#beatheartdisease

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Monthly Roundup May 2024

The Impact of War on Children Worldwide

"According to Save the Children, in 2022, there were approximately 452 million children – or one in six of all children on the planet – that were living in conflict‐affected areas. As of 2024, we are witnessing unprecedented levels of attacks against children in armed conflict contexts."

“Untitled” by Bîstyek, a Winnipeg‐based Kurdish artist from Syria who fled that country at 16 years of age. Painting by Bîstyek

"The impacts of armed conflict on children are multi‐pronged and have long‐term consequences beyond the duration of the armed conflict. When children are exposed to armed conflict, denied humanitarian access, displaced from their homes and families and unable to attain education, the ramifications impact the individual child and, at the same time, impact the development of communities and economic growth while perpetuating cycles of insecurity and violence."

Gaza – children in the crossfire, lack of access to education and healthcare

Sudan – forced displacement, lack of education and food insecurity

Colombia – armed violence, recruitment of children and trafficking

"We need to reframe the way we think about and understand children’s participation and protection. Understanding and including children’s perspectives in peace and security can contribute to the empowerment of children as agents of change, bring diverse solutions to intractable problems, and help us to disrupt long‐term consequences of armed conflict that impact children’s identity, belonging and connection to family and communities. The challenge of supporting children’s engagement is not about their lack of capacity but a shortcoming in the imagination of adults to think beyond traditional approaches to peace and security. Building lasting peace and security requires a new approach that addresses the unique challenges that children face before, during and after conflict and one that recognizes that children’s perspectives and protection are at the core of our humanity."

Waiving Away the Problem: How US Presidents Have Let Countries Complicit in Child Soldiering Off the Hook

"For more than a decade, the United States has sent billions of dollars in military assistance and weapons to countries complicit in the recruitment or use of child soldiers, despite a law intended to block it. But there are concrete steps that presidents can take to enhance U.S. child soldier prevention efforts by leveraging the fierce global demand for U.S. arms and assistance."

HOW MINT LEAVES AND LEMON TREES ARE HELPING ELEPHANT CONSERVATION IN NEPAL

“There is a strong correlation between elephant habitat fragmentation and crop loss,” says Rinjan Shrestha, WWF-Canada’s leading expert on Asian species. Today, human-elephant conflict remains the number one threat to the already-small Asian elephant population in Nepal. “The answer,” says Shrestha, “is to connect and restore historical habitats for growing numbers of elephants.”

"Biological fencing, or “biofencing” — the practice of making barriers out of natural, living things — is one way to help guide Asian elephants through their natural habitat without tempting them to wander into cropland."

Bees & Elephants: Villagers in Yunnan turn to beekeeping to bolster conservation of wild Asian elephants

"In recent years, in some rural areas in Yunnan, the local governments and volunteers have been promoting industrial transformation, with beekeeping being a key project. This has not only helped achieve rural carbon reduction but also allowed villagers to work at home, reducing direct contact with elephants."

❤️ / It is officially #RideforHeart month!!! ❤️ /

For the 4th year I will be raising money in support of Heart and Stroke in memory of my Dad 🎗 This year I am thrilled to be part of the Heartbeat Heroes - VIP Community! As a VIP my fundraising goal is to reach $1000.

As of today I am at 45% of my goal. You may find my fundraising page HERE Thank you so much for supporting me and Heart and Stroke ❤️ I am making every beat count for my Dad ❤️ today and forever.

[stayhealthyallways]

**Understanding the Symptoms of Heart Disease**

#HeartHealth #KnowTheSigns #HeartDiseaseAwareness #ActForYourHeart #HealthyHeart #HeartCare #CardioHealth #BeatHeartDisease #SymptomsMatter #StayHeartStrong

Stay informed and stay healthy!

[thealiciacouri]

44% of women in the United States live with some form of heart disease and 1 in 5 female deaths is heart related.

