Human Rights Day – A Call To Action

After World War 2, the world was ripped apart. Those were terrible years, of uncertainty and terror, and when it finally came to an end, one question remained: “how could we let that happen?”

This question drove a lot of people to do something that would avoid such war again.

It was only then that organizations such as the United Nations, and even AIESEC, came up. Since then, these organizations have been fighting to make the world a better place, more equal and peaceful.

On 10th December 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed, at Palais de Chaillot, Paris.

 

What are Human Rights?

Human Rights are the rights inherent to every single individual, regardless of their nationality, place of living arrangement, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, dialect, or other orientations.

We are equally qualified for our human rights, without separation. These rights are altogether interrelated, interdependent and unbreakable.

 

How can we celebrate Human Rights Day?

Do you choose to celebrate this day along with us? After all,  it’s your chance to bring the change and work for Human Rights, here are some of the ideas:

1. Educate people about their rights: Gather the people around you from your friend circle and family, even kids, and educate them about their rights and responsibilities.

2. Let this education spread: Give them a task of spreading the knowledge they just acquired to other people. Take the kids to the Special organisations around you that are involved in volunteering. You can easily find them on Google.

Why should you do that? Because these organisations are in touch with various other NGOs which can take you other places to spread the information.

3. Organise the events related to Human Rights: these events can go from education drives, painting competitions with a Human Rights theme, essay writing competitions, etc. This will help people study more and spread information and awareness about this initiative further.

4. Volunteer: There are various organisations that do volunteer work for certain Human Rights like Right to Education, working towards reduced inequalities etc. You can volunteer for them and bring some change.

AIESEC is partners with the United Nations for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. We provide volunteer opportunities that can help you to make an impact across the globe. Check them out at www.aiesec.in

Let’s challenge ignorance, bring sustainability and help change our world.

What are you doing this Human Rights Day? Let us know in comments 🙂

If you liked this blog, you may also like “Are we human enough?

 

Written by

Anisha Bhawanani is graduated in Marketing and Finance and loves writing. She usually keeps daydreaming and believes that imagination can create and bring everything into this world. Apart from this, she loves harry potter and is very passionate about travelling and exploring different cultures. One day she wants to win a man booker prize.

3 Incredible Uses Of Cryptocurrency That Are Changing The World

Moldova is a small, landlocked country in Eastern Europe that has witnessed a consistent rise in energy prices over the past five years, and imports three-quarters of its energy. However, that could soon change, as the United Nations Development Programme is trying to power a Moldovan university with a cryptocurrency funded solar energy, an innovative step on their part.

Over the past few years, cryptocurrencies have grown magnificently, and because of its versatility, people are looking at it as an alternative currency.

One of the most unique things about them is that they are decentralized, and not controlled by any government or bank. They work on a unique system called ‘Blockchain’ that facilitates transactions easily and accurately.

So far, it has been used mainly for business and monetary transactions, but now, with changing trends, it has alternative uses that not other existing monetary systems allow!

Here are three ways in which cryptocurrencies’ alternative uses are making the world a better place!

1. Going Green

Solar Based Energy Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency can help people access solar-based energy and shift from carbon-based energy, which is a huge step towards sustainable development.

For example, thanks to a project called the Brooklyn Microgrid, people who already have their own solar panels are able to sell environmental credits to residents who don’t. And guess what, they can do that using a phone app!.

Environmentalist or not, everyone will be happy to hear that cryptocurrency can be used to make the world greener, too!

2. Making Travel Easier

Making Travel Easier Cryptocurrency

With cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin becoming more and more known and accepted by retailers worldwide, they have the potential to be used for basic transactions everywhere.

This may make travel easier as it eliminates the need to exchange currencies when people travel from country to country. It calls for a shift from traditional monetary systems to a more unified and widely acceptable cryptocurrency, facilitated by digital transactions!

Hence, your next international trip might be more simplified with the use of cryptocurrencies!

