1 January 2018: Dear friends around the world, Happy New Year. When I took office one year ago, I appealed for 2017 to be a year for peace. Unfortunately – in fundamental ways, the world has gone in reverse. On New Year’s Day 2018, I am not issuing an appeal. I am issuing an alert — a red alert for our world. Conflicts have deepened and new dangers have emerged. Global anxieties about nuclear weapons are the highest since the Cold War. Climate change is moving faster than we are. Inequalities are growing. We see horrific violations of human rights. Nationalism and xenophobia are on the rise. As we begin 2018, I call for unity. I truly believe we can make our world more safe and secure. We can settle conflicts, overcome hatred and defend shared values. But we can only do that together. I urge leaders everywhere to make this New Year’s resolution Narrow the gaps. Bridge the divides. Rebuild trust by bringing people together around common goals. Unity is the path. Our future depends on it. I wish you peace and health in 2018. Thank you. Shokran. Xie Xie. Merci. Spasiba. Gracias. Obrigado.
Monthly Archives: December 2017
Media Dialogue on Human Rights and Ethics in Journalism
Dhaka 23 December 2017: In Marking the Human Rights Day and 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nations in Bangladesh with the cooperation of Somashte (a mass media organization) organized a Media Dialogue on ‘Human Rights and Ethics in Journalism’ at Daily Star Center in Dhaka. The Chief Information Commissioner of Bangladesh Professor Dr. Golam Rahman moderated the dialogue. The Director of Somashte, Executive Editor of UNB, President of Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra and Deputy Editor of Daily Samakal spoke on the occasion. They highlighted on rights based approach and ethical issues in journalism. Chief Information Commissioner said, each media outlet should have an ideal editorial policy which would act as a guideline for all journalists. Senior journalists from print and electronic media, educationalist, and human rights workers took part in the dialogue. Apart from senior journalists, the Head of Dept of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University, Human Rights Advisor of UNRC Office, National Information Officer of UNIC Dhaka and UNAIDS Country Coordinator spoke on the occasion.
UNRC emphasized on youth empowerment at Dhaka University Model United Nations
In cooperation with United Nations and strategic support of UNIC, Dhaka University Model United Nations Association (DUMUNA) organized a four-day long Dhaka University National Model United Nations (DUNMUN) conference at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban at Dhaka University during 18- 21 December 2017. In closing ceremony, Mr. Nasrul Hamid, MP Hon’ble State Minister for Power, Energy & Mineral Resources graced the occasion as chief guest while Ms. Mia Seppo, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh and Ambassador Fafooq Sobhan spoke as special guests. In his speech, the Hon’ble Minister focuses on various developmental aspects of Bangladesh and took part in Q/A with delegates. UNRC in her speech highlights a number of important issues including SDGs, Migration, Urbanization, Climate change, Rohingya, Human rights, Youth development and UN reform. Around 450 delegates from different educational institutions took part in the four day long MUN conference. The DUNMUN inaugurated on 18 December where Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr. Nasreen Ahmad was present as chief guest. Mr Nahim Razzak, Hon’ble MP and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Youth & Sports, and UNDP Country Director Mr Sudipto Mukerjee spoke as special guests. DUMUNA Moderator Prof Delwar Hossain, DUNMUN Secretary-General and UNIC NIO appreciated the organizers and delegates for their active participation.
Observance of Human Rights Day 2017 and 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Dhaka 11 December 2017: In observance of Human Rights Day and 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations jointly with Daffodil International University (DIU) organized a panel discussion, essay contest, drama and poet reading at DIU auditorium. The Theme of this year was “Let’s stand up for equality, justice and human dignity”. The panelists were Acting Vice-Chancellor of DIU Prof. Dr. S.M. Mahbub-Ul-Haque Majumder, Dean Prof. Hamidur Rahman, Head of Law Department Dr. Farhana Helal Mehtab, Director of Students’ Affairs Mr. Syed Mizanur Rahman and Mr. Zahid Hossain Human Rights Advisor of UNRC Office. Mr. Zahid said that we need to stand up for our own rights and those of others and we must take actions in our daily lives to uphold the rights that protect all of us. UN Secretary-General’s Message on the Day was read out by Ms. Fahmida Sultana of UNIC Dhaka. Winners of essay contest on human rights were awarded with prizes.
