Breathing in the middle of a forest. Leaning against a tree when you need a break.

The stones that guide you along the path when you have to reach a destination.

It's the butterflies together, flying playfully through the garden.

The biodiversity that surrounds us plays a very important role in our city, in our community, in the society we live in. But what exactly is biodiversity?

U.N. says that “Biological diversity is often understood in terms of the wide variety of plants, animals and microorganisms, but it also includes genetic differences within each species — for example, between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock — and the variety of ecosystems (lakes, forest, deserts, agricultural landscapes) that host multiple kind of interactions among their members (humans, plants, animals)”

Three-quarters of the land-based environment and about 66% of the marine environment have been significantly altered by human actions.

The European Parliament mentions different causes of ecosystem and biodiversity destruction:

1. Changes in land use (e.g. deforestation, intensive monoculture, urbanization).
2. Direct exploitation such as hunting and over-fishing.
3. Climate change.
4. Pollution.
5. Invasive exotic species.

That’s why most (if not all) of the Sustainable Development Goals are involved in this biodiversity day, giving importance not only to nature and its preservation (SDGs 13, 14 and 15), but also to community and responsible consumption (SDGs 7, 11 and 12). The fight against inequalities (as indicated in SDGs 1 and 10) begins with education (SDG 4) and ends in the health and well-being of all of us (SDGs 2 and 3), of the society in which we live and, in short, in the collaboration and union of all those who, day by day, are involved in this journey that we can call diversity (SDGs 16 and 17).

Apart from many other factors that are cause or consequence of what I have just mentioned, there are multiple actions that promote the destruction of these ecosystems. We tend to think that only large industries or major companies with the power to decide how to use water, energy or the different ecosystems that surround us are responsible. But the destruction of biodiversity goes much further.

It is also about the grain of sand that each one of us deposit in our lives, in the past, in the present and, above all, in the future.

Fortunately, we are responsible for most of the actions we take every day.

It is about separating organic waste, controlling the amount of water we consume and use every day. It is about walking instead of using the car, or using and investing in safe and quality public transportation.

It is also about controlling the food we eat, caring for and promoting local commerce, responsible consumption, and not abusing unsustainable products.

The first step to change the world is to change our habits, those that are in our hands, those habits that only need a little awareness and knowledge. It is about starting to build our own future, the one we want for us and for our loved ones.

It is about wanting to choose whether we want to continue breathing fresh air in the middle of the forest or near the city where we live. To be able to continue counting on that tree to support us when we need a little rest in the shade.

To be able to continue to see those stones that guide us and to be able to continue to enjoy those butterflies that fly playfully through the garden.

Clara is a Spanish volunteer involved in the Biological Diversity Day.

Pollinators play an essential role in keeping our ecosystems alive and balanced. From fruits and vegetables to flowers and forests, much of the natural world depends on pollination. Yet today, pollinators face increasing threats, and among them, bees hold a special place.

That’s why every year on May 20, we celebrate World Bee Day. The United Nations established this day to raise awareness about the vital role of bees and to honor Anton Janša, a Slovenian beekeeper and pioneer of modern beekeeping.

For 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has chosen the theme: “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all.”

This message highlights how deeply pollinators are connected to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), from food security and nutrition to biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.
​
According to the FAO, around 200,000 animal species serve as pollinators, including 20,000 wild bee species. Bees are not the only ones at work: butterflies, moths, birds, and bats also contribute to this vital process for example.

So, what exactly is pollination?

It’s the process by which pollen is transferred from the male part of a flower (stamen) to the female part (pistil), allowing plants to produce fruits and seeds. Without it, many of the foods we enjoy (and the ecosystems we rely on) simply wouldn’t exist.

Why pollinators matter?

