International Celebration

Literacy is a goal pursued by all societies. What is the real reason that moved the whole world towards achieving this goal?

”..Literacy empowers individuals and it expands people’s capabilities and freedom of choice.” Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director General. [7]

Every human being on the face of the globe has the right to learn and read, in his home, by his parents and family first, and proceeding to school and then university. A life-long right, with no time limits and no ultimate goal. Although the learning process goes hand in hand with our daily life, for one reason or another, many human beings are deprived of this right.

International Literacy Day

In 1966, UNESCO declared September 8 as International Literacy Day to emphasize the importance of reading and learning and to push individuals and communities alike to pursue it. The idea of the International Literacy Day was the result of the events of the World Conference of Ministers of Education, which was held for literacy on September 18 and 19, 1965 in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

In addition, the issue of literacy is a key goal of the Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promote access to quality, equitable and inclusive education for all and promote lifelong learning opportunities, and it’s the Fourth of their goals. [1]

Education is the key to the improvement and economic and social development of the individual. Despite the available means and facilities, about 260 million children were still out of school in 2018 — nearly one-fifth of the global population in that age group. And more than half of all children and adolescents worldwide are not meeting minimum proficiency standards in reading and mathematics. [2]

Literacy and the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected education; as it has revealed the disparities and shortcomings that exist in the educational systems of each society, as well as other economic and social aspects.

While some developed countries have adapted to the closure of schools by resorting to distance education. [1]
About 6.1 billion children and young people have dropped out of school by 2020 [2], so their learning journey has been disrupted. This is a result of the digital divide and other inequalities between countries, such as the lack of permanent availability of electricity or internet connection, as well as the inability to have access to electronic devices or even the ability to use them. [1]

To ensure that children have access to continuous learning, UNESCO launched the COVID-19 Global Education Coalition in March 2020. It is a multisectoral partnership between the United Nations family, civil society organizations, the media, and Information Technology Partners. Its objective is to design or deploy innovative solutions as well as address communication gaps and facilitate learning opportunities and the return of students to school when it reopens to avoid an upsurge in dropout rates. [2]

The Role of UNESCO in Literacy

First of all, it is worth mentioning that UNESCO has been at the forefront of the issue of literacy since 1946. To promote literacy, UNESCO is taking the following steps to promote literacy:

• First, building solid foundations during early childhood education.
• Second, providing quality basic education for all children.
• Third, Scaling-up functional literacy levels for youth and adults who lack basic reading and writing skills.
• Fourth, Developing literate environments. [3]

UNESCO has also created a strategy for youth and adult literacy (2020-2025) that includes four strategic priority areas:

• First: support member states in formulating their national literacy policies and strategies; the member states include 20 countries with a literacy rate of less than 50% and the 9 countries where the largest number of non-literate adults live.
• Second: Addressing the learning needs of disadvantaged groups, particularly women and girls
• Third: Leveraging digital technologies to expand access and improve learning outcomes.
• Fourth: Monitoring progress and assessment of literacy skills and programs. [4]

UNESCO Literacy Awards

The UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have been awarded since 1967. In order to honor the contributions made by institutions, organizations, or individuals in the framework of literacy. [1]
Through these awards, also seek to support effective literacy practices and encourage the advancement of dynamic literacy communities.

There are currently two International Literacy Awards, namely:

-The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (3 awards): Established in 1989, with the support and funding of the government of the Republic of Korea. This award gives special consideration to mother language-based literacy development.

-The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards): Established in 2005, with the support of the government of the People’s Republic of China. This award gives special consideration to functional literacy, leveraging technological environments, in support of adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth.

Each winner of one of these two prizes will receive a medal, a certificate, and prize money (20 thousand US dollars for the winner of the King Sejong prize, and 30 thousand US dollars for the winner of the Confucius Prize.). [5]

Literacy in Syria

Syria has always strived to work on literacy, in 1972 it passed the literacy law. Thus, the illiteracy rate has decreased significantly, as statistics indicate in the past few years that this percentage has decreased from 19% in 2004 to 14.2% in 2007, although this percentage was more than 50% in the late sixties. The governorates of Quneitra, Suwayda, and Tartus were also declared illiteracy-free governorates in 2008.

Many official parties have contributed and continue to contribute to literacy, including the Directorate of adult education and cultural development at the Ministry of culture. In addition to a number of popular organizations such as the women’s Union, the Revolutionary Youth Union, and others. [6]

In conclusion, we would like to point out that based on the goals of our initiative to achieve equality and the advancement of women and their education, we see great importance on this day.

We call on everyone to follow their learning path, not give up and lose hope no matter what happens. There are no limits to what you can achieve.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] UN Observances

[2] UN Education

[3] UNESCO Themes

[4] UNESDOC

[5] UNESCO

[6] Alnnour

[7] UNESCO Articles

Did you know that the greatest beneficiary of the good you do is you before anyone else? We feel that everything we do is a drop in a wide ocean, but the vast ocean will decrease if that drop is lost from it.
– Mother Teresa Denny (1910 – 1997) [1]

This is what Mother Teresa said, who devoted her life to philanthropy and helping people and has become a role model for peace to this day. [2]

In this context, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, said that philanthropy is one of the best investments we can make for our common future. He called on people everywhere to be part of the United Nations’ 15-year partnership, which aims to make sustainable development a reality for all , for humanity, and to help the marginalized and the poor rise out of want and suffering. [3]

How Does Charity Affect Society and Individuals?

