You are currently browsing the daily Archive for January 10th, 2012.
The Festival au désert (Festival in the Desert) is an annual three day concert held on the outskirts of Timbuktu, Mali, west Africa. It is the most remote festival in the world and in 2012 takes place from January 12-14.
It has its origins in the annual meetings held by the nomadic Touaregs (often referred to as ‘the blue people’ because of the stains their indigo-dyed robes leave on their skin) to reconnect with each other after the nomadic season, have fun, resolve conflicts, and to exchange ideas.
The modern day festival is a mix of traditional north African desert music, international musicians, camel racing, dance and sword play.
The Festival is also a way to celebrate “La Flamme de la Paix” (The Flame of Peace), a name that was given to the ceremony where more than 3000 firearms were melted and used to create a monument in 1996 in Timbuktu.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/National-gardening-week
Join the Celebrations!
Tartan Day marks the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 at Arbroath Abbey. This historical occasion sowed the seeds of modern day democracy and was used as a basis for the American Declaration of Independence. Tartan Day was inspired by this historical occasion to celebrate all that is good about Scotland – its people, its heritage, its history, its culture and its amazing legacy to the world.
At the beginning of April each year, a week-long programme of very special events commemorates all that is best about Scotland and the Scots, home and away.
 |
Tartan Day 2012 Events GuideThe 2012 Tartan Day Angus Programme of Events brochure has now been produced and can now be viewed online. The programme has over 50 events across Angus with events to suit the whole family. |
Tartan Day 2012 Menus
There are many venues throughout Angus who have created menu’s for the Tartan Day – Week of Celebration starting on 30 March to 8 April 2012. Each venue producing traditional Scottish dishes made with local Angus produce.
Find out more about why we celebrate Tartan Day, spot the famous faces amongst our Tartan Day Ambassadors and keep up-to-date on news stories from around the world.
Do you have any event you would like to add to the Tartan Day Event Programme?
Have you had your say, declared your allegiance to Tartan Day or given us your suggestions for improvement?
Perhaps you’re interested in attending or running one of the Tartan Day events or even in sponsoring Tartan Day?
Do you need some ideas about how you might go about celebrating Tartan Day?
If yes, then Get Involved!
http://www.tartandayscotland.com/home/home.asp
Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman, the monkey-faced god who is worshipped by Hindus throughout India.
Hanuman Jayanti is an important festival of Hindus. Hanuman is the symbol of strength and energy. Hanuman is said to be able to assume any form at will, wield rocks, move mountains and dart through the air.
On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity.
About Autism
Autism affects both children and adults alike. Current research suggests that over 1 in 100 people may be on the autism spectrum, including Aspergers syndrome.
Information on Autism
The following pages explain what autism and Aspergers syndrome is and how the lives of people with the condition and those around them are affected. Providing useful information, guidance and an overview of the services Autism Initiatives provides throughout the UK.
Further information
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Number 6 is a ‘One Stop Shop’ for adults with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism in Lothians. This unique service offers a range of information, advice and social activities to enable adults to live as independently and successfully as possible.
Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, 2 April, International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books.
Each year a different National Section of IBBY has the opportunity to be the international sponsor of ICBD. It decides upon a theme and invites a prominent author from the host country to write a message to the children of the world and a well-known illustrator to design a poster. These materials are used in different ways to promote books and reading. Many IBBY Sections promote ICBD through the media and organize activities in schools and public libraries. Often ICBD is linked to celebrations around children’s books and other special events that may include encounters with authors and illustrators, writing competitions or announcements of book awards.
WWF’s Earth Hour is a simple idea that’s quickly turned into a global phenomenon. Hundreds of millions of people turning off their lights for one hour, on the same night, all across the planet. It’s about appreciating the brilliant world we all share – and how we need to protect it. Not just for an hour a year, but every day.
Earth Hour – Our World Is Brilliant from WWF-UK on Vimeo.
8.30pm 31 March
Get Involved
Whether you want to play scrabble by candlelight, have a dinner party for friends, go for an exhilarating night cycle-ride or go along to one of the Earth Hour events happening across the country, you’ll be an important part of WWF’s global event…
Sign up and switch off
At 8:30 pm on Saturday 31 March 2012 switch off all non-essential lights and be a part of something HUGE. Connect with 1.8billion people around the world. Once signed up you can share your plans for the night on our UK event map.
