2021 Theme: “Ending Slavery’s Legacy of Racism: A Global Imperative for Justice”
The theme reflects the global movement to end injustices whose roots lie in the slave trade. The theme highlights the importance of educating about the history of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery, to bring about an acknowledgment of slavery’s impact on the modern world, and action to address its long-lasting effects. The theme guides the Programme’s development of educational outreach and remembrance to mobilize action against prejudice, racism and injustice. (https://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryremembranceday/2021/events.shtml)
For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history.
Every year on 25 March, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade offers the opportunity to honour and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. The International Day also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today. (https://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryremembranceday/index.shtml)
“World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, focuses on the importance of freshwater.
World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Today, water is under extreme threat from a growing population, increasing demands of agriculture and industry, and the worsening impacts of climate change.
“This year’s theme World Water Day is about what water means to people, it’s true value and how we can better protect this vital resource. The value of water is about much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource.” (https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day)
“As we observe World Water Day, we should remember the 4.2 billion living without access to adequate sanitation. We can reduce this number by supporting projects that aim to provide access to adequate sanitation. We can do this and succeed with our collective efforts. Happy World Water Day.” – Kean Smith
“Last year, people around the globe took to the streets to protest the vicious global pandemic of racism.
They recognized racism for what it is.
Dangerous. Abhorrent. Ugly. And everywhere.
Racism is a deeply rooted global evil.
It transcends generations and contaminates societies.
It perpetuates inequality, oppression and marginalization.
We see racism in the pervasive discrimination suffered by people of African descent.
We see it in the injustices and oppression endured by indigenous peoples and other ethnic minorities.
We see it in the repugnant views of white supremacists and other extremist groups.
Wherever we see racism, we must condemn it without reservation, without hesitation, without qualification.
This year, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination highlights the important role of youth, who have been in the forefront of the fight against racism.
Young people’s attitudes and behaviour will dictate the future shape and look of our societies.
So, I appeal to young people everywhere, as well as educators and leaders, to teach the world that all people are born equal.
Supremacy is an evil lie.
Racism kills.
On this day, and every day, let us work together to rid the world of the pernicious evil of racism so all may live in a world of peace, dignity and opportunity.”
Click on thislink to find out more about the background to this International Day.
It is also aligned with the priority theme of the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, “Women in public life, equal participation in decision making“,and the flagship Generation Equality campaign, which calls for women’s right to decision-making in all areas of life, equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end all forms of violence against women and girls, and health-care services that respond to their needs.” – Accessed 8 March, 2021 – https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day
“When women lead in government, we see bigger investments in social protection and greater inroads against poverty.
When women are in parliament, countries adopt more stringent climate change policies.
When women are at the peace table, agreements are more enduring.
And with women now serving in equal numbers at the top leadership posts at the United Nations, we are seeing even more concerted action to secure peace, sustainable development and human rights.” – Accessed 8 March, 2021: https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day/message
2021 Theme: A Call for Social Justice in the Digital Economy
“On 26 November 2007, the General Assembly declared that, starting from the sixty-third session of the General Assembly, 20 February will be celebrated annually as the World Day of Social Justice.”
“This year’s commemoration … aims at fostering dialogue with member States and relevant UN institutions and other stakeholders on actions needed to overcome the digital divide, provide decent work opportunities, and protect labour and human rights in the modern era of digital technologies.”
2021 Theme: Women scientist at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19
“On 22 December 2015, the General Assembly adopted a resolution to establish an annual International Day to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology communities. In welcoming the efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other relevant organizations that support and promote the access of women and girls and their participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, training and research activities at all levels decided to proclaim 11 February of each year the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.”
“Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Yet women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science.”
“At present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO data (2014 – 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 per cent).”
Are we underutilising human resources by having so few women and female students in STEM-related field industries and higher education?
STEM related fields are for anyone with an interest. So let us encourage female students in schools and embrace the contribution that women can make and are making in this field.
