The privilege of a good life

What are we searching for as human beings? If you ask that question you are going to get a lot of different answers. Probably also questions as answers.
Searching in what? In relationships, in work, in hobbies? Well in life in general maybe? So what are we searching for in life? Some would say happiness. Then again, what does that mean exactly? And again there are going to be more questions than answers. One would say even being able to question what happiness means is a privilege.
If we refer this question to a specific topic things are going to get more clear.
To think about happiness you have to be able to make a living. To afford the satisfaction of basic needs. Necessities to survive as food, water, a home.
You need some standards to be able to uphold such a life. Standards an individual normally can’t secure by themselves. They need a greater authority to do so. In our modern societies we call that government. In the best case they should secure our human rights and make sure that we get the possibility to make a living by our own. But sometimes the government can’t or won’t secure our rights because of multiple factors. Unfortunately that is a phenomenon which isn’t so rare.
The International Day of Zero Waste on the 30 of march has its focus this year on the exploitation of those workers, who are producing our clothes. They suffer under bad working conditions as forced labor and excessive working hours. The lack of contracts and social security results in unsafe working conditions where female workers aren’t protected from harassment. The violation of freedoms of association makes it for the workers more difficult to unite their voices against any sort of injustice. They have a wage which, despite of some raises in the past years, is still far away of securing them a fair and dignified life. The average earning per month is about 70 euros. What they actually would need is a minimum wage of 284 euro per month.
At the same time what Europeans spend on clothes per year continues to increase.
The expenses in 2024 reached the high number of 687 billion US dollars. Until 2029 an increase of 16,31 per cent is expected. We will reach an incomprehensible sum of 799.2 billion US dollars.
The logical conclusion should be clear: We have a consumerism problem. Instead of seeing it as something natural, we should question our behavior as consumers more. Why do I want to buy this? And what feeling am I promising myself to result out of this purchase? So what’s the appeal of this article? Instead of blindly following trends and pumping more money into the fast fashion industry, work on a more resilient way of consumerism which rethinks everyone in the production chain. And even though that isn’t the solution of this injustice, it is the least thing we can do being profiteers out of this mechanism. It’s not just a possibility, it is a duty and appreciation of humanity. Because not just we should have the luxury to picture what real happiness could mean. Everyone should have the privilege to fantasize what a good life might be.

Eleana is a German volunteer involved in the international Day of Zero Waste.

Léa is a French volunteer involved in the World Water Day.

Every year on March 20, the International Day of the French Language highlights a rich and vibrant language spoken by millions of people around the world. More than just a means of communication, French is a cultural heritage, a marker of identity, and a link between peoples. But in an ever-evolving world, what does the future hold for this language that unites us?

A Language with Global Influence
With over 320 million speakers across five continents, French holds a central place on the international stage. It is the official language of 29 countries and plays a key role in international organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union. But beyond institutions, French is above all a language of sharing, creativity, and exchange, enriched by a diversity of accents and cultures that make it unique.

An Invaluable Cultural Heritage
For centuries, the French language has shaped the literary and artistic landscape worldwide. From Molière to Camus, from Léopold Sédar Senghor to Annie Ernaux, Francophone authors have left an indelible mark on literature. French cinema, music, and theater also contribute to its global influence, inspiring and touching millions of people across the globe.

A Day to Celebrate and Pass On
Established by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), this day is an opportunity to highlight the diversity and vitality of the French language. Events are organized worldwide: public speaking contests, public readings, festivals, and conferences—so many opportunities to rediscover the language and bring it to life beyond borders. In our city, the celebrations will take on a special significance with a large gathering in the central square, bringing together schools, associations, and French language enthusiasts. Linguistic games, exhibitions, and moments of sharing will punctuate the day, creating a space where young and old alike can explore the beauty of French in all its forms.

