World Tourism Day 27 September| Investing in People, Planet, and Prosperity

  Tourism and green investment

World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on September 27. The day was established by the United Nations World Tourism Organization in 1980 to raise awareness of tourism’s role in the world.

UNWTO has identified investments as one of the key priorities for tourism’s recovery and future growth and development. For World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, for planet and for prosperity. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.

World Tourism Day 2023 will be a call to action to the international community, governments, multilateral financial institutions, development partners and private sector investors to unite around a new tourism investment strategy.

The overall disruption in the tourism sector brought about by COVID-19, provides an opportunity to redefine and recalibrate the direction and narratives of tourism investments for a more sustainable future for the People, the Planet, and prosperity.  

An excursion to Angola Handicraft Square

The Craft Market is the largest square in Angola where pieces that represent the national culture and a little of the history of Africa are sold, it is located in the south of Luanda, the square has been operational for over 30 years.

What to find on the market

In the Craft Market you can find the following:

- Musical instruments: reco-reco, the batoque, the marimba and the quissanje;

- Baskets made of straw;

- Clothing and jewelry;

- Masks, Maps and other Statues made from tree trunks;

- Hand-painted pictures, there are also pictures on the market that are - made only with sand, that is, made with sand instead of a brush and paint.

Meet the black trunk used to make a statue

The statues in the Craft Market are made of brown, white and black wood trunks. The trunk of black wood is a rare wood that only exists in Angola and is used to carve the works, this black wood is born in the middle of a trunk of brown wood.

In the Artesanato Market you will find the history of the Angolan people who are divided by tribes, in Angola you will find 3 ethnic groups, first we have the sheep, most of the population belongs to this ethnic group, secondly we have the kicongos, in third we have the bacon which is represented by the smallest number of the population.

Statue of the thinker

This World Tourism Day 2023, the UNWTO,  under the theme “Tourism and green investment” highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN roadmap for a better world by 2030. Now is the time for new and innovative solutions, not just traditional investments that promote and underpin economic growth and productivity.

Goal 9 seeks to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Economic growth, social development and climate action are heavily dependent on investments in infrastructure, sustainable industrial development and technological progress.

Luanda turns 447 years old

The city of Luanda completed on Wednesday [25.01.2023] its 447th anniversary.

Located on the west coast of Africa, Luanda is the capital of Angola and was founded on January 25, 1576, by the Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais, under the name of “São Paulo de Asunción De Loanda”.

One year after its foundation, Paulo Dias de Novais laid the stone for the construction of the church dedicated to São Sebastião, in the place where today is the Central Museum of the Armed Forces. Three decades later, with the increase in the European population and the consequent increase in buildings, the village becomes a city.

After the Independence of Angola, in 1975, the Municipality of Luanda was extinguished, dividing the territory of the province, first, in three municipalities and, later, in nine: Cazenga, Ingombota, Kilamba Kiaxi, Maianga, Rangel, Sambizanga, Samba , Viana and Cacuaco.

With millions of inhabitants, the city of Luanda, whose name comes from Axiluandas,” the men of the sea " native to Cape Island, is the main financial, commercial, economic and industrial center of Angola. Its inhabitants are mostly members of the ambundos, congos and ovimbundos ethnic groups, with relevant fractions of all Angolan ethnic origins. There is also a population of European origin, consisting mainly of Portuguese.

Luanda has as its visit cards the Bay of Luanda, the old Marginal Avenue or Avenida 4 de Fevereiro, where imposing works of architecture are implanted, such as the building of the National Bank of Angola, which still maintains the coat of arms of Portugal on the facade. 

The colonial historical buildings, such as the Provincial government, the Museums of the Armed Forces, Anthropology, currency, Natural History and slavery, where you can see instruments of coercion and immobilization used against slaves are, among others, places that prove to be authentic postcards.

After more than four centuries of existence, Luanda continues, among other aspects, to struggle with anarchic constructions, acts of vandalism of public and private property. Still, Luanda continues to be loved by all!

   Luanda the most expensive city in the world

In 2015, Luanda was rated to be the most expensive city in the world by several surveys. This has been argued to be a subjective view, based on one side of the city: that of expats and the rich.

In reality, Luanda has different economic streams, one for locals that is reasonable and comprised of road side restaurants, markets, vendors, hawkers and bootleggers, and another one based on restaurants, hotels, supermarkets with exorbitant pricing for the most simple commodities.