And because the ocean is nothing but drops, and every drop makes a difference – as Mother Teresa said – the charity has many benefits, the most important of which are:

Philanthropy, like volunteerism and charity, offers the opportunity to strengthen social bonds and contribute to creating more inclusive and resilient societies. Philanthropy has the potential to offset the harms of humanitarian crises. It also has the capacity to support public services in the areas of medical care, education, housing, and child protection. Charitable work has a very essential role in improving culture, science, sports, and protecting cultural heritage. As well as promoting the rights of the marginalized and the deprived and spreading the humanitarian message in conflict situations.

Charitable work also has a positive impact on all individuals who work in it through its quest to achieve several things, the most important of which are: Activating participation among people, reducing the impact of poverty, developing an internal sense of responsibility towards those in need, and notifying them of their ability to give. [3]

Charity Within the Framework of Organization and Planning

The United Nations has set an agenda for sustainable development goals, which can be framed in four areas: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. Presents concepts that seek to empower individuals to better contribute to the betterment of our world.

By adopting the 2030 Development Agenda in September 2015, the United Nations recognized that the eradication of poverty in all its forms, forms, and dimensions is an enormous global challenge and an indispensable requirement for achieving sustainable development.

That agenda calls for strengthening the spirit of global solidarity. It focuses mainly on the needs of the weakest and the poorest. It also recognizes the role of the diversified private sector. From micro-enterprises to cooperatives, to multinational corporations. It also recognizes the role played by civil society and charitable organizations in implementing the new agenda. [3]

Obstacles Against Charity Around the World and within our country

The United Nations and international institutions face real difficulties in activating charitable work, including the lack of funding, the lack of culture in the concept of volunteering and its importance, the weakness of attracting volunteers, the impact of international political relations and their problems on coordinating charitable efforts between countries, in addition to what is related to the organizational structure and the professional level of workers in those organizations.

There are also problems related to the organizational structure, such as the weakness of institutional building in general, the control of some individuals over activities and funding, and the lack of compatibility between administrative structures and the objectives of the organization.

Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative and Charity

At the local level, charitable works in Syria varied in their official or non-affiliated forms, online or on the ground. Among them, we mention our initiative, the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative, established in 202, which is concerned with Syrian women of all ages, and recently some of its services have expanded to include males to benefit from the workshops and courses.

It is worth mentioning that the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative is a non-profit, educational, and awareness-raising digital initiative that aims to help Syrian women, of all ages, expertise or beliefs, meet their goals no matter how far-fetched.

Among our most important services currently offered are:

• Free educational courses for specialties that can be mastered online.
• Free workshops aiming to help access the labor market
• Interactive discussion sessions via livestreaming or Google Meet addressing issues of concern to women; Syrian women in particular.
• Awareness-Raising Posts.
• Training courses on scientific research and debate.

Also read: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] Hekam

[2] UN News

[3] UN Observances

[4] Medad Center

In the Islands of the Caribbean on August 23, 1791, a major incident occurred that changed the course of a large number of people’s lives, which prompted the United Nations to move and take measures that would limit what was happening. What was that incident?

International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

The slave trade is considered one of the most heinous acts practiced against human beings because one of the things that no human being should ask for or seek is Freedom. It is created by humans and has existed since its inception. It is unfair and unjust to deprive anyone of freedom. Enslavement, the least that can be said about it, is a crime. Rather, it is more than that, to transform a person of blood and soul, who resembles you in everything except the criminal and barbarous thinking way, which gives you the permission to violate the freedom and lives of others and turn them into material things that you can own and sell them under the name of the Slave Trade. From all that has been presented and to be able to get acquainted with the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, we must first know who the slave is.

Who is the slave?

A slave is every person who has been deprived of their liberty, and over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised, who is of servile status, and to whom all forms of exploitation and servitude are applied. [1]

Those slaveholders were not satisfied with enslaving individuals only, but also reached a stage where they practiced trade under the name of the slave trade.

What is the slave trade?

The term slave trade means and includes all acts involved in the capture, acquisition, or disposal of a person with the intent to reduce him to slavery; all acts involved in the acquisition of a slave with a view to selling or exchanging him; all acts of disposal by sale or exchange of a person acquired with a view to being sold or exchanged; and, in general, every act of trade or transport in slaves by whatever means of conveyance.[1]

This was common until recently when the Haitian revolution took place, which drew the attention and interest of societies to this phenomenon and mobilized efforts to combat it.

What happened in Haiti?

Haiti is one of the Caribbean islands. It was discovered by explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492, and because it was a region rich in natural resources and gold, the ambitions were directed to it. It was occupied by the Spaniards who turned it into a Spanish colony and then the French occupied it in 1696. In an atmosphere of oppression and exploitation, the French brought a large number of Africans and black people as slaves to work in Haiti, so that the number of slaves and serfs far exceeded the population, and in light of this treatment and enslavement, a revolution had to take place against the French by the Africans and headed by Toussaint Levierre in 1791. The island gained its independence in 1804, and this uprising is recorded as the first revolution In the modern history of black slaves. [2]

Reason for the adoption of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

This day is commemorated in the context of the events on the night of August 23, 1791 (the start of the revolution), which played a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. [3]

The Executive Board of UNESCO adopted Resolution 29 C/40 during its twenty-ninth session, regarding the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, at the invitation of the Director-General of UNESCO on 29 July 1998. [3]

Also read: World Humanitarian Day.

