 Upward and Onward Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash By Resolution A/RES/67/296, the United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace. The Resolution was adopted on 23 August, 2013.
"Due to its vast reach, unparalleled popularity and foundation of positive values, sport is ideally positioned to contribute towards the United Nations’ objectives for development and peace." (https://www.un.org/en/observances/sport-day/background) "As vaccines spread hope and spectators begin to return to arenas, the world of sport has crucial contributions to make in forging a safe and sustainable recovery. [...] We will play and cheer again when everyone is safe from the pandemic." - António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
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 “To truly leave no one behind in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, we must realize the rights of all persons with disabilities, including persons with autism, ensuring their full participation in social, cultural and economic life.” - António Guterres
“The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day (A/RES/62/139) to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society." Photo by Félix Prado on Unsplash What is autism? "Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status. The term Autism Spectrum refers to a range of characteristics. Appropriate support, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation allow those on the Spectrum to enjoy equal opportunity, and full and effective participation in society. Autism is mainly characterized by its unique social interactions, non-standard ways of learning, keen interests in specific subjects, inclination to routines, challenges in typical communications and particular ways of processing sensory information.” – (https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day/background)  Originally published on 12 February, 2021 Paragraphs below taken from United Nations website - https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day/ 2021 Theme: Women scientist at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 "On 22 December 2015, the General Assembly adopted a resolution to establish an annual International Day to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology communities. In welcoming the efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other relevant organizations that support and promote the access of women and girls and their participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, training and research activities at all levels decided to proclaim 11 February of each year the International Day of Women and Girls in Science." "Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Yet women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science." "At present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO data (2014 - 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 per cent)." Are we underutilising human resources by having so few women and female students in STEM-related field industries and higher education? STEM related fields are for anyone with an interest. So let us encourage female students in schools and embrace the contribution that women can make and are making in this field.  Children in classroom during pre-COVID-19 period Originally published 25 January, 2021 As we observe this year’s International Day of Education, we should not only remind ourselves that education is a human right and about the challenges to achieving universal education, we should also look forward and start preparing our communities and countries for a post COVID-19 pandemic world. Education will need our focus, commitment and support. “Education is a human right The right to education is enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration calls for free and compulsory elementary education. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, goes further to stipulate that countries shall make higher education accessible to all." (https://www.un.org/en/observances/education-day) “Challenges to achieving universal education Education offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising future. But about 265 million children and adolescents around the world do not have the opportunity to enter or complete school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable.” (https://www.un.org/en/observances/education-day) |
AuthorKean Smith is a qualified FIDE National Chess Instructor and former member of FIDE's Chess in School Commission. Archives
January 2025
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