The department of “Children and Adolescents Creativity’’ of Global Perceptiveness Greece participates in the Global Youth Service Day (GYSD).

The non-governmental organization "Global Perceptiveness" participated via its department "Children and Adolescents Creativity" in the most important global youth volunteer initiative in April 20-22, 2012.

 

The Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is a coordinated annual event in which millions of children, adolescents and youth participate, aged 5 to 25 years, under the supervision of adults in over 100 countries in 6 continents, targeting on changing the world, by tackling critical issues on health, education, environment, hunger, poverty, disaster preparedness and in the defence of human rights. More than 3000 actions took place on April 20^th – 22^nd around the world.

Sixteen young people, aged 12 to 20 years, trained in the Method of Global Perceptiveness, created a cultural performance entitled (or by the title) "The Nine Muses – Time-travellers bearing the gift of Civilization" to show to all the children of the world that you cannot improve your soul with money but with the right ideals.

 

They travelled back in time (they dived into time) to Ancient Greece, to meet the Nine Muses, those who inspired Arts and Civilization to Ancient Greeks. Guided by the great poet Aeschylus, they asked the Muses to send their messages of hope, unity and love to all the children of the world!

 

The cultural performance of the young people of Global Perceptiveness was distinguished for its originality. It was held in the Archaeological site of Eleusis with much respect and love to our ancestors and our heritage.

 

* "Global Perceptiveness" participated as an official partner of SUNFO (United Nations Friendship Organization) located in Sri Lanka.  

   

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Meeting with the Ambassador of Kingdom of Royal Thailand

SUNFO Director General Dr.Deshapriya S. Wijetunge participated a felicitation dinner hosted by His Excellency Poldej Worachat, Ambassador and Madam Worachat at the Royal Thai Embassy House, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka on April.15. Scouts Director Sayun Santad, Ken Adoonrat Nimjaroen,   Krumoo Mmp, Sanath Rohana and Embassy officials  also attended this event. Dr.Wijetunge discussed with the Ambassador and Officials about possible future cooperation between people, youth and students between two nations. Thai Youth Scouts performed impressive cultural activities during the dinner function  Ramayanaya.Dr.Wijetunge donated 50 SUNFO World International Days Calendars as a Souvenirs for the Thai delegation

YOUTH EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND EMPOWERMENT KEY TO GLOBAL PROGRESS – BAN KI-MOON

Providing education, employment and empowerment for young people are key factors in achieving global progress, Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon said today at a meeting with educators and students in New York.

"Young people everywhere deserve the power to get information, to connect and to ask hard questions – about justice, equality and opportunity. Our job is to listen to youth and answer their calls," Mr. Ban said in his keynote address to the Global Colloquium of University Presidents at Columbia University, entitled 'From Youth Explosion to Global Transformation: Unleashing the Power of Youth People.'

The Colloquium is an annual meeting of university presidents from around the world, in which a topic of immediate concern to higher education leaders and of particular interest to the Secretary-General and the international community is discussed. Mr. Ban's speech focussed on the role of three elements in achieving progress: education, employment and empowerment.

"Around the world, countries are bringing more children into classrooms, but still, more than 125 million young people cannot read or write," Mr. Ban said. "Two thirds of all illiterate people are women. This is a problem for those millions of individuals, but it is also our problem. Because when we hold women back, we hurt progress for all people."

Mr. Ban underlined that educating girls is particularly crucial so that they can contribute to their communities and boost countries' economies through their work and knowledge. In addition, he underscored that educating women on reproductive health is important as they can help prevent HIV/AIDS and maternal death.

"Learning can be a matter of life or death – especially when it comes to information on reproductive health. Every minute and a half, a woman dies in pregnancy or childbirth. Many of them are just teenagers. Their lives could be saved with the right information and supplies," he said.

Mr. Ban also stressed the need to provide employment opportunities to the 74 million young people who are unemployed worldwide, and warned that a lack of jobs can lead to social unrest, as shown by the civil uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East over the past year.

"The Arab Awakening was a season of hope and expectation. At the time, I told the region's leaders: listen to your people. They were not only talking about democracy. Many young people were looking for a better future with decent jobs and decent pay," the UN chief said, adding that in the next decade, Arab countries need to create 50 million jobs for new people joining the workforce.

Education and employment should also be coupled with empowerment, Mr. Ban said. He called on countries to encourage young people's potential and participation in society.

"To unleash the power of young people, we need to partner with them," he said, adding that the UN is boosting its own efforts to work for and with youth on issues affecting them, such as joblessness, political inclusion, human rights and sexual health, as well as the appointment of a Special Adviser on Youth.

"After I made the announcement, youth organizations with 100 million members wrote me a letter," the Secretary-General added. "They said: 'It is up to you to prove that the UN's commitment to empower young people is what you believe in and what you are striving for!' I take these words very seriously."

