’s not our job to take digital memories for granted. Now put your foot down take a stand, and back that thing up!

WHAT IS BACKUP? A backup is a second copy of all your important files — for example, your family photos, home videos, documents, and emails. Instead of storing it all in one place (like your computer), you keep another copy of everything somewhere safe. For more info on this day – go to www.worldbackupday.com

HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldBackupDay

If you haven’t already, invest in an external hard drive, USB stick or purchase some space in the cloud. While you’re waiting for your file transfer to reach 100%, take a moment to plan out your next big data dump. Because let’s face it, one day a year isn’t nearly enough.

Take the pledge to back up your phone, computer, tablet, and all other coveted devices and share with the world using hashtag #WorldBackUpDay.

WORLD BACKUP DAY HISTORY

World Backup Day originally began as World Backup Month, started by a hard drive company by the name of Maxtor which was later acquired by Seagate Technology.

https://worldbackupday.com/en

30March ’22: World Bipolar Day

On March 30th each year, the world comes together to raise awareness of a mental health disorder that affects nearly 6 million Americans, each in a distinctive way.

Bipolar disorder has an impact that goes far beyond numbers. I’ve learned this working at bp Magazine for Bipolar, a print and online publication that educates and empowers people dealing with bipolar. I have been incredibly inspired by our bipolar community’s strength and resilience through interacting with bloggers, professional writers, social media followers, and mental health partners.

So, on World Bipolar Day, here are some aspects of bipolar disorder that are important to understand, so you can help combat social stigma:

1. Bipolar disorder affects every aspect of life: It may be difficult to fully comprehend the toll bipolar disorder can take on someone because it is an invisible illness. As bp Magazine vlogger Natasha Tracy describes in a powerful video, it can be as crippling –impacting relationships, working, and all aspects of everyday life—from sleeping to showering.
2. Bipolar disorder has many causes, from genetics to life events: After a study that spanned nearly two decades, a team from the University of Michigan found that there is no single genetic change, life event, or chemical brain imbalance that could be the root cause of bipolar disorder. Many times, it is a combination of several biological and environmental factors that can trigger bipolar disorder.
3. Bipolar disorder rarely exists alone: As if a mood disorder that involves long-spanning depressions and manic episodes wasn’t enough to deal with, bipolar disorder can also come with other physical and psychological conditions to worry about. These include metabolic disorders and migraines.
4. Everyone’s bipolar disorder is different: Bipolar disorder is like fingerprints and snowflakes—no two people have the exact same symptoms and each diagnosis can vary greatly. However, there are two main types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar I which is characterized by one or more manic episodes that last at least a week and require hospitalization; and bipolar II, which is characterized by more depressive episodes.
5. There are many celebrities that live with bipolar disorder: Celebrities including Demi Lovato, Richard Dryfuss, and Mary Lambert are using their high-profile platform to combat bipolar disorder stigma. Demi Lovato in particular is making headlines for bringing the CAST Foundation on her Tell Me You Love Me Tour. CAST is an extension of a Los Angeles-based mental health awareness organization that Demi says helped her stay sober for six years.
6. There may be a creativity connection: Did you know that World Bipolar Day occurs on Vincent van Gogh’s birthday? Van Gogh, considered one of the most influential artists of all time[7], was posthumously diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. Another famous face of creativity is Carrie Fisher, known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise. She’s considered a heroine for rebelling against mental health stigma.
7. It is life-threatening, and support is vital: An estimated 1 in 5 people diagnosed with bipolar disorder dies by suicide. World Bipolar Day is an opportunity to show those living with the day-to-day challenges of this condition they are not alone, they have your support, and there is always hope.

https://mhanational.org/blog/7-reasons-why-world-bipolar-day-important

24th March (2022): World Tuberculosis Day

World Tuberculosis Day, observed on 24 March each year, is designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease. In 2018, 10 million people fell ill with TB, and 1.5 million died from the disease, mostly in low and middle-income countries. This also makes it the leading cause of death from an infectious disease.

