I am Engineer Sofonie Dala, I am the founder of this platform!
As we are preparing ourselves for COP28, we are delighted to announce our new brand "Children's Art Challenge to drive the SDGs."We will unlock one sdg per day. It may not be in ascending order.
Our work targets children, youth and women around the world - the next generation of consumers and change-makers to show that sustainable living is easy, cool and fun.
Our hero today is David, he is 13 years old, he painted Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Our children are sharing their inspirational creations about how to limit climate change. We invite school-aged children to unleash their creativity and envision a sustainable future through their art. Together, let's paint a brighter tomorrow for our planet.”
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Indigenous peoples’ communities are tightly bound to key elements of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies (SDG 16).
These women abandoned their land because of famine and drought in southern Angola. They came to Capital Luanda, looking for better living conditions. But the reality here in the city is much more cruel, they face discrimination and social exclusion, many have been victims of sexual violence.
They usually sell traditional oils, mupeke oil for hair and dibaleia (cow fat) oil for body massage, but due to social discrimination, this business is not profitable and they end up begging and wandering around the city of Luanda.
These women live a life of extreme poverty in the country's capital, face discrimination and social exclusion, which makes it difficult for them to earn income from their business.
Sometimes stopping to talk to them and buy one of their products, even if you don't need it, is an act of solidarity that can raise these women's self-esteem and make them feel useful and valued.
Video on demand
Ladies good afternoon!
Good afternoon.
What's your name?
My name is Elisa
And you?
My name is Ana.
What province did you come from?
We came from Lubango.
Why did you come to Luanda?
We came to sell oil.
What kind of oil is this and for what purpose?
This is mupeke oil and this is dibaleia oil.
Mupeke oil can be put in the hair, and dibaleia oil can be used to massage the body and relieve pain.
How is life here in Luanda? Is it easy or hard?
Well, this business is not paying off, people are not buying.
Did you bring a lot of oil from Lubango?
Yes we brought a lot of oil but it is not yielding, this business is slow, everything is stagnant.
Here in Luanda where do you live?
We live in Bem-fica.
From Bem-fica to here? Too far?
And how do you live in the Bem-fica? Is there a big house where you all reside?
We are living with a countrywoman of ours.
So you came to the municipality of Cazenga to try to market the mupeke oil business that is not being profitable?
Yes, yes we are trying to spread our business.
Is this your baby?
Yes.
Do you have husbands?
Yes, the husbands stayed in Lubango.
Your husbands stayed there to graze animals, didn't they?
Yes, they are taking care of the land.
The Mumuila people are people from the ‘Nhaneca-humbi’ ethno-linguistic group spread throughout the province of Huila.
They are one of the peoples who still maintain their ancient customs and traditions. Many people are unaware of its existence. The Mumuilas are cattle breeders, which is their main source of livelihood.
Circulating in the city's arteries or positioned in the streets and markets, children, girls and adult women, mumuilas arouse the curiosity of anyone, especially visitors, forcing them to make a short stop.
Generally, the ladies have part of the body adorned with samakaka cloths, typical braids, the neck surrounded with beads of various colors, which also serve to adorn the head, neck, trunk, where the necklaces are placed forming the mathematical sign of times (X), as well as bracelets representing the local transcendental cultural wealth, to be preserved and valued.
On the streets, they sell natural teas and mumpeke and Ngundi oil to vitaminize the hair. Naked, by cultural imperative, these women attract the eyes of most tourists, some unaware of the uses and customs of the Nyaneka-Nhkumbi ethno-linguistic group.
Indigenous peoples play a unique and valuable role in ensuring the sustainable management of a significant share of the world’s lands, ecosystems and biodiversity. Indeed, the territories of indigenous peoples are home to 80 per cent of the world’s biodiversity.
Equally important, the food systems of indigenous peoples are anchored in sustainable livelihoods and the principle of ensuring the food sovereignty and well-being of communities.
