education

Happiness and Sustainable Development for Earth Day

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https://www.unsdsn.org/24hour-webinar

The Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) on Earth Day held a webinar on Happiness and Sustainable Development for Earth day.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970 by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries.

The theme of the webinar ‘Happiness and Sustainable Development for Earth day’ was chosen by the SDSN. According to the World Happiness Report, happiness is a better measure of a nation’s progress than GDP and using social well-being as a goal drives better public policy.

The webinar was split into 6 sessions, and participants discussed how to engage with experts and community leaders on how various sustainable development initiatives across the globe are creating a more just and thriving society and how happiness is still alive amidst a global pandemic.

https://un.by/en/calendar/522-international-mother-earth-day

During the 5th session, participants discussed how Education for Sustainable Development(ESD) relates to happiness, discussed the importance of ESD in the context of COVID-19, and the future of ESD. 

Mr. Alexander Leicht, Chief of the Section of Education for Sustainable Development, UNESCO, said that ESD empowers learners to take informed decisions and responsible actions for environmental integrity, economic viability in a just society for present and future generations. Also, education is a key enabler to prepare this generation and the next to create a sustainable and happier world for all.

Meeting: Happiness and Sustainable Development for Earth day

Date/Location: April 22th, 2020; 09:00-11:00; Webinar

Speakers: Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, Director, Sustainable Development Solutions Network         

Florencia Librizzi, SDG Academy  (Moderator)

Mr. Alexander Leicht, Chief of the Section of Education for Sustainable Development, UNESCO 

Ms. Monika Froehler, CEO of the Ban Ki-Moon Centre for Global Citizens

Dr. Oren Pizmony-Levy, Associate Professor of International and Comparative Education & Director of the Center for Sustainable Futures, Teachers College, Columbia University

Written By: WIT Representative Sehee OH

Launch of UN SDG: Learn

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SDGS

(Source: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/hlpf/2019/SDGsLearning)

Organized by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), UN partners met today to celebrate the launch of the UN SDG: Learn, which is an online knowledge platform for stakeholders to learn more about each of the sustainable development goal.

Having been devoting to delivering innovative training for all to increase the capacity of global community in responding to ever-changing international challenges, the UN SDG: Learn aims to optimize each individual’s learning experience through allowing the user to Continue reading →

Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

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            The Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly gathered for this morning’s meeting “For the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA).” Delegates discussed the organization’s growing funding gap and raised questions regarding its future prospects.

            To begin, the President of the General Assembly, Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa, and the Secretary General, Mr. Antiónio Guterres, introduced the role of UNRWA in providing indispensable education, healthcare and food support for Palestinian refugees. Representing UNRWA, Mr. Pierre Krähenbühl summarized the social, psychological, and material benefits of operations in Palestine, and further affirmed that additional monetary contributions would be put towards ensuring greater stability and relief in this troubled region. The Presidents of the Gaza and West Bank UNRWA Student Parliaments were invited to share the experiences of children gaining from education provision. Their recounts of the security, empowerment and purpose that the organization guarantees were admirably poignant.

            Subsequently, delegates were invited to contribute their opinions regarding this issue. The efforts of UNRWA were overwhelmingly supported, as many nations pledged financial assistance to close the funding gap. The importance of stable and predictable funding were underscored, however, the settlement of a lasting peace was determined as a constant long-term goal towards which the United Nations should strive.

Meeting: Ad Hoc Committee of the General Assembly for the Announcement of Voluntary Contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

Date/Location: Tuesday, 25 June, 2019; 10:00-13:00; Trusteeship Council Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY

Speakers:

H.E. Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa, President of General Assembly;

H.E. Mr. Antiónio Guterres, Secretary-General;

Mr. Pierre Krähenbühl, Commissioner-General, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA);

Ms. Hanan Abu Sabe, President of West Bank UNRWA Student Parliament;

Mr. Hatem Handuna, President of Gaza UNRWA Student Parliament;

Interventions from Delegates

Written by: WIT Representative, Izabela Zawartka