Fashion is a style or a way of dressing that varies from time to time. This may include clothing, hairstyles, and accessories such as jewelry, shoes, and bags. It can also include makeup, body posture, and a person’s general appearance. The way in which a person dresses is influenced by a number of factors, including culture, social norms, and personal preferences. For example, a girl might prefer to dress in a certain way to fit in with her peers, while another might like to stand out from them.
There is no universal definition of what constitutes “fashion.” It can be considered an aspect of a cultural system that is driven by the interaction between dominant and subordinate groups, or it can be seen as a tool for social control. Some people, particularly those who are interested in the latest trends, might see it as a reflection of a rapidly changing world that requires constant adjustment and adaptability. For others, however, fashion is simply a form of self-expression and a way to make oneself feel happy and confident.
It is often said that there is a link between the latest fashions and the economy, as companies strive to create new styles that will attract customers and boost sales. This is why fast fashion has become so popular, with its cheap, trendy knock-off clothes that allow consumers to keep up with the newest styles without spending a fortune.
What people wear can reveal a lot about them, and it has been used as a way to differentiate social classes for centuries. For example, a boy wearing green hair and multiple piercings might be perceived as being part of a certain subculture, such as goths or skaters. In addition, a boy’s fashion choices might also be seen as an attempt to rebel against the status quo and show off his unique personality.
The emergence of a particular trend usually starts when someone in the public eye begins to wear a new style. This might be a celebrity, an important politician, or even a member of the royal family. Once a new style becomes popular, it often spreads quickly among the general population.
Despite their popularity, some fashions are considered “out of fashion” after a while. Nonetheless, it is common for them to return at some point. For instance, the baggy pants that sported by hip-hop artists might become fashionable again in the future. This is because there are always new trends and movements that influence the current fashions. For example, if some exotic elements are discovered in the distant parts of the world, they can be adopted by fashion designers and made into new trends. For this reason, it is sometimes argued that intellectual property laws that limit the freedom of fashion designers can harm the industry.
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GNRC Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Our motivation to work with children on the move is founded in the essence of interreligious dialogue, peace, love, togetherness and the empathy we have for them. We desire to create a safe space, respecting all differences, attitudes and opinions.”
~ Ms. Ismeta Salihspahic
On the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, 2023, held in Rome by Arigatou International’s Prayer and Action initiative, GNRC Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), won the award for the Wear My Shoes Campaign. The award is a recognition of the work by GNRC BiH to create a safe space for children on the move (refugees) within the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Guided by their work to promote unity and interreligious dialogue among children and youth, GNRC BiH was inspired to help children on the move. They carried out interreligious dialogues that saw religious leaders and community members come together to raise awareness of the problems faced by refugees. They also carried out workshops with children from different local communities and provided food and hygiene items to the children on the move, to promote inclusion.
“We want to create a safe space for children on the move from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, due to the discrimination they are facing from the local communities.“ – Ms. Ismeta Salihspahic, Coordinator, GNRC BiH.
Winning the award set GNRC BiH apart in the local community as a promoter of working with children as well as helped them receive donations to facilitate their work from the City of Visoko. People in their community gave personal donations, volunteered, and sent their children to take part in their workshops. Winning the campaign opened up opportunities for GNRC BiH to partner with major organizations to support children and youths.
Ms. Ismeta and Ms. Zvonimira Jakic, Youth Coordinator, GNRC BiH, established a committee of experts to continue implementing activities in accordance with their set goals. This is to sustain the progress of their work in creating safe spaces for children on the move.
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Law is a system of rules that governs the actions of people and the relationships between them. It shapes politics, economics, history and society in many ways, including as a mediator of disputes between people. Law is also a topic of scholarly inquiry, in such fields as legal history, philosophy and economic analysis.
The precise nature of law is a subject of long debate. The law is generally defined as a set of social or governmental rules that are enforced through a central authority, and it includes rules that define what is considered criminal or otherwise harmful to society. In addition to regulating criminal behavior, law defines contracts, business agreements and property rights. The law is a vital part of most societies, and it raises important questions about equality and fairness.
A fundamental question is the definition of who has the right to create and enforce laws. In most nation-states, the political elite has control over the making and enforcement of laws, but revolutions are a common occurrence that can upset the existing power structure.
The creation and maintenance of law requires an enormous amount of labor and money. It involves the development of judicial systems, legislatures and bureaucracies, as well as the training and certification of legal professionals. The law is a dynamic field that changes in response to events, social trends and the evolution of technology.
