UNITED NATIONS DAY: PARTNERSHIPS FOR GLOBAL PROGRESS

“More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that, my friends, is why we have the United Nations.”/Kofi Annan/

Picture a world void of the United Nations (UN); a global community possibly characterised by heightened international conflict, chaos and turmoil. Without the intervention of the United Nations, one might argue that the principles of Freedom, Human Rights, Democracy and Justice, might be perceived as less significant over the individualistic ideologies of many.

Founded in 1945, post-World War II, the UN has worked continuously towards defending and protecting the sovereignty of all nations, large and small. Instigated in 1948, 24th October was then declared the anniversary of the founding of UN’s charter and remains to be known as United Nations Day.It is a day devoted to making known the work, role and achievements of the UN and its family of specialized agencies. These have been spectacular, particularly in the fields of human rights, support in areas of famine, eradication of disease, promotion of health and settlement of refugees.Today, we live in societies where justice, equality in human rights and peace are highly sought and advocated for. 

This indeed, may be seen as a direct result of the UN’s hard work, but more importantly, the contribution of the citizens of the world who choose to observe and support them. As told by former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, “In the 21st century, I believe the mission of the United Nations will be defined by a new, more profound awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion.

World Assembly of Youth believe that global partnerships remain key to the vitality and continuity of the global community. In line with the 68th anniversary of UN Day, we urge you all, to continue thriving towards actualizing the missions set by the UN, within your own communities and on a national level, to the benefit of the global community.For the valiant and determined young people out there, we urge you to continue spreading the spirit of volunteerism and collaboration helping out where you may and urging your peers to do the same. Let us today, transform ourselves into the extended hand of the UN, reaching out to those in need and thriving for the future they deserve.

HAPPY UNITED NATIONS DAY!

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISASTER REDUCTION: Living with Disability and Disaster

Today was selected by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness on the importance of Disaster Risk Reduction and to encourage every citizen and government to take part in building more disaster-resilient communities and nations. This year the theme focuses on a vulnerable population of the society, persons living with disability.

Estimated at 15%, people living with disability make up a large portion of the world population. In an event of a disaster, persons with disabilities are often the ones affected the most due to neglect of their special needs. Disaster does not see the ability or disability among the people and when it strikes it does so without discriminating. Even though the risk of disaster is equal among all people, able people can cope with the disaster better than disabled people.

People living with disabilities have a plight that they are not reached out to in the event of a disaster. In the case of a sudden disaster alert, only 20% of disabled people can escape without any problem, 74% need a little assistance and the remaining 6% cannot escape at all unless they are fully aided.

However, if there was ample communication before hand, the statistics of those who can escape without difficulty almost doubles.

World Assembly of Youth (WAY) believes that communication is the key to solving this issue. There is a need for awareness among societies on how to handle disabled people when disaster occurs. Young volunteers can be utilized during this time to help those in need. We urge the youth to be on the forefront in giving aid all the way from the communication stage, they should be the voice and ears for the disabled at all times.

We urge governments and responsible bodies to ensure that warnings reach all members of the community regardless of any mobility or communication challenges. They need to include persons with disabilities in disaster resilience initiatives and policy planning.

People with disabilities are resourceful agents of change.Happy International Day For Disaster Reduction!

NYSC BAGS UN AWARD

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme has bagged a UN award for its active participation in a recent offline survey conducted by the international body. Alhaji Abdulwahab Obomeile, the Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects Department of the corps,made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja at the award ceremony. He said that the award; ``My World: A Global Survey For Citizens’’, was an initiative from the UN, which is an options survey carried out through creative Online and Offlinemethods. ``It allows people across the world to tell the UN in particular and the Secretary-General’s High Level Panel, the most important issues they would like the Post-2015 agenda to address after the expiration of MDGs agenda,’’ he said.

He added that the NYSC in Nigeria, using the Corps Volunteers of NYSC MDGs Advocacy Programme, was actively engaged in the offline survey, which took place across the country in March. ``We partnered with the UN Millennium Campaign Nigeria, OSSAP-MDGs and CISLAC, and engaged over 1,000 youth corps members as field volunteers to administer the questionnaires in the 774 local government areas in Nigeria,’’ he added. He said the survey was structured to capture two persons per 100 households in each of the 774 local government areas.

``The total number of the votes came to 145,672 citizens, 67.2 percent of which were rural dwellers, 45.5 percent were youths and 46.5 werefemale. ``It is worthy of note that some of these areas face security challenges and cultural barriers where women are not allowed to express themselves, but the Field Volunteers worked around these situations,’’ he said.

Obomeile saluted the resilience and hard work of the corps members who remained committed and resolute in carrying out the exercise within five days. Also speaking, Hilary Ogbonna, the National Coordinator, UN Millennium Campaign, Nigeria,said the MDGs had made a huge impact on the lives of many Nigerians.``But there is still much more to be done to address extreme poverty,diseases and environmental crises among many others,’’ he said.

Responding, the NYSC Director General, Brig.-Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia, said he was most excited to receive the award on behalf of the NYSC. ``I am dedicating this award to Mr President, the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, NYSC Staff and the entire corps members nationwide, who worked assiduously to merit this award,’’ he said.

Source-NANS