World Book Day - April 23

This international event organised by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) got its start in Spain in 1923, where the commemoration of Miguel de Cervantes' death by local booksellers combined with the celebration of St. George's Day to create a new traditional exchange of flowers and... books." In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book would be celebrated on this date because of the Catalonian festival and because the date is also the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare.

Poem

I like books

I really do.

Books with stories
And pictures, too.

Books of birds
And things that grow.
Books of people
We should know.

Books of animals
And places, too.
I like books
I really do!


Author Unknown

Enjoy the pleasure of reading. Read a book!

No Smoking Day- 17th November

Smoking can cause lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, ...
There are many health-related reasons to give up cigarettes - not just for smokers, but to protect those around you. Babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy are twice as likely to be born prematurely and with a low birth weight.

Stopping smoking is the single biggest thing you can do to improve your health, although it' s a difficult task, you should try.

International Day for Tolerance- 16th November

Building tolerance and trust in diverse communities is not done overnight,
but takes time and commitment.
Building tolerance requires access to education. We need to place greater emphasis on educating children about tolerance, human rights and fundamental freedoms. But we should not forget that education does not end in school, that adults - firstly as individuals capable of committing acts of intolerance, but more importantly in their capacity as parents, law-makers and law-enforcement officials - also need to be considered a priority target of the educational efforts.

Decalaration of Principles of Tolearance ( Unesco )

World Voice Day

On April 16 otolaryngologists throughout the world celebrate "World Voice Day." This international celebration of the human voice was established to help raise public and professional awareness about voice disorders Voice disorders are medical conditions affecting the production of speech.

We use our voices not only to communicate ideas and emotions, but also to establish our credibility. The voice is an exceedingly fragile and sensitive instrument. It can be damaged by voice abuse or misuse, tobacco use, laryngopharyngeal reflux, respiratory dysfunction, neurologic dysfunction, and many other causes.

World Voice Day represents one small step toward increasing awareness of vocal health among members of the general public and highlighting advances in voice diagnosis and treatment within the international otolaryngology community.

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - 17th October

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed every year since 1993, when the General Assembly,  designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries - a need that has become a development priority. 

The theme for this year is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty --  “Working together out of poverty” 


So, let's join hands and fight poverty!

World no tobacco day ( 31st May )

Tobacco use and smoking are very dangerous addictions which commonly cause a wide variety of diseases, cancer and death.
Tobacco use leads most commonly to diseases affecting the heart and lungs, with smoking being a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer (particularly lung cancer, cancers of the larynx and mouth, and pancreatic cancer).

More than 5 million children living today will die prematurely because of a decision they will make as adolescents---the decision to use tobacco and smoke cigarettes.

Now, it's up to you!
If you want to live longer. Don't smoke!

International Day of the Book ( 23rd April )

This date was organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. The Day was first celebrated in 1995.

Teachers have a very important role. We know how difficult it is to get students to read their textbooks. Getting them to read books just for the pleasure of reading is harder, since many kids aren't interested in reading these days.
When there was no televisions or computers, reading was a primary leisure activity.

Children who read a lot are more creative and get higher marks at school.

International Women's Day -8th March

March 8th marks the annual celebration of International Women’s Day. Celebrated around the world, IWD is a time to reflect on the advances toward equity made by women everywhere and to look ahead to the challenges that remain.

click here to explore a slideshow

(The International Development Research Centre )

It explores the unique contributions women make, the advancements they have made, and the struggles they continue to face.

World Food Day- 16th October

World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the Day is to call public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity"

At a time when the global economic crisis dominates the news, the world needs to be reminded that not everyone works in offices and factories.

With an estimated increase of 105 million hungry people in 2009, there are now 1.02 billion malnourished people in the world, meaning that almost one sixth of all humanity is suffering from hunger.

On the occasion of World Food Week and World Food Day 2009, let us reflect on those numbers and the human suffering behind them.

International Children's Day

Children's Day is an event celebrated on various days in many places around the world. International Children's Day is celebrated on June 1. On Children’s Day tribute is payed to all children in the world. Children are loved by one and all. They win over our hearts with their angelic eyes and innocent smiles. They make us forget the bad moments and give us courage to face difficult days.

Let's protect our children and give them a happy life. They are our future!

International Museum Day- 18th May

International Museum Day has been celebrated all over the world since 1977. Each year, a theme is decided on by the Advisory Committee. The event provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them to the challenges that museums face if they are to be - as in the ICOM definition of museums - "an institution in the service of society and of its development". The chosen topic is also discussed in ICOM News, a review of the related activities is produced and made available to members of ICOM.

It has been recommended that this celebration be held each year on 18 May (Given that each country has its own specific traditions and conditions, we recommend that members organise their events around 18 May), in the spirit of the motto:
« Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, co-operation and peace among peoples »

Europe Day- 9th May

On the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.

This proposal, known as the "Schuman declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.

Today, the 9th of May has become a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.

Every country which democratically chooses to accede to the European Union endorses its fundamental values of peace and solidarity.

These values find expression through economic and social development embracing environmental and regional dimensions which are the guarantees of a decent standard of living for all citizens.

( click here ) European Quizzes

Earth Day - April 22

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. Although the idea for Earth Day came about in the early 1960s, the first official Earth Day wasn’t held until 1970.