It is therefore an especially unfortunate reality that indigenous peoples are among the people most likely to be left behind – poverty rates among the world’s estimated 476 million indigenous peoples are significantly higher than for populations at large – as a result of discrimination, historic injustices, and inability (or, in some cases, lack of political willingness) to protect their internationally enshrined rights to their lands and territories.
As a result of indigenous peoples’ strong engagement in the process towards the 2030 Agenda, the final resolution “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” (A/RES/70/1) refers to indigenous peoples 6 times, three times in the political declaration; two in the targets under Goal 2 on Zero Hunger (target 2.3) and Goal 4 on education (target 4.5) – and one in the section on follow up and review that calls for indigenous peoples’ participation.
In addition to the above-mentioned goals on hunger, the environment and climate, and peaceful societies, in contexts where issues related to the exclusion of indigenous peoples from the benefits of development – and failure to uphold their rights – are not adequately addressed, it will be impossible to end poverty (SDG 1), achieve gender equality (SDG 5) or reduce inequalities (SDG 10).
Older persons are invaluable sources of knowledge and experience and have much to contribute towards peace, sustainable development, and protecting our planet.
Ladies and gentlemen,
My name is Sofonie Dala, I'm from Angola.
Welcome to our cultural-historical program! Today we are going to talk about the International Day of Older Persons and the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.
These are two very important dates that cannot go unnoticed. For this reason, we invited the veteran Mr Ricardo, who will tell us about what life was like in the time of slavery.
"It is time to abolish human exploitation once and for all, and to recognize the equal and unconditional dignity of each and every individual. Today, let us remember the victims and freedom fighters of the past so that they may inspire future generations to build just societies."
Video on demand
Interview
Good afternoon.
Good afternoon, Thank you very much.
What's your name?
My name is Mr. Ricardo Luis Borges.
How old are you now?
I am 68 years old.
Alright. We are celebrating the International Day of remembrance of the slave trade and its abolition.
As you already existed in colonial times, we would like you to share with us your story of what life was like in that era, what did you witness? Please feel free.
Well, what I witnessed was the following:
When white people came from Portugal to Angola, they arrived in crates at the port. The white bosses forbade us to open the crates. They said we shouldn't open the crates because there were crockeryand fragile things that would break.
But they used these lies to dominate the Angolans, but even so they were unable to dominate the Angolans in their entirety because the Angolans were smarter.
And when you got around to opening the crates, what did you find?
We found the men. Around two to three Portuguese people started coming out inside those big crates.
The white people who were coming from Portugal were not very intelligent men, they didn't even know how to eat bananas.
They used to ask us how do you eat bananas? We used to answer that bananas are eaten with the peel, while bananas are not eaten with the peel. The Portuguese were very stupid men.
When white people came to our land they worked as employees in the stores of their more empowered families who had already been here for a long time, but within a year they also became empowered and opened their own stores too and consequently they also started bringing their children, families and friends...
That's how they worked, in one year they became rich and opened their businesses, and made us slaves.
They mistreated us and beat us with whips.
Black people were beaten savagely. If they didn't see us with shovels in our hands digging and cleaning the grass on the railway, it would be a problem. When we tried to complain, they tortured us.
I'm 68 years old, I haven't seen many terrible events, but my father saw and lived through it all.
What did they do to your father?
The old people were hired but didn't earn anything. They were forced to dig the railway with their hands, from one province to another. My father and other elders dug the railway from our province to the province of Malange, they were not paid, they only received a small meal during the day.
Has your father ever become a victim of other crimes?
My father started exchanging merchandise at another man's store and tried to escape his swindler boss.
Then my father's boss, who was a very dishonest man, crossed out my father's name and put his name on a red list to be killed in the 1961 war.
They set aside a day to carry out raids in the neighborhoods, they took out the red list with the names of all those who protested against their bosses, they were all called one by one, placed in a jeep and transported to be killed in the Zenza river of Golungo Alto, this same The river also passes through the city of Luanda.