Here are just a few reasons why pollinators like bees are essential:

• They are crucial to food production
• They support access to nutrient-rich diets
• They boost biodiversity
• They increase agricultural yields
• They provide vital ecosystem services

 
Wild bees and honeybees: two pollinators, one mission

There are two main types of bees: wild bees and domesticated honeybees. Both are essential for pollination, but they don’t work the same way.
Honeybees are raised by beekeepers in hives. They are social insects that live in large colonies and are especially known for producing honey and beeswax. They are widely used in agriculture to pollinate crops on a large scale, like almonds or apples.
Wild bees, on the other hand, live freely in nature. They include species like bumblebees, mason bees, and leafcutter bees. Most wild bees are solitary (they don’t live in hives) and often specialize in certain plants, making them extremely efficient pollinators. Although they don’t make honey, wild bees pollinate many wild plants and flowers, helping to maintain healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.
Together, wild and domesticated bees help pollinate around 75% of the crops we consume and nearly 90% of wild flowering plants. Protecting both types is key to ensuring food security and preserving nature.

Simple actions to help bees

Helping bees is possible with very simple actions. The first and easiest is to buy local honey and bee products. It supports nearby beekeepers and helps maintain a healthy local ecosystem.
Another powerful gesture is to avoid harmful chemicals and pesticides, which pollute the environment and endanger all pollinators.

Here are a few more easy steps you can take:

• Plant bee-friendly flowers (like lavender, wildflowers, or sunflowers)
• Grow hedgerows to offer bees shelter and food
• Set up bee houses to support solitary wild bees
• Choose organic and sustainable food to encourage pollinator-friendly farming
• Talk to your friends and family about the importance of bees and how to protect them

Even small efforts, when multiplied, can make a big difference for bees  and for our planet.                    

Eleana is a German volunteer involved in the International Museum Day. 

Theatre Theoreticians? This seems like a very precise and unknown topic for non theatre lovers. But keep reading, these next lines will give you a quick overview of one of the most talked-about topics in the theatre world: How should actors and stage directors work to convey the emotions of the characters in a play? There are two main groups which are divided by this topic. The ones who think actors have to live for real the emotions of their character, and the ones who think it’s important to create a barriere, a border between the actors’ feelings and the characters’ feelings.

Let’s analyse what the different theatre theoreticians wrote about this specific topic. The most famous author who wrote about this topic is called Constantin Stanislavski. He’s a Russian theatre practitioner, born in 1863 and died in 1938, famous for his system of actor training, preparation, and rehearsal technique. In his book entitled An actor’s work writes that “so that the theatrical performance is right, coherent and logical, the actor has to think, struggle and act in harmony with his character”. He says that the work of the actor is an internal process, he talks about “incarnation”, actually being in the skin of the character. He explains that the feelings of the actor have to be as strong as the feelings of his character: “you have to really experience the character's feelings each time you recreate the scene”. This method is called the Actor Studio Method Acting and was popularized by Lee Strasberg in America and got spread across the world.

On the other side of this dividing topic, we can for example quote Denis Diderit, a french writer in his book entitled Paradoxe sur le comédien, in which he explains his point of view on the question of actors showing emotions. He writes that the talent of an actor is “not to feel but to render outwardly the signs of these feelings”, “it’s a memory mimicking work”. In his opinion the illusion of the character is only in the eye of the audience, the actor knows he’s not the character he plays. Christian Biet and Christophe Triau, actors and theatre theoreticians, also wrote about this in their book What is theatre?. For them, the actor can’t embody a character because “characters are not souls, not human beings”, it’s not about mimicking something real or alive, it’s about making your own fiction of the role.

Now that you have a few more elements regarding the two main sides of the question, you can ask yourself with what you agree more, which one you would use if you had to play characters. If this topics gave you some interest in the question, there are many books dealing with it! I really encourage you to learn more about important theatre theorists of the world.