Mia Seppo joined as the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh
Mia Seppo joined the United Nations Country Team in Bangladesh as the Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in October 2017.
Prior to her appointment in Bangladesh, Ms. Seppo has served as the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Malawi from April 2013 to October 2017, where among other initiatives she coordinated the UN system and partner support to the tripartite elections held in May 2014, the devastating floods in 2015 and the humanitarian response to the food insecurity in 2016-2017.
Between 2010 and 2013, she served as the UNDP Country Director in Sierra Leone, leading the UN support to the tripartite elections held in 2012. Ms. Seppo contributed to the UN’s work on aid coordination and development effectiveness in both countries. In partnership with the Peace Building Mission, Ms. Seppo led UNDP’s work on conflict prevention in Sierra Leone and the establishment of a National Peace Architecture in Malawi. Continue reading
Human Rights Day 2017 Secretary-General’s Video Message and Universal Declaration of Human Rights Video Project
On the occasion of the Human Rights Day (10 December), UN Video has send a video message from the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. The Secretary-General calls on all to stand up and speak out for human rights, and help translate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – the most translated document in the world – into action.
Next year, 2018, marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the lead-up to the anniversary, you are invited to contribute to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Multilingual Video Collection. Anyone can record themselves on video reading one of the 30 articles of the Declaration, in any of the 135 languages currently available on the site, and submit the video for consideration.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Message on Human Rights Day- 10 December 2017
This year’s commemoration of Human Rights Day marks the beginning of a year-long celebration of seven decades since the adoption of one of the world’s most profound and far-reaching international agreements. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishes the equality and dignity of every human being and stipulates that every government has a core duty to enable all people to enjoy all their inalienable rights and freedoms.
All of us have a right to speak freely and participate in decisions that affect our lives. We all have a right to live free from all forms of discrimination. We have a right to education, health care, economic opportunities and a decent standard of living. We have rights to privacy and justice. These rights are relevant to all of us, every day. They are the foundation of peaceful societies and sustainable development.
Since the proclamation of the Universal Declaration in 1948, human rights have been one of the three pillars of the United Nations, along with peace and development. While human rights abuses did not end when the Universal Declaration was adopted, the Declaration has helped countless people to gain greater freedom and security. It has helped to prevent violations, obtain justice for wrongs, and strengthen national and international human rights laws and safeguards. Continue reading
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Dhaka 6 December 2017: Over the past few days, the campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, has been spreading around the world. This is an annual event that starts on the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women” (November 25) and ends 16 days later on “Human Rights Day” (December 10). This year, the UN Secretary-General Antotio Guterres’s initiative UNiTE Campaign will mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence under the overarching theme, “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls”— reflecting the core principle of the trans-formative 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the coordinating colour orange to symbolize a brighter future in which females can live without fear of violence. UN-Women along with other UN Agencies, including UNIC Dhaka, are taking part in this campaign in separate locations of Bangladesh. A partial view of UN staff members who expressed their solidarity for the 16 Days Activism.
UN Library Network Workshop 2017 organized by UNIC Dhaka and ICDDR,B
Dhaka, 2 December 2017: With the theme of “Re-imagining Libraries, Technology Transfer And Resource Sharing in Libraries of Bangladesh: An Observation” a day-long workshop was organized by UNIC Dhaka and ICDDR,B on 2 December at ICDDR,B conference room. The thematic key-note paper was presented by Prof. Dr. S.M. Mannan, Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Dhaka. ICDDR,B Head of Library Dr. Nazim Uddin and UNIC NIO M Moniruzzaman also spoke in the workshop while participants took part in open discussion and Question/Answer session. Two short videos of UN Library Network in Bangladesh and ICDDR,B library were screened before the audiences. Around forty library and information professionals from public, private, NGOs, academic and international institutions took part in the workshop.