Hello everybody! My name is Vicente, I am 23 years old and I am from Murcia, a town in the southeast of Spain.

Throughout my university career in International Relations, I became very interested in the possibility of volunteering in Europe, as my studies have helped me to understand the social differences that exist in the world today and how important it is to help others as much as possible. You know, at the end of the day, we are all human beings.

Being my main interests to help others and to travel, I found in the European Solidarity Corps an incredible variety of offers of amazing volunteer programs in different countries of Europe. The quality with which the ESC works to offer safe volunteering programs for all kinds of young people and with a wide diversity of activities, made my dream of volunteering in Europe come true. That is how I found Praxis, in Serres.

I must admit that I have only been participating in this project for three weeks and I already feel completely adapted and confident. I have had the opportunity to carry out various activities with both European and local volunteers, who have been very friendly from the first day and willing to help me at all times.

In addition, I have been able to get to know the fabulous people of Serres up close by doing outdoor activities with them and visiting their schools. Not to mention that I am acquiring numerous communication skills both in the use of social networks and in numerous online tools to carry out the campaigns assigned to us. Which I am sure will help me to develop important skills for my future professional development.
​
I consider myself an outgoing person who loves meeting new people and learning about different cultures. I have always wanted to get to know in depth the charm of Greece, its friendly people and delicious food, so having the opportunity to be part of the Praxis volunteer
team in the beautiful city of Serres is being a unique experience for me.
 
Can’t wait to see what is going to happen in the next few months!

Vicente is a Spanish volunteer who is engaged with Praxis and wrote about his personal experience into the ESC project .

Agnès is a French volunteer who is engaged with Praxis who wrote about her personal experience into the ESC project .

On the 8th of March, we commemorate International Women’s Day. It’s a national holiday in many countries celebrated annually that focuses on the women's rights movement. At the center of the conversation are issues like gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

This year, the theme is “DigitALL: Innovation antagonizes the women and girls who are leading big changes in the digital world. Resulting in more creative solutions and innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality. “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”, UN Women.

To celebrate this important day, we present you with 4 women that made a difference in the fight for a more equal world, where gender doesn’t condition opportunities and everyone has a fair shot.

Born on the 28th of January 1975, Zahra’ Langhi is a Libyan feminist, human rights activist, peace activist, an expert in gender conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. Her research is crucial, since crosses gender equality with Islamic history, focusing on religion.
Langhi is also the co-founder and CEO of Libyan Women's Platform for Peace (LWPP), an organization empowering women in both politics and society as a whole. Also worked with UN Women, to help integrate females into the democratic process in post-revolutionary Libya. Technology can be the key to a more equal future.

Waris Dirie was born on 21 October 1965. Maybe you know her from the movie “Desert Flower” (2009). A movie based on her life. She was just 5 years old when subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM has no health benefits and in the days following the procedure, many girls die from blood loss or infection. She is a Somali model, author, actress, and human rights activist in the fight against FGM. From 1997 to 2003, she was a UN special ambassador against female genital mutilation. In 2002 she founded her own
organization in Vienna, the Desert Flower Foundation.

Born on February 4, 1913. Rosa Parks became a powerful symbol for the American Civil Rights Movement when she refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger. Her refusal demonstrates her hatred towards segregation laws and signaled to the authorities that Parks was taking a stand – or seat - against institutionalized racism. Her arrest for civil disobedience sparked a massive protest of the bus system and Parks emerged as one of the movement's most important political activists. She remained a staunch campaigner for racial equality until her death in 2005. Rosa Parks sparked the movement, but before her, there was Claudette Colvin. She was 15 when she refused to surrender her seat on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama, bus.

In the early twentieth century, a group of British women launched a campaign to get women the right to vote. They called themselves the Suffragettes and their leader was Emmeline Pankhurst. Emmeline believed in “deeds not words”. Because of that, she was arrested multiple times. However even imprisoned, Pankhurst found ways to rebel and inspired fellow inmates to join her in a hunger strike. Her campaign finally succeeded in 1928 (when all British women over the age of 21 were finally granted the vote). The victory however was bitter-sweet as Pankhurst herself had died just 2 weeks before.

As you can see, the five colors of the francophonie flag are reminders about the colors of the states and governments participating in the francophonie summit. It also represents the five continents. The interlocked strips symbolize mutual aid, reunification and dynamism.
The motto of the francophonie organisation is "égalité, complémentarité, solidarité" (equality, complementarity, and solidarity), which is a direct allusion to France's motto "liberté, égalité, fraternité" (liberty, equality, fraternity). 
The goal of the organization is also to send a message about peace, democracy, human rights, supporting education, cooperation and sustainable development. 

