News is a report on current events or happenings, which may be either national or international in nature. It is an important source of information and provides an insight into the various facets of life on earth. News is also an instrument for social development as it carries a message to the people. It tries to educate and uplift the downtrodden. However, the message that it carries can be either positive or negative depending on how it is used.
It should be brief so that it is read, clear so that it is understood, picturesque so that it is remembered and above all accurate so that it guides the reader in the right direction. The aim of a journalist should be to put before the public such items which are interesting, significant or noteworthy and will cause them to say “Gee Whiz”!
Basically, anything which affects the daily lives of people is newsworthy. The most common subjects for news reports include war, government, politics, education, the environment, economy, business, fashion and entertainment. Government proclamations and announcements concerning royal ceremonies, laws and taxes are also considered newsworthy.
Controversy and events involving famous personalities are also popular with the general public. They like to read about the conflicts, arguments, charges and counter-charges, fights or tension that these persons are involved in. People are also eager to empathise with the sufferings of others.
Oddity, strangeness and the unusual are other factors that generate interest in news. This is because the mind of man is always stimulated to know what is new and unusual. It will be of no interest to a reader in one society if something happens that is usual for another. A classic example of this is the saying that “dog bites dog” is not news, but if the man bites the dog it is news.
When writing a news article the writer should try to answer the 5 Ws (Who, What, When, Where and Why) and also explain how the event occurred. The writer should then write it in such a way as to grab the attention of the reader immediately and keep them interested throughout the story.
In order to make the news more interesting and appealing, it is recommended that pictures be included as much as possible. These are usually taken from the scene of the event and can be very effective in capturing the reader’s attention.
Finding a reliable source of news can be difficult and it is a good idea to use a news aggregator website to gather a variety of different perspectives on an issue. This will allow the reader to form their own opinion of what is really going on in a particular country or area. Generally speaking, the BBC and Associated Press are regarded as being relatively unbiased sources of news.
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Technology is a tool that allows us to accomplish tasks faster, more efficiently and with better results than before. It can be both tangible, such as utensils or machines, or intangible, such as software. Technology is an essential part of our modern world and can be found in a wide variety of fields, including medicine, transportation, agriculture, and communications. In education, technology has become a powerful tool that helps students learn more efficiently and effectively. Technology can also help teach skills that are necessary for the workplace, such as coding and data analysis.
The most common use of technology in the classroom is computer technology. This can be used to access educational programs, communicate with teachers and classmates, and perform research. It can also be used to create presentations and share documents with other students. In addition, some computers have built-in technology such as a microphone or webcam that can be used to record and broadcast audio/visual content.
A key advantage of using technology in the classroom is that it can help to motivate students to learn. It can be difficult to keep students engaged during long lectures, but with the aid of technology, it is much easier for learners to stay focused on the subject at hand. This is especially important for students who find it difficult to grasp complex concepts.
Another important benefit of technology in the classroom is that it can allow students to engage with class material outside of school. This can be done by setting up a learning management system, class blog, or Google Doc that gives students the ability to submit work and do research on their own. This way, students can engage with their homework and understand the material more thoroughly, which will help them in both their academic and professional lives moving forward.
Technology can make it easy to stay in touch with friends and family, no matter where they are in the world. With social media, messaging apps, texting, and laptops and tablets, students can easily stay connected to their loved ones. In addition, news and local events are often shared through these platforms. Moreover, some of these technologies can save time by automating repetitive tasks, which can lead to increased productivity. However, it is important for students to balance their use of technology with other activities that promote socialization and human interaction. This can be done by setting clear expectations for student device usage and monitoring how they are using their devices. It is also important to set a time limit on how long students are allowed to be online and make sure they have a productive purpose when they use their devices.
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Gambling is an activity where you bet on an event – it could be a football match, a lottery draw or even a scratchcard. The first thing you need to do is decide what you want to bet on – this could be choosing a team or person to win, or selecting a number. Once you have done this, you will need to deposit money into your gambling account (if you are gambling for real cash). This is usually quick and easy – just enter your payment details and the amount you would like to gamble.