There are many different types of laws, and they can be broadly categorized as civil, criminal, administrative and international. Civil laws deal with private matters such as contracts, property and divorce. Criminal law deals with conduct that violates the public’s safety or property and can result in imprisonment. Administrative laws set forth government regulations, such as environmental standards and tax codes. International law encompasses treaties, resolutions of conflict and the principle of self-determination for nations.
There are also a number of terms used in the study of law, such as chief judge (the person with primary responsibility for the administration of a court), circumstantial evidence (all evidence other than eyewitness testimony) and in forma pauperis (permission to sue without paying fees on a claim of poverty). In addition, there is case law, which refers to the use of previous court decisions in a new situation. The term quorum refers to the minimum number of judges required for a trial, and courts may sit en banc, or in full bench, when they believe the issue is particularly important or complex. The law is a fascinating and complicated subject. It influences politics, economics, history and society in a myriad of ways, and it provides a rich source of study for scholars and students. The law is an integral part of the human experience, and it will continue to shape our lives in the future.
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The Ethics Education Fellowship program unfolded simultaneously across six countries, making significant strides to strengthen the sustainable delivery of ethics education programs for children. Through the program, 323 teachers have been trained, paving the way to impact 4,430 children in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Mauritius, Nepal, and Seychelles in its first year.
This groundbreaking initiative brings together six ministries of education and UNESCO National Commissions, which have worked hand in hand to integrate ethics education into their national programs. The ministries have made institutional commitments to pilot ethics education programs in formal education settings, to contribute to their national educational goals and ultimately strengthen the social cohesion to build more peaceful and inclusive societies.
“Ethics education is at the center of our planning of transforming education. It is much more important to have ethics at the center of given education rather than to have a good school infrastructure, teacher training, books and modern technologies by which we are providing it,” stated Dr. Dipu Moni, Minister of Education of Bangladesh.
This collaborative effort is made possible through a partnership between Arigatou International, the Guerrand-Hermès Foundation for Peace, the KAICIID International Dialogue Centre, the Muslim Council of Elders, the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, and the UNESCO New Delhi Cluster Office, in collaboration with the National Commissions for UNESCO of the participating countries.
A Transformative Pedagogy Approach
Education plays a critical role in building more inclusive, peaceful societies. Ethics education, in particular, can equip teachers to provide educational spaces that nurture in learners the kind of ethical values and ethical reflection practices that can equip them to flourish and thrive.
“When we talk of ethics education we are not talking about the philosophical study of ethics, we are talking about creating spaces for children. We want to go on a journey with you to help empower our children,” explained Mr. Suchith Abeyewickreme, Program Officer, Arigatou International – Geneva.
Ethics Education equips children and youth with life skills by employing transformative pedagogical approaches that place them at the center of learning, enhance their capacity to think critically, make ethical decisions, and learn to work collaboratively with others to make positive contributions to their communities.
First Train the Trainers Workshop
The Ethics Education Fellowship kicked off in Indonesia on 3-9 October 2022 with a Train the Trainers Workshop for the 30 fellows, which includes ministry officers, school principals, teachers, professors, lecturers, teacher trainers, and curriculum developers from the six participant countries. At the workshop, the fellows were trained in designing and delivering training workshops for teachers.
“The fellows are ethics education champions in their country. They will serve to strengthen the country’s capacity for ethics education through the capacity development of teachers and teacher education as well as school-based initiatives,” explained Ms. Mary Kangethe, Director of the Education Programme at the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO.
During this immersive workshop, the fellows sharpened their knowledge, skills, and competencies in ethics education and transformative pedagogies that support dialogue, reflection and action. They are now spearheading the program at the national level, and working with other government education partners to ensure that ethics education can be integrated into training, national programming and policies.
Mike Waltner, Senior Programme Manager for the Asia Region Programme at the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID described this initiative as transformative. “It’s more than integrating ethics and dialogue into education systems; it’s about catalyzing societal change. Teachers are bringing the lessons from the fellowship into classrooms and beyond to empower children and youth to be agents of that change. At KAICIID, we believe in the power of dialogue to foster understanding and peace. This project equips young learners to be leaders who can work together with their peers from different religions and cultures to create a better world,” he said.
Training Workshops for Teachers
Between January and May 2023, the fellows conducted national training workshops for teachers, with the technical support of international trainers from Arigatou International and KAICIID. In total, 323 teachers were trained in the implementation of ethics education programs for children.
“If I hadn’t attended this workshop on ethics education, I wouldn’t have noticed several things that I’m aware of now. This workshop has had a direct impact on me. I now find myself automatically thinking, reflecting, and seeing things differently,” shared one of the participants from Seychelles.