After that 1961 massacre, they collected another group of Angolans to be killed in the rivers in 1970. Then the white people who lived in Luanda ordered not to kill any more black people in the Zenza River because they were consuming those waters that came with blood, hair and other remains. Since that date all black people started to be killed in the forests around Manganes towards Banga. The Angolans of 1970 have been killed, but River deaths have happened twice.
MANY TERRIBLE THINGS AND BAD TASTE PRANKS HAVE HAPPENED HERE.
Was your father a very prosperous man?
Yes, my father was a great man, successful and very prosperous.
What did he own?
He had his coffee farms. When the white man measured my father's coffee on the scale, he didn't like it and started to covet and envy my father's wealth, the white man then started to plan my father's murder saying that he is very prosperous and is outdated, that's why for which he must be killed, then he wrote my father's name on the list of those who should be killed.
His former boss was outraged to see this, and said that my father should perish immediately because he was exchanging coffee merchandise with another gentleman. Then the bad white man talked to the new Lord to pay all the cons and transfer my father's merchandise to his store.
Then my father was killed. White people also didn't like wise, smart and intelligent black people, they were seen as a threat. So they rounded up all intelligent black people to be murdered.
That's why Agostinho Neto, the first president of Angola, was not well regarded. Then, also in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Patricio Lumumba was reigning, the white people didn't like him either, they said, here he is, he's going to free you.
So you were already in the period of Angola's liberation, at the time of independence?
Yes, I was a soldier and also fought for Angola's independence in 1975. We used to sing colonists, you can go, we're not doing anything here, you have to leave our country, you've been here for a long time.
We black people no longer wanted to see white people in our land. The whole country was full of white people.
There was also a detail for which we suffered a lot. At that time, if you didn't pay minimum tax, it would be a problem. At the age of 20, young people were already obliged to pay taxes, if they didn't work yet then their father paid for it obligatorily. The minimum fee was 300 escudos, 300 escudos was a lot of money at that time, regardless of whether the person worked or not, the parents had to scramble to pay for their children all the time.
OK. In which province was Mr. Ricardo born, in Luanda?
I was born in Golungo Alto in 1955, I remember when I turned 18 years old. I practically lived through slavery. I couldn't pay taxes, but the white people beat me up a lot because of this, they beat me a lot. It wasn't long before I started picking it up. Then the revolution came and every young man had to join the military without any other option, and it wasn't a raid. We made this decision because we had to end slavery in our country. I decided to go to war voluntarily, when the MPLA emerged we signed up to go to combat, and end slavery in our country.
We already have independence, but I am also not seeing it well, we are still suffering.
Music sung in the time of the colonist:
We will kill and drive white people out of our country, slavery must end.
2023 Theme: Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations
Seventy-five years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, a monumental document in the history of human rights. Written by representatives from around the world with different legal, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, it is the first document articulating the fundamental human rights that are meant to be universally protected. In recognition of this milestone, and looking to a future that delivers on the promise to ensure that all persons, including all older persons, fully enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms, the 33rd commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons will focus on the theme of “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations”. The event will put a spotlight on the specificity of older persons around the world, for the enjoyment of their rights and in addressing violations, and how the strengthening of solidarity through equity and reciprocity between generations offers sustainable solutions to deliver on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The work of the International Community around intergenerational solidarity has demonstrated, time and again, through various fora that intergenerational solutions, which are guided by the human rights principles of participation, accountability, non-discrimination and equality, empowerment and legality, can contribute to rekindle the legacy, relevance and activism of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by empowering both youth and older persons to shift the needle of political will towards fulfilling the promises of the Declaration for all people across generations.
Objectives of UNIDOP 2023:
To increase global knowledge and awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and generate commitments among all stakeholders to strengthen the protection of the human rights of current and future generations of older persons around the world;
To share and learn from intergenerational models for the protection of human rights around the world; and
To call on Governments and UN entities to review their current practices with a view to better integrate a life course approach to human rights in their work, and to ensure the active and meaningful participation of all stakeholders, including civil society, national human rights institutions and older persons themselves, in the work on strengthening solidarity among generations and intergenerational partnerships.
