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Life Straw Family Kit through Karachi Relief

8/27/2010 12:00:00 AM

The crisis that has hit our nation has left an estimated 20 million Pakistanis suffering and homeless. Amongst the many issues that threaten them the World Health Organization has reported that at least 10 million people are being forced to drink unsafe, contaminated water. This puts them at high risk of contracting deadly water-borne diseases such as Cholera, Typhoid and Dysentery.

Aware89 is supporting Karachi Relief Trust to provide flood affected families with the EPA certified, 99.9% effective (at removing viruses, bacteria and parasites) LifeStraw Family Instant Microbial Purifiers to all flood affected regions. The LifeStraw is an easy to use, clean and maintain solution for this issue filtering up to 18,000 liters of microbiologically clean drinking water, enough to supply a family of 5. It has been successful in similar cases in the Congo and other Sub-Saharan countries. It requires no electrical power or battery and can be used, when properly maintained, for up to 3 years. Karachi Relief Trust is deploying 50,000 purifiers; this is a costly venture and requires all the support possible.

For further information you can visit:
http://www.karachirelief.org/pakpani.htm

If you would like to contribute, following are the details for the account
Account Holder:        Karachi Relief Trust
Account No.:              010-2412-3
Bank:                            United Bank Limited
Branch:                        Sunset Boulevard
Branch Code:              1620
Swift:                           UNILPKKA

Flood Relief

8/9/2010 12:00:00 AM

CityFM89 recognizes the efforts made by various organizations and individuals to provide relief for the flood victims. Following are extensive details for numerous organizations and for individual efforts being made to help our fellow countrymen in this time of need.

DAWN RELIEF
DawnRelief now supports the flood victims of Nowshera by focusing its efforts towards the flood victims of Pir Saqab, a village in Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. DawnRelief has set up a relief camp at Labour Colony in Hakeemabad, Nowshera which is providing shelter to more than 4500 men, women and children, who are in dire need of dry food, clothing, bedding and household goods on a sustainable basis.

How You can help:

1) Monetary donations
Send a cheque or money order to the DAWN Karachi office: DawnRelief, c/o Irfan ul Haq, Haroon House, Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Karachi 74200

2) Donations in kind
Due to logistical constraints, DawnRelief is purchasing relief goods (milk, rice, flour, lentils, sugar, tea, clothing and bedding) and household items (stoves with LPG cylinders, water coolers, water purification tablets, kitchen utensils, mugs, plates) from districts near Nowshera. However, DAWN is accepting relief goods in kind only at the following addresses:

DawnRelief, Islamabad
Plot 12, Sector G-7/1, Mauve Area. Near Zero Point, Islamabad

DawnRelief, Peshawar
First Floor, State Life Building, Mall Road, Peshawar Cantt., Peshawar

For more information, please contact:

Karachi: Irfan ul Haq Tel: +92 (21) 3561-3255 Mobile: +92 (333) 315-5906
E-mail: irfanulhaq@gmail.com

Lahore: Rabeea Salman Tel: +92 (42) 3575-4279 Mobile: +92 (333) 426-1992
E-mail: rabeeasalman@dawn.com

Islamabad: Raja Javed Tel: +92 (51) 220-3129 Mobile: +92 (333) 517-4611
Email: rjkhan2009@yahoo.com

Peshawar: Amjad Afridi Tel: +92 (91) 527-9971/4 Mobile: +92 (333) 922-8227
Email: amjadafridi@dawn.com

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Karachi Relief
Karachi Relief is distributing immediate relief goods to over 4000 families in Nowshera and Charsada and developing shelters for effected people in interior Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa.

Relief goods can be delivered to the following addresses in these cities.

Islamabad
Multinet Pakistan
60-A Jinnah Avenue (Old USIS Bldg),
F-6 Blue Area.

Karachi
Gulistan Club
Shaheed-e-Millat Road

Contribution of food ration for a family of 7 members for at least 15 days. Each food ration pack consists of: 1 KG of Sugar, 10 KGs of Atta, 1 KG of Rice, 1 KG of Oil, 5 KGs of Masoor Dal, 5 KGs of Channa Dal, 1 KG Powder Milk, 1 KG Tea, 3 KGs Fried Onions, 1 packet of Salt, 200 gms of Red Chili Powder, 100 gms of Haldi Powder, 1 KG National Achar Packet, 2 pieces of Lifebuoy Soap, 2 pieces of washing soap, 1 packing bag

To become a volunteer please contact:
Mr. Salman Ahmed
Cell: +92 333 355 7874
For more information log on to www.karachirelief.org

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Following is a list of some of the other NGOs, relief resources, organizations and individuals working to provide flood relief to the affected areas:

1) Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation

Cash Donations to:
Title of Account: Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation
Account #: 0030445261000455
Name of Bank: MCB Bank (1028), Super Market, Islamabad-Pakistan
Swift Code: MUCBPKKAMCC
Tax Exemption: 6043/ATD/2008-09

International Youth Day

8/8/2010 12:00:00 AM

International Youth Day
The United Nations has long recognized that the imagination, ideals and energies of young women and men are vital for the continuing development of the societies in which they live. In 1985 the UN General Assembly observed the International Youth Year: Participation, Development and Peace. It drew international attention to the important role young people play in the world, and, in particular, their potential contribution to development and the goals of the United Nations Charter.

