 |
|
  
|
|
|
|
|
World’s Greatest Smile (WGS)
|
|
|
|
|
|
  
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/22/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
We wish you all happy, healthy and peaceful holidays!
|
|
12/15/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
New Human Rights Awareness shirt!
We thought Mary would have liked to wear some of our Human Rights shirts - so we gave her one.
Refugees welcome - Adoration of the Shepherds
by Gerard van Honthorst, Meike Duch and Andreas Lietzow
100% of the proceeds go towards the
World’s Greatest Smile Human Rights and Peace Project.
They come as female, male and kids shirts and T-shirts in several colours!
Available as print as well!
|
|
12/10/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Happy Human Rights Day!
“Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.” UN
Read more...
|
|
12/08/2015, Andreas, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
We just finished this!
It’s available in our shop on prints and shirts!
All proceeds of our shop help to fund the World’s Greatest Smile Human Rights and Peace Project.
They keep it alive and help it grow! Thank you very much for your support!
“I think therefore I’m vegan” by Meike Duch & Andreas Lietzow
"It now seems plain that a vegan diet is the only ethical response to what is arguably the world’s most urgent social justice issue".
The Guardian
"Meat consumption is an inefficient use of grain – the grain is used more efficiently when consumed by humans. Continued growth in meat output is dependent on feeding grain to animals, creating competition for grain between affluent meat-eaters and the world’s poor".
WorldWatch Institute
"Every time we go by KFC, my kids ask me to honk and they yell 'Boo' out the window."
Pamela Anderson
"The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of men."
Leonardo da Vinci
"…fast-food diet and the meat-eating habits of the wealthy around the world support a world food system that diverts food resources from the hungry".
Director of the Institute for Food and Development Policy, Dr W. Bello
|
|
12/01/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Some lovely new friends...
I love starlings. They have so beautiful gentle voices and I really admire their great ability to fly together in huge swarms. Their communication and teamwork must be fabulous!
I love to see when a new arrival needs a save place to sit the others just move closer together to make a save landing possible for a new friend. And then everybody eagerly adjusts until everyone feels comfortable and save. All that in a peaceful way and while talking kindly to each other.
Humankind could learn lot from starlings...
|
|
11/17/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Dalai Lama: Stop praying for Paris — humans created this problem and humans must solve it
“Humans have created this problem, and now we are asking God to solve it. It is illogical. God would say, solve it yourself because you created it in the first place,” says Dalai Lama.
Read the full article here.
|
|
11/17/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Amnesty International says refugees are endangered and dying due to EU reliance on fences and gatekeepers
“The global refugee crisis represents a huge challenge for the EU, but it is far from an existential threat. In fact, managed, safe and legal routes into Europe would go a long way towards identifying security threats before they arrive. The EU needs to be responding not with fear and fences, but in the best tradition of the values it purports to hold dear,” said John Dalhuisen, Europe and Central Asia Director at Amnesty International
Read the full article here.
|
|
11/05/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Most people want more action on climate change - except those in the two largest emitters...
The Washington-based Pew Research Center released a survey across 40 countries around the world found most people see global warming as a serious problem, and most of them want their governments to limit emissions as part of a global agreement.
"Americans and Chinese, whose economies are responsible for the greatest annual CO2 emissions, are among the least concerned." Pew Research Center
Find the full study here:
Global Concern about Climate Change, Broad Support for Limiting Emissions
|
|
10/12/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Global Hunger Index 2015 is released today and it says there is still a lot to do!
"Armed conflict and hunger are strongly associated. The countries with the highest GHI scores tend to be those engaged in or recently emerged from war," the report accompanying the index said. ...
795 million people are still chronically undernourished, more than one in four children are affected by malnutrition-related stunting, and 9 percent of children are affected by wasting, according to the report.” CNBC
Here is the full report: website of the International Food Policy Research Institute
“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food...”
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
|
|
10/09/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Nobel Peace Prize 2015
The Nobel Peace Prize 2015 was awarded today to the National Dialogue Quartet for its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011.
Read more: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2015/
|
|
10/07/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
NOW: 5$ off any order of 30$ or more of our Human Rights shirts...!
|
|
All proceeds help to fund the World’s Greatest Smile Human Rights and Peace Project!
They keep it alive and help it grow!
