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International Year of Forests 2011
In 2010, millions of people contributed to the success of the International Year of Biodiversity and to making biodiversity a hot topic. This year, biodiversity remains in the spotlight as the United Nations declared 2011 the International Year of Forests (IYF). Forests contain some of our planet’s most vibrant ecosystems, displaying a wondrous variety of birds, animals, and plants.
Announcing the winners of the 2010 International Biodiversity Art Competition!
How do young people see life on Earth, the richness of ecosystems, the reasons underlying biodiversity loss and the actions required to stop this loss?
International Year of Youth
This year's International Youth Day on 12 August marks the beginning of the International Year of Youth (IYY), which will run until August 2011. Twenty-five years after the first IYY in 1985, the United Nations is once again shining the spotlight on the energy, imagination and initiative of young people in overcoming global challenges.
The 2010 Green Wave in Japan
After three months of preparation some 111,000 participants from 1,588 groups in 43 prefectures across Japan celebrated The Green Wave by planting and watering 254,000 trees on 22 May 2010, the International Day for Biological Diversity.
The national campaign, which offered opportunity for children and youth of Japan to join with Green Wave participants across the world, was jointly promoted by the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Meet the new biodiversity ambassador: Edward Norton
On 8 July, 2010 the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon named two-time Academy Award-nominated actor Edward Norton as a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity.
Nominate Champions of Biodiversity in Southeast Asia
Biodiversity conservation projects of youth, corporations, and media in the ASEAN region now stand a chance to be recognized through a regional awards program launched by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the ASEAN Foundation.
World Environment Day 2010: Many Species. One Planet. One Future.
Saturday 5 June is World Environment Day (WED). WED is one of the main ways through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment (including on biodiversity and other issues) and encourages political attention and action. The first WED began nearly forty years ago in 1972.
WED gives a human face to environmental issues and helps people realize opportunities for change in support of sustainable and equitable development. It is a day for building partnerships among all species living on this planet and sharing a common future.
Three Extra Weeks to Submit Your Art for International Art Competition
You have an extra three weeks to submit your artwork for the Young Hands Together for Diversity International Art Competition. The deadline has been extended to 10 July 2010.
The extension gives you a bit more time to finish and send in your drawings.
Take action against global hunger
This year's Green Wave celebrations focused on the theme of "biodiversity and development." You can continue to show your support for a critical biodiversity and development issue: hunger. Here's how:
Deadline for International Art Competition Is Fast Approaching
If you haven't yet submitted your entry for the Young Hands Together for Diversity International Art Competition, don't delay! The 15 June 2010 deadline is fast approaching.
Here's a reminder of the competition details:
The international art competition is part of a learning and activity programme on biodiversity. The winning entry will be used for the design of a challenge badge – a special badge to be awarded to young people who complete a number of challenges set out in the programme. Other entries will be used for illustrations in a booklet, posters and other information materials.
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