Every year after that, the International Youth Day has been celebrated to:

1. Enhance awareness of the global situation of youth and increase recognition of the rights and aspirations of youth
2. Promote national youth policies, national youth coordinating mechanisms and national youth programs of action as integral parts of social and economic development, in cooperation with both governmental and non-governmental organizations
3. Strengthen the participation of youth in decision-making processes at all levels in order to increase their impact on national development and international cooperation.

To read more go to: http://www.hrea.org

The Youth of the World
International Youth Day is a day to stand out and be counted as passionate and energetic youth that are creating a better world for all. It’s an opportunity to remind key decision-makers and influential persons of the key role young global citizens play in affecting global change. International Youth Day is a day for the youth of the world to approach and rally support from governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, businesses, and other young people to strengthen your ability to tackle poverty together. IYD is a day to take practical action to further encourage the empowerment of youth in their communities.

Some of the issues that the youth of today faces and needs to address are:
• Education
• Employment
• Hunger and Poverty
• Health
• Environment
• Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug use

All these and more are a constant growing concern for the youth of the world and is what NGOs the world over are trying to improve on.

More information at: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca

Taking Part
Celebrating International Youth Day is an opportunity to tackle issues and bring into light the problems our youth faces in today’s world. The world over students and NGOs plan some sort of activity which focuses on various aspects of this crisis which in turn leads to better decision. Some of the ways in which you can celebrate International Youth Day are:

• Team up! It is a great opportunity to rally support and get key actors involved - Governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, businesses, and young people - to focus on what has been done to further the cause

• Organize! Hold forums, public discussions and information campaigns in support of young people focusing on youth issues and how they can be addressed.

• Celebrate! Plan and organize performances everywhere to showcase - and celebrate – the fact that youth contribute to the societies in which they live. Convene exchanges and dialogues focusing on the rich and varied skills, interests and aspirations of young people.

• Take action! A major focus of the Day is practical action to further encourage the empowerment and participation of youth in the processes and decisions that affect their lives.

• Media! The media especially has an important role to play in support of the observance of the Day to promote public awareness of youth issues and to run programs that reflect on them.

Get more ideas from: http://www.un.org

International Youth Day in Pakistan
In a third world country where avenues are available less and less, and inadequate facilities do not nurture or groom the youth of today, many adverse effects on the society are visible. The main concern about the youth population is their inclination towards activities which do not help in building their character. Since the youth has been deprived of opportunities and lack awareness, they tend to shift away from their aims and objectives. In Pakistan however International Youth Day is celebrated but on a rather mute note.

Last year Pakistan’s government for the first time honored youngsters for their significant contributions towards their communities. At the National Youth Awards ceremony, the Ministry of Youth Affairs honored 14 boys and girls for accomplishments in sports, education, community services, science and technology, literature, and culture.

This year also due to the recent flood disaster affecting this great nation, International Youth Day should mainly be focused on efforts to collect relief material for the flood victims. For more details on how you can make a difference for the flood victims, go to:

http://www.cityfm89.com/website/ViewNewsEvents.aspx?nid=777

International Youth Day (IYD) will be celebrated across the world including Pakistan on August 12 to recognize the contribution of youth in society's development and engage them in more constructive activities. Following this year's theme 'Sustainability: Our Challenge. Our Future,' young people in every part of the world will be encouraged to adopt a global sense of social responsibility.

Youth day is an opportunity for governments and others to draw attention toward youth issues worldwide. Concerts, workshops, cultural events and meetings involving national and local government officials and youth organizations would take place around the world.

Other activities include seminars promoting the world's youth, as well as various sporting events, parades and mobile exhibitions that showcase young people's achievements.

IYD is aimed to recognize efforts of the world's youth in enhancing global society and promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities.

The UN defines the worlds' youth as the age group between 15 and 24 years old, making up one-sixth of the human population.

The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by young people who were gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the first session of the UN's World Youth Forum.

The forum recommended that an International Youth Day be declared, especially for fundraising and promotional purposes, to support the United Nations Youth Fund in partnership with youth organizations.

The other activities to be carried out on this special day include tree plantation and an exhibition to recognize youth participation in sustainable development of the country.

Log on to http://www.nation.com.pk for more news

Situation in Pakistan
It is a great tragedy that the vast amounts of youth energies have never been put to proper use. They have not been given any participation in any sphere of life. They have never made partners in the development of the country. Young people are experiencing isolation, vulnerability, powerlessness and idleness.

Their disadvantages derive them from lack of access to interrelated dimensions, such as:
• Economic (assets leading to income generation).
• Social (access to information, social capital, free-time activities, cultural expression, educational opportunities, care and mentoring in youth friendly venues).
• Participation in decision making (empowerment, governance).

On this basis, it appears that youth inclusion policies would be more effective if these different dimensions are combined, rather than having fragmented sectoral interventions. Institutional neglect and cultural biases constitute major barriers that prevent youth access to the above-indicated assets.

The youth of Pakistan are caught in a multitude of problems like unemployment, poverty, remorselessness, social taboos, drugs, guns and politics. It is unfortunate that the youth are trapped in a culture marked by guns, violence and drugs. All this has resulted in an unstable economy, a shattered confidence of foreign investors, lawlessness and a break-up of the social fabric.