“On 20 October 2010, the General Assembly in resolution A/RES/65/5 pointed out that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and established World Interfaith Harmony Week as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith. It further recognized the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people. […]
The need for spiritual guidance has never been greater. It is imperative that we double our efforts to spread the message of good neighborliness based on our common humanity, a message shared by all faith traditions.” – https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-fraternity
Below is a recent interview of Desmond Brown discussing the importance of braille as a means of communication one day before International Braille Day 2021 which was observed on 4 January.
Interviewer:Would you please tell those who may not know you a little about yourself?
Brown:Hi, I’m Desmond Brown and have been totally blind for the past 46 years. I developed sight problems from I was about 2 years old. This happened as a result of an accident while playing around with one of my uncles and was hit with a stone in my left eye. From that time I had sight problems and became totally blind at the age of 15. However, before I became totally blind, I was sent off to Kingston, Jamaica to attend the Salvation Army School for the Blind, a residence school, due to the fact that I was experiencing difficulty learning in the regular school system. While there at the school for the blind I received all of the necessary adoptive and mobility skill training I needed to function as blind persons while at the same time getting my junior and high school academicals training. It was there at the school for the blind where I was first introduced to braille at the age of 13.
After leaving school and living in Jamaica for some years I joined my family – meaning, mother and siblings in the Bahamas since 1990. I presently work with the Salvation Army here in The Bahamas. For the pass 30 years or so I am heavily involved with the disability movement. Over the years I assisted in the formation of The Bahamas Alliance for the Blind and Visually Impaired. I served as President on two different occasions and in different capacity throughout the years.
Interviewer:The Bahamas Alliance for the Blind and Visually Impaired. What is that and what is their purpose?
Brown:The Bahamas Alliance for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a grass root advocacy organisation that is made up of blind and visually impaired individuals along with other individuals advocating for the rights and dignity of the blind and visually impaired in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. We did this because we saw the need for us as Blind and Visually Impaired persons coming together and speaking out as one voice: because after all, no one really knows what we go through but we ourselves. Others may have some ideas; they may see some struggles but we know exactly what we are going through. So in 1997 we came together and said that we are going to establish an organisation, an advocacy group to advocate for the changes that we see that is necessary for blind and visually impaired persons to live meaningful and productive and independent lives in The Bahamas. Have we achieved all that we want to achieve? No! The growth is slow but we are seeing some changes based on our advocacy and the advocacy of other groups here in The Bahamas.
Desmond Brown
Interviewer:Can you give me an example of one change that you have seen over the years that has been made to support you and as a result of your advocacy?
Brown:One of the change although slow, the attitude of people in and around The Bahamas are changing; people are recognising slowly that blind and visually impaired persons along with persons with other disabilities are a part of the community and that we have a role to play in the development of our country. As a result of our advocacy, we see Government is now making mention of persons with disabilities when they are making announcements. Before, years ago they never use to mention issues confronting us persons with disabilities: The stereotypical belief and attitude is still out there but it is getting better; person are more and more recognising that yes persons who are blind and visually impaired can and are in many instances making a meaningful contribution to society. As we have always said, if blind and visually impaired persons and indeed persons with disabilities in general are given the right tools, education and training we will take our rightful place in society. As I said, it is not where it needs to be but it is gradually changing for the better.
Interviewer: What is braille and what is it used for?
Brown: Braille is a system by which blind persons and some visually impaired people used to read and write. It is a system made of 6 raised dots into parallel lines numbering from 1 to 6 from those 6 raised dots we can read and write all the letters and numbers and symbols that persons out there would write using the system … it is a system of raised dots and we normally read braille by touching it with the tips of our fingers and from that we can identify the different letters. However, I must say that the letters are not the shape of the regular print letters. It is a totally different system.
Interviewer:You learnt how to read braille when you went to a school in Jamaica. How have you used braille in your daily life?