Spread the word
Why not send our lovely Earth Hour eCards to everyone you know to let them know about this phenomenal event? Get a badge for your twitter profile to show you’ll be taking part and encourage your friends to do the same.
Plan a night to remember
Celebrate our brilliant world, by getting together with friends and family! Get some inspiration from our candle-lit dinner party menus from celebrity chefs and our brilliant dinner party guide download. There’s loads of other things you can do in the dark, just have a look.
See what others are doing
Take a look at what other individuals, businesses and even some of the nation’s best known landmarks are planning for Earth Hour. Rumour has it someone is having an Earth Hour wedding! You can plan something amazing and join our Community Competition to lead the switch off!
Beyond the hour…
WWF’s Earth Hour is not about an hour of darkness. It’s about a brighter future for our planet. And that goes beyond the hour to the way we live our lives – year around. Start to reduce your impact by reducing your energy consumption, recycling, cooking your own food and so much more. Have a look at some practical tips here.
Help save 1 billion trees in the Amazon Rainforest
As well as turning off your lights for an hour to show you care about our brilliant planet, you can support our work to help protect it.
For the second year, money raised through Earth Hour will help to protect the Amazon rainforest with Sky Rainforest Rescue.
Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. It’s back from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th March.
Everyone can take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile at events across the UK plus there’ll be incredible celebrity challenges, tons of top TV to enjoy and more.
How does it help?
The money you raise is spent by Comic Relief to help people living incredibly tough lives, both at home in the UK and across the world’s poorest countries. It goes a long way too. From transforming the lives of people in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities, or those living with poor mental or physical health, to protecting street children and providing life-saving healthcare abroad.
How can I join in?
The best way to take part in the UK’s biggest year of sport is to enter the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile. With hundreds taking place across the UK, there’s bound to be one near you. Alternatively, you could do your own fundraising at work, in school, with family and friends or on your own.
http://www.sportrelief.com/
International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.
The theme for 2012 is Water and Food Security.
Download and print out these materials for your World Water Day event or classroom and learn more about this years topic of ‘Water and Food Security’!
Water for Food Wallchart – 3 x A3 >>
How much water Download Game >>
Download Poster
216 x 85 cm >>
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid “pass laws”. Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (resolution 2142 (XXI)).
Since then, the apartheid system in South Africa has been dismantled. Racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries, and we have built an international framework for fighting racism, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Convention is now nearing universal ratification, yet still, in all regions, too many individuals, communities and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings.
The first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reminds us of our collective responsibility for promoting and protecting this ideal.
The East Lothian Diversity Network brings together individuals, community organisations and groups that are interested in equality and diversity issues. Everyone is welcome to join and take part in our events!
Key focuses of the Diversity Network
- Celebration: celebrating East Lothian’s rich diversity
- Policy: helping to shape our services and practices
- Information: gathering information about the needs and ambitions of minority groups
- Campaigns: improving the understanding of equality and diversity amongst the residents of East Lothian
Become a member
You can become a member of the Network. Here are some of the benefits of signing up:
- you get to take part in a variety of events to celebrate East Lothian’s diversity
- you will learn more about equality and diversity
- you can raise issues that are of concern to you
- you can help to shape public services by sharing your experiences with policymakers
Best of all, it’s free to join!
Email equalities@eastlothian.gov.uk to register.
Poets convey a timeless message. They are often key witness to history’s great
political and social changes. Their writings inspire us to build lasting peace in our
minds, to rethink relations between man and nature and to establish humanism
founded on the uniqueness and diversity of peoples. This is a difficult task, requiring
the participation of all, whether in schools, libraries or cultural institutions. To quote
the poet Tagore, the 150th anniversary of whose birth will be celebrated this year, “I
have spent my days in stringing and unstringing my instrument.”Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO
Message for World Poetry Day
21 March 2011
Poetry contributes to creative diversity, by questioning anew our use of words and things, our modes of perception and understanding of the world. Through its associations, its metaphors and its own grammar, poetic language is thus conceivably another facet of the dialogue among cultures. Diversity in dialogue, free flow of ideas by word, creativity and innovation. World Poetry Day is an invitation to reflect on the power of language and the full development of each person’s creative abilities.