The costs of neglecting youth can be measured in terms of increasing incidences of crimes, terrorist activities and depletion of human and social capital. There is a loss of economic growth possibilities, which will only increase as this large cohort ages and is without experience in the work force.

Read about the problems from: http://www.pnys.com

Lack of engagement and lack of connection makes it less likely that young people will contribute and become self-sufficient adults. This is threatening our progress. Therefore in order to ensure a good future in Pakistan, it is absolutely vital that the role of the youth population be enhanced and they should be given more opportunities which will help them to grow as great individuals who support the country rather than hinder its growth.

Project Kitab Karachi

6/8/2010 12:00:00 AM

General Project Information

Project name: Kitab - Karachi
Specific Location: Mohammadi Colony, Karachi, Pakistan
Expected Start-up Date: December 2010

Project Duration: On-going

Agency Details:
Name: Concern for Children Trust (CFC)
Principal Contact: Hema Mukesh - Public Relations Consultant
Telephone: (92-21) 220-3279/ 231-1105
Fax:(92-21) 231-3850
Email: hmukesh@concernforchildren.org.pk

Organizational Background
CFC is a non-profit, non government organization established in 1997. Our mission is to design, implement and replicate models for sustainable development for children within at-risk populations. Since March 2000, CFC has made efforts to counter the deplorable conditions of Karachi’s largest unofficial katchi abadi (urban slum) Mohammadi Machar Colony, through its Community Driven Development Project (CDDP). Machar Colony is a 4 square kilometer area located behind the railroad tracks on Maripur Road. It houses over 750,000 individuals, amounting to approximately 7-8% of Karachi’s population. The residents’ illegal settlement is used as an excuse by the government to not provide basic water, sanitation, education and healthcare to the community.

Community Driven Development Project (CDDP)
The Community Driven Development Project is a holistic approach to community development, in order to build a long standing model for sustainable change for those living in urban slum areas. The CDDP has three major thematic areas derived from intensive needs assessment in the community: Health, Environment and Education/Livelihood. Projects are designed under these thematic areas that seek to address an identified need in the community.

Project Description and Analysis
Situation Analysis:
There are currently 35 small “private” schools in Machar Colony catering to the area’s 200,000 students. Most schools suffer from terrible infrastructural issues, lack of ventilation, sanitation and lighting, additionally, schools are staffed by teachers with limited education and access to teaching aids, hence violence is often utilized as a mean of control. As a result of these short comings, the drop out rate, particularly among girls is extremely high

Project Description:
Project Kitab will initially be introduced in three (3) private schools (affecting 700 students and 33 teachers) with the aim of replicating the project in all 35 private schools in the colony. The project will assist the selected schools in several different ways such as adding on infrastructure facilities or strengthening the existing ones by providing repairs, repainting, building toilet facilities also provision of teaching materials on a needs basis.

Project proposed activities:

· Teacher training and administrative support

· Syllabus design, procurement of relevant books

· Physical infrastructural changes to schools, improving ventilation, light and sanitation

Project Input:

1. Renovation

2. Furniture

3. Equipments

4. Educational material

5. Syllabus

6. Teacher training

Major Project objectives:

1. Improvement in post intervention test scores of students

2. Increase in attendance of student pre and post interventions

3. Improvement on scores of teacher proficiency test post intervention

4. Increased user satisfaction

5. Decrease rate of violence in schools

International Day of Biodiversity

5/21/2010 12:00:00 AM

Introduction
The United Nations proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. When first created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in late 1993, 29 December (the date of entry into force of the Convention of Biological Diversity), was designated The International Day for Biological Diversity. In December 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted 22 May as IDB, to commemorate the adoption of the text of the Convention on 22 May 1992 by the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was partly done because it was difficult for many countries to plan and carry out suitable celebrations for the date of 29 December, given the number of holidays that coincide around that time of year.

More info at: http://www.cbd.int/idb/

Celebrating International Day of Bio Diversity
The term biodiversity is used to describe life on earth - the variety of living things, the places they inhabit and the interactions between them. The year 2010 has been declared as the International Year of Biodiversity, to improve understanding of the need for biodiversity conservation and boost collective action. Promoting a message, Biodiversity is life, Biodiversity is our life, the year is being celebrated through numerous global events, actions and initiatives. The theme for this year’s International Day of Biodiversity is ‘Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation’, keeping in mind the crucial role of biodiversity for human wellbeing.

However, biodiversity is being lost through habitat destruction, land conversion for agriculture and development, over-exploitation of natural resources, human induced climate change, pollution, diseases, spread of invasive species and a host of other threats. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species shows that 22 percent of mammals, 30 percent of amphibians, 12 percent of birds, 28 percent of reptiles, 37 percent of freshwater fish species, 70 percent of plants, and 35 percent of invertebrates, assessed so far, are under threat. The escalating rate of species extinction, which is up to 1,000 times the natural rate, shows that the natural world cannot support the pressure that humanity is placing on it. What is critical to remember is that extinction is irreversible; once a species is extinct it is gone forever.