Importance of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

The commemoration of this day every year plays an important role in inscribing and consolidating the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples. It is also hoped that this day should offer an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods, and the consequences of this tragedy, and for an analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, and the Americas, and the Caribbean. [4]

“All over the world, people of African descent continue to suffer daily from the dire consequences of this ominous legacy” – Director-General, Audrey Azoulay | UNESCO [4]

Society’s position on the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

This day is receiving attention from various countries in the world, and it was celebrated for the first time in a group of countries, foremost of which is Haiti and Goure Island in Senegal, and several cultural events and seminars were organized in this regard, and the Mulhouse Textile Museum in France participated in 2001 in the form of a workshop for fabrics called “Indiennes de Traite” (a type of calico) which served as currency for the exchange of slaves in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. [3]

Position of the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative

Uplifting Syrian Women initiative, in accordance with its ultimate goal of achieving peace, strongly condemns all those heinous practices that were taking place against humanity, and through its participation in the commemoration of the slave trade and its abolition, calls on the international community to continue working for the freedom of all individuals who are still suffering from this tragedy till this day and to oppose everyone who violates the freedom of the other and practices slave trade, hiding behind any term or action.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] OHCHR

[2] Mawdoo3

[3] UNESCO

[4] UN

Do you think that humanitarian work is a right and a duty? Or luxury? But why is it not an instinct in human nature?

Humanitarian work is the duty of all humanity. The reason for our existence is to invest our strength and uplift ourselves and our world together. In addition to the fact that appreciation is a human need, why should it not be our duty as well? To express appreciation towards all the heroes who did not ask for reward or fame, but tried hard to provide assistance to humanity, out of the principle of their commitment towards their brothers in humanity.

Definition and origin of humanitarian work

“On World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to aid workers everywhere, and commit to doing everything possible to protect them and their vital work.” [1]
-United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres.

On 19 August 2003, a bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq, killed 22 humanitarian aid workers, including the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Therefore, this day has been dedicated to recognizing the efforts of humanitarian workers and those who have lost their lives due to humanitarian aid. [2]

The Importance of Humanitarian Work

How can we live without extending a helping hand to the other? Sometimes we will extend this helping hand, and sometimes it will be extended to us. This proves the existence of goodness and mercy in humans if they want life to be full of mercy despite all the darkness in which we live and our world witnesses. Therefore, our choice should be the light, because the suffering would increase more if it were not for the initiators who have contributed to help in various fields, including:

Providing care and education for children who lack them. Despite all the development that the planet is witnessing, however, there are still children who do not have access to education due to disasters or poverty.
Humanitarian work plays an important and essential role in securing health care by creating programs to sustain the mental health of those suffering from the crisis.

The role of humanitarian work was also evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the United Nations allocated nearly $2 billion to help 51 countries across Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East.[3]

Humanitarian work in Syria

The crises facing our country have led to the emergence of many humanitarian initiatives, which aim to help children affected by war and help poor families. As for helping Syrian youth to enter the labour market, it has received a large share of these initiatives; some of them provided free courses and workshops to develop the skills required globally to empower young people and prepare them for competition.

Also read: International Youth Day.

The Theme of the World Humanitarian Day 2022

Each year, a specific slogan is dedicated to World Humanitarian Day, to unite all those who defend the human right to lead a dignified life.

The Theme of World Humanitarian Day 2021 was #TheHumanRace which highlighted the direct consequences of the climate emergency on the world’s most vulnerable people and ensured that their suffering and damage to their homes and livelihoods are transferred.

The theme for World Humanitarian Day in 2022 is #ItTakesAVillage”, where personal stories of the heroes of humanity who have done their best in the COVID-19 pandemic will be shared.

Relationship of the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative to this work

The Uplifting Syrian Women initiative is one of the humanitarian initiatives in Syria that has expressed humanitarian work in its clearest form, as it has been able to help more than 400 women, by providing numerous free workshops and courses to pave the way toward achieving their dreams. In addition, its services were not limited only to Syrian women, but it has provided some of the services to the Syrian man, emphasizing that uplifting and supporting women should be along with the men and their support.

Finally, the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative believes that all individuals are able to provide assistance, no matter how small, to the other, and this is a necessity and not a job we choose to enjoy or fill our spare time with.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] UN

[2] UN General Assembly

[3] UNODC

Have you heard about International Youth Day? Why has there been a need for such a day?

Many people see that young people are responsible for the community’s backwardness, regress, and corruption, and that is due to the lack of attention to the youth issues and their desire to migrate out of the country. These people forget that young people are currently the most affected by all global crises, and they do not realize that young people are the most capable of facing and Overcoming challenges and circumstances.

“It was just a black cloud. The war changed my life completely. I’ve changed where I live, my ambitions, and all my plans. All my memories have changed.” Rami, a Syrian young man [1, p. 2]

Definition of Youth

There is no universally agreed international definition of the youth age group. However, the United Nations defines ‘youth’ as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years.