Every year on 21 March UNESCO celebrates the World Poetry Day. A decision to proclaim 21 March as World Poetry Day was adopted during the UNESCO’s 30th session held in Paris in 1999.
UNESCO encourages the Member States to take an active part in celebrating the World Poetry Day, at both local and national level, with the active participation of National Commissions, NGOs and the public and private institutions concerned (schools, municipalities, poetic communities, museums, cultural associations, publishing houses, local authorities, etc.).
StAnza, Scotland’s international poetry festival, runs from March 14-18.
National Poetry Day
National Poetry Day takes place across the UK on Thursday 4 October 2012
Help us celebrate the richness, variety and sheer fun of poetry of all kinds, from song lyrics and nursery rhymes to works by poets laureate…
The 2012 theme will be…
We work with National Poetry Day UK, and as soon as the theme is agreed we’ll put it up right here!
National Poetry Day across Scotland and the UK
For details of National Poetry Day events around Scotland, browse our Events Calendar.
For poetry events outside Scotland, visit the National Poetry Day website.
If you’re planning your own National Poetry Day event in Scotland please let us know! Email reception@spl.org.uk
For teachers
Visit our For teachers pages to read poems, find posters, see ideas about how to use poetry in the classroom, and tips for using National Poetry Day postcards.
For librarians
Check our For librarians pages for event format ideas, easy ways to find all sorts of poems on this year’s theme, and other useful resources to help you plan National Poetry Day with flair and not very much cash.
National Poetry Day postcards
You can collect free poetry postcards from the Scottish Poetry Library.
Or read them in our Poem stacks online.
Contact us at reception@spl.org.uk if you would like to get your hands on some, or send a stamped SAE for a free set.
National Poetry Day
National Poetry Day takes place across the UK on Thursday 4 October 2012
Help us celebrate the richness, variety and sheer fun of poetry of all kinds, from song lyrics and nursery rhymes to works by poets laureate…
The 2012 theme will be…
We work with National Poetry Day UK, and as soon as the theme is agreed we’ll put it up right here!
National Poetry Day across Scotland and the UK
For details of National Poetry Day events around Scotland, browse our Events Calendar.
For poetry events outside Scotland, visit the National Poetry Day website.
If you’re planning your own National Poetry Day event in Scotland please let us know! Email reception@spl.org.uk
For teachers
Visit our For teachers pages to read poems, find posters, see ideas about how to use poetry in the classroom, and tips for using National Poetry Day postcards.
For librarians
Check our For librarians pages for event format ideas, easy ways to find all sorts of poems on this year’s theme, and other useful resources to help you plan National Poetry Day with flair and not very much cash.
National Poetry Day postcards
You can collect free poetry postcards from the Scottish Poetry Library.
Or read them in our Poem stacks online.
Contact us at reception@spl.org.uk if you would like to get your hands on some, or send a stamped SAE for a free set.
Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is crucial to sustaining our lives. It produces air for us to breathe, food to eat, water to drink and even medicines to cure our ills. It also provides value to us through activities such as walking or birdwatching and inspiration for art. We need it for our overall health, wealth and wellbeing.
With these thoughts in mind, the theme for Scottish Biodiversity Week (19-27 March 2012) is “Biodiversity is Life – Biodiversity is Our Life” in order to emphasise the critical links between us and our amazing, complex world.
Scotland’s precious wildlife and landscapes are dear to us and Scottish Biodiversity Week is a great opportunity to get out and about and experience them!
East Lothian Council Biodiversity Officer – can give presentations to schools or classes on biodiversity or related topics. The Biodiversity Officer will also help to develop school grounds, particularly through the Grounds for Awareness award. This award is launched annually in September and can offer up to £1000 for a wildlife, gardening or landscaping project within school grounds. 01620 827242
East Lothian Countryside Ranger Service – can visit schools or help with longer term studies such as rivers or rock pooling. They can also work closely with related initiatives such as the John Muir Award and Forest Schools. ranger@eastlothian.gov.uk.
www.www.edubuzz.org/blogs/rangerservice
East Lothian Outdoor Learning Service – often working closely with the Ranger Service. They can provide environmental education, linking this with adventurous activities such as canoeing, gorge walking or coasteering. 0131 653 5217
www.www.edubuzz.org/outdoorlearning
East Lothian Council have produced a teachers guide about wildlife and the natural world. The 16 page download includes classroom projects,useful websites, pictures and ideas. The Guide suggests good locations close to schools and how to prepare for a visit. Download your Biodiversity Education Guide here
No Smoking Day takes place on 14 March 2012. On the day more than a million smokers are expected to make a quit attempt.