Taking biodiversity conservation as its core priority, IUCN attains it by its various programmes including Water, Forests, Marine, Species, Ecosystem Management and Protected Areas. As a knowledge based organization, it has developed the Red List of Threatened Species, a world standard on the status of biodiversity, its threats and solutions, as well as information on how species support livelihoods and how biodiversity conservation can help tackle climate change. IUCN has also devised the global standards by which protected areas are classified, planned and managed, as a key tool for biodiversity conservation. Furthermore, IUCN hosts ‘Countdown 2010’, an initiative which facilitates and encourages action, promotes the importance of the 2010 Biodiversity Target and assesses progress towards 2010. In Pakistan, the Union’s key initiatives include establishing integrated water resource management practices, protected areas management, and sustainable ecosystem and livelihoods practices in the biodiversity rich Juniper forest area in Ziarat, Balochistan, which hosts the second largest concentration of Juniper reserves also termed as living fossils. The Union also has a range of activities planned to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity 2010. For more information, visit our website: http://www.iucn.org/iyb/

Get more details from: www.iucn.org

About IUCN
The world’s oldest and largest global environment network, IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, envisions a just world that values and conserves nature. IUCN helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and developmental challenges. It supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice. The Union’s headquarters are located in Gland, Switzerland.

IUCN Pakistan is part of the IUCN’s Asia Regional Programme based in Bangkok, Thailand. Established in 1985 to assist in the preparation of Pakistan’s National Conservation Strategy, IUCN Pakistan has grown to become the largest country programme of IUCN. Together with its partners and members, it is implementing several conservation initiatives across the country through institutional strengthening, policy advocacy and field work. Currently there are 27 active members of IUCN in Pakistan, including the Government of Pakistan as the state member, six government agencies and 20 NGOs. Over 100 volunteers from Pakistan work in IUCN’s six specialized commissions.

Join IUCN in celebrating the International Day of Biodiversity on 22 May 2010 (http://www.iucn.org/iyb/). Taking biodiversity conservation as its core priority, IUCN undertakes various initiatives across the country. As one of its collaborative endeavours, it is working towards establishing sustainable ecosystem and livelihoods practices in the biodiversity rich Juniper forest area in Ziarat, Balochistan. The area boasts the second largest concentration of Juniper reserves in the world. Some specimen trees in this area are estimated to be more then 2,500 years old, thus classified as living fossils.

Biodiversity and Health and Nutrition
Scientific research is revealing an increasing number of links between biodiversity and human health and well-being. The existence of a variety of ecosystems, of different species and of genetic diversity is essential to maintaining human health, in terms of food security and adequate nutrition, resistance to infectious and vector borne diseases, mental health, and reduction of disaster risk. Not least, biodiversity provides the material from which all traditional medicines and many synthetic drugs are derived.

The importance of biodiversity in mitigating the occurrence of disease and poor health is clear. Various studies show that:
• In areas where there was a greater variety of birdlife, people were less likely to contract West Nile Virus
• Greater diversity of vertebrate species can reduce the incidence of Lyme disease (spread mainly by mice)
• In the Peruvian Amazon, mosquitoes associated with malaria were observed to bite people 278 times more frequently in deforested areas than those in areas still predominantly forested
• Communities living near the Ruteng Park, Indonesia, have fewer cases of malaria and dysentery, fewer school days missed due to cases illness, and less hunger associated with crop failure than nearby communities without intact forests nearby. Villages near the park also have better water quality.

Biodiversity is also important to human health through its provision of materials to treat and cure diseases. Three quarters of the world population depend on natural traditional medicine from plants. In addition, it has been estimated that approximately half the synthetic drugs used in the world today have natural origin. Hundreds of these plants are threatened with extinction.

For a more detailed description, please visit: www.naturenorth.com/

Some Facts

• 17,291 species out of 47,677 so far assessed are threatened with extinction.
• Of the world’s 5,490 mammals, 79 are Extinct or Extinct in the Wild, with 188 Critically Endangered, 449 Endangered and 505 Vulnerable.
• 1,895 of the planet’s 6,285 amphibians are in danger of extinction, making them the most threatened group of species known to date.
• More than 70,000 plant species are used in traditional and modern medicine.
• Coral reefs provide food, storm protection, jobs, recreation and other income sources for more than 500 million people worldwide yet 70% of coral reefs are threatened or destroyed.
• Biodiversity is essential to global food security and nutrition and also serves as a safety net to poor households during times of crisis.
• Diversity of genes within species, e.g. as represented by livestock breeds or strains of plants, is also important for agriculture and food security. Increased diversity reduces risk from diseases and increases our potential to adapt to changing climate.

More facts available at: www.greenfacts.org

What We Can Do?
Societies and individuals can strengthen the efforts of the government and civil society towards making a collective difference for biodiversity conservation, such as by reducing their carbon footprint, adopting sustainable practices for use of natural resources, conserving water, using renewable energy sources, minimizing and recycling waste, and supporting bodies that act for biodiversity.

Get more ideas at: http://www.ifad.org

National Smile Month

5/18/2010 12:00:00 AM

National Smile Month
The importance of brushing, good nutrition, and regular visits to the dentist are the focus of National Smile Month, the largest independent international dental campaign aimed at consumers of all ages. National Smile Month, now in its 34th year begins May 18. This year’s theme is “Teeth for Life” which highlights the importance of looking after your teeth and maintaining them for life, also stressing that a healthy diet can improve the quality of your life. The message is also intended to raise awareness of the systemic link between good oral health and good overall body health.

For more information go to: http://www.nationalsmileweek.org

Oral Health and Body Health
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that people with gum disease are more at risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and, in the case of pregnant women, giving birth to underweight babies. Gum disease is caused by poor oral healthcare and is, therefore, totally preventable.

