Monthly Archives: May 2014

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Message on Int’l Day of UN Peacekeepers, 29 May 2014

10292545_713943685334571_2436875335203791919_nUnited Nations peacekeeping has a long and proud history, with more than one million peacekeepers having served in more than 70 operations on four continents since its establishment in 1948. Looking to the future, we can be confident that as new challenges emerge, United Nations peacekeeping will evolve to meet them.

Today, more than 116,000 UN personnel from more than 120 countries serve in 16 peacekeeping operations. At great personal risk, these military, police and civilian personnel help stabilize communities, protect civilians, promote the rule of law and advance human Continue reading →

Round-table Seminar on Int’l Day of Families, 15 May 2014

The role of family is very important in personality building and socio-economic development. The reason behind social unrest is lack of moral education in family and social life. The foundation of morality begins at family level. The contribution of family, in making a peaceful democratic society, can not be ignored, speakers said in a round-table seminar.

The round-table seminar was organized by United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Dhaka and World Wide Family Love Movement (WWFLM) to commemorate the Int’l Day of Families on 15 May at IDB Bhaban Conference Room. State Minister for Women and Children Affairs of Bangladesh Government Ms Meher Afroze Chumki, MP spoke on the occasion as Chief Guest while UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mr Neal Walker delivered his speech as Guest of Honour. UNIC Dhaka Officer-in-Charge M. Moniruzzaman delivered his welcome addressed and read-out UN Secretary-General’s Message on the Day.

The Officer-in-Charge of UNFPA Bangladesh Dr Prasanna Gunasekera, Cooprdinator (VAW) of UN Women Mr Mahtabul Hakim and Prof Dr Delwar Hossain, Dept. of Int’l Relations, Dhaka University were the special guests. Social Scientist Dr Nazneen Ahmed of BIDS and Chairperson of WWFLM Ms Tajkera Khair also spoke on the occasion. There was a panel of discussants including academia, researcher, celebrity and civil society members, who spoke about the contemporary issues of family life and the role of family members in MDGs. There were youth participants as well. The round-table was ended by a popular song.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Message on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2014

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Each year on World Press Freedom Day, we reaffirm our commitment to the fundamental freedom to receive and impart information and ideas through any media, regardless of frontiers, enshrined in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Yet every day of the year sees this right under assault.

Journalists are singled out for speaking or writing uncomfortable truths – kidnapped, detained, beaten and sometimes murdered. Such treatment is completely unacceptable in a world ever more reliant on global news outlets and the journalists who serve them.

In conflict areas, journalists often wear blue uniforms and helmets so that they can be easily identified and protected against attack. As we know from the UN’s own peacekeeping operations, the colour blue provides no guarantee of safety.

Last year 70 journalists were killed, many caught in the cross-fire of armed hostilities. Fourteen more have suffered the same fate this year. Continue reading →