Over the last quarter of a century we’ve grown into the UK’s leading public health event, helping over a million smokers to quit for good.
With No Smoking Day, there’s no pressure. When smokers are ready to stop, we’re here and ready to help, directing people to the support that’s right for them, when and where they want it.
Take the Leap with No Smoking Day
We know that most smokers would really like to stop, but find it hard to. So this year we are encouraging smokers to Take the Leap and give it a go. The theme recognises that giving up is tough, but the positive image and slogan speaks strongly to smokers helping them to aspire to a smokefree future
‘Take the Leap’ and its energetic accompanying image aim to echo the UK’s focus on the Olympics, asking smokers to think about their physical health. The campaign also coincides with a leap year – leap day will be an excellent opportunity to help smokers prepare to Take the Leap two weeks later on 14 March.
The ‘Take the Leap’ theme was developed with smokers themselves and reflects the positive messaging of the charity, we are here for smokers who want to quit and will help them take a leap towards a healthier, wealthier future.
No Smoking Day is part of the British Heart Foundation and offers year round resources to help people who want to quit. These include WeQuit.co.uk our dedicated quitters’ website, our online community forum which is host to 36,000 quitters and a suite of resources and tips and advice for smokers.
For more information about No Smoking Day visit our about section.
East Lothian residents wishing to seek advice can call 0131 537 9914 or email stopsmoking@eastlothian.gov.uk
Pi, Greek letter (
), is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi Day is celebrated by math enthusiasts around the world on March 14th. Pi = 3.1415926535…
With the use of computers, Pi has been calculated to over 1 trillion digits past the decimal. Pi is an irrational and transcendental number meaning it will continue infinitely without repeating. The symbol for pi was first used in 1706 by William Jones, but was popular after it was adopted by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in 1737.
Learn About Pi
The Number Pi
Pi represents the relationship between a circle’s diameter (its width) and its circumference (the distance around the circle).
Equations that use Pi
The area of a circle is calculated using Pi and the radius of the circle. This formula inspired the joke “Pies aren’t square, they’re round!”
To find the volume of a rectangular prism you calculate length × width × height. In that case, length × width is the area of one side, which is then multiplied by the height of the prism. Similarly, to find the volume of a cylinder, you multiply the area of the base (the area of the circle, which is pi × r²), then multiply that by the height of the cylinder.
Click here to send a Happy Pi Day e-card
(via www.piday.org)
Climate Week is a supercharged national campaign to inspire a new wave of action on climate change. It culminates with thousands of events and activities taking place throughout the week of 12 to 18 March 2012, planned by organisations from every part of society. Showcasing real, practical ways to combat climate change, the campaign aims to renew our ambition to create a more sustainable, low-carbon future.
The window of opportunity for action on climate change is rapidly closing. The UK is far from where it needs to be, but in every sector solutions are being pioneered, adopted and refined. The campaign aims to accelerate and enhance this process by inspiring more action through real examples – both the small improvements and the big innovations.
Climate Week is backed by every part of society – from the Prime Minister to Paul McCartney, the NHS to the Met Office, the TUC to the CBI, Girlguiding UK to the National Association of Head Teachers. It is supported by a Headline Partner Tesco, and four Supporting Partners: EDF Energy, H&M, Nissan and SodaStream. During the first Climate Week in 2011 over 3,000 events were attended by half a million people across the UK.
Climate Week’s Headline Partner is Tesco, which aims to become a zero-carbon business by 2050 – without purchasing offsets. In addition it has committed to work with its suppliers to reduce emissions from products in its supply chain by 30% by 2020, and to find ways to help its customers halve their own carbon footprints by 2020. Climate Week’s Supporting Partners are EDF Energy, H&M, Nissan and SodaStream. EDF Energy is Britain’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity, H&M is for a more sustainable fashion future, the 100% electric Nissan LEAF is driving change for a sustainable future, and SodaStream is the smarter way to enjoy sparkling drinks.