Around 19 out of 20 people suffer with gum disease at some point in their lives, but with a good oral healthcare routine they can easily prevent it from developing into something more serious.

For good oral health:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Cut down how often you have sugary foods and drinks
• Visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend

You should also clean between the teeth once-a-day using floss or interdental brushes, change your toothbrush every three months and check your mouth regularly for any lumps, non healing ulcers or red/white patches in the mouth - as these can all be early signs of mouth cancer.

Learn more at: http://bibbynews.wordpress.com

What to do on National Smile Month

Displays
Perfect for dental practices, schools, colleges, retail outlets, workplaces and community centers or anywhere that allows you to display information.

Dental Expert Talk
Perfect for oral health educators and dental professionals who want to help the community and for schools, colleges or workplaces who want to educate their pupils or staff. Both children and adults can learn something from an expert talk and subjects can range from the importance of fluoride in toothpaste to the systemic links between the health of the mouth and the body.

Healthy Food Check
Perfect for cafeterias, cafes, restaurants and anywhere that serves food. Health workers and oral health educators can influence menu choices by getting in touch with schools and restaurants in their area.

Fun Days
Fun days are an ideal way to get the interest of children and the general public and can work well in schools, dental practices, retail outlets, colleges and the community. A fun day can be a great way to create a buzz in your local area. People are far more likely to learn when they are having fun, – so make sure you also hand out information.

Class Visit to the Dentist
Seeing the workings of a dental practice up close and meeting friendly staff can help encourage regular dental visits. Local newspapers will be happy to take a photograph of your event that can benefit both school and practice.

Free Consultation Prize
Dental practices can offer a free consultation as a prize in the local newspaper or through the practice newsletter. Offering a free consultation as a prize can be an excellent way to publicize your practice and make people aware of the various options that are available.

Hand Out Information
Use National Smile Month as an opportunity to hand out written information. Research has found that people are far more likely to remember information when it is given to them in written form. Handing out information is a great way to educate the public on good oral healthcare and leaflets are available at minimal cost.

Healthy Food Tasting
A healthy food-tasting day can be a great way to educate children and adults about good eating habits. People can often become quite set in their ways with what they eat, so a well-organized food-tasting session can open them up to new, healthy options and could help improve their diet in the long term.

Get more ideas from: http://www.dentistry.co.uk

Some Tips for Healthy Teeth
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after every meal, using fluoride-containing toothpaste.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush — it's gentler on your gums.
• To brush properly, hold your toothbrush at a slight angle against your teeth and use short back-and-forth motions.
• Brush the inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth.
• Brush your teeth for about two minutes each time you brush.
• Brush your tongue.
• Avoid vigorous or harsh scrubbing, which can irritate your gums.
• Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if it becomes frayed.
• Consider using an electric toothbrush, especially if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush well.
• When you floss, gently ease the floss between your teeth.
• Pull the ends of the floss against the front and back surface of a tooth so that the floss forms a "C" as it wraps around the tooth.
• Gently pull the floss from the gumline to the top of the tooth to scrape off plaque.
• Floss the backs of your teeth.
• Use fresh floss as you progress through your teeth.
• If you have trouble getting floss through your teeth, try waxed floss.
• If it's hard to manipulate the floss, try using a floss holder.
• Use an interdental cleaner, such as a dental pick or dental stick specially designed to clean between your teeth.
• Use a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth.
• Use oral irrigators, or devices that aim a stream of water at your teeth, to remove food particles.
• Don't use toothpicks or other objects that aren't made to clean your teeth.

Go to these websites to get more tips:
http://www.bordersstores.com
http://www.abcdentist.com
http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com

International Day for Families

5/15/2010 12:00:00 AM

About International day for Families
May 15 is celebrated as the International Day of the Family. This day highlights the importance of families. It aims at fostering equality, bringing about a fuller sharing of domestic responsibilities and employment opportunities. The programs undertaken to commemorate the day, work towards supporting families in the discharge of their functions. They tend to promote the inherent strengths of families, including their great capacity of self-reliance, and stimulate self-sustaining activities.

Family constitutes the basic unit of society. Hence, the widest possible protection and assistance should be accorded to families so that they fully assume their responsibilities within the community to the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration on Social Progress and Developments and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women.

Read more at: http://rrtd.nic.in/international_day_of_the_family.htm

Theme for 2010: The Impact of Migration on Families Around the World
The International Day of Families in 2010 focuses on migration and its impact on families around the world.

Impact of migration on families
For families, the decision to migrate is not an easy one and often taken in response to economic hardship, as a way to deal with economic shocks as well as man-made and natural disasters. Yet migration also brings economic well-being to families. If migrants move to regions or countries with higher levels of human development than their own, as is often the case, migration can lead to improved capabilities, including better health and education, for migrants and their children. Migration can also affect
gender relations and contribute to the empowerment of women, whether they migrate or stay behind.

Since migrants provide vital financial support for their families, migration can also improve the well-being of those left behind. In 2008, migrants sent $444 billion in remittances worldwide, with flows to the developing world standing at $338 billion. In some areas (e.g. the pacific islands) up to 75 percent of families report receiving remittances from overseas and in some villages remittances account for as much as 50 percent of all household income. Financial remittances are essential for improving the livelihood of millions of people in less developed countries. Remittances improve the material welfare of family members left behind. Families with migrants tend to be better nourished and are more likely to send children to school. Remittances may also help families to diversify sources of income and provide private forms of social protection to reduce risks when facing shocks such as political conflicts or natural disasters.