Many countries also draw the line on youth with regard to the age at which a person is given equal treatment under the law—often referred to as the ‘age of majority.’ This age is commonly 18 in many countries; Nonetheless, the definition of the term ‘youth’ varies from country to country, depending on relative sociocultural, institutional, economic, and political factors.

Today, the youth account for 16 percent of the global population, as there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years. By 2030 the number of youth is projected to have grown to nearly 1.3 billion. [2]

The Importance of Youth Role

Youths are the building blocks of the present, the future power, and the cornerstone of society’s building and progress; as young people are the segment most capable of facing the challenges and circumstances, as well as the most energetic, impulsive, and self-confident. They are always able to provide the best solutions to the challenges in the society they live in. By cooperating with each other, they can advance society and motivate others to help in its development, in addition to increasing their influence on others and being affected by others.

Young people contribute to building and developing societies through several aspects, the most important of which are voluntary initiatives that often seek to provide solutions to huge problems in societies and help provide assistance to the rest of the people. In addition to making donations, participating in blood donation campaigns, and establishing workshops of various content in order to expand the circle of knowledge. [3]

Also read: World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

The Effects of War on Syrian Youth

In Syria, as a result of the war that has been going on for more than ten years, it is obvious that the reality of the Syrian youth does not meet the same standards that apply to the rest of the youth around the world. Therefore, their problems and responsibilities have become greater than those borne by the youth category, which led to the fact that the youth category became the most affected category by the repercussions of the war. This war left deep scars on an entire generation of young men and women; many of them were forced to leave their homes and had to interrupt their education.

The most important effect was because of the actual war, as seven out of ten young people were wounded during the conflict. In addition, the family and social ties have been sundered due to the loss of people as a result of the war or the loss of communication.

For mental health, the impact was great and severe as a result of the suffering of a large number of Syrian youth from depression and sleep disorders. On the economic front, the biggest problem has been accessed to food, as three-quarters of Syrian youth struggle to meet their household’s basic needs. [1, p.4]

The International Importance of this Day

The United Nations has recognized the global importance of the youth. Due to their infinite dreams and energy which are vital for the continuing development of societies. Member States of the United Nations acknowledged this in 1965 when they endorsed the Declaration on the Promotion among Youth of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect, and Understanding between Peoples.

The United Nations General Assembly observed 1985 as the International Youth Year: Participation, Development, and Peace. In 1999, the United Nations declared August 12th International Youth Day, with the aim of drawing the international community’s attention to the importance of young people and their effective ability to change societies.

In addition, the youth category is closely related to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Especially the 4th goal that represents Quality Education, education is a fundamental right for youth everywhere. There is a need for concerted efforts to ensure that young women and men have access to free and quality education. Reaching this goal is essential to creating a qualitative shift in society, securing job opportunities for the workforce, and achieving suitable job opportunities for young people.

SDG 8th “Decent Work and Economic Growth” contextualizes the call for decent work for youth because the spread of unemployment and underemployment led to the deterioration of the economy. [2]

USWI View on the Matter

Uplifting Syrian Women emphasizes the importance of the youth and their essential role in changing and developing countries and societies, and they are not the cause of the deterioration and backwardness of the Arab communities, but rather they are the most affected by these crises; as they constitute a barrier to youth to achieve their dreams. Therefore it is necessary to pay attention to their issues and to seek out solutions for their problems, in order to provide them with good conditions that enable them to develop and build themselves and become leaders who lead their societies to development in all fields.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] ICRC

[2] UN

[3] Mawdoo

“Our ambitions lead us to look out for change and opportunities. We often get what we aim for, but other times we are thrown back. But for victims of human trafficking, however, a shattered dream is more than a setback- it can be a terrifying nightmare of the worst kind.”
– Albert Silk- Crime Prevention Expert in the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Division of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). [1]

The Concept of Trafficking in Persons

The United Nations defines trafficking in people in its various forms, including the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

The World Day against Trafficking in Persons was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/68/192. [2] 

Types of Human Trafficking

There are many forms of trafficking:

• Trafficking for forced labour: The victims of this widespread form of trafficking are primarily from developing countries.
• Trafficking for forced criminal activities: Victims are forced to carry out a range of illegal activities including theft, selling counterfeit goods, or forced begging. Victims often have quotas and can face severe punishment if they do not perform adequately.
• Trafficking in women for sexual exploitation: Women and children from developing countries, and from vulnerable parts of society in developed countries, are lured by promises of decent employment into leaving their homes and travelling to what they consider will be a better life.
• Trafficking for the removal of organs.
• People smuggling: Smugglers may force migrants to work in inhumane conditions to pay for their illegal passage across borders. [3]

How to Identify Cases of Human Trafficking: Everyone has the ability to detect a case of Everyone has the potential to discover a human trafficking situation. While the victims may sometimes be kept behind locked doors, they are often hidden right in front of us. These are some of the key signs that can alert you to a potential trafficking situation that should be reported: 

• Live with the employer.
• Poor living conditions.
• Several people in a cramped space.
• Inability to speak to the individual alone.
• Their answers appear to be written and rehearsed.
• The employer holds the worker’s identity documents.
• Signs of physical abuse.
• Submissive or afraid.
• Unpaid or with little pay.
• Under 18 and in prostitution. [4]

Also read: International Day of Friendship.

