Special News

11October2008

Eleanor Roosevelt

Posted by Cecilia under: Life.

One hundred and twenty-four years ago today, October 11, 1884 Eleanor Roosevelt was born in New York City to Anna Hall and Elliott Roosevelt.

She was one of the most admired and most influential woman of her time.  She will always be remembered for her remarkable achievements. 

She is mostly known for her decisive influence in the Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. 

There is an anecdote about how she celebrated her achievement.  When the World Bill of Rights was completed by the 18-nation commission in Switzerland she ran and slid along the polished marble floor in her stocking feet, arms outstretched in triumph.  Eleanor found the experience so much fun that she did it again!

Eleanor Roosevelt was without question one of the major figures of the 20th century.

We’ll leave you with one of her famous quotations: “Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”

10October2008

“Pearl of Africa”

Posted by Cecilia under: Nature.

The Crested Crane is Uganda’s national emblem.  It highlights the natural treasure this country holds.

Uganda is also called the “Pearl of Africa” meaning that it’s home to an extraordinary diversity of nature.

At least 25% of Uganda is covered by forest and grassland.  Nature gives home to numerous animals and plants.  Almost half of the bird species known in Africa are present in Uganda.  The crested crane is one of them.

Uganda is blessed by nature.  Having this gift makes its people proud and at the same time aware of the need to preserve it.

9October2008

“Identity by Design”

Posted by Cecilia under: Art; Culture.

At the New York branch of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian the “Identity by Design” exhibition recently opened its doors.

Identity by Design presents “Tradition, change and celebration in native women’s dresses” showing over 50 dresses made by native dressmakers.

Each dress explains the life story of the woman who wore it and the history of her tribe.  These women knew all about the origin of their dresses. 

It makes one think how little we know about the production of the dresses we wear today.

One dress was made specially for this exhibition by Joyce Growing Thunder Fogarty.  She worked for 10 months, 16 hours a day to finish it.  It’s a marvellous example of Native American craft.

The exhibition lasts until September 2009, enough time to enjoy a beautiful part of Native American history and art.

8October2008

Learning for and from elderly

Posted by Cecilia under: Culture.

A few days ago the world celebrated the International Day for the Elderly.  We wrote about it how important it is to keep the huge life experience of the elderly alive.

The Institute of American Indian Arts or IAIA, organized their second consecutive conference in Santa Fe, NM with the  goal of providing workshops for elderly and by elderly.

More than 300 Pueblo, Hopi and Apache elders met at the conference.  Attendees participated in computer literacy workshops.  Some of the organizers taught students in traditional pottery workshops.

The concept of creating a bridge between generations and of teaching traditional and modern skills was so successful that the organizers of IAIA want to repeat this conference the next year.

7October2008

World Habitat Day 2008

Posted by Cecilia under: Culture.

Yesterday was the International World Habitat Day.  This year the main celebration took place in Luanda, Angola.

The message of World Habitat Day is important considering that for the first time half of humanity is living in towns and cities.  World Habitat day reflects the basic human right to adequate shelter for all.

The theme for 2008 is “Harmonious Cities” raising awareness that fast urbanization causes human problems such as poverty and environmental problems such as air pollution.

World Habitat Day reminds everybody of the collective responsibility for the future of human habitat.

6October2008

World Heritage site: Mont St. Michel

Posted by Cecilia under: Culture.

France appears on the list of the World Heritage sites with numerous entries.  One of them is Mont St. Michel and its Bay.

Years ago I visited Mont St. Michel.  It made an unforgettable impression on me.  We arrived from the Normandy side in the morning hours and saw the incredible view of Mont St. Michel emerging out of the fog.  It was a breathtaking and almost magical view.

Mont St. Michel is a Benedictine abbey dedicated to the Archangel Michael.   It is surrounded by a medieval village on a small island north of Rennes, France.  The abbey was built between the 11th and 16th century by an extraordinary act of technical and artistic forces.

You used to be able to drive across a small dam connecting the island with the land to the feet of Mont St. Michel.  Then you entered through a ancient gate and climbed alongside a very narrow path to the abbey sitting on the top of the island’s rock.

If you are lucky enough to arrive during the full moon the tides rise so high and rapidly that it almost floods the dam to the land.  But whenever you’ll visit this wonderful place you’ll enjoy it.

5October2008

Food for health: Oregano

Posted by Cecilia under: Health.

Hearing the name oregano most of us think of spaghetti.  In fact it’s the most used spice for Italian recipes.

Did you know that oregano means “mountain joy”?  The name’s Greek origin says that oregano is not only a symbol of happiness but also makes hillsides look beautiful.

Oregano arrived in the U.S. in the 1940’s carried home by soldiers from Italy.  Today many of us couldn’t imagine having an Italian meal without this great flavor.

At the same time oregano has great health benefits.  It’s a nutrient-dense spice and an excellent source for vitamin K.  It’s also a very good source for iron, manganese and fiber.  Thanks to these vitamins, minerals and fiber oregano can develop an anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant property.  Oregano shows over 40 times more anti-oxidant activity than apples.

The best effects are achieved with fresh oregano but the dry form of this spice is great too.  Fresh oregano is wonderful for salads.  Oregano is also great for finishing a store-bought sauce or to give a recipe that Italian touch.

4October2008

Launch of Sputnik 51 years ago

Posted by Cecilia under: Science.

On October 4, 1957 the first artificial satellite was successfully launched into space by the Soviet Union.  Its name was Sputnik.  Tiny little Sputnik wasn’t impressive at all, about the size of a beach ball.  But the importance of the event was huge.

America and other countries around the world were both awed and shocked by this leap of the Soviet Union.  It marked the Dawn of the Space Age and the beginning of the race for control over space.

Today we’ve advanced a thousandfold in technology and our attitude toward space has changed greatly.  Space is no longer a race for national prestige.  It’s the place for cooperation and exchange of knowledge and manpower.

3October2008

Celebration for the elderly

Posted by Cecilia under: Culture; Life.

October 1st was the International Day for the Elderly.  The initial goal for creating this international day was to explore the needs of the elderly in the world.

We could also explore what the world needs from the elderly.  What can the elderly give to the world?

Malta found a great way to celebrate its elderly.  Malta has one of the highest rates of life expectancy in Europe.  The elderly of Malta are fully integrated in the society.  Their contribution to the working world consists of their “mine of experience”.

Each society that integrates the elderly, with their important life experiences, realizes an increase of life quality for everyone.

2October2008

Street children in Nigeria

Posted by Cecilia under: Education; Life.

A year ago ten children between the ages of 8 and 15 lived abandoned and neglected on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria.  Their fate changed dramatically when Perrine de la Court entered their lives.

The social worker from Belgium founded the non-governmental organization “Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative” one year ago.  Together with the Nigerian social worker Wale Oyekanmi she renovated and opened a rehabilitation home in Lagos which can shelter 26 children.

The ten children are hardly recognizable as former street kids with their nice hair cuts and clean polo shirts.  Perrine de la Court likes to speak about the incredible physical and emotional change the children have gone through.

The children themselves are aware of their good fortune and encouraging future.  Now they have a chance to attend school and eventually achieve their dreams.