International Day of Forests

21 March

This global celebration of forests provides a platform to raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and of trees outside forests.

Forests cover one third of the Earth’s land mass, performing vital functions around the world. Around 1.6 billion people – including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures – depend on forests for their livelihood.

Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. They also provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent communities.

Yet despite all of these priceless ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate – 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed annually. Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

The world’s labour tomorrow

Technological shifts, climate change, population ageing and struggling economies are changing the way we work. ILO researchers Sameer Khatiwada and Veronica Escudero lay out the future trends of 2016 and beyond.

TIMES CHANGED – WILL TIMES CHANGE

It is today 20 march 2016, that Barack Obama visits Cuba – and

Che Guevara’s Son says Obama will visit an Independent Cuba.

It is the second time a U.S. President pays a visit. While calculating GDP-rates, their global development across different sectors and ventilating the perspectives for the development of the Cuban Economy for a new era, with this preparing my own visit (it will give me the opportunity to join the discussion on the future economic development in a way that maintains the foundations of an alternative to being absorbed in global capitalism), it is time to look again a bit more into the question of the small island nation that plays such a great role in the global context.

The previous president’s “visit” by an U.S. president was in january 1928.

 

International Day of Happiness 20 March

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In 2012, the United Nations (UN) declared March 20 to be observed as the International Day of Happiness.

The day recognizes that happiness is a fundamental human goal, and calls upon countries to approach public policies in ways that improve the well-being of all peoples.

By designating a special day for happiness, the UN aims to focus world attention on the idea that economic growth must be inclusive, equitable, and balanced, such that it promotes sustainable development, and alleviates poverty. Additionally the UN acknowledges that in order to attain global happiness, economic development must be accompanied by social and environmental well-being.

This year, even cartoon characters have joined in as the United Nations teams up with a group famous for lacking good cheer: the Angry Birds.

These animated ambassadors are helping to raise awareness about the importance of climate action for our common future. You can join them by sharing your own climate actions using the hashtag #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet.

 

 

The KOF Globalization Index 2016: Netherlands Beat Ireland and Belgium

The current KOF Globalization Index reflects the extent of economic, social and political globalization in 2013. According to the Index, the degree of globalization in 2013 increased very little compared to the preceding year. While the Index continued to stagnate in the industrialised countries, Eastern Europeand the Asian and Pacific regions recorded a rise. The Netherlands are at the top of the Index. Switzerland is occupying the fifth rank.
A number of key developments determined the trend in 2013: The gradual recovery of the global economy continued. In the USA, signs indicated an imminent normalisation of monetary policy. However, the Fed’s announcement
of reduced bond purchases led to major capital outflows and currency devaluations in the emerging markets. Although the Eurozone finally came out of recession, massive public debt continued to place a strain on the economies in the crisis countries. The Middle East was dominated by the aftermath of the Arab Spring.
Syria was wrecked by civil war and Egypt saw the military get back into power.

Small globalised countries
According to the KOF Globalization Index, the Netherlands were the most globalised country in the world in 2013, closely followed by Ireland in second and Belgium in third place. The same three countries occupied the first three places in the previous year’s globalization ranking. Austria remained in fourth place while Switzerland

The world is becoming increasingly culturally homogenized due to the immense growth of the Internet and increase in globalisation

There has been many influences, most notably the advancement of the Internet and the increase in globalisation, which have made the world what it is today. The Internet and globalisation have shifted the dynamics of the world; in the way countries perceive and interact with each other. The cultural identities of so many countries, especially in the developed world have also been influenced. An example of this can be seen looking at the leader of the First World, the United States of America, who would have the most influence on the rest of the developed nations, on areas such as the entertainment industry as well as sport and news. Celebrity culture, including Americanization, is a prime example of the United States having such influential power in Europe and even us here in Australia through what we see on the Internet, on television and radio.

The advancement of the Internet can be seen as a fundamental reason for the change in cultural identity today. The growth of the Internet has allowed for greater communication between all people, from many different cultures all communicating far more often, and with much greater ease, being a “force for freedom and democracy” (Chalkey et al., 2012, p17). From this, common interests can be made and aspects of an individual’s daily life can be shared. This coupled with the increased exchange of music, film, television and literature can lead to cultural homogenization. Before the Internet, global communication was difficult relying on telephone calls to speak and the mailing post to send information. The Internet has completely revolutionized the way the world communicates