Background
On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons (resolution 45/106). This was preceded by initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the UN General Assembly.
In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons (resolution 46/91). In 2002, the Second World Assembly on Ageing adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and to promote the development of a society for all ages.
The number of older people (defined as those aged 65 years or older) tripled from around 260 million in 1980 to 761 million in 2021. Between 2021 and 2050, the global share of the older population is projected to increase from less than 10% to around 17%.
Rapid growth in the number of people reaching older ages underscores the significance of promoting health, preventing, and treating illnesses throughout the entire course of life.
In societies with aging populations, it becomes imperative to adjust to the increasing number of elderly individuals who possess a diverse range of functional capacities. The capability to carry out essential functions and partake in everyday activities is influenced not solely by an individual's inherent capacity but also by the social and physical environments in which they reside. Supportive environments play a pivotal role in assisting older individuals to maintain their activity levels and independence as they progress in age.
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, 23 August
On the night of 22 to 23 August 1791, in Saint Domingue, today the Republic of Haiti, saw the beginning of the uprising that would play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
It is against this background that the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is commemorated on 23 August each year. It was first celebrated in a number of countries, in particular in Haiti (23 August 1998) and Gorée Island in Senegal (23 August 1999).
This International Day is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples. In accordance with the goals of the intercultural project "The Routes of Enslaved Peoples", it 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, the Americas and the Caribbean.
SDG 10 is about Reducing inequalities and ensuring no one is left behind are integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
SDG 16 calls for peaceful and inclusive societies based on respect for human rights, protection of the most vulnerable, the rule of law and good governance at all levels. It also envisions transparent, effective and accountable institutions.
How did our ancestors fight for democracy in the colonial period?
Democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights are bedrocks of resilient, inclusive, and peaceful societies. They underwrite freedom, advance sustainable development, and protect the dignity and rights of every person.
The 15th of September is International Day of Democracy. This day is an occasion to consider the significance of democracy and work to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide.
Interview with elder Marta Mainga
Grandma, good afternoon!
Good afternoon my daughter.
What's your name?
My name is Marta Mainga João.
Grandma, how old are you?
I no longer remember what my correct age is.
Please tell us a little about what life was like during the colonist’s time.
Life in the colonist's time, when we still lived with our ancestors, was very cruel.
We were all forced to go out to the fields to work. Husbands had to go out and we wives had to go out too, we left the little children starving at home. Then our little children also started to be forced to go out to work, our houses were kept closed.
When we woke up later, we realized that we were being used and enslaved without any reward.
When we tried to complain about fatigue and excesses, we were beaten, punished and put down. We were going through a lot of injustice. They forced us to walk long distances and had no right to rest, if we tried to complain we were punished.
If God said, by the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, why for these white people we work without rest, we are enslaved without receiving any reward?
So we started to protest against the whites, we started to expel them so that they could return to their land and leave us in peace with our Africa, our land.
We, all the slaves, came together to kill and drive away the white people, because it wasn't fair that they were using us and enslaving us on our land without paying us anything.
Some white people fled, others showed resistance and continued to enslave us. So we went out with machetes in hand to fight them.
We must work with the will and gift that God gave us and consequently reap the fruits of our hard work. But white people didn't want our happiness. We were forced to work, beating us up with whips, and they didn't pay us anything. They made us slaves and tortured us, for them men and women, children and the elderly were all equal. They didn't feel sorry for anyone.
Was it very painful to live in that era?
Yes, it was very difficult.
We took up machetes to expel the white people from our land, they began to flee by plane. We picked up rocks and started throwing them at the plane, one of the planes crashed...
We grabbed some white people, one of them couldn't escape and stayed in the way because he was badly injured, the other white man we sent to zaire.
We used to sing it: If this land is truly ours, then you white people must leave our land, so that we can have peace. They always used firearms to kill us.