Let’s stop the proliferation of heart disease in this country by educating ourselves on how to be healthy in our choices through nutrition, exercise, rest and hydration. #AmericanHeartMonth #HeartHealthAwareness #WomenHeartWarriors #BeatHeartDisease #HealthyHeartChoices #ExerciseForHeart #NutritionForTheHeart #RestAndRejuvenate #HydrateYourHeart #AliciaCouri #AudaciousConfidence #AudaciousConceptsInc #RedCarpetCEO #Influence #Educate #Inspire #Entertain

[venkteshwara]

’’विश्व हृदय दिवस’’ पर वेंक्टेश्वरा समूह मेरठ एवं विम्स मल्टीस्पेशियलिटी हाॅस्पिटल गजरौला के संयुक्त तत्वाधान में ’’रोल आॅफ बैलेन्स लाईफ ईन कार्डियक हैल्थ’’ विषय पर एकदिवसीय राष्ट्रीय सेमीनार एवं हृदय जागरुकता रैली भारतीय सेना के पूर्व विख्यात चिकित्सक ब्रिगेडियर डाॅ0 एस0के0 अग्रवाल एवं हैदराबाद के वरिष्ठ हृदय रोग विशेषज्ञ डाॅ0 बी0एस0 राव को उनकी शानदार चिकित्सा सेवाओ के लिए किया सम्मानित।

[positivedevelopment]

Monthly Roundup April 2024

❤️ Heart Failure Awareness Week, May 5 - 11 ❤️

This week highlights the importance of sharing information to help raise awareness, increase public knowledge, and provide a better understanding of heart health. Follow @canadianheartfailuresociety and visit heartfailure.ca to access downloadable resources 🩺

For the 4th year I will be raising money in support of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada ❤️/ Donations received between now and June 30th will be matched until $500,000 in gifts are received. You may contribute to my page HERE Once again I have set an ambitious goal of $1000. Thank you for supporting me, and Heart & Stroke, in memory of my Dad 🎗

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Many children must live with the trauma of war. Here's how to help them

Conflict in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan has led to millions of children losing family members, fleeing their homes and being caught up in the fighting themselves. The effects could last for decades.

"In particular, they say, from the get-go, the international community needs to not only focus on acute humanitarian needs like food and shelter, but also on the longer-term requirements of providing community and family support, trauma-informed mental health and social services and lasting infrastructure like stable living conditions and medical care."

BIG STEPS FORWARD: A PATH TO ELEPHANT CONSERVATION IN NEPAL "For Asian elephants, who need lots of space to roam, landscape-level conservation means securing and protecting existing habitat fragments and corridors in the Terai Arc Landscape so they can regrow naturally and resist further degradation. This will rebuild safe corridors for elephants to travel and avoid human contact. It also involves using the latest technology — such as motion-sensing cameras, satellite GPS tracking, molecular genetics and conservation drones — to map elephants’ migratory behaviours and monitor corridors. These game-changing tools also help us understand elephants’ use of space and keep an eye on the success of our conservation efforts."

NASA is tracking endangered animal habitats from space

"The rapid decline of many iconic animal species due to habitat loss presents one of the most critical challenges in modern conservation. NASA, an organization typically associated with space exploration, has emerged as a valuable partner in the fight to save endangered animals. By utilizing cutting-edge satellite technology, NASA provides vital data on endangered wildlife habitats, informing and driving conservation strategies around the world."

Elephant conservation: Habitat preferences to mitigate conflict

"African savanna elephants, now classified as endangered, struggle with the relentless expansion of human settlements into their native range. A NASA study offers insights into elephant habitat preferences, particularly in less protected zones where conflict of with humans is more likely. The researchers found that elephants consistently favor dense forests, especially near waterways. Unfortunately, these same areas are often targeted for tourism infrastructure. Armed with this knowledge, conservationists and land managers can work together to identify areas where development poses less risk to elephant populations, striking a balance between economic needs and conservation goals. The experts can also strategically prioritize the protection of the dense forest habitats that elephants rely on for survival."

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How you can get involved

Consider the following ways to get involved:

Support

Targeted donations

Consider volunteering your time or skills.