French in Numbers
French is currently the fifth most spoken language in the world, with approximately 320 million speakers, and could reach 700 million by 2050, according to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. It is also the fourth most used language on the internet and the third most important language in global business. In Africa, where more than half of Francophones are located, its use continues to grow rapidly, thanks to Francophone education systems and a dynamic young population. But in a world increasingly dominated by English and digital technologies, how can we ensure that French maintains its influence and appeal?

Elodie is a French volunteer involved in the International French Language Day.

“Protecting our schools from all forms of violence also means fighting bullying, which inflicts physical and moral suffering on millions of children around the world.”
Audrey Azoulay
Director-General of UNESCO​

Today, I met for coffee with the me of 10 years ago.

She was dressed very discreetly. Wearing skinny pants and a wide black sweatshirt, so her belly wouldn't show. She never liked to be noticed, she always wanted to be as discreet as possible.

Her hair was down, so her ears wouldn't show, in case anyone noticed them too much.

She was a little late, I guess because of the insecurity of thinking that I wouldn't be there when she arrived.

She asked for a chocolate, I already had one. I told her that I still didn't like coffee and that when others order it I'm still embarrassed to order. Coffee still sounds like adulthood and it's still something I sometimes don't want to admit.

She sat looking to the side, to see if anyone was watching or anyone who could overhear the conversation we were about to have. I told her that I don't worry about that anymore.

After 30 minutes she told me that there were some girls at school who were making fun of her, I asked her why and she told me that she wished someone would ask the girls.

She was fed up, she confessed to me that she couldn't take it anymore. They were not only picking on her physical condition, but also her financial condition. I wondered why they cared about that, if being so small that is the least important thing.

She told me that they did not want to play with her, that they avoided her, gave her mean looks and insulted her. The strange thing about all that is that her final sentence was: “and I don't understand why, if they are my friends”.

She told me that she couldn't cry, that she actually envied them, that security, that beauty she saw in them, she didn't hate them.

1 out of 3 children is a victim of bullying.

She told me that she didn't want to go to school anymore, that she was afraid and that she hadn't told anyone else.

I listened, but I didn't cry, I still didn't cry. I told her that a part of that child would always stay with us, that it was important to talk. She told me that she had no more strength, that she just wanted to stop suffering.

According to WHO, today about 9 out of 10 children live in countries where the law does not prohibit common forms of violence against children, such as physical punishment or even sexual abuse and exploitation.

She told me that she wasn't doing well at school either, she was getting bad grades and couldn't concentrate. I told her that it might be related to the girls treating her badly.

She asked me what she had done wrong, if someday this suffering would end, that she couldn't take it anymore. My throat would form knots every time she said each word. Today I still haven't found an answer.

I told her not to get used to it, that she couldn't normalize violent situations, whether physically, verbally or emotionally. She told me that there were times when she already did, because she didn't want to suffer. When the teachers saw what was happening, they said it was “kid stuff” and that “it would pass”. But on the contrary, it would always escalate.

She even heard that “violence is solved with violence”. Around 3 in 5 children are regularly punished by physical means in their homes. For adolescent males, violence - often involving firearms or other weapons - is now the leading cause of death.

I encouraged her to talk to me, I was always there even when she wanted everything to stop hurting. I told her that even today it still hurts a little, but we learn to deal with it the best way we can.

Protecting children from bullying is a matter of human rights.

Today I met up with the me of 10 years ago. And there was no coffee.

If you live it, if you see it, if you commit it, if you are part of it.

If it's your son, your brother, your classmate or your student. Take action.

Never be a witness, never be a mere spectator. Never be silent. Speak up. Because talking can save lives. Because speaking out can prevent. A grain of sand can be invisible if seen from a distance, barely perceptible, but several can create a great range of enormous mountains.
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Ending violence is something fundamental, something we are all involved in. Every small step counts. Every little word makes a dent.

Clara is a Spanish volunteer involved in the national Day against school violence & bullying.

“Today, we are celebrating the strength, determination, and resilience of women everywhere.”
- Michelle Obama for the 2022 International Women’s Day. 