You can register now for the Climate Week Challenge, judged by celebrities including Kate Humble, Bruce Parry, and Liz Bonnin. The Climate Week Challenge in 2011 was Britain’s biggest ever environmental competition, with over 145,000 people participating in the one day and one-hour versions. This year teams from schools, workplaces, and community groups will again be challenged to come up with creative solutions to a problem that is only revealed on the Monday morning Climate Week.
The prestigious Climate Week Awards recognise the most inspirational and impressive actions taking place in every sector of society. The judging panel contains figures such as the human rights activist, Bianca Jagger, the former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, and the Bishop of London. Winners from 2011 included a community-run hydroelectric project in Settle, North Yorkshire, a virtually waterless new washing machine that uses polymer beads to clean clothes, and a schools project in the North East of England that has resulted in over 18,000 hours of pupil-led activities.
Climate Week Cuisine is a new part of the campaign for 2012, encouraging people to make the food that they eat a part of the solution to climate change. They can do this by joining in the call to action of eating a low carbon meal during Climate Week. This can be done easily by eating less meat or dairy, eating local, seasonal ingredients, or eating leftovers. Inspiration and ideas are being provided by a number of celebrity chefs including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Angela Hartnett, and Levi Roots.
There are a number of other elements to the campaign. The Climate Week Pub Quiz will be run in hundreds of pubs and workplaces. The Climate Week Play in a Day at the Arcola Theatre in London features award-winning writers and celebrity performers putting together five 15 minute plays in just 24 hours.
There were over 1,000 pieces of media coverage about the last Climate Week, with national articles ranging from the business pages of The Telegraph to the fashion pages of the Daily Mail. Television coverage included a feature on BBC Breakfast, an entire episode of children’s show Blue Peter, and comedian Marcus Brigstocke discussing the campaign on the One Show.
Organisations can get involved right now by starting to plan an event for Climate Week. This provides a unique opportunity to profile their own initiatives and innovations to stakeholders and staff, customers and the community, members and the media. They can also spread the word in advance, so that others find out about Climate Week in time to plan their own activities.
Individuals can help right now by asking the organisations they know – such as their workplace or local school – to plan an event or activity for Climate Week. They can also register to take part in the Climate Week Cuisine call to action and plan to eat a low carbon meal during Climate Week.
To find out more about Climate Week, or to register your event, go to www.climateweek.com, email info@climateweek.com or telephone on 020 3397 2601.
For specific reources for school teachers, please visit our Teacher Resources section of the website.
2 Billion People, 54 Countries. One Very Special Celebration. Join us for Commonwealth Day 2012.
Every year on the second Monday in March, 54 countries join together in celebration of the links they share as members of one diverse and dynamic global family – the modern Commonwealth.
In the UK, one way in which this special day is celebrated is with a unique event in London’s Westminster Abbey. The UK’s largest multi-faith celebration, the Commonwealth Day Observance is attended by Her Majesty The Queen, the Prime Minister, High Commissioners, up to 200 other VIPs and more than 1,000 schoolchildren.
The Commonwealth Day Observance takes a different theme each year. And in 2012 we will be ‘Connecting Cultures.’ Through a thrilling mix of world music, dance and personal testimonies, the event will explore the golden threads that tie together people from every continent, faith and ethnicity.
2012 will be a special year for the Observance as it will also be kicking off the Commonwealth’s celebrations for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee – marking both 60 years as the UK Monarch and 60 years as Head of the Commonwealth.
If you’re from a school, have a look at the schools page here for suggestions on how to get involved and incorporate Commonwealth Day in your class room.
Visit www.commonwealththeme.org for more information on Commonwealth Day, and how you can get involved in celebrating the 2012 theme, Connecting Cultures.
Holi is known as the Hindu festival of colours. It is a joyful celebration filled with fun and good humour.
People celebrate the festival by throwing handfuls of paint and coloured powder at each other – even complete strangers!
EMPOWER RURAL WOMEN –
END HUNGER AND POVERTY.
“Invest in rural women. Eliminate discrimination against them in law and in practice. Ensure that policies respond to their needs. Give them equal access to resources. Provide rural women with a role in decision-making.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world on 8th March each year. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.
Recognizing the critical role and contribution of rural women, the theme of International Women’s Day 2012 is Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty.