3. Accountability of institutions

Rodrigo Duterte cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency can be used to encourage accountable business and governmental practices. The key lies in its technology itself- the blockchain. The blockchain is a digital ledger-like system that ensures and enables tracking of every transaction with complete transparency.

Surprisingly, it can also be used to battle ethical issues such as electoral frauds, and other frauds that involve money. All of this according to Santiago Siri, the founder of Democratic Earth, which is a non-profit that is designing an app to combine voting with blockchain.

Hence, cryptocurrency can help ensure fair elections and much more stable governments than before!

These are only a few ways in which cryptocurrency can change and impact the lives of millions and be a stepping stone towards a more sustainable environment.

The avenues of innovation widen as people are exposed to better technology and provided with adequate requirements that foster growth and development.

Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth… these are one and the same fight.

We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women’s empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all”

– Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General, UN

Do you also know other technologies which are changing the world for the better? Let us know in the comments!

If you liked this, you may also be interested in 4 Entrepreneurs Who Are Changing The World!


Written by

Malawika is a Mass Communication student from Delhi. She is an astrophile, passionate about Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan, and loves to listen to the Arctic Monkeys, her favorite band. Find her at her happiest while exploring new cities and justifying her love for the color orange!

17 Reasons to Celebrate the United Nations Day

The United Nations, as an organization, is well known for its contribution to just about everyone across the world. They work ranges from assistance in times of disaster – be it natural disasters or those caused by the wages of war- to helping people enjoy some of the basic rights and privileges.

Recently, access to the internet was declared a basic human right, a declaration which ensures that everyone has access to the worldwide information and communication network. While this doesn’t guarantee that everyone will have the ability to access the internet, it does ensure that everyone has the right to.

The UN has been seen both as hero and villain, depending on which movie or show you wind up watching.

United Nations Day celebrates the foundation of this great organization and is a great opportunity for you to learn the truth about its past, its present, and what its plans are for the future.

UJnited NAtions agents providing help to kids

History of the United Nations and its celebration

Celebrated on October 24, UN’s Day marks the anniversary of the ratification of the  Charter of the United Nations, by which the UN officially came into being.

Coming into effect after the two world wars and the cold war, the United Nations attempted to salvage humanity from the scourge of war and the wrath of destruction.

Aside from World Peace, its role has grown to include protecting human rights, promoting social and economic development, and providing aid around the world in cases of famine, natural disaster, and armed conflict.

United Nations Day Celebrates the original enactment of the foundational charter for the UN.

This day marks the essential celebration of the values which this organization spells forth – the principles of humanity, unity, and world peace.  It’s also a date to increase awareness of the UN’s aims, projects and contribution to the world.

17 Reasons Why We Support the United Nations

On September 25th, 2015, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution 70/1 “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

It was agreed that all its 193 member countries will adopt 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) to secure a sustainable future for our people and planet.

The SDGs are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.

“We can be the first generation to end extreme poverty, the most determined generation in history to end injustice and inequality, and the last generation to be threatened by climate change.”

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

African woman - United Nations

AIESEC and the United Nations

AIESEC  firmly believes that young people need to be at the center of the global development process.  Therefore, AIESEC and the United Nations have been working together to ensure that the world that we create tomorrow is aligned with the needs of youth today.

In December 2015, AIESECers from 120+ countries gathered at the UN Headquarters to participate in the achievement of SDGs.

Being the biggest youth-run organization, with a goal to engage every young person in the world to achieve peace and fulfillment of humankind’s potential, AIESEC  was declared the official ambassador of the SDGs for youth.

Since the past 3 years, AIESEC has been working without a pause to promote awareness for the SDGs, and to create projects that directly contribute for achieving the goals. The SDGs are a roadmap to the future we all long for, and AIESEC believes that the youth has the power to change the world.

Let’s not leave it up to anyone else. It’s time to get our hands dirty and work for the world we want to live in. The intention is not enough. We must ACT.

Crowd from AIESEC holding symbols of United Nation's SDGs

National flags are a mark of pride and patriotism in every country around the world.  But there is only one flag that belongs to all of us. That blue flag of the United Nations was a banner of hope for me growing up in wartime Korea.