We had no weapons, but with machetes and stones in our hands, we drove all the white people away from our land.
Did you fight hard for democracy and achieve freedom?
Yes, we suffered a lot, at that time there was no democracy.
God said, by the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, but white people wanted to enrich themselves at our expense.
Can the empty bag stand upright? It cannot.
So a person who works a lot without rest and without eating also has no strength to stand up.
White people have sinned a lot against us.
2023 Theme: Empowering the next generation
This year’s theme for the International Day of Democracy, “Empowering the next generation,” focuses on young people’s essential role in advancing democracy and ensuring that their voices are included in the decisions that have a profound impact on their world.
Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the ability to elect their leaders and make decisions regarding the administration of their country. It is founded upon the principles of liberty, equality, and fairness.
Young people are the current and future custodians of democracy
An engaged, well-educated electorate is at the heart of strong democratic societies. Creating an environment in which young people feel their voice counts is crucial.
Young people must navigate a world in which democracies are under threat from factors ranging from the proliferation of online mis- and disinformation, to rising populism, and the destabilizing effects of the climate crisis. It is important everyone is able to meaningfully participate in the decisions that affect their lives now, and in years to come.
Unresolved conflicts, the rising threat of climate change and financial turmoil pose a constant threat to democracies around the world. “The walls are closing in on civic spaces,” warns United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the International Day of Democracy.
In his message marking the day, the UN chief blames the current spread of mis- and disinformation that is “poisoning public discourse, polarizing communities, and eroding trust in institutions”.
Given the damaging effect that this flood of false information can have on young people, this year's International Day of Democracy is dedicated to "Empowering the Next Generation" by focusing on the critical role of children and youngsters in ensuring democracy “today and in the future.”
Climate justice and democracy
The effects of the climate crisis on the physical environment are today impossible to ignore, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is a challenge to democracy: growing food insecurity, migration, water scarcity, and extreme weather events are driving conflict and weighing on the minds of voters.
Young people around the world have shown that they are extremely concerned about the climate crisis; in recent years hundreds of thousands of school age children, frustrated by the pace of negotiations to cut fossil fuel emissions, have taken part in large-scale marches, strikes, and protests.
Calls for climate justice have also been a feature of these demonstrations: young people realize that they are likely to suffer the consequences of an increasingly unstable climate, caused by the activities of earlier generations.
The United Nations recognizes the importance of empowering young people to take leadership roles on issues of international importance; the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth convenes the Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals, a group of 17 changemakers whose leadership is catalyzing the achievement of the SDGs, and the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change ensures that the Secretary-General hears directly from young climate activists, who can share strategies for advancing climate action.
The UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) finances projects that empower civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes, including youth.
Democracy is a form of government in which the people have the ability to elect their leaders and make decisions regarding the administration of their country. It is founded upon the principles of liberty, equality, and fairness.
The democratic system is a fragile institution. To uphold democratic principles necessitates the active participation of citizens and the commitment of leaders. Corruption, inequality, and authoritarian regimes are among the numerous hazards to democracy.
Despite these obstacles, democracy continues to be an indispensable institution for advancing peace, prosperity, and human rights. Democratic nations are more likely to be tranquil and stable, and their economic performance and human development tend to be superior.
What Is International Democracy Day’s Background?
The United Nations General Assembly established this day in 2007 through a resolution titled “Support by the United Nations system to the endeavors of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies.”
The resolution was unanimously approved, demonstrating the global commitment to democracy. It acknowledges the importance of democracy in promoting peace, prosperity, and human liberties.
The 15th of September was designated to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Democracy. The Universal Declaration of Democracy is a seminal document that establishes the fundamental principles of democracy.
In the summary, the UN notes that the resolution “recognizes the Organization’s important role in providing timely, appropriate, and coherent support to the efforts of governments to accomplish democratization in the context of their development efforts.”
SDG 16 is a global effort to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”. Strengthening the focus on democracy and the rule of law is essential to achieving SDG 16 and the implementation of the whole agenda.
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