Every year on May 9, people across Europe commemorate Europe Day, a symbolic date that marks the birth of the European Union as we know it today. While it may not be as widely known as other public holidays, Europe Day carries a profound historical and political significance. It is a reminder of a bold vision for peace, a shared commitment to unity, and a promise of cooperation across national borders.
The origins of Europe Day go back to May 9, 1950, when French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered a declaration that would change the course of history. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Europe was still healing from deep wounds. Economic instability, political fragmentation, and social upheaval threatened to plunge the continent into further chaos. Against this backdrop, Schuman proposed a radical idea: to place the coal and steel production of France and Germany under a single authority, open to other European nations. These industries were not chosen by chance — coal and steel were the essential raw materials of war. By pooling them together, former enemies would be tied into a system of mutual dependency, making future conflict between them not only unlikely but practically impossible.
The Schuman Declaration laid the foundations for the European Coal and Steel Community, which eventually evolved into the European Economic Community and then the European Union. What began as a pragmatic arrangement to rebuild war-torn economies became a far-reaching political project that now includes 27 member states and over 450 million citizens. Europe Day commemorates this declaration, not just as a historical moment, but as the first step towards a united, peaceful Europe built on cooperation and shared values.
Today, Europe Day is an opportunity to reflect on these values — democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, and human dignity — which lie at the heart of the European Union. It is a celebration of peace in a region where war once seemed inevitable. It is a reminder that national interests need not be pursued at the expense of the common good. And it is an invitation to continue building a Europe that is open, inclusive, and resilient in the face of new challenges.
Across the continent, Europe Day is marked by a variety of events and initiatives, from cultural festivals and concerts to educational programs and public debates. In cities like Brussels, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg — where key EU institutions are based — the doors of the European Parliament, the Commission, and the Council are opened to citizens. People are invited to learn more about how the EU works, how it affects their daily lives, and how they can shape its future. Elsewhere, schools organise activities to help students understand the importance of European cooperation, while local communities come together to celebrate the diversity that makes Europe so rich and vibrant.
But Europe Day is not only about institutions and politics. It is also a human story — the story of millions of people who have crossed borders to work, study, love, and live in countries that were once foreign but are now part of a shared space. It is the story of young people who identify not just as Polish or Italian or Greek, but also as European. It is the story of artists, scientists, activists, and ordinary citizens who collaborate across languages and cultures to build a better world. In this sense, Europe Day is both a commemoration and a celebration — a time to honour the past, but also to dream of the future.
At a time when the European project is being tested by economic pressures, political extremism, and global crises, Europe Day serves as a timely reminder of what unites us. It asks us to look beyond borders and divisions, and to remember that cooperation is not a weakness but a strength. The European Union, for all its imperfections, remains one of the most ambitious and peaceful political experiments in human history. Its success depends not only on treaties and policies but on the engagement and imagination of its people.
As we celebrate Europe Day, we are reminded that unity is not something that can be taken for granted. It must be renewed, defended, and reimagined by each new generation. Whether we are citizens, students, workers, or dreamers, we each have a role to play in shaping the Europe we want to live in — one that is fairer, greener, more democratic, and more inclusive.
Europe Day is not just about institutions or flags. It is about a shared future — one that belongs to all of us.

Léa is a French volunteer involved in the Europe Day.

La lengua española es la segunda lengua más hablada del mundo por habitantes nativos y es por ello, y por muchos otros más motivos, la razón por la cual, el 23 de abril de cada año, se celebra el día de la lengua española en las naciones unidas.

El 23 de abril, coincidiendo con el día de la lengua inglesa y el día del libro, fue elegido un día tan importante ya que hace honor a varios escritores muy importantes en la sociedad de entonces y la de hoy en día. 

El 23 de abril coincide con el aniversario de la muerte de Miguel de Cervantes, el autor conocido mayormente por su obra “El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha”. Esta obra es una de las más emblemáticas de la lengua española, considerada una de las obras más importantes de la literatura mundial.

No es casualidad que se eligiera este día como el día de la lengua española. Miguel de Cervantes fue durante mucho tiempo una persona de referencia en la literatura, es por ello por lo que decidieron que este día fuera en honor a él. 

Según el estudio “una lengua viva”, Estados unidos supera a Colombia y se sitúa en el 2º país hispanohablante del mundo, solo por detrás de México.

La lengua española, a parte de ser una de las 6 lenguas oficiales de las naciones unidas, es un idioma hablado en 22 países como lengua materna.

La ONU también habla con Ñ. Porque la lengua española también es especial en eso. En tener “Ñ”, o signos de exclamación cada vez que se hace una pregunta o una exclamación. ¿Así? ¿Sí, así! 

La lengua española es amor, es cultura, es música y es expresión y también historia.

¡Juntémonos creando un mundo donde la cultura, la historia y la expresión vayan juntos de la mano y donde los idiomas y el aprendizaje de estos tengan un gran lugar en nuestra educación!