Seven decades after its founding, the United Nations remains a beacon for all humanity.”

 Secretary-General  of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon

 Wondering how can you make these goals relevant in your country? What can you do to bring people together to contribute to its accomplishment?

Here’s your chance! Find a project for yourself and make a change for the world.


Written by

Studying bachelor’s in biotechnology, Aayushi is a really passionate person, who loves to read and travel. She believes people, places, and stories have the power to change anyone and help them understand the purpose of life.

4 Different Concepts of Peace – and How to Achieve It

Today we celebrate the International Day of Peace. Although we know that in many countries peace is still not a reality, it’s not a reason to feel powerless.

We should also take our time to think of the peace which we can contribute to, every day, around ourselves.

Think about it: what is peace?

The obvious answer  – and the place where our mind instantly takes us – is the absence of war. But this question goes way beyond that.

There are many other types of peace in the world, besides armed conflicts.

Whenever there’s conflict, there can be peace. And most of this is on our reach, we can actually do something to shape our world into a better place.

A peaceful home

This is probably the first place where a lot of kids get to know conflict.

Let’s not even go to a house where physical violence prevalence, which we know there are many. Husbands hitting their wives, parents hitting their kids. But some conflicts are not physical.

The mental violence inside a house can turn someone’s life into a living hell, and all you want is to see it stopping. We can do our part.

Lilo and Stitch loving family peace

We can avoid unnecessary arguments, or if the argument is necessary, we can try to lead it in a calmer and civilized way.

If you’re not well in your own home, or maybe you are the one disturbing the peace, it’s time to take some action upon it.

A healthy study or work environment

We see it every day, in real life and in fiction. Co-workers harming each other, kids bullying their classmates, teachers, and bosses disturbing the ones they lead.

Besides (obviously) not doing this sort of things, we can also actively prevent them from happening. If you see anything from this sort, have some courage, speak out!

The same way you put forward your opinions about fashion, sports or politics, this is something you should speak for.

We should defend peace in your own environment, not only for our sake but also for others.

Walking the streets in safety       

Most of us already had this feeling, of not being safe when we walk the streets at night.

Depending on where we live, it can be a constant fear, even in bright daylight. A country doesn’t need to be at war to have constant violence in its cities.

What can we do about it?

For starters, we can vote consciously. Take some good though, do a proper research on the candidates for your city, state or country. What do they propose to decrease violence?

And keep in mind that not always having a more strict and intolerant armed body is the solution: investments in education, lights, and streets cameras already help a lot!

Finding peace with yourself

This may be the most important one.

One can be at peace in the streets, in the house, or at work, but the one place we can never run from is ourselves.

Accepting, understanding and loving yourself may come as a big challenge, especially if the external environment is already unfavorable.

We tend to feel guilty. We judge and blame ourselves, much more than others do, and even more than we do with others. This is not fair, and it’s not easy. But it’s one peace that can only come from your own actions.

You need to be the first responsible for treating you well, accepting who you are and taking it easy. Respect your limitations and recognize your strengths!

There are many things you can do to help yourself: meditate, exercise, write a journal, or seek for a psychologist… The important is to do something 🙂

Maybe we can’t stop some national wars right now, but we can act every day in favor of peace.

All it takes is some courage and attitude.

Take some time to reflect upon these things, and understand: what actions you can take to make your world a bit more peaceful?

To read next: “Are we human enough?

What happened with Section 377, simple and clear!

“FREEDOM IS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE”
– Archibald MacLeish

Yes! LGBT & Section 377 are trending topics in India today. Time is changing and people started to think progressively (finally).

This has been a topic of debate everywhere and different people have different opinions. But the fact is: people should be allowed to be who they are and love what they love.

It is a part of personal freedom! And that’s exactly what was taken into consideration yesterday when the Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality (section 377 of IPC).

Continue reading “What happened with Section 377, simple and clear!”