Equator Prize in Sustainable Development: Nominations Due March 22

Do you know someone involved in sustainable development and climate change? The Equator Prize is looking for candidates for it's 2014 contest. Please check out their website for more info! Here are details from the webpage:

The Equator Prize 2014 will recognize twenty-five local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. Profiles of past Equator Prize winners can be found here.    

Equator Prize 2014 winners will each receive $5,000 (USD), with several selected for ‘special recognition’ and an additional $15,000 (USD). 

Representatives of winning communities will be supported to participate in a series of events held in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled for September 2014 in New York.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the Equator Prize 2014, nominees must:

✔  Have been in operation for at least 3 years
✔  Be a community-based or local group, operating in a rural area
✔  Be located within a country receiving support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), excluding countries with a high level of development

Please review our eligibility requirements, selection criteria and FAQs for more information.

More details from and email we received:

The Equator Prize 2014 will honor twenty-five (25) local initiatives working to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems. 

This cycle of the award has the theme local climate action and special recognition will be awarded in:

o   Smallholder agriculture and food security

o   Forest management (including REDD+)

o   Sustainable land management

o   Ecosystem restoration

o   Sustainable energy

o   Water security

o   Disaster risk reduction

 

Nomination forms are available in 16 different languages here.  Nominations can be completed online here.

                                                                                                                                                                     

The deadline for nominations is March 22^nd, 2014.

Every Mother Counts Collecting Items for Ugandan Mothers

From the Every Mother Counts website

The non-profit Every Mother Counts, based in New York City, is collecting items for their "Every Mother Kit Drive." The kits will be sent to Uganda to help support mothers and mothers-to-be, providing them with basic items that many women struggle to access.

According to their press release, here’s what each Every Mother Kit needs:

• Items should be put into 1 (preferably) or 2 gallon –sized sealable plastic bags. 
• Baby blanket (new or gently used) 1-2 cotton baby sheets (new or gently used, crib size, fitted or not fitted) 
•  Baby hat Cloth diapers (2) &, if diapers require it, 4 large safety pins 
• Washcloth 
•  Gentle bar soap 
• 2 gauze rolls (90cmX5cm) 
• 1 box feminine pads (ultra)

Kits can be shipped to:

Every Mother Counts
180 Varick Street Suite 1116
New York, NY 10014

Please be sure to share with both Every Mother Counts as well as the WAGGGS UN Team photos and information on your fundraising if you participate!

For more info or to collaborate with our organization, you can email us at: WAGGGSUNNYC [at] gmail [dot] com

Be sure to check out the Every Mother Counts website here for more info on the kits drive as well as on the organization: http://www.everymothercounts.org/blog/201402/we-need-your-help-announcing-emc-s-every-mother-kit-drive

Volunteer Opportunity: Arcade Fire

The band Arcade Fire has excellent opportunities for social justice-minded fans. Fill out the form here to volunteer at one of their upcoming shows and to learn more info: http://www.plus1.org/afheartshaitivolunteers/

Happy International Women's Day!

Happy International Women's Day! 

All this week the WAGGGS and other organizations will be meeting around the United Nations for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Be sure to follow the WAGGGS Delegates on Twitter at @WAGGGSdelegates!

And check out this article from Forbes: "10 Things We Should Be Talking About On This International Women's Day"  http://onforb.es/1ihg2Nm

YUNGA's Junior Farmer Field & Life School for Vulnerable Youth

In an email from YUNGA, we received the following announcement:

JUNIOR FARMER FIELD AND LIFE SCHOOL MODULES AVAILABLE

Recent developments from FAO: YUNGA, 7^th March 2014

Over half of the world’s 1.8 million youth live in rural areas; with half of this number working in the agriculture sector. YUNGA has partnered with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Food And Agriculture Organization (FAO) to produce the Junior Farmer Field and Life School (JFFLS). JFFLS aims to empower vulnerable youth, and provide them with the livelihood options and gender-sensitive skills needed for long-term food security while reducing their vulnerability to destitution and risk coping strategies. One of the other major objectives of the JFFLS is to promote the creation of gender-equal attitudes, by enabling youth to exercise the same roles and responsibilities and developing their capacities to assess relationships and understand the risks and resources present within their community. The strength of the JFFLS is its unique learning methodology and curriculum, which combines agricultural, life and entrepreneurship skills in an experiential and participatory learning approach uniquely suited to rural communities and low literacy levels.

Check out the following modules that YUNGA have developed:

Climate Change: www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/Other_docs/FAO/Climate_Change.pdf

Community Seed Banks: www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/Other_docs/FAO/Community_Seed_Banks.pdf

Aquaculture: www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/Other_docs/FAO/Aquaculture.pdf

You can see all the available modules and facilitator guides on the right hand side of the FAO-ILO JFFLS page: www.fao-ilo.org/fao-ilo-youth/fao-ilo-jffls/en

International Women's Day: Resource Materials from Oxfam America

Oxfam America has just released an action guide for volunteers interested in participating in International Women's Day. You can download the pdf action guide here: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/research-publications/international-womens-day-2014-action-guide/

Information from the Oxfam America website:

International Women's Day 2014 Action Guide

Resources for Oxfam America volunteers

Every March 8 for more than a century, millions of people around the world have come together to celebrate International Women’s Day. Here in the US, supporters like you join Oxfam for an annual celebration that also raises awareness about women’s efforts to overcome poverty and injustice. You’ve hosted thousands of events, signed petitions, shared inspiring stories and photos, and much more.

This year, join in by honoring a woman in your community who is leading the fight against poverty and hunger. By highlighting women who are acting locally and helping globally, you’re showing that these actions matter—and sending a powerful message about the role of women as a force for change.

Download the action guide here: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/research-publications/international-womens-day-2014-action-guide/

UN World Youth Report -- RSVP due tomorrow

On 14th February 2014 the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs will launch its flagship UN World Youth Report on Youth and Migration.

The World Youth Report is an interactive online report, written with the input of young people and youth organizations worldwide.The report highlights some of the concerns, challenges and successes experienced by young migrants based on their own lives and told in their own voices.

To attend the event please email youth@un.org by 7th February 2014

Can't attend, but want to stay involved? Follow on twitter: @UN4Youth as they live tweet the event using : #UNYouthreport and #IAmAMigrant and like on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UN4Youth

Please note that attendance requests received after 7th February will not be accepted. Also note that the UN cannot finance participation at this event. All costs associated with attending the event must be borne by the individual.