In countries of origin, remittances also have multiplier effects, since they will mostly be spent on goods and services supplied by others in the community and so benefit the local economy. Families, however, are primary providers not only of material, but emotional support as well. Separation is a painful decision with important emotional costs both for those who move and for those left behind. Children’s health, education and overall development depend on the support the family is providing, going beyond monetary aspects. The migration of a parent, particularly of the mother, could offset the gains in consumption, education and health of children. The possible impacts of the absence of a parent depend on the age of the child at the time of the separation, on the familiarity and attitude of the caretaker and the
duration of the separation. Research on the long-term health outcomes of separation suggests that its impacts may be negative, because the levels of preventive care are lower when one parent is absent from the household.

Moreover, a prolonged parental absence is especially difficult for children headed by single parents who migrate. The absence of a parent may result in many forms of psychological deprivation. Some national surveys indicate that the absence of both parents or just of the mother likens the frequency of depression
symptoms in children. Parents’ departure also represents a risk factor for deviant behaviour among children left behind. Sometimes, even a temporary migration may have an impact similar to that of the loss of a parent, either through family break-up or death. To be sure, many parents, especially mothers try to maintain a strong and influential presence in their children’s lives, regardless of the distance and it is
becoming easier for families to stay connected thanks to new and more affordable communication technologies. Grand-parents and other extended family members often take over caring for children in the absence of parents and may be able to ensure adequate care in parents’ absence. Besides adapting to lengthy separations from their loved ones, migrants’ family members remaining in the country of origin may also have trouble relating to the new lifestyles of their migrant relatives. Families may face new challenges relating to the role of parents or new expectations of children, as families must cope with changing expectations about gender roles, parenting and other aspects of family life.

Family reunification is critical for the well-being of families. Migrants and their families often move to places were living conditions and educational opportunities for their children are better than in their home countries. However, first generation migrants often do not have the same access to services as
natives in countries of destination.

Migrants arriving in new host countries often endure great sacrifices to earn enough no send to their families. They suffer from poor working and living conditions, work for low wages, and are often discriminated against. Moreover, the very adaptation to life in a new country poses challenges in the forms of unfamiliar language, culture and daily interactions. Migrant children are at high risk of falling victim to child trafficking, child labour, conflict with the law, violence, early marriage and lack of birth registration.

Observing the day at the National Level
Drawing on past experiences, the following are some examples of the kinds of programs, which could be undertaken for the Day's observance:

• Official proclamations of the Day by mayors and other local authorities.
• Proclamations of “Family Week”.
• Arranging special exhibitions of publications, photographs, children’s drawings, posters and other materials on families.
• Family and community forums and workshops, to explore issues and offer options for strengthening families. Forums can also provide information on family support services, such as counseling, financial assistance, advisory and information services.
• Special events in educational settings can highlight families, such as parent/teacher gatherings or student activities.
• Special family fares or free family tickets on public transportation and other incentives to give additional emphasis to the Day and to facilitate the involvement of families.
• Free entrance for families to museums, exhibitions, concerts and other cultural attractions.
• Production of documentary films or promotional vignettes on families to be shown on national and local television stations.
• Launching family-related publications.
• Organization of essay competitions on the family.
• Press conferences by research institutions and others concerned with family issues can raise public awareness of priority concerns.
• Coverage of the Day’s events by the news media, including television, radio and newspapers. The latter could also carry feature articles and special supplements on the Day, as well as a series on family issues.

For more information log on to: http://www.un.org

What we need to understand?
The ideal of "a family" is one of the most basic models of what a better world can be like. In a perfect family, the members are joined by bonds of love; they help each other meet all of their needs. Of course no family is perfect, but a family that strives together to become a "family for a better world" can help each member to feel more fulfilled and better about themselves and the world. In Pakistan we should be paying attention towards our family life as well as our social or professional circles. Take time out to sit and talk to your family members. You might decide to set a regular time to discuss and work out family problems and issues. You'll want to make sure that you show your concern and encouragement for each other, regularly. A happy family with happy family members is an asset to society and can work together for the betterment of it.

Learn more by logging on to: http://www.betterworldcalendar.com

Earth Day

4/22/2010 12:00:00 AM

Earth Day 2010
Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. While climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, it also presents the greatest opportunity – an unprecedented opportunity to build a healthy, prosperous, clean energy economy now and for the future.

Earth Day 2010 can be a turning point to advance climate policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy and green jobs. Earth Day Network is galvanizing millions who make personal commitments to sustainability. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.

Logo on to www.earthday.org to learn more about this year's theme and goals and how you as individuals can be the change and help save the Earth.

Help Save the Earth!
Going green is easier than you think. There are little things you can do every day to help reduce greenhouse gases and make a less harmful impact on the environment. Taking care of the Earth is not just a responsibility -- it's a privilege.

1. Pay attention to how you use water. The little things can make a big difference. Every time you turn off the water while you're brushing your teeth, you're doing something good. Got a leaky toilet? You might be wasting 200 gallons of water a day. Wash your clothes in cold water when you can.

