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When we invest in women and girls, everyone benefits

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In her recent opening remarks at the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on Population and Development (29 April 2024), Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency (UNFPA), spoke about the transformational journey that began at the International Conference on Population and Development International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo Thirty years ago. There the cornerstones of sustainable development have been firmly laid through a firm commitment to gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, and universal access to sexual and reproductive health as human rights. Dr. Kanem cited remarkable progress in multiple areas that directly impact the quality of life and opportunities for women and girls globally. For example, girls have now achieved parity with boys in primary education and outperformed them in enrollment in tertiary education. There has been a significant decline in maternal mortality rates, a
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Embracing Our Shared Humanity: The Oneness of Mankind and the Beauty of Diversity

A few days ago, I encountered a profound video that left a lasting impression on me. It featured a conversation between two friends, centered around a simple yet deeply insightful experiment. The exchange went as follows: the first friend asked, "What do you see when you pour water into several bottles of different colors - a green bottle, a blue bottle, a white bottle, and a brown bottle?" To which the second friend replied, "I see the liquid taking the color of the bottle." Then came the second question: "And how does the water taste from all of these bottles?" After tasting the water from each, the friend noted, "They taste the same." The first friend then shared a powerful observation: "This is how it is for us as humans. Our core is the same, and we get to live different experiences based on our physical bodies. Humanity is one." This simple dialogue encapsulates a profound truth about the essence of human existence and the onenes
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Unity amid fasting

 In a world that increasingly feels divided, where the echoes of disagreement seem louder than the harmonies of agreement, the coming together of three major religious communities (Christians, Muslims and Bahá'ís) in a shared practice of fasting offers a profound moment for reflection and unity. As followers of these diverse religions embark on their sacred fasts, it becomes a symbolic reminder that, despite our varied paths, there exists a common thread of humanity, discipline, and devotion that binds us all. The rise of "polirized discourse ", with its quick judgments and divisions, stands in stark contrast to the teachings of unity and understanding that lie at the heart of these religious observances. Fasting, in its essence, is not merely an act of physical abstention but a gesture of inner reflection, purification, and renewal. It calls on individuals to look beyond the surface, to empathize with the struggles and sacrifices of others, and to recognize the shared h
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The world of humanity has two wings -- one is women and the other men International women's day On this International Women's Day, let us reflect on the profound wisdom of recognizing the equality and indispensable role of women in shaping our world. As "The world of humanity has two wings -- one is women and the other men", we acknowledge that true progress can only soar when both wings are equally strong. "The most momentous question of this day is international peace and arbitration, and universal peace is impossible without universal suffrage. Children are educated by the women. The mother bears the troubles and anxieties of rearing the child, undergoes the ordeal of its birth and training. Therefore, it is most difficult for mothers to send to the battlefield those upon whom they have lavished such love and care. Consider a son reared and trained twenty years by a devoted mother . . . Having brought him through dangers and difficulties to the age of m
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Uniting for health: A global call to action against the resurgence of measles in Europe

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The WHO European Region announced on 14 December 2023 that the EU region is witnessing an unprecedented surge in measles cases. In just the first ten months of 2023, over 30,000 cases were reported - a shocking increase from the 941 cases in all of 2022. This alarming rise is not showing signs of slowing down, and experts are calling for immediate action to curb further spread. Hospitalizations and deaths on the rise: Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge of WHO Europe pointed out the severity of the situation, noting nearly 21,000 hospitalizations and 5 deaths due to measles. This disease, once under control, is now posing a significant threat, especially to children. With 2 in 5 cases affecting children aged 1 to 4, and a notable number in adults over 20, the need for widespread vaccination is more urgent than ever. The role of COVID-19 and vaccination gaps: The resurgence of measles is largely linked to declining vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions to immunization p
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Resilience is very important - reflections over the paper entitled "From homeless to Ph.D.: How I found my way into research"

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Resilience is very important - reflections over the paper entitled "From homeless to Ph.D.: How I found my way into research" I read this very interesting article in the Science journal. I meant to share a summary and personal impressions about it. The article talks about the journey of Emma Xu, who overcame significant challenges to pursue a career in academic research. Growing up in China, Emma's parents did not have the opportunity to have a higher education. Later, after immigrating to Texas with her mother and American stepfather, Emma faced language barriers, poverty, and domestic abuse. Despite these hardships, including homelessness and working part-time jobs, Emma discovered a passion for physics and research. Her perseverance and desire to learn led her to a Ph.D. program, where she found confidence and academic success, underscoring the value of resilience and hard work over childhood advantages. This story is a profound illustration of the transfor
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Summary of Bill Gates notes for 2024: Harmonizing Innovation with Unity - Shaping a Prosperous Global Future

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At the end of every year Bill Gates, makes his summary of the year and his projection for the following year. I wrote here my personal summary and impressions of Gates 2024 letter . Bill Gates’ notes for 2024 dwell on personal achievements and the significant progress in technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), and their capacity to shape the coming years. He shares personal events like the joy of becoming a grandparent, urging him to think deeply about the legacy that will be left for the new generation. Gates underscores the transformative impact of AI across various sectors, including education, mental health, and public health, and its utility in streamlining drug development processes to tackle global disparities / social injustices. Gates remains steadfast in his belief that innovation drives progress, sharing stories of success such as the reduction of child mortality rates through advancements in medical science. He conveys enthusiasm for the work being done to
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