Key contributors to global economies, rural women play a critical role in both developed and developing nations — they enhance agricultural and rural development, improve food security and can help reduce poverty levels in their communities. In some parts of the world, women represent 70 percent of the agricultural workforce, comprising 43 percent of agricultural workers worldwide.
Estimates reveal that if women had the same access to productive resources as men, they could increase yields on their farms by 20–30 percent, lifting 100-150 million out of hunger.
Healthcare, education, gender inequality and limited access to credit, however, have posed a number of challenges for rural women. Further, the global food and economic crisis and climate change have aggravated the situation. It is estimated that 60 percent of chronically hungry people are women and girls. Yet, the Food and Agriculture Organization estimates reveal that productivity gains from ensuring equal access to fertilizers, seeds and tools for women could reduce the number of hungry people by between 100 million and 150 million.
To celebrate National Doodle Day, Usborne Books have a competition to win Doodle Books – see here
World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe.
To mark the day, school children are entitled to receive a World Book Day £1 Book
Token which can be exchanged for one of eight specially published World Book Day £1 Books, or is redeemable against any book or audio book of their choice costing £2.99 or more at a participating bookshop or book club. The World Book Day £1 Book Token will be valid from 27th February to 25th March 2012.
The full list of World Book Day £1 books for 2012 is:
- The What the Ladybird Heard Song, Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks (Macmillan)
- Winnie Flies Again, Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul (Oxford University Press)
- Where’s Wally Now?, Martin Handford (Walker Books)
- Magic Molly: The Clever Little Kitten, Holly Webb (Scholastic)
- Roald Dahl’s Fantabulous Facts, Roald Dahl (Puffin)
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Day of the Dreader, Cressida Cowell (Hodder Children’s Books)
- Big Day Out, Jacqueline Wilson, Illustrated by Nick Sharratt (Random House)
- Skulduggery Pleasant: The End of the World, Derek Landy (HarperCollins)
The World Book Day site has lots of Cool Stuff & Games featuring some favourite characters and competitions too.
Fairtrade Fortnight (27 Feb – 11 March) kicks off the 2012 campaign!
In 2012, the Fairtrade Foundation is asking everyone to take a step for Fairtrade. Hot foot it over to www.fairtrade.org.uk/step for more about the exciting new campaign and get planning your events for Fairtrade Fortnight and beyond…
Fairtrade in East Lothian
East Lothian is a Fairtrade County.
There are two Fairtrade Towns in East Lothian, North Berwick and Prestonpans. Longniddry achieved Fairtrade Village status a number of years ago.
If you would like to find out where to buy different fairtrade products in East Lothian, take a look at the East Lothian Fairtrade Directory.
To find out more about grant funding for Fairtrade events or activities, please visit our East Lothian Fairtrade Grant Scheme.
Related Links
Fairtrade Foundation – www.fairtrade.org.uk
Scottish Fairtrade Forum – www.scottishfairtradeforum.org.uk
Traidcraft – www.traidcraft.co.uk
Facebook – www.facebook.com/FairtradeEastLothian
What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. more
Mahashivratri (meaning “Great Night of Shiva”) is a festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess Shiva (who, along with Brahma and Vishnu, forms the trinity of Hinduism).
Unlike the majority of Hindu festivals, it is a night-time festival, observed on the evening and day before a new moon, which in 2012 is 20 February.
Every night of the new moon is dedicated to Shiva but this one is particularly important. It is the night which Shiva is said to perform the cosmic dance from creation to destruction.
Many Hindus fast and the devout say all-night prayers.
“Children under the age of 16 years should not take a direct part in any conflict”
(Article 38 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child).
It is estimated that over 300,000 children under the age of 18, both boys and girls, are involved in more than 30 conflicts worldwide.
Africa has the highest number of child soldiers. However, UNICEF has also found an alarming number of child soldiers in the East Asia-Pacific Region. They also discovered that Burma has more children soldiers than any other country in the world – it is estimated that there are 70,000 children in the Burmese state army alone.
Red Hand Day on 12 February, is a worldwide initiative to stop the use of child soldiers. On Red Hand Day public protest, demonstrations and other activities take place. The Red Hand Day’s symbol is a red hand which has been used all over the world by many organizations in order to say NO to child recruitment and the use of child soldiers. If you want to participate, you can find information at www.redhandday.org.