Thank you very much for your support!
|
If you’re looking for a special topic you can open the drop-down menu “all categories” and choose between:
|
- Human Rights
- Love, peace & happiness
- Enjoy life!
- vegan
|
This offer is valid October 7th - 13th 2015.
|
|
|
|
10/06/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
available as print
|
|
10/05/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
available as print
|
|
09/17/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
NOW: Free standard shipping for 2 or more shirts...!
All proceeds help to fund the World’s Greatest Smile Human Rights and Peace Project!
They keep it alive and help it grow!
Thank you very much for your support!
|
If you’re looking for a special topic you can open the drop-down menu “all categories” and choose between:
|
- Human Rights
- Love, peace & happiness
- Enjoy life!
- vegan
|
This offer is valid September 17th - September 22nd 2015.
Visit our shop and remember to enter the Coupon Code 2SHIPPING
|
|
09/15/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Welcome to Earth news
|
|
09/14/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Welcome to Earth news
|
|
09/01/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Back-to-school
Here is the newest of my growing collection of Mi'kmaq learning cards that I started to create!
It's “the head”, the beginner's version - plus a butterfly. Every head needs a butterfly...
|
|
09/01/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Icelanders show the world how to act humanely!
12,000 Icelanders have offered to welcome Syrian refugees into their homes and have called on their government to take in more Syrian refugees.
Iceland has a population of just over 300,000...
More: “Icelanders call on government to take in more Syrian refugees” TheGuardian
------------------------------------------
P.S.:
Yes, since we used to live in Iceland we do have Icelandic in our language resources for you:
|
|
08/24/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
available as print
|
|
08/19/2015, Andreas, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Welcome to Earth news
|
|
08/18/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Welcome to Earth news
|
|
08/12/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
The "migrant crisis" is in fact the world’s biggest refugee crisis since the second world war
"62%
Far from being propelled by economic migrants, this crisis is mostly about refugees. The assumption by the likes of Hammond, May and others is that the majority of those trying to reach Europe are fleeing poverty, which is not considered by the international community as a good enough reason to move to another country. Whereas in fact, by the end of July, 62% of those who had reached Europe by boat this year were from Syria, Eritrea and Afghanistan, according to figures compiled by the UN. These are countries torn apart by war, dictatorial oppression, and religious extremism – and, in Syria’s case, all three. Their citizens almost always have the legal right to refuge in Europe. And if you add to the mix those coming from Darfur, Iraq, Somalia, and some parts of Nigeria – then the total proportion of migrants likely to qualify for asylum rises to well over 70%."
Read the full article: 10 truths about Europe’s migrant crisis by TheGuardian
|
|
08/12/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Because we can...
We live in a wonderful time!
We can have a picture of the “other side” of Pluto. We can get tons and tons of information, entertainment and communication via internet. We can cure illnesses that were a death sentence just a little while ago. We live in an amazing time, don't we?!
So what do we do in these times of abundance?
Countries close their borders for those in desperate need of refuge from war and suffering not because their residents earned somehow to be born in a safer country - they only do it because they can. People receive expensive medical care to cure their diseases of affluence while others starve to death - because they can. People live in luxury while others live in the street, not because they deserve to live in abundance for any moral reason - but because they can. Some enjoy a life in a country whose inhabitants have a life expectancy almost 40 years longer than humans in another country. They enjoy that privilege not because they are better human beings - but just because they can.
The list goes on and on. There are so many social injustices that are just not justifiable.
So here is my thinking:
Why don't we feed the hungry - just because we can?
Why don't we shelter those who are in need of protection - just because we can?
Why don't we take care of those in need, those in our neighbourhoods and those on the other side of the planet - because we can?
We can - so let's do it!
|
|
08/07/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Welcome to Earth news
|
|
08/05/2015, Andreas, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Welcome to Earth news
|
|
08/05/2015, Andreas, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Welcome to Earth news
|
|
08/04/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
"Deadly Milestone as Mediterranean Migrant Deaths Pass 2,000
Over 2,000 migrants have died so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe, confirming this as the deadliest route for migrants in search of a better life. In the same period last year, 1,607 migrants perished. A total of 3,279 lost their lives in 2014."
International Organization for Migration
full article by the International Organization for Migration
|
|
|
07/30/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
New Human Rights Awareness shirt!
And here are more: Human Rights shirts...!
|
|
07/23/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
New Human Rights Awareness Shirts!