One of the exercises that every school does on this day is the famous “french dictation”. It is officially since 2004 part of the activities done around the world to celebrate the francophonie day. 
In France, its use began in 1850. The oldest is attributed to the writer and academician of the 19th century Prosper Mérimée. 
It is an exercise well known by the students in the French school system and it has become a playful activity for them and is very often a trial in many exams.
The goal of the dictation is to sensitize the students to the diversity and wealth of the french language by its expressions and vocabulary. 
​For the francophonie day the dictation presents itself as a few paragraphs in which there are expressions and words from regions and countries of the francophonie. This year the countries and regions promoted are Quebec, Lebanon and Lorraine.

So today don’t forget to take a pen with you, eat a croissant, learn the difference between vers, ver, vert and verre and be ready to celebrate the French language with all the other people speaking it across the world !

​

​Forests are vital ecosystems for the health of the planet and the survival of many plant and animal species. They also play a fundamental role in regulating climate and air quality. In this article, we will explore the importance of forests and the threats they face.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), forests cover approximately 31% of the planet's land surface. These ecosystems are home to about 80% of terrestrial biodiversity and are home to millions of plant and animal species. In
addition, forests are important sources of resources for humanity, providing timber, food, medicines and other essential products.

One of the main benefits of forests is their role in climate regulation. Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and convert it into oxygen. This helps reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, which in turn helps
combat climate change. In addition, forests also have a regulating effect on the local climate by preventing soil erosion, reducing temperature and regulating the water cycle.

However, forests face increasing threats. Deforestation, illegal logging, mining and agricultural expansion are some of the main causes of forest loss worldwide. According to FAO, about 10 million hectares of forest are lost every year, which is equivalent to the area of a country like Iceland. Amazing, right?

Forest loss has serious consequences for biodiversity and the global climate. Deforestation and illegal logging release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. In addition, forest loss reduces the capacity of ecosystems to absorb CO2 and other greenhouse gasses, further exacerbating the problem.

To protect forests and the biodiversity they harbor, concrete action is needed. This includes the implementation of conservation and sustainable forest management policies, as well as the promotion of economic alternatives for the communities that depend on them for their livelihoods. It is also important to take measures to reduce the demand for products derived from illegal logging, such as timber and beef.

In short, forests are vital ecosystems for the well-being of humanity and the planet as a whole. The loss of forests represents a threat to biodiversity, climate and the quality of life of the communities that depend on them. It is everyone's responsibility to protect and conserve these ecosystems for present and future generations.

The world’s climate is changing. These changes are caused by extra heat that occurs when the addition of greenhouse gases gets into the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels, for instance, generate greenhouse gases that act like a blanket in the atmosphere, wrapping around the Earth and trapping the sun’s heat.
​
Luckily, healthy forests can keep global warming in check. Forests contain 662 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide – the most significant greenhouse gas –. After oceans, forests are the world’s largest repositories of carbon. They absorb and store more than half the global carbon stock in soils and vegetation. This means that forests and trees are among the best carbon-capture technology available. And therefore, the solution to climate change.

Sadly, forests can also be a source of greenhouse gases. The emissions from deforestation and forest degradation make up nearly 50% of global emissions. Moreover, agriculture, forestry, and other land uses are responsible for almost a quarter of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions.

Forests and their crucial role in the fight against climate change have become increasingly visible in international agreements since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1994. Since then, international meetings regarding climate change have become more and more important. And the implementation of forests in combating the threat has become more and more defined.

Nowadays, consumers are gradually demanding forest products from sustainable sources. Progressively, forest product corporations are beginning the conversion to deforestation-free supply chains. For instance, palm oil, timber, paper, cattle, soy, cocoa, and coffee are products that will no longer contribute to deforestation and forest degradation, regarding the new EU Regulation.

To maintain protected areas and launch sustainable initiatives, many countries are restoring degraded and deforested land. This helps to take pressure off healthy forests and reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Concretely, restoring forests has the
potential to avoid more than one-third of the total climate change mitigation that scientists say is required by 2030 to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

Increasing and maintaining forests, ending forest conversion, and preserving the forest carbon sink, is, therefore, an essential solution to climate change. Nature – and in particular, forests – must be part of the answer to keeping the climate in the globally accepted two-degree temperature limit.

What is poetry? It can be said that “poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn”, or that “poetry: the best words in the best order”, or even that “poetry is the clear expression of mixed feelings”.

Poetry has a long and varied history. It dates back at least to prehistoric times with hunting poetry in Africa. The oldest surviving epic poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh, dates from the 3rd millennium BCE in Sumer, present-day Iraq, and was written on clay tablets and, later, on papyrus. Other ancient epics include the Greek Iliad and the Odyssey. Poetry is a distinct form of expression used by humans for centuries.

