The COVID-19 pandemic marked a disrupting point for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis with severe economic and social impacts that highlighted existing inequalities and differences. Low income neighbourhoods are more likely to be hit by coronavirus cases and its negative impact. and impact as most of them may lack access to health care, lost their jobs and became unemployed.
At the beginning of 2020, the path towards the achievement 2030 SDG Agenda was on track and the global community committed to accelerate efforts and sustainable solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, ranging from eradicating poverty and reducing gender inequality to addressing climate change. However, in only some months, the COVID-19 pandemic brought an unprecedented situation and threatens to reverse years of progress on the global goals, on poverty, hunger, health care and education. While the virus has impacted everyone, it is especially affecting the most vulnerable people.
Urgent and innovative responses are needed to surpass this period of crisis but people should be at the centre of these solutions to achieve more equitable and sustainable outcomes for all. Against this backdrop, the community has played an exceptional role in the social response to the global pandemic by providing care and attention to the most vulnerable and affected.
Our planet is drowning in plastic pollution (UN Environment Agency)
The Climate Crisis – A Race We Can Win #UN75: Sustainable cities and Plastic-free lifestyle
2020 is the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. In this framework an initiative for promoting dialogue in main global issues was launched to celebrate it along the year. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic marked a disrupting point for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis with severe economic and social impacts, climate emergency remains one of the most important challenges. The Sustainable Development Agenda urges us to take action to combat climate change (SDG13) which will affect more than 39 million people. Plastic pollution exacerbates climate change and represents a dangerous thread to biodiversity as plastic needs 100 years to degrade in the environment.
According to the World Economic Forum plastic production is expected to double by 2040. Each year, 17,000,000 barrels of oil are used to produce plastic, including 500,000,000,000 plastic bags used yearly. By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach 1.34 billion tons per year what will affect our capacity to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5˚C. Plastic pollution threats ocean health and marine life as has a strong impact on food safety and quality and human health. Annually, 13,000,000 tonnes of plastic are leak into the ocean and 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastics. Current scientific studies are determining how microplastics can affect phytoplankton’s ability to sequester carbon dioxide.
We need to switch the paradigm and urgent action is needed from the industrial sector but from citizens as well. Single-use plastic products are everywhere and became integral to our daily lives. Actions to slow the flow of plastic at its source and its consumption as well as to improve plastic waste management are needed.
2020 is the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. In this framework an initiative for promoting dialogue in main global issues was launched to celebrate it along the year. However the COVID-19 pandemic marked a disrupting point for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis with severe economic and social impacts. In these harsh times, more than ever global governance and leadership should be strengthened in order to build a better future for all.
The UN General Assembly each 21 September as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace. The International Day of Peace 2020 is dedicated to “Shaping Peace Together” and aims to celebrate compassion, kindness and hope in world frightened by COVID-19 pandemic. A special moment that the United Nations celebrates in the framework of its 75th anniversary and a programme of global conversations aimed at building the peaceful and prosperous future that we all want.
Young people will be invited to share thoughts on how to weather this storm, heal our planet and build peace[1] and debate on the following questions raised by UN and other proposed by participants during the exchange:
What does peace mean to you?
When you envision a peaceful world, what do you see?
What actions are needed to make your vision a reality?
Dialogue Cafe Serbia organized last 11th of September, an online session on the topic “Art and culture in the context of the pandemic covid-19” with the aim of celebrating the European Heritage Days.
The event was organized by hosts of Dialogue Cafes in Novi Pazar, Novi Sad and Belgrade.
Moderated by Haris E. Imamović froom Novi Pazar u Dijalogu- DC Novi Pazar, the session brought together young Serbian participants who discussed about the impact of the current pandemic in the fields of art and culture.
Dialogue Cafe Serbia organized last 12th of August, an online session on the topic “engagement of young people for climate action”, on the occasion of international youth day and in the context of celebrating the 75th anniversary of United Nations.
Dialogue Cafe is facilitating dialogue between people from all walks of life, across the world, to address social issues ranging from youth literacy to urban development.
Hi Ashique,
Thank you for your interest!
Our cycle is finalised but more sessions on crafts will take place at Dialogue Cafe. For instance you can visit our profil in vimeo and attend online some sessions recorded. https://vimeo.com/dcafe
Otherwise we plan to publish a book with the recommendations and findings of our discussions on crafts. Keep posted!
Thanks again for your interest
DC team daliasendra on 2019.07.29