Luanda has long been one of the most exciting African music cities, spearheading and originating movements and sounds such as kuduro, semba, kizomba and most recently, along with South Africa, afrohouse. With it's economic boom, due to oil finds, and the subsequent crash, the force of the music scene has not subsided one bit.

Did you know?

• Tourism employs one in every ten people on Earth.
• Tourism in rural areas can particularly benefit traditionally disadvantaged groups such as women - who make up 54% of the workforce in the tourism sector compared to 39% for the whole economy - youth and Indigenous people.
• In emerging destinations, 50% of young people are unable to work in tourism due to a lack of opportunity, resources, or access to academic training.
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International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2023: Legacy: Finding Hope and Building a Peaceful future

 

PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution (A/RES/72/165 (2017), established 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism in order raise awareness on the importance of supporting victims of terrorism during their rehabilitation, to observe a minute of silence for the lost ones, to honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorism, to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Video on demand 

FORUM: "Legacy: Finding Hope and Building a Peaceful future." International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism 2023.

The eighth review resolution, adopted on 22 June 2023 (A/RES/77/298) notes the importance ofupholding the rights and supporting the needs of victims of terrorism, in particular of women, children and those affected by sexual and gender-based violence committed by terrorists. It encourages all Member States todevelop national comprehensive assistance plans for victims of terrorism and their familiestoaddress the immediate-, short- and long-term needs of victims of terrorism. The resolution welcomed the first United Nations Global Congress of Victims of Terrorism, held in September 2022 at United Nations Headquarters, encourages the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, through the Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme and the United Nations Victims of Terrorism Support Portal, to continue toraise awareness on victims of terrorism and the promotion and protection of their rights. This includes strengthening the capacity of Member States to assist victims of terrorism and strengthen their engagement with relevant civil society and private sector organisations, which can play a valuable role inassisting and supporting victims of terrorism. 

The SDGs 16 promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

The SDGs aim to significantly reduce all forms of violence and work with governments and communities to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity. Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights are keys to this process, as is reducing the flow of illicit arms and strengthening the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.

Peace, stability, human rights, and effective governance based on the rule of law are important conduits for sustainable development. We are residing in a world that is increasingly divided. Some regions enjoy sustained levels of peace, security, and prosperity, whereas others fall into seemingly endless cycles of conflict and violence. This is by no means inevitable and must be addressed.

There is no doubt that the inclusion of this goal in the SDGs is significant. However, more importantly, it is to be argued that SDG 16 is the most important goal, without which none of the other goals can be sustained. It should be in the core to make realize other goals. 

SDG 16 is just as complex as it is significant. It is persuasive to view peace, security, and governance as complex political issues that fall squarely in the purview of governments and security agencies or as issues specific to “conflict zones.” However, SDG 16 is not just about ending wars and reducing the incidence of violence. In addition to two targets on reducing violence, SDG 16 also has a focus on important drivers of conflict including access to justice, corruption and bribery, transparency, fundamental freedoms, and participatory decision-making.

Government and International Organizations must put Goal 16 as a prerequisite and to the core of SDGs [Figure 1]. There should be unambiguous indicators to reflect peace is prevailing. Means of implementation need to be focused. 

Figure 1.

The spread of weapons of mass destruction poses a threat to the international community. Indiscriminate trade in conventional arms and the use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles raises serious humanitarian and security concerns. Sale of arms and innovating on mass destructive weapons need to be reduced. 

Although primary responsibility for ensuring peace rested at the national level, such responsibility must be accompanied by responsible behavior and international cooperation.

Global processes need to be leveraged to facilitate national-level action. This should include building a global partnership that brings together supporters of peaceful, justice, and inclusive societies, providing context-specific support, and addressing transnational drivers of conflict, such as illicit financial flows and arm flows. All stakeholders need to demonstrate a strong commitment to implementation. Serious efforts toward achieving global peace and justice are not visible.

Goal 16 as a prerequisite and the core of all SDGs. SDGs by 2030 cannot be achieved without global peace. The gap between aspirations and intent must be reduced.

#UNiteforVictimsofTerrorism, 

#UNCCT, 

#VictimsofTerrorism,  

#21August, 

#FindingHope, #BuildingaPeacefulFuture.

World Steelpan Day

 

The steelpan

The steelpan (also known as a pan, steel drum, and sometimes, collectively with other musicians, as a steelband or steel orchestra) is a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago. It is played using a pair of straight sticks tipped with rubber; the size and type of rubber tip varies according to the class of pan being played. Some musicians use four pansticks, holding two in each hand. This grew out of Trinidad and Tobago's early 20th-century Carnival percussion groups.

