From 2006 to 2019, near 1,200 journalists have been killed (one every four days) for reporting the news and bringing information to the public. The killers largely (9 of 10 cases) go unpunished with this impunity leading to more killings, worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems. Many other journalists suffer from […]
Diwali (Deepavli; Divali) -- the festival of lights -- is a celebration for Hindus, Jain and Sikhs. Usually lasting five days, the festival is held during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika Diwali symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Various gods and goddesses are associated with this […]
Tsunamis are giant ocean waves caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea. As the waves travel inland (sometimes at the speed of a jet plane), they get higher and higher as the depth of the ocean decreases. Though rare, tsunamis can be extremely deadly. The Indian Ocean tsunami (December 2004), for example, caused […]
Damage to the environment through war includes the pollution of water wells, the torching of crops, deforestation, soil poisoning and the killing of animals. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reports that over the last 60 years, at least 40 percent of all internal conflicts have been linked to the exploitation of natural resources ( […]
First celebrated in 2002, World Science Day for Peace and Development is to highlight the significant role of science in society and to: strengthen public awareness of the role of science for peaceful and sustainable societies; promote national and international solidarity for shared science between countries; renew national and international commitment for the use of […]
Introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, World Kindness Day is observed in many countries, including Australia, Canada, India, Italy, Nigeria, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdowm. The funders are David Jamilly and Louise Burfitt-Dons. Suggested activities for the Day include the giving of flowers, random hugs, kindness cards and gifts, […]
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get from the blood into cells to be used for energy. In diabetes, the body does not make enough—or any—insulin or doe not use insulin well. Glucose then stays in […]
The 1995-adopted Declaration of Principles on Tolerance explains tolerance as respect and appreciation of the variety of the world's cultures, forms of expression and ways of being human. Qualifying tolerance not just as a moral duty, the Declaration states tolerance also as a political and legal requirement for individuals, groups and governments and suggests the […]
The word philosophy comes from the Greek philo (love) and sophia (wisdom). It is defined thus as the love of wisdom, and is the study of human existence: why a person is born; what is their purpose and how life is to be understood. The term is applied to a formalised secular or religious system of thought, […]
4.2 billion people -- over half the world's population -- lack safe sanitation. 3 billion people -- 40% of the world's population -- live without basic handwashing facilities with soap and water available at home. 800 children die each day from diarrhoeal diseases (such as cholera and typhoid) due to poor hygiene, poor sanitation or […]