Here is the newest of my new Human Rights Awareness Shirts that I design for our Human Rights project World's Greatest Smile.
Here are more: Human Rights shirts...!
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Article 19:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
|
|
07/16/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
|
|
07/16/2015, Andreas, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Welcome to Earth news
|
|
07/16/2015, Andreas, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Welcome to Earth news
|
|
07/14/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Human Rights shirts...!
I'm very excited because I started to design a new T-Shirt series with Human Rights topics for our Human Rights project “World's Greatest Smile”...!
They come in adult and kids sizes and lots of shirt-colours!
The proceeds of the shirts will be donated to the “World's Greatest Smile”!
Have a look here: Human Rights shirts...!
|
|
07/13/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
We cordially welcome you to our new World’s Greatest Smile project
Welcome to Earth!
It’s going to be an exciting, important and even fun journey and you are heartily invited to be part of it!
|
|
05/22/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
"France to force big supermarkets to give unsold food to charities
Legislation barring stores from spoiling and throwing away food is aimed at tackling epidemic of waste alongside food poverty
French supermarkets will be banned from throwing away or destroying unsold food and must instead donate it to charities or for animal feed, under a law set to crack down on food waste." the guardian
Read the full article here:
the guardian: France to force big supermarkets to give unsold food to charities
|
|
05/21/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Human Rights Watch says: EU military action could expose migrants and asylum seekers to serious risks. Saving lives should be the top priority.
“(Brussels) - European Union military action against human smuggling networks should not put the lives and rights of migrants and asylum seekers in jeopardy, Human Rights Watch said today. The Council of the European Union agreed on May 18, 2015 to create a naval operation, EUNAVFOR Med, to identify, capture, and destroy boats used by smugglers in the Mediterranean.”Human Rights Watch
Read the full article: Human Rights Watch - EU: Don’t Endanger Lives at Sea or Deny Protection
|
|
05/20/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Mi'kmaq
A little while ago I started to learn Mi'kmaq, one of the languages that are spoken in Canada.
I believe that languages can be an fundamental part of a culture - and a wide diversity of cultures is important for a positive development of humankind.
The number of children learning the Mi'kmaq language has been in decline during the last decades. So I started to create some hopefully helpful Mi'kmaq learning materials and like to try my best to encourage people to learn this beautiful language.
There are many Mi'kmaq dialects and even several Mi'kmaq orthographies - and I just started to learn and try to get everything as correct as I can. I hope you enjoy it!
|
|
05/15/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people worldwide
In recent years, there have been significant advances for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people worldwide. But many countries impose legal sanctions that target LGBT people, often for political gain. Today, 80 countries criminalize consensual same-sex relations or discussion of LGBT rights, and punishments include prison sentences, flogging, and even the death penalty.
Here is an interactive map of countries that ban same-sex relations and the harsh penalties LGBTI people face.
|
|
04/21/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Cooperate to save migrants' lives, urges UN Committee
“GENEVA (21 April 2015) – The latest, and worst, loss of life in the Mediterranean Sea demands concerted action by all to save migrants' lives, the UN Committee on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families today urged.
“We once again express our shock and dismay at the appalling loss of life in the seas between Europe and Africa,” Committee Chair Francisco Carrion Mena said following the reported deaths of several hundred migrants off the coast of Libya on Sunday, which was followed by rescues on Monday by Italy, Malta and Greece involving 300 additional migrants with several deaths reported in Greece. In the past week alone, reportedly more than 1,000 migrants have perished in the Mediterranean.”
Read full article: Cooperate to save migrants' lives, urges UN Committee
|
|
04/15/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
“Right to education: CRPD holds day of general discussion
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is holding a day-long event on 15 April to discuss the rights of persons with disabilities to education. It will take place at UN headquarter in Geneva and will be webcast at www.treatybodywebcast.org.”
More info and a transcript: Right to education: CRPD holds day of general discussion
|
|
04/12/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Today is international Street Children Day
“They are not disposable – UN experts remind States that street children have rights too
Street Children Day - Sunday 12 April 2015
GENEVA (10 April 2015) – Speaking ahead of the International Day for Street Children*, two United Nations human rights experts reminded States that every child matters and that there are no throw-away children.
