Dhaka, 7 April 2016: UNIC Dhaka jointly with Daffodil International University (DIU) commemorated the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda on 7 April at DIU auditorium. In expressing solidarity to the victims of Rwanda genocide, the programme began with candle lighting. The observance also included seminar, poetry recitation and a short play. The speakers called the societies to raise voice against the act of genocide. They cited the history of liberation war of Bangladesh and paid tribute to the national heroes who sacrificed their lives for motherland. Prof. Dr. Md. Golam Rahman, Chief Information Commissioner, Bangladesh spoke on the occasion as chief guest while VC of DIU Prof. Dr. Yusuf M. Islam presided over. Mahmud Hassan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, GoB and M. Moniruzzaman, OIC, UNIC Dhaka spoke as Continue reading
Commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day 2016: Seminar and Cultural Performance
Dhaka, Saturday, 2 April 2016: In commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day, UNIC Dhaka jointly with Ananda Niketon European School (ANES) organized a Seminar and Cultural event at school meeting room on 2 April 2016. The key-note paper was presented by autistic expert and psychologist Ms Narsis Rahman while Chairperson of ANES Dr Mahmudul Hasan delivered introductory speech. They focused on various issues of autism disorders and have put emphasis on awareness programme. In his speech, M. Moniruzzaman, UNIC Officer-in-Charge urged the policy makers, voluntary organizations and business community to come forward to the process of mainstreaming autistic people. Ms Momtaz Begum of UNIC read-out UN Secretary-General Message on the Day while Ms Romela Murshed, Coordinator of ANES delivered vote of thanks. The autistic children of ANES inclusive school took part in dance and musical show. Students, parents, teachers and guests took part in the event.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Message on World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April 2016
The international community is now embarking on the challenge of realizing the ambitious and universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The equal participation and active involvement of persons with autism will be essential for achieving the inclusive societies envisioned by the Sustainable Development Goals.
Autism is a lifelong condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is not well-understood in many countries, and too many societies shun people with autism.
This is a violation of human rights and a waste of human potential. I have seen the dynamism and commitment of persons with autism. Earlier this year, I was honoured to engage in a dialogue with one such young man at United Nations Headquarters in New York. I was especially impressed by his innovative approach to the issue of how we can reach the SDGs. Continue reading
UNIC Dhaka marks International Women’s Day: Debate and Slogan contest
Dhaka, 08 March 2016: In observance of International Women’s Day, UNIC Dhaka organized a debate and slogan contest with the engagement of university students at UNIC library on 8 March 2016. The topic of debate was ‘Planet 50-50: Gender Equality is Achievable by 2030’. UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert Watkins opened the debate contest as chief guest and took part in Q/A session. UNIC Officer-in-Charge M. Moniruzzaman moderated both the debate and slogan development sessions. UNIDO Chief of Operations Mr Zaki Uz Zaman, UNODC Chief Mr Kamrul Islam, UNESCO Communication Officer Ms Nyma Nargis, UNFPA Communication Officer Ms Asma Akter and WFP Communication Officer Ms Mahreen Ahmed graced the occasion as members of judge panel and represented UN Communication and Advocacy Group (UNCAG), they also spoke in the in the event. UN Youth and Students Association of Bangladesh (UNYSAB) and Dhaka University Model United Nations Association (DUMUNA) participated in the debate contest. The winners were awarded with prizes. More than than sixty students of different universities attended the programme.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Op-ed/Message for International Women’s Day: “From the Glass Ceiling to a Carpet of Shards”, 8 March 2016
As a boy growing up in post-war Korea, I remember asking about a tradition I observed: women going into labour would leave their shoes at the threshold and then look back in fear. “They are wondering if they will ever step into those shoes again,” my mother explained.
More than a half-century later, the memory continues to haunt me. In poor parts of the world today, women still risk death in the process of giving life. Maternal mortality is one of many preventable perils. All too often, female babies are subjected to genital mutilation. Girls are attacked on their way to school. Women’s bodies are used as battlefields in wars. Widows are shunned and impoverished.
We can only address these problems by empowering women as agents of change. Continue reading
International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust: Discussion and poster exhibition
Dhaka, 27 January 2016: In observance of International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, UNIC Dhaka organized a discussion seminar and poster exhibition at UNIC office on 27 January 2016. The students of Dhaka University and ASA University took part in the events and expressed their solidarity for the holocaust victims during Second World War. The poster exhibition was launched by Mika Kanervavuori, Human Rights Advisor, UNRC Office, who spoke on the occasion as chief guest. UNIC officer-in-Charge M. Moniruzzaman moderated the session. The discussants were Dr. Sayma Ahmed, Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Dhaka University, Abu Hena Mustofa Kamal, Assistant Professor, Department of Law, ASA University. The speakers said that any kind of genocide is deplorable, the painful days of Bangladesh liberation war was also highlighted in the discussion. They urged to respect diversity and tolerance in the society. The participants were provided with UNSG’s massage and UN publications.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appoints SDG Advocates
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment of a group of eminent persons to assist in the campaign to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that world leaders unanimously adopted last September. With a mandate to support the Secretary-General in his efforts to generate momentum and commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030, the newly named SDG Advocates will add powerful voices to spur action on the visionary and transformational sustainable development agenda. The 17 SDGs aim to end poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while leaving no one behind.
The SDG Advocates will have the task of promoting the universal sustainable development agenda, raising awareness of the integrated nature of the SDGs, and fostering the engagement of new stakeholders in the implementation of the SDGs. Continue reading
‘I Am 70’ Video Series
This compelling series highlights extraordinary 70 year old people, born in the same year the United Nations was founded. The series of three short videos, each told ‘in their own words’, is an unforgettable look at life, legacy and the ideals to which we all aspire.
The first installment of ‘I am 70’ features Mr. Tom Hoffman, a Holocaust survivor who speaks emotionally about how the war shaped his life and how the ideals of the United Nations serves as his inspiration.
The second installment of ‘I am 70’ features Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations who speaks about growing up in war-torn Korea, his role as Secretary-General, and his hope for the future.
The third installment of ‘I am 70’ features Dr. Usha Rai, a doctor in India who speaks about the importance of educating girls, the need for woman working in the field of health, and the role that UN can play in both.
2016 – a key year to move ahead with “Sustainable Development Goals: 17 Goals to Transform Our World”
2016 is a key year for moving ahead with the new sustainable development agenda. Entitled “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” the new agenda contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets and has been adopted by UN Member States to spur actions that will end poverty, fight inequalities, tackle climate change, and build a more sustainable world by 2030, leaving no one behind. The SDGs are global in nature and universally applicable, taking into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities.
UNIC Dhaka commemorates Human Rights Day 2015: Our Freedoms – our rights – always
Dhaka, 10 December 2015: UNIC Dhaka and ASA University Bangladesh jointly commemorated Human Rights Day 2015 through organizing a seminar, drama and poetry reading session on 9 December 2015 at University auditorium. The event was presided over by Prof Dalem Chandra Barman, Vice-Chancellor of ASA University while Mika Kanervavuori, Human Rights advisor of UNRC Office delivered key-note speech. The eminent poets of the country – Poet Ruby Rahman, Poet Shihab Sarkar and Poet Muhammad Samad read-out poems on human rights. A drama – ‘We Sing of Equality’ was also staged before the audience. UNIC Officer-in-Charge M. Moniruzzaman also spoke and read-out UN Secretary-General’s message on the Day. More than one hundred students took part in the events and each of them were provided with a set of human rights instruments – UDHR, ICCPR and ICESCR.