Every year, March 8 marks International Women's Rights Day, a moment to celebrate the progress made toward gender equality, but also to remind us that the road to real equity is still long. While some believe this day has become only symbolic, reality shows that it remains a crucial fight, on economic, political, social, and cultural levels.

A DAY BORN FROM WOMEN'S STRUGGLE FOR THEIR RIGHTS
The history of March 8 dates back to the early 20th century, when women around the world demanded better working conditions, voting rights, and equality with men. This date was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, but its origins trace back to workers and feminist movements at the beginning of the century.
In 1910, German activist Clara Zetkin proposed, at an international socialist conference, the creation of a day dedicated to the fight for women's rights. Later, the day of March 8 was chosen, in reference to the strikes of Russian female workers in 1917, which marked a turning point in social revolutions.

Today, while significant progress has been made, this day remains a crucial moment of mobilization to denounce persistent inequalities.
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MAJOR ADVANCES, BUT PERSISTENT INEQUALITIES:

• Voting rights and political participation: Women gained the right to vote in most countries (1944 in France, 1952 in Greece, 1971 in Switzerland, 2015 in Saudi Arabia). They now hold positions of power, yet they remain underrepresented in politics and business leadership.
• Access to education: Today, more and more girls go to school and pursue higher education. However, in some countries, access to education remains limited due to sexist traditions and economic barriers.
• Equal pay and professional recognition: While the gender pay gap has reduced in several countries, women still earn about 20% less than men for the same jobs (according to the International Labour Organization). Precarious and underpaid jobs are often held by women, and the glass ceiling still slows their rise to leadership positions.
• Fighting against violence: The #MeToo movement has helped break the silence on gender-based and sexual violence. However, statistics remain alarming: for example, in Greece, around 33% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15, according to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. Additionally, femicides in Greece have increased significantly, with a 187.5% rise between 2020 and 2021, from 8 to 23 cases (source: courrierinternational.com).

Of course, and fortunately, progress has been made, but true equality is still far from achieved.

WHY IS MARCH 8 STILL ESSENTIAL TODAY?
If you need more reasons to understand why is this day still very important: 

• To keep fighting against inequalities: March 8 is a powerful reminder that women's rights must be defended every day. Gender equality cannot be achieved without collective awareness and strong political commitment.
• To give a voice to women worldwide: in many countries, women continue to suffer from systemic discrimination, violence, and injustices. This day is an essential platform to highlight their realities and struggles.
• To inspire future generations: March 8 is also a message of hope for young girls, helping them realize that they have the right to study, choose their careers, make decisions, and live without fear.
• Because setbacks are possible: history shows that rights gained are never guaranteed forever. In some countries, regressions are visible, particularly in reproductive rights (such as abortion bans in the United States and Poland). More than ever, in this complex worldwide context, March 8 serves as a reminder that these fights must continue.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION BEYOND MARCH 8?
Personally, the feminist cause resonates deeply with me, and in the face of all the discrimination that women still endure, I want to take action at my own level to fight against these inequalities and stop feeling powerless. If you, too, are looking for ways to get involved in this fight, here are some actions that can help make a difference:

• Raise awareness: Educate yourself and others about gender inequalities, share resources, and encourage discussions.
• Support organizations: Many NGOs fight for women's rights and need support: donations, volunteering, …
• Push for workplace policies: Demand inclusive policies, fight the pay gap, and advocate for gender diversity in leadership roles.
• Keep mobilizing: Join March 8 events to show commitment and call for concrete actions from governments.

In the end, March 8 should not be just a symbolic event where women receive flowers or where brands launch opportunistic marketing campaigns. It is a day of struggle, reflection, and action for a fairer world.
As long as inequalities exist, I truly believe this day will remain necessary. But beyond this date, it’s important to precise that every day should be a step closer to a future where women’s rights are no longer a debate, but a certainty.

Elia is a French volunteer involved in the international Womans Day