World TB Day is one of eleven official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO), along with World Health Day, World Chagas Disease Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, World Immunization Week, World Malaria Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Hepatitis Day, World Patient Safety Day and World AIDS Day.

24 March commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing to a small group of scientists at the University of Berlin’s Institute of Hygiene that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis, the TB bacillus. According to Koch’s colleague, Paul Ehrlich, “At this memorable session, Koch appeared before the public with an announcement which marked a turning-point in the story of a virulent human infectious disease. In clear, simple words Koch explained the aetiology of tuberculosis with convincing force, presenting many of his microscope slides and other pieces of evidence.” At the time of Koch’s announcement in Berlin, TB was raging through Europe and the Americas, causing the death of one out of every seven people. Koch’s discovery opened the way toward diagnosing and curing tuberculosis.

♬ Elton John & Stevie Wonder – FINISH LINE

LYRIC

You, oh you
Are still a beauty to behold
You’ve been my muse
Every story that I’ve told
Oh, take me back some years
To when we were young without a fear
All along you have been the song that I wanna hear

I’ve been down the darkest alleys
Been to the bottom where the angels cry
Thought it had all been, all for nothing
Until I saw you at the finish line

Forgive me for the ways I’ve let you down
Won’t you give me, another chance to make you proud?
Oh, flash forward twenty years
Forever keep me young and my conscience clear
All along, you have been the song that I wanna hear, ooh yeah, ah

I’ve been down the darkest alleys
Been to the bottom where the angels cry (where the angels cry)
Thought it had all been, all for nothing
Until I saw you at the finish line

Yeah, yeah
Yes, I’ve been down the darkest alleys
Been to the bottom where the angels cry (angels cry)
Thought it had all been, all for nothing
Until I saw you at the finish line (at the finish line)

Oh, I’ve been down the darkest alleys
Been to the bottom watching life go by (watching life go by)
Thought it had all been, all for nothing
Until I saw you at the finish line (at the finish line, yeah, oh, woah)

I’ve been down the darkest alleys
Been to the bottom where the angels cry
Thought it had all been, all for nothing
Until I saw you (saw you) at the finish line

The Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympics: One World, One Family

The lighting of the Olympic cauldron officially kicked off the Beijing 2022 Games, during a hypnotic Opening Ceremony that ended in an amazing way. Athletes from 91 countries marched into the Beijing National Stadium for the Parade of Nations at the Opening Ceremony, arousing a strong sense of déjà vu given the previous Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. The Beijing National Stadium, or Bird’s Nest as it is affectionately known, has become the premier venue for the opening ceremonies of the Winter and Summer Olympic Games. The “One World, One Family” theme of the Opening Ceremony was represented by the image of a single snowflake and was at the center of the show from the beginning to the end of the Ceremony. The theme was based on an ancient Chinese saying which meant that “a truly wise person sees the whole world as one family”. World-renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou played the role of master of ceremonies for the second time, becoming the first person to direct two opening events in the same city. Zhang was also the mastermind behind the spectacular 2008 Beijing Opening Ceremony. The celebrated director brought the show to life through music, song, dance, innovative technology and fireworks, with the participation of Chinese citizens of Beijing and Hebei Province, instead of stars, singers, dancers or actors. professionals. The central stage within the venue included 11,600 square meters of HD LED screen, which mimicked “a surface of crystalline ice” throughout the ceremony. Zhang also used high technology to bring his creation to life through artificial intelligence, using live motion capture technology. In his speech, IOC President Thomas Bach praised athletes for their resilience and the inspiration they have provided to the world through sport. “You came here after overcoming so many challenges, experiencing great uncertainty. But now your time has come: the moment you’ve been waiting for. The moment we’ve all been waiting for,” said Bach. “We are all with you. We all support you. We all cheer for you.” Bach stressed how sport plays a crucial unifying role in society and stressed the importance of solidarity, a key principle of the Olympic Movement. “May this encourage you to go faster, to aim higher, to get stronger. Together,” he said. “In this way, you will inspire the world in this Olympic Year with the same ambition, courage and strength as the Year of the Tiger.”