Causes of Human Trafficking

1. Political instability:
   War, civil unrest, political conflict, violence, lawlessness, and natural disasters create unstable conditions in which people may live in constant fear with limited options for survival or earning a living. Children may be separated from their families and left without parents or guardians to protect and advise them. Political instability may also lead to forced migration where people flee from their homes in search of more stable or secure communities.
2. Poverty:
   Poverty creates despair. Traffickers specifically target poor and marginalised communities to offer vulnerable individuals false opportunities to improve their circumstances.
3. Racism and the Legacy of Colonialism:
   Racism and colonialism contributed to the marginalisation of people, particularly indigenous populations. People who experience racism face systemic barriers such as limited access to education, employment, housing, and financial resources.
4. Gender inequality:
   In many cultures, women are seen as less than men; are paid less for equal work; have fewer rights; have less access to health, education, and property; are expected to be submissive to men, and are therefore vulnerable to recruitment by traffickers.
5. Addiction:
   Traffickers use substance dependency and addiction to keep control of the trafficked person.
6. Mental Health:
   People with mental health issues face a variety of challenges including isolation, diminished capacity to consent or offer informed consent, and limited ability to assess risk and detect ill-intentions. Traffickers are skilled in detecting these vulnerabilities and manipulating them to their advantage.
7. Gang Involvement:
   For gangs, the exploitation of men, women, and children is lucrative and less risky than other trades such as weapons or drugs.
8. Online Vulnerability:
   Traffickers maintain an online presence to lure vulnerable adults and children with the goal of meeting them in person, taking and circulating explicit photos, and coercing an individual to comply with their demands. Traffickers often keep compromising photos or videos of the people they are exploiting to further their control — they may threaten to publish these images online or send them to the family and friends of the trafficked person. [5]

Therefore, awareness must be spread among all members of society because the victims themselves may not be aware of their being victims, or be unable to take appropriate measures due to the aforementioned reasons.

Syria’s Situation on the Issue of Human Trafficking

According to the results of a study conducted by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD):

The effects of war and the displacement crisis put people in a situation of increased vulnerability to human trafficking and have resulted in actual trafficking cases. However, this was not reflected in a significant increase in the identification of war-related trafficking cases and the refugee crisis by the authorities.
The classic organised crime paradigm commonly used for understanding trafficking does not fit neatly into the actual situation of people trafficked in the context of the Syrian conflict. Very severe forms of exploitation and trafficking are indeed taking place, committed by highly organised criminal networks, but the most common type of exploitation is at a lower level, involving fathers, mothers, husbands, extended family, acquaintances and neighbours. 

In most of the cases revealed through this research, trafficking is not a cross-border phenomenon related to the migratory movement itself, though cross-border trafficking is present in some cases. 
In general, the evidence-based human trafficking forms target the vulnerabilities due to internal displacement, as the process of human trafficking begins with the presence of internally displaced people and refugees within the host communities.
Some forms of trafficking directly related to war appeared. The same is true of ISIS human trafficking for the purposes of sexual slavery, forced marriage, and war exploitation by other parties in the armed conflict.[6]

Our initiative is concerned with spreading awareness about the issue of human trafficking, since identifying the problem is the first step towards the solution. The initiative also provides many forms of psychological and scientific support for Syrian women to address some of the issues which cause women to become victims.

♀️Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] UN- Chronicle

[2] UN- World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

[3] Interpol

[4] U.S. Department of State

[5] British Columbia

[6] ICMPD

International Day of Friendship is evidence of the existence of love, peace, and understanding. This day represents the importance of friends in our lives and the way they improve it. Whether it is by accompanying us on a vacation or just listening to our problems to help us solve them, a friend makes it much easier.

It is not only about them being available when we face hard times, but also sharing our happiness and celebrating our successes.  It would not be wrong to say that the world would be a much more difficult place if we did not have friends.

Background- International Day of Friendship

The UN General Assembly designated 30 July as the International Day of Friendship in 2011, in order to build bridges of peace and friendship between communities. [1]
Prior to being designated by the United Nations, the first World Friendship Day was proposed in 1958 by the World Friendship Campaign; an international civic organization that campaigns to promote a peaceful culture through friendship. [2]

Friendship is an essential tool to make the world prosperous and peaceful, and it’s a major source of maintaining social harmony between communities. By developing the directions of friendship between people, communities, and states we can reach a better level of stability, solidarity, and peace. There has been increased interest in the international day of friendship over the last decade, as social media has adopted it as an occasion to honor friends and exchange gifts.
The International Day of Friendship is celebrated on different dates around the world, but it is mainly celebrated on July 30th.

The Importance of International Day of Friendship

This day is important in many ways. What would we be without that friend that makes life much easier?
In addition, the UN has stated that the world faces various challenges like poverty, violence, and human rights abuses – among many others- that undermine peace, security, development, and social harmony world’s peoples. Therefore, to confront and overcome these challenges, Promoting and defending the spirit of human solidarity is of the utmost importance. Friendship is considered the simplest and purest form of any relationship.

The culture of peace is the fundamental idea for creating the United Nations. UNESCO, a specialized agency of the United Nations that works with the international community in the fields of Education, Science, Culture, and communication, has been developing this mission for more than 70 years. The UNESCO Constitution, written in 1945, links the possibility of peace and hope with strong bonds of trust and friendship stating: ” Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defenses of peace must be constructed”. [3]

Also read: Nelson Mandela International Day.