Steelpan and sustainable development

Cultural diversity and the pursuit of cultural development by all peoples and nations are a source of mutual enrichment for the cultural life of humankind. The importance of promoting and preserving cultural diversity is set out in the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.

The steelpan possesses cultural and historical significance and correlates to cultural, social and economic development. It also has the potential in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, through its use in sectors such as tourism, culture, education, as well as science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

World Steelpan Day

Acknowledging that the steelpan promotes inclusive societies, sustainable communities and the creative economy and can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, gender equality and youth empowerment, the General Assembly decided to proclaim 11 August as World Steelpan Day.

The Assembly invited stakeholders to observe World Steelpan Day, through activities aimed at raising awareness of the cultural and historical significance of the steelpan as well as its link to sustainable development.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: "Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind"

THEME 2023

"Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind"

The campaign for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023 aims to raise awareness of disturbing developments and trends identified by UNODC and calls on governments, law enforcement, public services, and civil society to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end impunity.

Global crises, conflicts, and the climate emergency are escalating trafficking risks. Displacement and socio-economic inequalities are impacting millions of people worldwide, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers. Those who lack legal status, live in poverty, have limited access to education, healthcare, or decent work, face discrimination, violence, or abuse, or come from marginalized communities are often the primary targets of traffickers.

Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking

Human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex. Since 2003 the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has collected information on about 225,000 victims of trafficking detected worldwide. Globally countries are detecting and reporting more victims and are convicting more traffickers. This can be the result of increased capacity to identify victims and/or an increased number of trafficked victims.

Another important development is the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants, which produced the groundbreaking New York Declaration. Of the nineteen commitments adopted by countries in the Declaration, three are dedicated to concrete action against the crimes of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit, or destination for victims. Traffickers the world over continue to target women and girls. The vast majority of detected victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation and 35 per cent of those trafficked for forced labour are female. Conflict further exacerbates vulnerabilities, with armed groups exploiting civilians and traffickers targeting forcibly displaced people. 

To end human trafficking, we cannot allow this crime to be met with increasing indifference and impunity. We must strengthen resilience against exploitation and the underlying socio-economic and cultural issues that are conducive to trafficking. We must sensitize everyone to the topic of human trafficking and thus push attention towards those who can make a difference in terms of changing policy and national resource management to strengthen prevention measures, improve identification of victims, increase support of survivors and end impunity.

Global crises, conflicts, and the climate emergency are escalating trafficking risks. Displacement and socio-economic inequalities are impacting millions of people worldwide, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers. Those who lack legal status, live in poverty, have limited access to education, healthcare, or decent work, face discrimination, violence, or abuse, or come from marginalized communities are often the primary targets of traffickers.

Globally, national responses, particularly in developing States, appear to be deteriorating. Detection rates fell by 11% in 2020 and convictions plummeted by 27%, illustrating a worldwide slowdown in the criminal justice response to trafficking. The COVID-19 pandemic also changed the characteristics of trafficking, pushing it further underground and potentially increasing the dangers to victims by making the crime less likely to come to the attention of the authorities. In fact, 41% of victims who manage to escape their ordeal reach out to the authorities on their own initiative – another clear sign that anti-trafficking responses are falling short.

“Leave no one behind” is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the context of trafficking in persons, leaving people behind means:

1. failing to end the exploitation of trafficking victims,

2. failing to support victim-survivors once they are free from their traffickers, and

3. leaving identifiable groups vulnerable to traffickers.

At the implementation mid-point of the 2030 Agenda and ahead of the SDG Summit 2023 this year, it is crucial to raise awareness and reinforce global commitments to eliminate trafficking in persons as specifically mentioned in SDG 5, 8 and 16.

UN marks International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

 Together Always: United in Diversity

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia and Transphobia is observed on May 17 and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide. By 2016 the commemorations had taken place in over 130 countries.

Mentioning this year’s theme in a statement to mark the day, Together Always: United in Diversity, the UN chief called on leaders ‘to speak with one voice” to eliminate stigma and discrimination, that result in sometimes deadly attacks targeting LGBTQI+ communities.

The Secretary-General showed his deep concern over the levels of violence directed towards LGBTQI+ people and how those communities are still vulnerable to multiple forms of attack.

“As we mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, we face a stark fact. In every corner of the world, LGBTQI+ people continue to face violence, persecution, hate speech, injustice, and even outright murder,” said the UN chief.

''Pride - Embrancing diversity-LGBTQ in Angola''

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the latest webisode of our show!

