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International Day of Peace – 21 September 2023

Each year the International Day of Peace (IDP) is observed around the world on 21 September. This year’s theme is Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the #GlobalGoals. It is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. Achieving peace worldwide is a complex and challenging endeavour that requires the

International Literacy Day – Sept 8

In 1966, UNESCO declared International Literacy Day to raise awareness about the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and fundamental human right, and to move the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. Challenges It is estimated that around 14 per cent of the global population is illiterate. Though levels of illiteracy have fallen

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 30 July

Blog by Carol Infanti, SI Medway and Maidstone In line with the aim of the Sustainable Development Goals to ‘leave no one behind’, the theme for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023 is “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind” In the context of trafficking in persons, leaving people behind means: failing

President’s Message about the Report on Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts

After nearly 5 years and over 4,000 hours of volunteering time the Report on the Special Domestic Abuse Courts has been completed. The report, with recommendations, covers the final tranche of court observations (earlier reports covered our work in Northumbria, Wiltshire, and the Midlands). Specialist Domestic Abuse Courts – How special were they in 2022 (PDF)

International Plastic Bag Free Day – 3 July

Blog by Yvonne Freeman, SI Folkestone International plastic bag free day is celebrated worldwide on 3rd July.  It was originally established in 2010 by the Bag Free World organisation with the goal of highlighting the increased usage of non-renewable, single-use plastic throughout the world and to encourage people to reduce plastic usage. There has been

World Environment Day 2023- Let’s End Plastic Pollution Today

Blog by Debra Joseph- SI Barbados. World Environment Day, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is held annually on 5 June since 1973. It is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. This year makes it 50 years since its establishment! Time is

UN Day of Peacekeepers – 29 May, 2023

Blog by Mary Hession, SI Drogheda, Republic of Ireland #Peace begins with me The United Nations Day for Peacekeepers is designated to pay tribute to all the people who have served and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations throughout the world. This year, 29th May will have particular significance for us, here in Ireland. 

SIGBI President’s May 2023 Message

Dear Members, When the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were announced in 2015, there was enormous optimism throughout the world, that much could be achieved by the 2030 target. We are now more than halfway through the allotted time span and there is still a great deal to be accomplished. At the opening last month