The Relation of International Day of Friendship with promoting a culture of peace

Friends are not only important on an individual level, friendship can also be important on a global level.  Friendships that cross borders can help bring peace and avoid war.  Learning to think of other people, who are different from us, as our friends help us work together to build a culture of peace. That’s why the UN declared 30 July as its official International Day of Friendship.

The International Day of friendship promotes a culture of peace through several things, the most significant of which are:

• Promote sustainable development in all its economic, social, and cultural aspects.
• Support the free flow of Culture, Information, and knowledge around the world;
• Advance understanding, tolerance, and solidarity;
• Promote respect for all human rights;
• Promote international peace and security.
• Foster a culture of peace through education;
• Ensure equality between women and men. [1]

How Can You Participate in the International Day of Friendship?

Showing your love and support to your friend, and thanking your friend for being in your life have many forms. Gifts are not only presented on birthdays, on this day you can show your love to your friend by presenting a token gift or making one even if it is simple. You can spend this day with your best friend away from other people and strengthen the bond with each other. But when your friend is away from you and you can’t spend time together, you can make a short call to express how grateful you are for his existence in life.

Choose your own way to participate in this day, the most important thing is to spend a good time with your friend.
We, at Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative, seek to build friendship bonds between each other and with the world outside. We consider everyone our friends and encourage respect for human rights, building friendships and bonds with all human beings, because in this world, if we are not friends or brothers and sisters, we can’t promote international peace and security.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] UN- International Day of Friendship

[2] National Today

[3] UNESCO

“It is easy to break and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build.”
-Nelson Mandela. [1]

“Each year, on this day, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, we pay tribute to this extraordinary man who embodied the highest aspirations of the United Nations and the human family.”
-António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General. [1]

“It is our individual responsibility to follow Madiba’s example of humility, forgiveness, and compassion while advocating for democracy and peace throughout the world.”
-Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. [5]

You may have heard of Nelson Mandela before. You may know that he is one of the greatest peacemakers and that he was the former President of South Africa. Let us talk and shed light on this man and the change he made.

A glimpse into the life of Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18 in the town of Mphiso in the Transkei region of South Africa. He excelled in his studies and attended Fort Harry College, but was expelled from it for participating in the protests against apartheid in 1940. Therefore, he completed his studies by correspondence in Johannesburg and obtained his law degree. In 1952, Nelson opened a law firm with his friend, Oliver Tambo’.

His political journey began at the age of twenty. In 1944, he joined the African National Congress, which opposed apartheid. He was imprisoned several times due to his political activism prior to being sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964. During his imprisonment, he became an international symbol of the struggle against racism, so the South African government succumbed to internal and international pressures and released Mandela in 1990.

Mandela was elected as president of South Africa in 1994, the first democratically elected black president. In 1999, he decided to retire and did not run for a second presidential term, and worked in charitable works through the Mandela Foundation to combat AIDS, and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. Nelson Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013. [6]

What is Nelson Mandela International Day?

The United Nations acknowledged the contribution of Nelson to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world. The United Nations celebrates July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day to recognize the birthday of South Africa’s former President and his outstanding contribution to a culture of peace and freedom. Nelson Mandela International Day was declared in November 2009. [1]
For the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), this Day is a time to draw attention to all the prisoners; as it is estimated that there are more than 10 million prisoners around the world. [2]

Also read: World Youth Skills Day.

Rules of Nelson Mandela

The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights did not specifically refer to prisoners, although the rights it laid out – including the prohibition of torture and the right to a fair trial – covered them. Therefore, in 1955, the First United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders adopted the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the expanded rules, known as the “Nelson Mandela Rules.” [3]

Among these rules:

1. All prisoners shall be treated with due respect for their inherent dignity and value as human beings. No prisoner shall be subjected to torture or inhuman treatment.
2. Rules are applied impartially. There shall be no discrimination in treatment on the grounds of race, colour, sex, religion, or any other status. [4]

And many other rules that focus on respecting the prisoner’s being a human being in the first place; In other words, the aim of these rules is to rehabilitate prisoners to be willing and able to lead law-abiding lives upon release, which is necessary to reduce recidivism and contribute to public safety. As the Director of UNODC stated, “Nelson Mandela’s Rules are a blueprint for prison management. …and that it provides solutions based on the fundamental principles of security, safety, and dignity within all prisons and for all prisoners.” [2]

The achievements of Nelson Mandela

During his presidency, Mandela established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights violations under the apartheid regime. He also worked to improve the living standard of the population through many initiatives in the areas of housing, education, and economic development; among his accomplishments during this period:

Firstly, Presenting a special program for reconstruction and development to address many social and economic issues. For example employment, housing, water, electricity, and poverty reduction.
secondly. Launching the Mandela Children’s Fund with the aim of helping young people and orphans.
Third, Introduce a progressive constitution to South Africa that ensures a strong central government based on the rule of the majority, the guarantee of minority rights, and freedom of expression.

In addition, the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to Nelson Mandela and Frederick William De Klerk for their efforts in the peaceful end of the apartheid regime and the establishment of a new democratic foundation for South Africa. [7]
On this day, let us remember this great person who devoted 67 years of his life to serving his country and humanity together. This man changed the lives of many and his influence is still present.