This analysis focused on whether people around Angola think that homosexuality should be accepted by society or not. The full question wording was, “Angola has decriminalized homosexuality. What's your opinion? 

Today we have a very special guest, she/he belongs to the LGBTQ community in Angola.

My name is Euclides Manuel, I belong to the LGBTQ community.

Can you tell us what your daily life has been like? How do people view you in society?

Thank God my days has been more or less, some people accept me and others don't. But I try to appease so there are no quarrels.

In this way, I ask that people respect me, that people have more love and more empathy for the LGBTQ community.

We are also human and we are people just like you and our right is also the same as yours.

So have more love and more passion for us.

It's all we want.

Thanks!

We interviewed several people of different genders and ages, and carefully analyzed each one's point of view. Very few people say that society should accept homosexuality; specifically 98% of them categorically do not accept homosexuality, other 2% who support the inclusion of the LGBTQ community in society are people who apparently are not rigorous practitioners of religion.

For example, this woman who preferred to speak anonymously was very satisfied with the decision of the Angolan government, for having decriminalized homosexuality in our society.

Hi!

What did Angola do?

Angola has decriminalized homosexuality. What is your point of view?

Well, for me this is even better, it's good.

So, do you agree with the government's decision?

Yeah, if they decided like that, who are we to say no?

This research was enough to realize that there are no significant differences between the opinion of men and women in the capital of Angola. However, of the 6 people interviewed (except the LGBTQ representative), there was a significant difference, women were more likely to approve of homosexuality than men. 

We spoke with 6 ordinary citizens 3 female and 3 male, the study shows the largest divide, with 90% of 2 females saying homosexuality should be accepted by society against 10% of a female who does not accept homosexuality. In the case of boys, 100% of them categorically do not accept homosexuality and they are based on very strict biblical principles.

Religion, both as it relates to the relative importance in people’s lives and actual religious affiliation, also plays a large role in perceptions of the acceptability of homosexuality in many societies across the globe.

In our case study, those who say religion is “somewhat,” “not too” or “not at all” important in their lives are more likely to say that homosexuality should be accepted than those who say religion is “very” important.

Despite major changes in laws and norms surrounding the issue of same-sex marriage and the rights of LGBT people around the world, public opinion on the acceptance of homosexuality in society remains sharply divided by country, region and economic development.

Angola has decriminalized homosexuality. What's your opinion?

Good evening ladies and gentlemen,

You're welcome to the second day of our program!

Today we have a lady who categorically does not agree with the inclusion of LGBT people in Angola.

Interviews. What is the public's opinion? Agree or disagree?

Today we have two guests of completely different age, sex and opinion.

What is the opinion of this 67 year old man?

Good afternoon!

Good afternoon.

Please, can you tell us your age?

I am 67 years old.

Angola has decriminalized homosexuality. Do you agree or disagree?

I do not agree.

Why?

Because it's always nice to have a girlfriend.

Why exactly?

Because man with man doesn't work. It has to be just a woman with a man.

This 15-year-old girl thinks completely different

Good afternoon girl!

Good afternoon.

What is your name?

My name is Edvania.

How old are you?

I'm 15 years old.

What do you think of homosexuality in Angola?

Honestly speaking I think this is normal. A man liking another man like him... I can't explain.

But for me it's something basic that can happen from one day to the next (overnight).

So, do you agree with the new government law?

Yes I agree.

Our campaign came to an end, collecting very important interviews. The end of the program is not the end of the movement, thanks to all who believes and supports our initiative.

Please click the links below to watch all the webisodes.

1. kickoff event - Embracing diversity. LGBTQ in Angola. day 1 

2. Embracing diversity. LGBTQ in Angola. day 2

3. Embracing diversity. LGBTQ in Angola. day 3

4. Embracing diversity. LGBTQ in Angola. day 4

We stand for inclusivity. We believe that everyone has the right to a safe and welcoming environment in our society.

Harassment includes but is not limited to offensive verbal or written comments related to gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, social class, economic status, veteran status, sexual images, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

Summary: Be respectful. Harassment and abuse are never tolerated.

The SDGs have a guiding principle that “no one will be left behind” and a commitment to prioritizing the poorest and most marginalized. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 has similar commitments to including and prioritizing the poorest and most marginalized in development efforts. There is wide-spread evidence that sexual and gender minorities are often among the most socially, politically and economically marginalized populations and thus require specific consideration and targeted inclusion to realize the vision of the SDGs. 

We have zero-tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of  race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.