2. Leave your car at home. If you can stay off the road just two days a week, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year. Combine your errands -- hit the post office, grocery store and shoe repair place in one trip. It will save you gas and time.

3. Walk or ride your bike to work, school and anywhere you can. You can reduce greenhouse gases while burning some calories and improving your health. If you can't walk or bike, use mass transit or carpool. Every car not on the road makes a difference.

4. Recycle. You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin. If you're trying to choose between two products, pick the one with the least packaging. If an office building of 7,000 workers recycled all of its office paper waste for a year, it would be the equivalent of taking almost 400 cars off the road.

5. Compost. (Composting is a method for treating solid waste in which organic material is broken down by microorganisms in the presence of oxygen to a point where it can be safely stored, handled and applied to the environment.)Think about how much trash you make in a year. Reducing the amount of solid waste you produce in a year means taking up less space in landfills. Plus, compost makes a great natural fertilizer. Composting is easier than you think.

6. Change your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer than a standard bulb and use at least two-thirds less energy.

7. Make your home more energy efficient (and save money). Clean your air filters so your system doesn't have to work overtime. Get a programmable thermostat so you aren't wasting energy when you aren't home. When you go to bed, reduce the thermostat setting -- you won't miss those extra degrees of heat or air conditioning while you're asleep.

8. Maintain your car. Underinflated tires decrease fuel economy by up to three percent and lead to increased pollution and higher greenhouse gas emissions. Underinflation also increases tire wear, so it will save you money in the long run if you're good about checking your tire pressure.

9. Drive smarter. Slow down -- driving 60 miles per hour instead of 70 mph on the highway will save you up 4 miles per gallon. Accelerating and braking too hard can actually reduce your fuel economy, so take it easy on the brakes and gas pedal.

10.Turn off lights when you're not in the room and unplug appliances when you're not using them. It only takes a second to be environmentally conscious.

To read more: click here www.howstuffworks.com

CityFM89's tips n tricks to help save the earth
Unplug any electrical appliances not in use. Any device that is switched off but still plugged in, still draws power. A photocopier left plugged in over night, wastes enough power to make 1.500 copies. Saving energy means saving precious fossil fuels and cutting back on carbon emissions which contribute to global warming

Check your car tires frequently to make sure they are properly inflated. Properly inflated tires mean fuel economy. Fully inflated car tires can cut out 300 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions for every 10,000 miles driven. Carbon dioxide emissions is one of the leading causes of global warming.

Make your wardrobe environmentally friendly. Skip drying your laundry in the dryer – instead hang them on a clothes line or rack to try. Dryers consume huge amounts of energy – a single dryer can emit up to a ton of carbon dioxide in a year. Not only can you cut your electricity bills this way, but also cut down on global warming.

Buy your fresh groceries like fruits and vegetables from the closest local produce market. The fewer the food miles, the more eco-friendly your food. Food miles is the distance food travels from field to plate and is an indicator of the environmental impact of the food we eat. The longer the food has to travel through air, rail, sea or road – the greater the amount of carbon emissions become associated with the process. Buying local produce can significantly lower the greenhouse effect.

Carry a canvas or reusable bag with you for any impromptu shopping trips. This will limit the number of plastic bags that end up in landfills. Plastic bags are non-biodegradable and kill thousands of marine creatures each year. The production of plastic bags also consumes precious fossil fuels and results in carbon emissions – leading to global warming.

Conserve water at home by taking shorter showers. If you shorten your shower by four minutes, you can save up to 27 gallons per wash and cut down on global warming! You'll keep unnecessary water from the sewage stream, and save energy and carbon emissions that goes with treating water.

Keep your car tuned up. Inadequate car maintenance increases your car’s carbon emissions and the car’s fuel economy also suffers. Timely car tune ups can help save fuel, and cut down emissions contributing to global warming.

Encourage your office to buy recycled paper for daily use. Compared to the resources needed to manufacture virgin paper, recycled paper reduces solid waste and pollution, conserves energy and water use, saves trees, and prevents the disruption of wildlife habitats and native landscapes.

Womens Day

3/8/2010 12:00:00 AM

International Women’s Day 2010 – 8th March
For the women of the world, the Day is an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development.

You might think that women's equality benefits mostly women, but every one-percentile growth in female secondary schooling results in a 0.3 percent growth in the economy. Yet girls are often kept from receiving education in the poorest countries that would best benefit from the economic growth.

Until the men and women work together to secure the rights and full potential of women, lasting solutions to the world's most serious social, economic and political problems are unlikely to be found.

In recent decades, much progress has been made. On a worldwide level, women's access to education and proper health care has increased; their participation in the paid labor force has grown; and legislation that promises equal opportunities for women and respect for their human rights has been adopted in many countries. The world now has an ever- growing number of women participating in society as policy-makers.

However, nowhere in the world can women claim to have all the same rights and opportunities as men.

For more information please see: http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/womensday/pages/why_content.asp

International women’s day – background
The idea of an International Women's Day first arose at the turn of the century, which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth and radical ideologies.

On 8 March 1857, women working in clothing and textile factories (called 'garment workers') in New York City, in the United States, staged a protest. They were fighting against inhumane working conditions and low wages. The police attacked the protestors and dispersed them. Two years later, again in March, these women formed their first labour union to try and protect themselves and gain some basic rights in the workplace.