Brown:Yes, I learnt to read and write Braille at the school for the blind in Jamaica. Braille is being used by blind persons all over the world in the same manner that persons with sight would use printed material for. We have the Bible in braille, different textbooks in braille, story books, novels etc. Braille is used for labelling, note taking, information sharing, etc. For example, I use braille a lot when I am making presentations even though I can use the computer: but I recognise technology can go down any moment so I like to have my braille notes with me so I can revert to it at any time. As a blind person, Braille is very useful and important to me in my daily life.
Interviewer:As far as you are aware are there any public services offered where braille is used as a means of communication?
Brown: We do not see much of that here in The Bahamas: however, there are some places when you go in buildings in elevators you will see different label alongside the print in braille but to be honest here in The Bahamas we do not find to many services offered in Braille. Some medication, the package has limited braille instructions. To be honest, here in the Bahamas we do not have many entities that offer information in braille. Once ago I use to see braille letterings on some ATM machines. However, I have not checked to see if that is still on some machines.
The reason I believe that the international community is focusing on Braille again is because as individuals and organisations representing the interest of the blind and visually impaired throughout the Caribbean and around the world are noticing that braille is somewhat being sidelined and that’s not good for the future development of the blind and visually impaired. Technology should not be used in an attempt to sideline braille because Braille is the only system by which we can independently read and write. Technology has helped to level the playing field – computers, smartphones, tablets etc. but should not be used to replace braille.
Interviewer:Are there any countries that you are aware of where braille is used widely or more widely than others.
Brown:Braille is used widely in many countries around the world; some more than others because of their large population of blind and visually impaired users. There are places where you have public library, and other entities that offer information in Braille, but here in The Bahamas you have only the Salvation Army Erin H. Gilmour School for the Blind that teach the students braille, and have a small library for its students.
Over the years The Bahamas Alliance for the Blind and Visually Impaired conducts Braille classes for the adult population but that is not done on a consistence bases because of many different reasons.
As I said, many countries around the world where books and other publications are offered in braille: you go in elevators and you see the marking in Braille, you go in restaurants and the menu are in Braille, some airlines you go on they have their instructional manual in Braille; although we think that a lot of this information needs to be updated. Braille is being used by blind people around the world effectively in their work, at home, in school and in the different areas of their lives.
Interviewer:Do you have any parting words or thoughts that you wish to share?
Brown:I would say to us as blind and visually impaired individuals to recognize that Braille is for our benefit. There are some adults who do not wish to invest their time in learning to read and write braille because they feel it is not necessary or too difficult. I want to urge such person to rethink that because technology can go down at any time then we are left with nothing and braille, if we know how to read and write it, we can always fall back on it. I urge those of us who are blind and visually impaired to learn to read and write braille, and to encourage our children who are blind or visually impaired to learn to read braille because it is important and they will find it very useful in life.
Interviewer: Thank you very much Mr. Brown for sharing and providing insight on the use of braille and its importance. Wishing you all the best and looking forward to us talking again soon.
Please feel free to direct any questions or comments to Kean Smith at kean@smithkas.com
“World Braille Day, celebrated since 2019, is observed to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people.
Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number, and even musical, mathematical and scientific symbols. Braille (named after its inventor in 19th century France, Louis Braille) is used by blind and partially sighted people to read the same books and periodicals as those printed in a visual font.
Sign using English words and Braille
Braille is essential in the context of education, freedom of expression and opinion, as well as social inclusion, as reflected in article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” (https://www.un.org/en/observances/braille-day)
I fully support providing information in Braille as a means of communication and social inclusion and will endeavour to do so at every opportunity.
What about you? Let us do it.
Please feel free to direct any questions or comments to Kean Smith at kean@smithkas.com
The theme this year, 2020, is “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”.
“The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.” – Source: International Day of Persons with Disabilities – 3 December | United Nations Enable. [no date]. Available at: https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-3-december.html [Accessed: 2 December 2020]
