Monthly Archives: March 2015

Many Languages, One World: 2015 Student Essay Contest and Global Youth Forum – Submission Deadline 15 April 2015

essay_contest_headerThe United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI, Department of Public Information) in collaboration with ELS Educational Services, Inc., (ELS) invites students, 18 years and older, who are enrolled in a full-time course of study at a college or university, to participate in the contest which invites essays that relate to the post-2015 global development agenda, in the context of the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, and the definition of new goals reflecting the imperative of global sustainable development that recognises, and is enriched by, cultural and linguistic diversity. Entries, of up to 2000 words in length should be in an official language of the United Nations that is not the first language of the Entrant or the principal language of instruction in his or her primary or secondary education.

In recognition of UN70, this year’s contest has as a theme “Seventy for Seventy”; there will be a total of seventy winners , ten in each of the six official United Nations languages and an additional 10 chosen on merit from the remaining entries in all languages. These Winners will be invited to New York to participate in a series of events during the week of July 20-26, 2015. These events will include a Global Youth Forum on the sustainable development agenda in the context of multilingualism, cultural diversity and global citizenship at United Nations Headquarters, preceded by a preparatory students’ conference at Adelphi University sponsored and arranged by ELS Educational Services, Inc. For more information, please visit: http://www.els.edu/en/ManyLanguagesOneWorld

“Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity: Picture It!” – Round-table on International Women’s Day 2015

1Dhaka, 8 March: To mark the International Women’s Day 2015 with theme of Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity: Picture It!, UNIC Dhaka and Dhaka University Model UN Association jointly organized a round-table at Centre’s meeting room on 8 March 2015. Issues like Commission on the Status of Women-CSW, Beijing+20, contribution of women in economic activities, political awareness of girls, respect to women, rights practice in family, moral and ethical education and  proper utilization of mass and social media were discussed in the round-table. UNIC Officer-in-Charge M. Moniruzzaman moderated the session. Among others DUMUNA President M.J.Sohel, Youth Icon Md. Mamun Mia and Journalist Sajed Rau spoke on the ocassion. UN Secretary-General’s video message on the Day was screened at the beginning of the event. University students and youth representatives and journalist took part in the round-table.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Message on International Women’s Day: 8 March 2015

Untitled-1Twenty years ago, when the world convened a landmark conference on women’s human rights, the devastating conflict in the former Yugoslavia prompted deserved attention to rape and other war crimes there against civilians. Two decades later, with girls as young as seven not only targeted but used as weapons by violent extremists, it would be easy to lose heart about the value of international gatherings. But while we have a long way to go to achieve full equality – with ending gender-based violence a central goal – progress over the past two decades has proven the enduring value of the 1995 Beijing Conference on Women.

Since the adoption of its Declaration and Platform for Action, more girls have attained more access to more education than ever before. The number of women dying in childbirth has been almost halved. More women are leading businesses, governments and global organizations.  I welcome these advances. At the same time, on this International Women’s Day, we must acknowledge that the gains have been too slow and uneven, and that we must do far more to accelerate progress everywhere.   Continue reading

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Message on World Wildlife Day: 3 March 2015

wildlife_day_2015The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 3 March – the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) – as World Wildlife Day.  On this second observance of the Day, the UN system, its Member States and a wide range of partners from around the world are highlighting the simple yet firm message that “It’s time to get serious about wildlife crime”.

Illegal trade in wildlife has become a sophisticated transnational form of crime, comparable to other pernicious examples, such as trafficking of drugs, humans, counterfeit items and oil.  It is driven by rising demand, and is often facilitated by corruption and weak governance.  There is strong evidence of the increased involvement of organized crime networks and non-State armed groups. Continue reading