The purpose was to draw attention to environmental issues :

• air and water pollution;
  
• dumping of toxic chemicals;
  
• destruction of natural habitat

Earth day Quiz

World Theatre Day

All over the world artists will spend part of their day honouring the larger community of the art form they share in. Designated "World Theatre Day" by the International Theatre Institute, the event is described as "an opportunity to celebrate together an art form and a way of life that binds us, regardless of borders, language or political differences. It's a day of communion".

Theatre is a branch of the performing arts concerned with acting out stories in front of an audience using combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle — indeed any one or more elements of the other performing arts. ...

International Day of Disabled People_ 3rd December

What is the International Day of Disabled People about?

On the 3rd December 1982, the UN General Assembly decided on the World Programme of Action for Disabled People. The United Nations committed itself and its members to promote the full participation of disabled people in social life and development as well as prevention and rehabilitation measures.

Disabled people are not yet fully considered within international development issues. They are still excluded from society in many countries of the world. Even where effective disability legislation is in place, the implementation lacks ideas and is hindered by negative attitudes towards disabled people.

Facts and figures

The World Health Organization estimates that there are 600 million disabled people worldwide, about 10% of the world population. It is also estimated that about 80% of all disabled people worldwide live in developing countries.

More and more, disability is seen as a social issue which is not only based on medical reasons. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Therefore the reasons for disability are always complex and can only be understood within the context of societies and cultures.

What does inclusion mean?

Inclusion is applied to a variety of fields such as education, employment, society in general or international development. Inclusion means the acceptance of all people and is not limited to disabled people but also includes other marginalized groups such as immigrants, women, poor people or people with HIV/AIDS.
In the disability field the concept is best known through inclusive education or inclusive development, promoting the consideration of disabled people in all aspects of school or international development.

"Disabled People deserve the same rights"

International Day for the Eradiation of Poverty- 17th October

Poverty is considered a deprivation of human rights and people affected by it are left without a voice or other means to express their hardships. In an effort to raise awareness about their situation, the World Day to End Extreme Poverty was established on October 17, 1987. In 1992, through a resolution of the General Assembly, October 17th was recognized by the United Nations as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. An important aspect of the day is the unification of people from all socioeconomic backgrounds to become agents for changing the structures which create poverty.

Through action, we can make change. October 17th is the beginning of global action for the eradication of poverty and the betterment of the lives of the world's citizens. Through commemoration, respect, action, and knowledge, the eradication of poverty will be realized.

Between Friday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 19, do your part to STAND UP and TAKE ACTION. The final goal is not to beat another Guinness World Record, but to show the true impact of collective mobilisation over growing citizen's awareness and involvement

Join an event now

World Food Day_16th October

World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the Day is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity"

Agriculture may have become a minor player in many industrialized economies, but it must play a starring role on the world stage if we are to bring down the curtain on hunger.
Only investment in agriculture - together with support for education and health - will turn this situation around.
Most of the world's farmers are small-scale farmers. As a group, they are the biggest investors in agriculture. They also tend to have inadequate or precarious access to food themselves. If they can make a profit with their farming, they can feed their families throughout the year and reinvest in their farms by purchasing fertilizer, better quality seed and basic equipment.

Some 850 million people go hungry every day. It is a massive number, but what it means to many is tough decisions and risky behaviours in order to survive.
World Food Day, happening Oct. 16th, offers the chance to stand with those suffering due to hunger. The theme for 2008 is “World Food Security: the Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy”. Food Security is about ensuring people have both the availability and access to nutritious foods. This year’s theme for World Food Day points out how food security is being compromised by both climate change and the conversion of foods to biofuel. Climate change is creating drought that can ruin crops, and the reduction of available food in a local economy increases prices of the food items that remain available.

World Environment Day- 5th June

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to raise environmental awareness and to encourage action to protect our Planet. This event is celebrated each year on 5th June and the purpose is to stimulate worldwide awareness of environmental issues and encourage political action.

Are you are Green Person? In the English class, 9th C, we have expressed our feelings in short slogans:
"Be a green member and go to school by bus.";"In alternative energies we should bet for a cleaner world to get."; "Do not destroy our forests, they are our Heart."; "Save water, our future treasure." We have also planted trees, as a symbolic act, with the help of the Coordinator of the project "Eco-Escolas", teacher Graça Pereira. We have some photos, taken by our English teacher, Isabel Silva, to share with you.

Universal Children' s Day

I had a dream.....

All children would be happy.

All children would never work.

They would go to school.

They would have a family

Because all children need
love and tenderness

I wish all children were very happy!!!

Ana Pereira ; Catarina Silva- 8th C

International Children's Day

The International Children's Day (ICD) is celebrated in numerous countries, usually (but not always) on 1st June each year.The United Nations General Assembly recommended in 1954 that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children and of activity promoting the welfare of the world's children.The date of 20 November marks the day in which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989 and is often the day chosen by countries as their own designated day to observe Universal Children's Day. State governments are responsible for passing legislation providing a day and name appropriate for their compliance with the United Nations.

Poverty is a major cause of children becoming separated from the safety and protection of their families. Separated children are often statistically 'invisible' because they are absent from data collected from households, schools, clinics and workplaces. They are living on the streets, in institutions or in forced labour. Over 50 million babies a year are never officially registered at birth.
Every child should have access to Health, Education, Equality, Protection and Love. If you want to help one of the suffering children in the World, contact the Unicef or Red Cross.

adapted from Wikipedia

Sofia Rodrigues - 9th C

Márcia Oliveira - 9th C