Once you have deposited your money, you will then start to make bets. This is where the fun really starts, you have the opportunity to potentially win a lot of money if you win a bet. However, you must remember that there is also the possibility that you will lose money – this is why it is important to only gamble with money that you can afford to lose. Moreover, you must always stop when your losses are high and never try to chase your losses – this is almost always a sure way to end up losing more money.
There are many reasons why people gamble – it could be for socialising with friends, as a form of entertainment, to relieve boredom, or to win money. For some, gambling is a serious hobby that they take seriously and spend a lot of time and money on it. However, for some people, it can be very addictive and can have a negative impact on their lives.
In addition, it can cause damage to relationships if your friends and family feel that you are not giving them enough attention because of your gambling addiction. It can also be a major source of stress and anxiety, which can lead to physical health problems. In severe cases, it can even result in suicide, which is why it is so important to seek help if you think you may have a problem with gambling.
Another disadvantage of gambling is that it can affect your ability to make decisions in other areas of life. It can make you less able to weigh up risk and reward, control your impulses or weigh up the pros and cons of something before you do it. In addition, if you are a gambler who has children, it can have a direct effect on them and influence their values and beliefs about gambling.
Lastly, it can be hard to recognise when you have a gambling problem. This is particularly true if you live in a culture where gambling is viewed as a normal part of everyday life and it can be difficult to question this view. This can make it more difficult to seek help when you need it. The good news is that there are things you can do to help prevent gambling problems. These include making sure you only gamble with money that you can afford to spend, keeping track of your spending and budgeting, setting limits for how much time and how much you will spend gambling, and never hiding evidence of gambling activity from your friends or family.
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The Ethics Education Fellowship made its debut in Seychelles with a national Teacher Training Workshop, held from 20 to 24 February 2023, which brought together 20 primary and secondary school teachers. The program, endorsed by the President of Seychelles and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, aims to extend its reach to over 450 children across 15 schools.
The Ethics Education Fellowship Program
The Fellowship Program is a collaborative initiative involving the ministries of education from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Mauritius, Nepal, and Seychelles. The program seeks to enhance the sustainable implementation of ethics education programs in formal education settings, promoting intercultural and interreligious learning and dialogue, as a contribution to global citizenship, and building more inclusive and peaceful societies.
By building the capacities of educators in each participating country, the program equips them with the skills to design and facilitate transformative learning journeys for children. This approach places learners at the center of the educational experience, fostering critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving to empower them to make positive contributions to their communities.
Ms. Diana Monthy, a Lecturer at the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education and a Fellow of the program, highlighted the importance of ethics education for the country. Referring to the national Constitution’s preamble, she emphasized that the program presents a timely opportunity to assess the national commitment and progress in creating “a just, fraternal and humane society in a spirit of friendship and co-operation with all peoples of the world… and where Seychelles serve as an example of a harmonious multi-racial society.”
The Training Workshop for Teachers
Ms. Merna Eulentin, the Principal Secretary for Education of Seychelles, took the stage at the opening ceremony of the training workshop for teachers, setting the tone for the upcoming days. In her opening remarks, Ms. Eulentin emphasized the Government of Seychelles’ commitment to ethics education and its importance as a means to strengthen educational programs: “Ethics education is the focal point at this critical untimely topic, it is a means to strengthen education programs that foster ethical values in an inter-cultural learning context,” she said. She also highlighted how this initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4.7, promoting a culture of peace, global citizenship, non-violence, and appreciation of cultural diversity.
The event was attended by the Executive Director of the Office of the Minister of Education, members of the National Assembly, the Dean of the University of Seychelles, as well as students and teachers.
Facilitator Mr. Suchith Abeyewickreme from Arigatou International delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the necessity of ethics education in a world that is increasingly diverse and interconnected. Mr. Abeyewickreme highlighted the need to acknowledge and engage with the diversity within classrooms and among teachers, making it an essential aspect of education.
Hosted at the University of Seychelles, the workshop was led by the national team of fellows with support from Mr. Abeyewickreme. The participants consisted of school teachers specializing in Personal Social Education and Catholic Religious Education.
Throughout the five-day workshop, participants familiarized themselves with the Ethics Education framework presented in the program. The framework is centered around three pillars: relationships, ethical reflections, and collective action. This approach enables learners to develop positive relationships, engage in ethical reflection and dialogue, and enhance their ability to live together harmoniously. By cultivating these skills, the program aims to empower children to effect positive change within their communities, fostering their personal growth and contributing to their societies.