Nelson Mandela was concerned with many humanitarian issues and worked in the fields of conflict resolution and ethnic relations. He also worked on the promotion and protection of human rights and gender equality, the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, and the improvement of the conditions of the poor and underdeveloped societies. [1]

In honor of Mandela, the United Nations established in June 2014 the “Nelson Mandela Prize”. is awarded every five years and recognizes those who dedicate their lives to the service of humanity. [8]
Nelson Mandela, was a protector of human rights, international peacemaker, hero, and role model for many.  People used to call Mandela “Madiba” out of respect, which is the name of his tribe.

Due to the fact that our initiative aims at sustainable peacebuilding, Nelson Mandela sets an example for us, individually and collectively. On this day, we would like to talk about this great man, perhaps his story motivates us to achieve our goals, refuse injustice, and demand the truth. To remember that violence only brings violence, but peace and humanity towards the other are the cornerstones of all aspects of life; from creating a family to building and developing societies.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] UN Events

[2] UNODC

[3] UN Chronicle

[4] UN Events- Rules of Nelson Mandela

[5] UN News

[6] Aljazeera

[7] Mawdoo3

[8] UN News

World Youth Skills Day has been chosen in order to promote youth employment opportunities worldwide and to highlight their skills that help build a strong community. The United Nations has focused on dedicating this day to building gender equality in employment opportunities. 

The term ‘youth’ is related to the strength and vigour in everyone’s mind,  but in the current reality, it is difficult for young people to enjoy this stage due to the obstacles that block their path, the numerous responsibilities on their shoulders, and the difficult requirements that the future has placed in order to allow them to enter it.

“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”
-Nelson Mandela [1]

What is World Youth Skills Day?

When we seek to improve society, we take all its groups into account and assess their needs, in order to have a good understanding of the problems they suffer from.
Young people worldwide suffer from numerous social problems that hinder their prosperity and reaching their fullest potential. Therefore, the United Nations General Assembly has been celebrating every year World Youth Skills Day on July 15, in order to express the importance of this day that relates to youth, their capabilities and their key role in progressing and developing societies. [2]

Since 2015, we have been celebrating this day to remind societies of the importance of preparing young people for the labour market and equipping them with employment and entrepreneurship skills by helping them enter the new world for them. It is our duty to ensure for them a flexible transition between school and work, and help them discover new capabilities through practical exercise so that they will be the ones who hold the hand of the following generation of young people in this transitional process.

Also read: World Refugee Day.

Obstacles facing young people for the World Youth Skills Day

In this accelerating age, time is passing at a different speed for the young generation. So imagine with me, you are a fresh graduate searching for a job, then you will be shocked by the reality that most of the available opportunities require you to have years of practical experience. How do you get experience? Through the job that requires you to have years of experience to get it.

This is the vicious circle that young people encountered and are still encountering when they enter the labour market, so they feel that the world has closed its doors.
Young people face – three times more than their elders – the possibility of unemployment and disparity in opportunities in the labour market, and the offered jobs that are not up to their aspirations [3], it is estimated that youth employment declined globally by 8.7% in 2020 compared to 3.7% for adults. [4]

As for the Syrian youth, who has not recovered yet from the numerous effects of the war, they find themselves in front of jobs that are less than their ambitions and capabilities, with low wages which match neither the exerted efforts nor the living conditions in their country. So, they migrate searching for more opportunities abroad, and their countries lose indispensable experiences and skills.

Unemployment, depression, low income, and the gap between the acquired theoretical experiences and the required practical experiences; are all those obstacles that stand in the way of the youth and prevent them from reaching the future they dream of, and many others.
Therefore, it has been essential to have the World Youth Skills Day in order to celebrate all young people who face many obstacles in securing their employment opportunities.

The suffering of women in the labour market

Women in this world suffer in many aspects; the labour market was not an exception to them. Despite the efforts exerted to achieve justice for women in this society, the statistics indicate that the participation of women in the global workforce stood at 48.5% in 2018, 26.5% below that of their male counterparts. In addition, the global unemployment rate for women in 2018 increased by about 0.8% higher than that for men. Altogether, for every 10 men in a job, only six women are employed. [5]

In front of these figures, I leave you to imagine the length of the journey and the hardship that the fresh female graduates still face in order to find their place in the labour market. In addition to other phenomena, such as harassment in the workplace, the difficulty of finding a balance between work and home, society’s view of the working mother as a neglectful mother, and many other problems that women face.

How can we combat the obstacles to improving the youth situation?

The solutions to these problems are available in our hands, and they only require awareness of them and their importance. Let us start with raising the employers’ awareness to realise the necessity of employing young people, educating them and giving them the practical experience they need, as the future is in their hands. Just imagining for a moment that our future is falling into inexperienced hands, we will feel that our future is threatened.

In addition to technical and, vocational education and training can equip youth with the skills required to access the world of work. [4]
We must take into account the necessity of developing the educational system and content to suit the requirements of this age and keep pace with the rapid changes.

In addition to the importance of volunteer work during the academic years, the youth can acquire some practical experiences in all aspects; such as leadership, Time Management, cooperation and teamwork, in addition to helping the local community.
We can implement community projects and initiatives based on the potential of youth, to employ this potential towards building society, and we can hold conferences, scientific seminars and workshops to prepare young people for the future ahead of them.