Raise awareness

The power of your voice

Fact-based advocacy

Make informed choices

Sustainable consumption

Scrutinize business practices

Reduce, reuse, recycle

[positivedevelopment]

Monthly Roundup March 2024

Handbook to Mitigate the Impact of Roads and Railways on Asian Elephants

"The first elephant-specific handbook to help countries reduce collisions and provide safe passage for elephants has just been published, coauthored by experts on elephants and transport ecology from the Asian Elephant Transport Working Group—a collaborative effort between the International Union for Conservation of Nature Asian Elephant Specialist Group and the Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group. The “Handbook to Mitigate the Impacts of Roads and Railways on Asian Elephants” aims to provide workable solutions for transportation planners and engineers to protect Asian elephants from the negative impacts of roads and railways."

Who Pays for Conservation?: New CITES Publication Calls for Mobilizing Sustainable Finance for African Elephant Conservation

"The challenge of elephant conservation is both complex and costly, necessitating a move towards innovative approaches to financing conservation costs so as to ensure that no species is threatened with extinction by entering into international trade. This publication is a significant step towards understanding how to address the gap in conservation funding and ensuring the sustainable future of our precious wildlife."

Why Child Soldiering Persists in Africa

"In 2020, approximately 337 million children around the world resided within 50 kilometers of an ongoing conflict where at least one conflict actor was reported to have recruited children. In Africa specifically, some 118 million children were in such a position, meaning about one in six were vulnerable to recruitment." 

"Child recruitment is a global challenge, but the problem remains deep-rooted in several African states despite decades of efforts to combat the practice. Academic research frames the problem in supply- and demand-side terms, shedding light on structural problems in the society unique to young children as well as the conditions that make children desirable recruits."

"Combatting this issue necessitates action: identifying and resolving root causes, disincentivizing armed actors from pursuing children, and enhancing education in local communities."

Credit: https://www.instagram.com/kandakamagazine/p/C5Lj28YOf6N/

Heart and Stroke: Ride for Heart June 2024

You may donate HERE

Thank you for supporting Heart & Stroke in memory of my Dad.

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Monthly Roundup February 2024

Statement by the Prime Minister on the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers

“Today, on the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, we pledge to continue working closely with United Nations member states and other international partners to ensure every child is protected from the violence of war. Together, we can make sure children remain children and build a safer world where they can fulfil their full potential.”

Statement on International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers

Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development; and the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

[NEW!] Research Handbook of Children and Armed Conflict

The Research Handbook of Children and Armed Conflict adeptly explores childrens’ lived realities of armed conflict and its aftermath. Featuring empirical, conceptual and policy analyses alongside moving first-hand accounts of the experiences of war-affected children and youth, it highlights the urgent need for advocacy and action.

Pre-order: https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/research-handbook-of-children-and-armed-conflict-9781839104800.html

Demand a ceasefire by all parties to end civilian suffering

With each day that passes more lives are lost and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is getting worse. Sign Amnesty International's petition HERE to call for an immediate ceasefire by all parties to end civilian bloodshed and ensure humanitarian aid access to Gaza.

Imagining Peace is a knowledge-sharing platform that has:

AN INTERACTIVE TOOLKIT

We highlight artistic practices that contribute to peacebuilding in places affected by conflict and its aftermath. Our interactive toolkit is designed to spark your creativity and understanding of multidisciplinary peacebuilding practices.

A NETWORK OF ORGANISATIONS

We've built a robust database of organizations, spanning different regions, that are dedicated to merging arts and peacebuilding.

Bangladesh's critically endangered Asian elephants get court protection

"Bangladesh's critically endangered wild elephants have received a court order banning their adoption and protecting them from exploitation."

CardiacCrash is a dramatic, interactive program that teaches participants hands-only CPR and AED use in less than an hour.

Learn more HERE

"Everyone should learn CPR and how to use an AED, starting at an early age – both are easy to learn and simple to do. But people need to be empowered to take action. This means increasing awareness around cardiac arrest and equipping people with both the skills and the confidence to act. AEDs should also be much more widely available – and they should be registered, linked to a 9-1-1 dispatch, and properly maintained."