The world is always changing. And now, more than ever, it seems like the lack of interest in poetry is general and spreads quickly. It’s rare to see someone waiting for the bus reading a poetry book. So what changed?

New technologies have numerous advantages. Physical boundaries, such as distance, disappeared. And today, everything is faster and more accessible. However, with the new digital reality, mindsets have also changed. People would rather spend hours in front of screens on social media than dedicate time to a good book of poetry. And like that, this unique form of literature seems to be losing the fight against phones for people’s attention.

In this context, is important to reflect on possible solutions to save poetry from being
forgotten. That's how the idea of ​​aligning social media and poetry came about. In an attempt to keep poetry alive and reach more people. There are countless accounts on social networks, such as Instagram, Twitter, and tiktok, which produce content to promote poetry. These accounts have young people as their main target. They reach thousands of people and encourage reading. More importantly, they make poetry dynamic and current.

I leave in this article some of my favorite poetry accounts on Instagram, so you can celebrate this special day by checking them out or even following them.

@poetryfoundation

The Poetry Foundation isn’t only an Instagram account. Is an American literary society that seeks to promote poetry and lyricism in the wider culture. They publish daily on social media. In their feed, you can find your next favorite contemporary poet. “We work to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry.”

@artofpoets

Art of Poets it’s an online community with an inspirational vision: “Inspiring readers to live a more conscious life”. On their Instagram, you can count on excellent book recommendations and a poem a day.

@poetspecial
​
With this account, you have the feeling of opening a book. Every post is a picture of a page of a poetry book. I’m sure that in there you can find the perfect post to put on your stories to celebrate #poetryday. Their motto is: “we all are different, we all are special, poetry for all moods in one place.”

While some families shy away from educating their children about issues they themselves do not fully understand, there are others who experience hate on a daily basis and therefore have no choice. Education about racism and experiences of discrimination should be done in the right way and at the right time.

Even though conversations about racism and discrimination will look different in every family, science agrees: the earlier parents start the conversation with their children, the better.

Babies as young as 6 months perceive physical differences, including skin colour. Studies have shown that children as young as 5 years old can show signs of racial bias, for example by treating people of a certain ethnic group better than others. Ignoring or avoiding the issue does not protect children, but exposes them to the prejudices that exist everywhere we live. Children who face racism can feel lost trying to understand why they are treated in a certain way, which in turn can affect their long-term development and well-being.

Being silent is no option.

Children's understanding of the world develops as they get older, but it is not too late to talk to them about equality and racism. The appropriate way to start a communication strongly depends on the age of the child.

Children under the age of 5 begin to recognise and name differences between the people around them. As a parent, you have the opportunity to carefully lay the foundation for your worldview. Use age-appropriate language that the child can easily understand. Therefore, it is important to recognise and appreciate differences that the child may ask about. Focus on openness, fairness and explaining uniqueness.
It is not important to have all the answers, but to let the children know that you are open and fair.

Children aged six to eleven are better able to talk about their feelings and are eager for answers. They are also exposed to an increasing amount of information that they may find difficult to process. Start to understand what you know. Talking together about their main sources of information and media helps to uncover racial prejudices and stereotypes. Honest and open discussions about racism, diversity and inclusion build trust with your children.

Teenagers are better able to understand abstract concepts and express their opinions. They may know more than they think and have strong feelings about the subject. Be clear about how they feel and what they know and keep the conversation going. At this age, you can already encourage action and participation in online activism to respond to and address racist issues.

Regardless of your child's age, it is important to celebrate diversity. Imagine bringing your child into contact with different cultures and people of different races and ethnicities. Such positive interactions with other races and social groups help to reduce prejudice and foster inter-group friendships from an early age.

Be aware of racial prejudice in books and films and look for films that portray people of different racial and ethnic groups in different roles. Consider stories in which minority actors play complex or leading roles. This can do a lot to counter racist and discriminatory stereotypes.

Explore the past together to better understand the present. Historical events such as the end of apartheid in South Africa, the civil rights movement in the United States and other equality movements around the world are symbols of a traumatic past from which societies are still recovering. Understanding them together can show us how far we have come and how much we still have to do. These experiences can help your children develop self-confidence and openness to other perspectives.

You are the example your child follows. What children see their parents do is as important as what they hear them say. 

Like language, prejudices are learned over time. When helping those around you to recognise and combat racial prejudice, think of your own first. Take every opportunity to speak out against racism, show kindness and stand up for the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect.

Children are our future. Help them decide to go a peaceful and respectful way.