Finally, in this world, we were brought up with the idea that the future will be for the following generation, and we must strive as hard as we can to leave this world better for them. But, when I live in this society, I wonder if those before me really did their best to leave me in this world? Is this the world after their attempts to leave it better for me and my generation, as we are the youth of this age?

We, at the Uplifting Syrian Women initiative, strive to assist young people to develop their skills, equip them with the required practical experience, and help them overcome the obstacles that the present has put in their way, to reach the future they deserve.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] Quote Fancy

[2] E3arabi

[3] United Nations (LDC5)

[4] United Nations- World Youth Skills Day

[5] United Nations News

“We wear a life jacket and run from death to death, with words such as refugee, displaced, and foreigners echoing to our ears.” [1]
When you are forced to change your life and start from scratch out of fear of death, a good and wealthy life may not be guaranteed, and you may also suffer from a lot of problems, including racism and difficulty integrating into a new life.

What does being a refugee mean?

A refugee is a person who has been forced to flee their home country due to the risk of persecution on the grounds of race, religion, political opinion, sexuality, etc.
These people are often at huge risk if they had to go back to their countries, so they are recognized as refugees and given asylum, and failure to recognize them can often lead to serious consequences.

The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees has identified a set of fundamental rights that host countries must provide for refugees, the most important of which is that refugees should not be deported or returned to their countries or to situations that could pose risk to their lives, in addition to securing their basic human rights, helping them live in dignity and finding far-reaching solutions for living instability.

The concepts of asylum, displacement, and migration are often confused, the displaced person is the person who was forced to leave his home for the same reasons as the refugee, but the displaced people did not leave the borders of their country, so the responsibility to protect him and provide aid and assistance remains upon their government, a migrant is a person who leaves their home country or the country they lived in, not because of the risks to which they are exposed or persecution, but rather the desire to improve living conditions and achieve a better life. [2]

What are the problems refugees, especially Syrians, face around the world?

Perhaps the biggest problem faced by refugees around the world is the abandonment of the international and legal obligations to protect refugees and asylum-seekers by the world’s greatest powers, additionally, refugees are becoming increasingly unwelcomed, as many governments incriminate migration, blame refugees, declare their countries closed to asylum seekers, and treat people seeking safety as criminals. [3]

According to statistics, in 2017, every two seconds one person was forcibly displaced by war, persecution or violence, and 16.2 million people left their homes, bringing the global total to 68.5 million people, and the number of refugees outside their countries rose to 2.9 million, which is the largest increase seen by the UN Refugee Agency. [4]
As for Syria, among all Syrian refugee camps, refugee camps in Northern Syria face the biggest problems, especially in winter, as it was reported that refugee camps had collapsed because of the snow and rain and children had to walk on ice not appropriately dressed. [5]

In addition to the poor economic situation experienced by Syrians abroad, women who have lost their husbands as a result of death or other causes that made them responsible for housekeeping, besides not having the ability to provide for a living due to lack of appropriate work skills, all lead to an increase in their vulnerability to physical violence or sexual exploitation in exchange for access to the basic life necessities, and the problems are not exclusive for women, as girls in refugee camps are also exposed to several problems, the most important of which the early or forced marriage due to the deterioration of material conditions, the changing nature of social relations and the deterioration of education opportunities for girls owing to the refusal of parents to send them to schools out of fear and poor financial capacity. [6; p. 20]

In Syria, due to the 11-years-long war and according to 2021 statistics, more than 5.5 million Syrians left the country, most of them to neighboring countries, especially Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, and to the figures provided by the UN Refugee Agency and the governments of the host countries are conflicting. [7]

As for women and children, being the most vulnerable in all conflicts and wars, numbers show that about 50.7% of Syrian refugees are women and 55% are children under the age of eighteen, a quarter of Syrian women refugee run asylum homes on their own and 78% of people registered with the United Nations to receive asylum assistance are women. [6; p. 20]

The Importance of World Refugee Day and its Impact on the World

World Refugee Day was first celebrated in 2001 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, this day highlights the plight of those people who have been forced to leave their homes and lives behind under fear of death, in order to affirm the rights of refugees and their importance in the international communities and the importance of allocating part of the community support to refugees in order to help them succeed and not only survive. [8]

This day is held to remind the world that there are people who struggle daily to obtain the least basic human rights of housing, clothing, and safe drinking water and that there are many ways to integrate refugees into communities and help them gain access to decent life opportunities for them and their families, as well as to increase efforts in bringing peace between states, thus alleviating refugee crises. [9]

Also read: The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

The Initiative’s view of World Refugee Day

Based on the principles of our initiative, which seek to provide Syrian women with the best possible life, we find in World Refugee Day an opportunity to recall the importance of this issue to the international community and a ray of hope to improve the conditions experienced by refugees, especially women and children, and our initiative is always ready to help solve any issue faced by women via the form found on our social media accounts on the belief of the necessity to achieve the best life for Syrian women.

♀️ Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative aims at sustainable peace building in Syria through targeting women and providing them with free online courses, workshops, discussion sessions and trainings, with a view to achieving the goals of Gender Equality, Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth, which all fall into the interest of society as a whole and serve the purpose of rebuilding it.

References:

[1] Aljazeera

[2] E3arabi

[3] MSF

[4] BBC News- Figures and facts

[5] BBC News

[6] Arabic Report

[7] DW.com

[8] UNHCR

[9] History-hub