Excerpt taken from the article "We need to create a culture of life savers to address cardiac arrest" posted in The Globe and Mail (February 13, 2024)

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Monthly Roundup June 2023

July 2023 Special Update - Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict

On July 5, 2023, the UN Security Council will hold its open debate on children and armed conflict (CAAC), under the United Kingdom’s presidency.

In view of the upcoming open debate, Watchlist recommends that the Security Council and other UN Member States:

Strongly reiterate support for the UN’s CAAC agenda and call for increased compliance with international law and child protection norms;

Strengthen the effective use of existing mechanisms and tools to monitor, report, and respond to grave violations; and

Redouble efforts to prevent grave violations against children and protect their rights in war.

"Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict and the Generating Respect Hub at the University of York’s Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) are launching the Children and Armed Conflict Publications Series. The series will address topical issues relevant for the international community working on the protection of children in armed conflict. The first of such documents, “Children and Armed Conflict: A Legal Glossary on Abduction and Deportation,” provides a glossary of legal terms relevant to abduction and deportation of children in armed conflict. It presents clear and succinct analysis of terms by referencing the legal basis under international law, relevant jurisprudence and interpretative work of adjudicative and monitoring mechanisms, and signposting, where pertinent, relations with other terminology."

A New Monitoring System to Protect the Last Remaining Asian Elephants

"The Elephant Locator Project – or ELOC for short – is using recordings of elephant vocalisations to develop an automated, vocalisation-based elephant monitoring system that can be used to support anti-poaching and human-elephant conflict mitigation measures."

"Together, these two methods, along with drone technology to view elephant herds from a safe distance, will enhance our ability to understand elephants and their movements, which will ultimately improve their safety and prevent conflicts with local communities."

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THANK YOU ❤️ It is the end of Ride for Heart month and together we raised $585 in support of Heart & Stroke's critical research into heart disease and stroke. I know my Dad would be so honored that we are doing this in his memory ❤️/

It is not too late to help us reach our goal of $1000 as our fundraising page will remain open until August 31st: https://heartandstrokerideforheart.crowdchange.ca/27866/page/70968

[positivedevelopment]

Monthly Roundup May 2023

We Breathe Together: Adhel Arop Tells of the Child Soldiers of South Sudan

"Adhel Arop explores her mother’s experiences as a child soldier in South Sudan and their lived experiences afterwards, including the intergenerational effects of trauma, in a new documentary series funded by an Explore and Create grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. Her series, Katiba Banat: Sisters in Arms, will also feature the stories of other former soldiers with whom her mother, Amel Madut, has maintained contact."

“I come from trauma. I understand that from my experience. I’m an artist, so I can express things that others might find hard to do. And I’m grateful that I can.”

“Creativity is all I am. Communicating, art, storytelling—it’s what I feel I can offer the world. It’s a vehicle for healing. Sometimes just speaking, feeling, acknowledging, giving time and attention—it really can change people.”

June is Ride for Heart

For the 3rd year my brother and I will be raising money in support of Heart & Stroke in memory of our Dad. Our goal is to complete 100 kilometers and raise $1000 by the end of June. You may sponsor us HERE

All donations made between now and June 30th will be matched 3x by a generous anonymous donor - tripling your impact! Thank you for your support ❤️/

June 1-7 each year is National CPR and AED Awareness Week, spotlighting how lives can be saved if more people know CPR and how to use an AED.

Cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, at any age, without warning. 35,000 cardiac arrests happen each year in Canada. Learn CPR and how to use an AED: https://bit.ly/45DT5Cy

All Canadian kids should know how to save a life!

"Training school children with CPR and AED use will create a generation of lifesavers in the community, who will grow into adults that are more likely to provide help in an emergency situation."

"By signing th[e] petition you are helping organizations like CARE (Cardiac Arrest Response and Education) and concerned citizens to convince provincial governments to mandate this lifesaving training in all schools across Canada."

Sign the petition HERE