Reflecting on the workshop, one participant shared, “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.”
Launch of the Implementation in Schools
The Fellowship Program was officially launched in Seychelles on 31 March 2023 in a formal ceremony, marking the beginning of its implementation with children from local schools.
The ceremony started with an address from Dr. Justin Valentin, Minister of Education of Seychelles, followed by Mrs. Vicky Michel, Secretary General of the Seychelles National Commission for UNESCO, and Ms. Maria Lucia Uribe, Executive Director of Arigatou International – Geneva.
During the ceremony, the team of fellows presented the Ethics Education Fellowship highlighting its pillars and transformative pedagogical approach. Subsequently, certificates were awarded to the trained teachers.
Mr. Ahmed Afif, Vice President, and Mrs. Linda Ramkalawan, First Lady of the Republic of Seychelles, also attended the event. Artistic performances, including a song and a Creole dance performed by children, added to the celebratory atmosphere of the ceremony.
A Collaborative and Multistakeholder Journey
The Ethics Education Fellowship program is built on a fellowship model, with five representatives from each country collaborating to lead the national efforts. These representatives include educators and ministry officers who organize training workshops for teachers, monitor the successful implementation of ethics education programs for children, and advocate for the crucial role of ethics education at a national level.
Furthermore, the fellows have established a Global Community of Practice to foster collaboration, share experiences and work together for the expansion of the program.
The program is a collaboration between the ministries of education, together with Arigatou International, the Guerrand-Hermès Foundation for Peace, the KAICIID International Dialogue Centre, the Muslim Council of Elders, and UNESCO, represented by the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa and the UNESCO New Delhi Cluster Office. The process is supported by the National Commissions for UNESCO of Indonesia and Kenya.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated fellows: Ms. Betty-Mai Sofa, Ms. Sharon Frederic, Ms. Diana Monthy, Ms. Sandra Jeanne and Ms. Erica Derjacques-Inacio. We thank them for their invaluable contribution in conducting this teacher training workshop. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the partners and organizations involved, whose collaboration and support have played a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of this program.
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In commemoration of the World Environment Day, the SDGs Academy ‘Model Classroom’ organised a learning and tree planting session with 24 students from Maris Stella College Negombo, Sri Lanka.
The session, which in part took place within the Academy premises took the students through an understanding of SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land). The choice of these SDGs was informed by their close relation to the environment and the different ecosystems. Addressing these SDGs in particular, among other goals, will go a long way in preserving and enhancing the environment and the global climate scourge in general.
“The Model classroom is the classroom we are looking for in our school. A friendly space for us to learn, be innovative, and be ourselves with our fresh ideas. Thank you Arigatou International for creating that space for us to learn SDGs and be innovative in our own way” – Venuja, 15 years old boy from Sri Lanka.
Discussions around these SDGs were linked to the Day’s theme: Solutions to Plastic Pollution – a call for global action to end plastic pollution. This was informed by worrying reports that each year, an estimated 11 million tonnes of plastic waste flows into the world’s oceans; this volume is expected to triple by 2040.
Discussions in the SDGs Academy for Children were followed by tree planting activities. The students and staff from the Academy/Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement planted mango trees signifying their commitment to conserve the environment and enhancing food production through fruits born out of the mango trees.
Further, the students pledged to take deliberate and continued action towards achieving the SDGs, after an exciting enlightenment about the global goals at the Academy. The Model Classroom aims to keep and advance such partnerships with institutions in order to raise more awareness about the SDGs and the need to involve young people in achieving the goals.
“This is not only a space or a learning course for children to learn about SDGs: This is something beyond that, where children could learn about their lives and change their way of living for a better world that we are dreaming of as adults. This is a place even adults could learn and contribute to a better world with children” Jude Preman, teacher, Maris Stella College, Negombo
Declared by the United Nations in 1972, the World Environment Day to highlight that the protection and health of the environment is a major issue, which affects the well-being of peoples and economic development throughout the world. The celebration of this day provides us with an opportunity to broaden the basis for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises and communities in conserving the environment.
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