A participant from Nepal shared how the workshop had helped him become aware of his own unconscious biases. He understood the importance of treating all children equally, regardless of their differences, and felt empowered to ensure fairness and inclusivity for all students in the classroom.
These trained teachers are set to implement ethics education programs in their schools according to their country’s implementation plans. In its inaugural year, the program aims to reach 4,430 children.
The group of partners developed a comprehensive Training Guide to support the national teacher training workshops, offering step-by-step guidelines to support fellows to conduct the workshops, along with a framework and tools for monitoring, evaluation and learning. A Teacher Activity Booklet was also developed to support the designing and delivering of ethics education programs in the classroom.
The guides are based on Arigatou’s Ethics Education Approach and the expertise of KAICIID on interreligious and intercultural dialogue as central components of a transformative pedagogy that contribute to the promotion of global citizenship. They also include a human-centered education approach, promoted by the Guerrand-Hermes Foundation for Peace, that places the learner at the center of the education experience.
A Global Community of Practice
This initiative not only aims to establish a network of formal education institutions but also provides a platform for sharing knowledge and building capacity. In this light, a Global Community of Practice was established, fostering a network of Fellows. Through monthly webinars, participants deepen their knowledge on specific topics, receive support in preparing national workshops, share experiences, and strengthen connections.
Reflecting on the benefits of belonging to the Global Community of Practice, Ms. Nita Isaeni, a fellow from Indonesia said: “Being part of this community means a lot to me. It’s a place where I can learn and improve, not just in terms of knowledge but also in how I perceive things and connect with my inner self. Moreover, I get the opportunity to build connections and social networks with people from all over the world, which is very valuable to me.” Ms. Isaeni is the Coordinator of Learning Transformation, at the Directorate of Teachers for Primary School, MoECRT.
Implementation with children in schools
In March 2023, the implementation with children began, yielding encouraging results. Teachers have witnessed positive outcomes, with notable improvements in student engagement and participation. Integration of peace and ethics clubs in schools has been a successful initiative, fostering a sense of community. Ms. Norah Babu, a teacher from Thogoto Model Primary School in Kenya, shared her perspective: “Through participatory and collaborative learning, students who were once hesitant to ask questions now feel comfortable seeking assistance from their peers. I’ve also learned the importance of creating a safe learning environment, resulting in my students eagerly anticipating my lessons.”
The Ethics Education Fellowship responds to the critical need to prioritize and invest in ethics education within formal education systems. By building the capacity of teachers to foster positive relationships and empower learners, the program contributes to the creation of more inclusive, respectful, and resilient societies. Equipped to respond to ethical challenges, students become active citizens and agents of positive change.
The Ethics Education Fellowship program serves as an inspiring example of the power of collaboration, dedication, and a shared commitment toward children, their education, and the future of our societies.
This news article has been developed jointly by the partners of the Ethics Education Fellowship.
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Gambling is an activity in which participants place a value on an event whose outcome depends on chance and is not directly related to their own skills or effort. It is a common form of entertainment and is popular in casinos, on television, and online. It involves betting with money or other items of value and is a worldwide phenomenon. Although gambling is an enjoyable pastime for many people, it can also be dangerous. Compulsive gambling is a severe addiction that can have serious consequences for a person’s finances and personal relationships.
Gamblers can be any age, but the risk of developing a problem increases with age. Research has shown that men are more likely to develop a problem than women, but both can be affected by family and social factors. Compulsive gambling has been associated with a variety of mood disorders, including depression and stress. It can also cause financial problems, such as debt and bankruptcy.
The risk of gambling problems can be reduced by taking steps to reduce the amount of money you spend on games, setting time limits for playing, and avoiding chasing losses. You can also increase your support network by talking about your gambling problems with a friend or family member, joining a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous, or seeing a mental health professional.
One of the most important factors that contribute to gambling problems is a person’s belief that they can control their gambling habits. Research has found that a lack of confidence in a person’s own abilities can lead them to gamble excessively and may be especially true for individuals with low self-esteem. This is called a “gambling naiveté,” and it can be overcome through counseling, psychiatric medication, or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Another key factor is the availability of gambling opportunities, which can be exacerbated by environmental factors. For example, slots are often located near store counters where customers can see them as they walk in and out of the stores. In addition, a person’s environment can make them more likely to gamble by giving them easy access to the devices and presenting them with tempting advertisements.
Finally, the brain’s reward system is influenced by the presence of gambling activities, which often give players a feeling of excitement when they win. This is partly due to the fact that gambling activities trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes us feel good when we are happy. This chemical reaction is optimized in games that provide a consistent ratio of rewards to losses, such as video poker and slot machines. This is a way for the designers of the games to keep players from quitting prematurely.
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