Some of the issues International Women's Day has focused on include the following:
According to UNICEF, 100 million to 140 million girls and women have undergone some form of female genital mutilation. Today, this practice is carried out in 28 African countries, despite the fact that it is outlawed in a number of these nations.

In a number of countries, women who have been raped are sometimes killed by their own families to preserve the family's honor. Honor killings have been reported in Jordan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and other Persian Gulf countries.

For more information please see:
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womensday1.html

Importance of Women's Day
From the pre-historic times, women have been deemed with respect and worshipped for their unflinching courage and undaunted determination. Women have taken on various roles, whether it is the Greek Goddess of fury, Erinys or the Goddess of love, Aphrodite or the epitome of compassion, in the figure of Mother Mary or the Hindu Goddess of destroyer of all evil, in the form of Goddess Durga. Despite the universal fact that women are essential for the proper functioning of the society, the real picture is quite bleak and sad as they are made to fall a prey to different kinds of social injustices. The record breaking achievements made by women have often gone unrewarded as well as their contribution unrecognized. More so, the lack of equality as far as rights and opportunities are concerned, have resulted in the outcome of a movement which has successfully worked full swing to ensure that women are not deprived of their rights and their potential tapped to the fullest.

For more information please see: http://www.123greetings.com/events/womens_day/info/importance_womens_day.html

International Children’s day of broadcasting

3/7/2010 12:00:00 AM

As the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) marks its 20th anniversary, UNICEF highlights the rights that all children deserve. Whether it is a quality education or a safe home, adequate food and drinking water or the ability to participate in society, children should get what they need to become strong members of society.

How do young people find out about their rights and responsibilities? Today, media is one of the most widely recognized ways to reach young people. Broadcasters have the responsibility to highlight issues that face children and to open young people’s eyes to opportunities and rights that may not be known to them.

The International Children’s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) was created to give exposure to the issue of children’s rights. Over the years, it also has become a day of celebrating young people in the media.

The rights to participation and expression are an integral part of adolescent development. Broadcasters have the chance to empower young people by giving them media skills and putting their voices on the air. This shows other young people that they, too, can have a voice. It also shows the world what young people’s thoughts are about their lives and communities.

On 7 March 2010, radio and television broadcasters will celebrate the ICDB and highlight programming by, for and about children. The theme is ‘All Rights All Children’.

Youth programming worldwide
In Fact throughout the years, the world's largest broadcast campaign for children has produced some of the most creative children’s programmes.

To mark ICDB, broadcasters create special dramas, present children’s talk shows and organize day-long youth events. Here are some of the highlights from the previous years:

•   In Côte d’Ivoire, a special TV programme will feature youth educators who are working to prevent HIV infection among their peers, and Radio ONUCI will air an ICDB radio programme hosted by young people
•   UNICEF Germany is working with Super RTL to produce and broadcast a 30-minute show on children’s issues
•   Ghana’s Joy FM has sought input from schoolchildren in Accra for programming ideas on the ICDB theme and will host an event with young people promoting HIV/AIDS prevention through music, dance, drama and other activities
•   In Pakistan, a special ICDB public service announcement has been recorded in Urdu by Strings, a pop group whose members are UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassadors
•   In the United States, the MNN Youth Channel will air a panel discussion with young people who have used media to address issues of HIV and AIDS; in addition, radio station WCPN in Ohio will be hosting an on-air children’s panel to discuss issues facing children.

These and hundreds of broadcasters around the world have joined UNICEF in its appeal to ‘Tune in to Kids’ for ICDB. On the second Sunday in December, the world will be listening and watching.
For more information go to: http://www.uniteforchildren.org/youth/youth_37438.html and www.unicef.org/videoaudio/video_38486.html

Articles on responsible programming

“The media’s strength lies in opening up information flows which impact on people’s aspirations. A sea of shared ideas and knowledge can alter a people and a culture by lending them a voice. A balance of exposure to local and international avenues can further institutional change as well as norms of behavior. The ensuing series of public debate can lead ideally to a facilitation of collective behavior.”
Navid Shahzad
Media Through The Times
www.dailytimes.com.pk

”Pakistan is a massive territory in terms of cartoon predilection in kids. Moreover, there is a great media infrastructure that allows us to connect with the Pakistani kids through screen,”……. "Yes! Television can play in developing healthy minds and positive behavior in kids. Television should depict constructive activities… "Cartoon Network in Pakistan is no doubt a very successful venture, and still has a long way to go. TENA is hoping to do their best to fulfill children's expectation by running the cartoon programmes on different events like Eid, Basant and other special days that will solely be designed for the Pakistani kids,"…”most parents watch the cartoon with the kids in the West and it should be followed everywhere so that the kids are guided accordingly”
Ian Diamond
www.defence.pk/forums/strategic-geopolitical-issues/487-pakistan-s-very-own-cartoon-network.html

“The University of Washington researchers called a show violent if it involved fighting, hitting people, threats or other violence that was central to the plot or a main character. Shows listed included Power Rangers, Lion King and Scooby Doo. Even non-violent shows like Rugrats and The Flintstones carried a still substantial — although slightly lower — risk for attention problems, according to the researchers. The researchers said the risks only seemed to occur in children under three, perhaps because that is a particularly crucial period of brain development.”
www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/11/05/kids-tvviolence.html