Venerable Pelpola Vipassi Nayaka Thero has been appointed as Vice President of International Council of Buddhist Development of Sri Lanka.(ICBDSL).

SUNFO Vice President Ven.Pelpola Vippasi Nayaka Thero  has been appointed by Rt.Hon.D.M.Jayaratne MP, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka as the Vice President of the International Council of Buddhist Development of Sri Lanka  as well as Honorray Adviser & Coordinator of  the Buddhist Affairs in Japan with the recommendation of Executive Board of ICBDSL at the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs of the Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Ven. Pelpola Vippasi  Nayaka Thero is a founder member and  an Office Bearer of Sri Lanka-United Nations Friendship Organisation (SUNFO)  and Founder-Chairman, Pelpola Vippassi Foundation. Further serving as the High Priest of The World Peace  Japan Sri Lanka Buddhist international Cultural Center

Stakeholder dialog on Rio+20 National Campaign Sri Lanka.

United Nations Development Programme together with the United Nations Volunteers invited SUNFO to participate   in stakeholder dialog on Rio+20 National Campaign Sri Lanka which was held at the UN Conference Room, UN Compound, 202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07 on 9th March,2012.

 

The UN Conference on Sustainable Development called as Rio+20  will be held Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 20-22, 2012 – 20 years after the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development.

In the words of the Secretary General of the United Nations, "Rio+20 will be one of the most important global meetings on sustainable development in our time." The objective of the Conference is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, assess the progress to date, and address new and emerging challenges.

 

As per UN this meeting was  required at national level on Rio+20 and the engagement of the general public and especially the youth of Sri Lanka is required.  Accordingly SUNFO represented at this dialogue by Youth Coordinator Mr.H.Maheshh Nishshanka.

 

 

  ( 08 Photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.266793583399625.65659.236551766423807&type=3  )

Towards 2.5 million Visitors by 2015 – to Sri Lanka

"Towards 2.5 million Visitors by 2015-Where are we now and a Policy Framework to get there", Guest Speaker Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism's addressed  on Government's plan to achieve 2.5 million visitors by 2015. Dr.Nalaka Godahewa did an excellent presentation followed by a Q&A Session. SUNFO also planning to promote Social Tourism programmes in the   future with home stays as cultural understanding and global friendship development.

 SUNFO Delegation namely Dr.Deshapriya S. Wijetunge (Director General) , Ms.Janaki Amarasinghe (Director), Mr.Janaka Ranjana (Project Director-Tourism), Eng.Hasitha Kulathunga and Mr.M.Faiz participated  for a Breakfast meeting with Dr.Nalaka Godahewa on Tuesday February 28, 2012 at Union Ball Room, Hilton Colombo Residence, Colombo 02 organized by the Council for Business with Britain.

Dr. Nalaka Godahewa also serves on the boards of Urban Development Authority, Sri Lanka Handicrafts Board, Lanka hospitals Corporation PLC, Sri Lankan Catering Pvt Ltd, Liberty Holdings (Pvt) Ltd and Agrispice Pvt Ltd. Dr. Godahewa is academically and professionally qualified in the multiple fields of Engineering, Marketing and Finance. He holds a PhD in Marketing from the University of South Australia, a B.Sc (Hons) degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Moratuwa, and an MBA from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He is also a Chartered Management Accountant (UK).

SUNFO Youth Goodwill Ambassador for India honoured at British High Commission

SUNFO Youth Goodwill Ambassador for India Mr.Dinesh  Gjendra SFSUNFO was invited by His Excellency  Mike Nithavriankis, British Deputy High Commissioner for India,Chennai to attend the Great British Sports Festival Gala Dinner  and closing ceremony with Abinav Bindra Indian Olympic Gold Medalist on March16.

Mr.Dinesh received "Community Hero" Award in The Great British Sports Festival and Abhinav Bindra Foundation's "Local Sporting Hero"Awards held at The British Deputy High Commission -Chennai. The  reception dinner hosted by H.E. Mike Nithavrianakis, Deputy High Commissioner was a  distinguished  gathering  of Olympians as well as International and National sports stars. Visit Link: 

http://ukinindia.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=PressR&id=742646682

Mr.Dinesh is a Peter Cruddas Regional Intern- Asia Pacific Region,The Duke of Edinburgh's Award International Association. He is a Supportive Fellow Life Member of SUNFO.He served as a Volunteer member of South Asian Youth Peace Camp (SAPYC)  held in Negombo, Sri Lanka in December,2011. He coordinates and promote Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) activities across India as well as in Asia & Pacific Countries while leading  a team of nominated Youth Community Service Ambassadors (YCSA) for GYSD-2012 as an Official Representative of  GYSD Asia & Pacific Regional Partners Coordinating Center -SUNFO