The UN Special Rapporteurs on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, and on adequate housing, Leilani Farha, called on States to invest in children working or living on the street and to guarantee their full access to rights and services, including housing, health and education.
“Abandoned, casted off, discarded, rejected and thrown out: up to 150 million children in street situations worldwide endure great deprivation and rights violations, with little to no regard given to their best interest,” the experts said.”
Read the full article: United Nations on Street Children Day
|
|
03/21/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Today is International Day for the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discriminations
Experts and anti-racism activists hold a debateon the state of racial discrimination worldwide at the Human Rights Council .
The discussion aimed to explore the root causes of racism and racial discrimination. Experts stressed the essential need to learn the lessons from historical tragedies to combat racism and racial discriminations.
Video: Combat racism: "create new ideals for the younger generation"
|
|
03/20/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Spring!
Remember that we have on this site a lot of WGS games Andreas and I developed to enhance friendly and effective communication skills and teamwork - and to have a lot of fun as well!
You can play the games with children, youths, adults, and groups with participants of mixed ages, too.
So when you’re ready to get up from your winter sleep... so are the bears in “Smile at bears”! If you are not ready yet you might want to be a bunny and have some tea in the bear’s dan... Enjoy!
|
|
03/08/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Today is International Women's Day
The UN theme for International Women's Day 2015 is "Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!".
"Governments and activists around the world will commemorate the 20th anniversary year of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, an historic roadmap that sets the agenda for realizing women's rights."
Read more here: Wikipedia - International Women's Day
|
|
03/06/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
“Canada’s failure to effectively address murder and disappearance of Aboriginal women ‘grave rights violation’ - UN experts
GENEVA (6 March 2015) – Canada has committed a “grave violation” of the rights of Aboriginal women by failing to promptly and thoroughly investigate the high levels of violence they suffer, including disappearances and murders*, a UN expert committee has found.
In a report published today, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) says that the Canadian police and justice system have failed to effectively protect Aboriginal women, hold offenders to account, and ensure that victims get redress.”
Read the full article here: United Nations on Canada’s failure to effectively address murder and disappearance of Aboriginal women
|
|
02/16/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
How to complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission
Here is where you can find information about how to make a formal complaint because you believe you have been discriminated against:
How to make a formal complaint.
|
|
01/29/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
Human Rights Watch launches its World Report 2015 - a comprehensive global overview of human rights around the world.
“The 2015 World Report from Human Rights Watch is out. Spanning over 90 countries, this 644-page document examines the state of human rights in the world today - from violent war in Syria, Ukraine, Iraq, Gaza, the Central African Republic, Libya, and South Sudan, to the continued trampling of rights by governments in Russia, Egypt, Burma, China, Saudi Arabia, and a host of other countries.” Human Rights Watch
Read the full article here: 2015 World Report from Human Rights Watch
|
|
01/25/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
We wish you all a very
happy and peaceful 11th
World’s Greatest Smile - Day!
Please feel free to check out our resources provided for you on this website!
There are lots of communication tips for a friendly and peaceful communication, language resources, useful links, great teamwork games for kids and adults and much, much more!
Enjoy your World’s Greatest Smile - Day 2015!
|
|
01/14/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
We could be friends...
Whether you're Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist or something completely different – we still might have the same values in life. So we can be friends.
Whether you're poor or rich – we might share the same visions. So we can be friends.
Whether you live nearby or at the other end of the world – we might have a shared interest. So we can be friends.
Whether you're male or female – we might enjoy the same sense of humour. So we can be friends.
Whether you're 18 years old or 118 – we might like to gaze at the stars at night together. So we can be friends.
If you're missing arms or legs, are blind, deaf, stuttering, scarred or are otherwise gifted or challenged - we might have the same hopes and dreams. So we can be friends.
Whether you're gay, straight, transgender, bisexual or asexual – you might want to change the world to the better like me. So we can be friends.
Whether you're black, white, red, yellow, green, dotted or chequered – that's awesome! Let's celebrate and enjoy our diversities. And we can easily be friends.
The more different we are from each other, the more we can learn from each other. We can complement each other in so many ways. And therefore we can improve the lives of all of us – and those of future generations.
Let's be friends!
|
|
01/01/2015, Meike, HRM, Nova Scotia, Canada
|
|
We wish you all a peaceful and save new year!
May all your Human Rights are honoured and protected.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
World’s Greatest Smile
