December 10 - Human Rights Day

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.

Nelson Mandela

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nelsonmand447259.html#503OOQVeoDtmKu16.99

"To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity."

Nelson Mandela

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.

Nelson Mandela

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nelsonmand447259.html#503OOQVeoDtmKu16.99

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.

Nelson Mandela

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nelsonmand447259.html#503OOQVeoDtmKu16.99

We stand taller today because of the efforts of so many who have fought to ensure that the human rights are a certainty and not just an ideal.

The 2013 Human Rights Day celebrates the past 20 years since the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Unfortunately we also have to say goodbye to one of warriors who inspired people all over the world. It is his leadership, his actions and inspiring words that we will continue to honor and cherish.

Human rights are too often set aside, when they should be a fact of life. We own ourselves and each other that human right should not be just a talking point but a goal for which we each work every day. For human rights to become a certainty for all there are no small actions, just actions.

Amnesty International - Write for Rights 2013 Campaign

"Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where the people are fed, 

and where individuals and nations are free."

14th Dalai Lama

For more information and ways to help

Amnesty International

Amnesty International Report 2013 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 

One International 

Walk Free

Oxfam - Arms Trade Treaty

Nelson Mandela Foundation

Human Rights Watch

United Nations Human Rights - Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Human Rights - Blog Action Day 2013

"The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists 

who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

2013, December 1st - Getting to ZERO

"Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths"

This is the 2013 World AIDS Day theme.

For this goal to be achieved we need to be informed and act. Though there has been progress in the past few years in preventing new infections and raising hope for the people leaving with HIV/AIDS we still have a long way to go.

“It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance. ” 

 Elizabeth Taylor

According to World Health Organization

HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 36 million lives so far.

There were approximately 35.3 [32.2–38.8] million people living with HIV in 2012.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region, with nearly 1 in every 20 adults living with HIV. Sixty nine per cent of all people living with HIV are living in this region.

HIV infection is usually diagnosed through blood tests detecting the presence or absence of HIV antibodies.

There is no cure for HIV infection. However, effective treatment with antiretroviral drugs can control the virus so that people with HIV can enjoy healthy and productive lives.

In 2012, more than 9.7 million people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low- and middle-income countries. 

 worldaidsday.org

For more information and ways to help please visit:

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation

Keep a Child Alive
 

amfAR

(RED)

UNICEF

UNICEF - Children and AIDS

ONE International

UNAIDS

World Health Organization

You can also sign this petition to demand world leaders to step up their support for the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria.

World leaders must step up their support for the Global Fund

“Love is the human family’s most precious legacy. Its richest bequest. Its golden inheritance.”
Michael Jackson


Send Me an Angel from keepachildalive on Vimeo.

November 20, 2013 - Universal Children's Day

#ENDviolence

"The foundation of all human knowledge, the beginning of human consciousness, must be that each and every one of us is an object of love. Before you know if you have red hair or brown, before you know if you are black or white, before you know of what religion you are a part, you have to know that you are loved"

Michael Jackson

More on Universal Children's Day / Children's Rights:

UNICEF

UNICEF Report

UN

Human Rights Watch

Philippines Relief

Oxfam - Typhoon Haiyan

CARE.org

Red Cross

Convoy Of Hope

Habitat for Humanity

Doctors Without Borders

UNICEF

World Food Program

Children's Day, September 21st, 2013 - International Day of Peace

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”

Albert Einstein

 The UN passed the resolution for a world peace day in 1981 and in the next year the day was first observed as International Day of Peace.

The theme chosen for this year's International Day of Peace is "Education for Peace", in recognition of the importance of educating people about consequences of war on our children, our environment and on every aspect of life with the intent to reduce the probability of wars prolonging and expanding and thus holding captive our spirits and killing our loved ones.

 “The essential act of war is destruction, not necessarily of human lives, but of the products of human labour. War is a way of shattering to pieces, or pouring into the stratosphere, or sinking in the depths of the sea, materials which might otherwise be used to make the masses too comfortable, and hence, in the long run, too intelligent.”

George Orwell ("1984")

Educating ourselves, our children and people around us will improve our understanding of the world and each other. Getting to know ourselves, the others and the world in which we live will bring us closer to finding a solution to our disagreements and making wars just part of our history. And most of all we need to rediscover our connections.

“Human knowledge consists not only of libraries of parchment and ink - 

it is also comprised of the volumes of knowledge that are written on the human heart, 

chiseled on the human soul, and engraved on the human psyche. ”
Michael Jackson

The end of war is within our power. Now I know I cannot stop the conflict in Syria, or the violence in Sudan, but I can donate, I can sign a petition, I can raise awareness to a cause, I can post a tweet or a Facebook update that will state my believes or help spread the word, I can participate in public debates and in the political process in my country, I can learn, I can open my heart and my mind, I can pray, I will.

“Declare it. Just the same way we declare war. That is how we will have peace... we just need to declare it.”
John Lennon 

International Women's Day - March 8th, 2013

"I think we’re at a time where people just want to join together and cause change. People don't want to live like this any more"

Charlize Theron, UN Messenger of Peace

Violence at the hands of individuals or state, at home or in the communities, when peace or war still holds women hostages and impact the way society shapes up. It impacts the well being and development of our children and affects the economical and political realities of nations.

From being second rank citizens, to being denied access to education, to being forced into labor, to being victims of human trafficking, from being forced to flea their homes and become refugees, to poverty, to being victims of rape and other forms of abuse the issues regarding women rights and quality of life around the world are very diverse and go beyond of just being about women. 

But what is most amazing are the stories of strength and resilience.

Both from victims and people working to help them.

It about time we all come together and end the dark ages.

 

One Woman: A Song for UN Women

 For learn about women issues and ways to help please visit:

Amnesty USA

UN - International Women's Day

International Women's Day 2013  

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)

Oxfam International 

Care.org 

"See, It's Not About Races..."

The latest headlines regarding (alleged) racial profiling really struck a cord with many people across the world -people are angry, confused, heartbroken at the state of human relations.


Trayvon Martin and Shaima Al – Awadhi aren't the first victims of alleged hate crimes; however, these two cases have reopened and expanded the conversation about race, gender, and cultural differences.
Since the height of the civil rights movement of the 1960's, we have seen many minorities make progress around the world. It is depressing, in the year 2012, we still ask the following question- "How could this happen?!"


I didn't plan on posting anything about these current events,
but I couldn't keep silent. Trayvon, Shaima, and so many others can't speak up for injustice...we must be the voice of unity and love.
With that being said, here is a something I put together: let's keep the conversation going and find ways to make the world a better place.






If you see me in a hoodie,

If you see me with tattoos, 

If you see me in a store at midnight,
does this really give you a clue?

If you see my hair in locks,
do I seem unambitious?
If you see me in Timberland boots...
do I come off suspicious!?

If you see me, you should a reflection:
I'm a dreamer,
I'm a fighter,
I want love and affection.

Look at the reflection, the "Man in the Mirror"-
if you see me looking back at you, the message will get clearer.

So if you see me in a hoodie,
see yourself in a hoodie, too.
If you see me for who I am,
I will see you for you.

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