[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-41px|||||” custom_padding=”33px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”-19px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”6px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ text_orientation=”justified” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
15 June 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I thank the organizers for the kind invitation to today\u2019s <\/span>International Summit on Psychology and Global Health: <\/span><\/i>Leadership for Emerging Challenges<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This event is both timely and opportune, taking place against the backdrop of a triple planetary crisis \u2013 climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss \u2013 as well as a continuing pandemic, which together are triggering a deluge of mental health challenges.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The pandemic, in particular, has compounded existing challenges brought on by rapid urbanization, communal disintegration, and growing disparities in wealth.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, our news stories are dominated by headlines of political strife and conflict, social inequality and exclusion, and the existential dangers posed by the climate crisis.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My dear Friends,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Climate change is creating a generation of despair and hopelessness.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We must act urgently to counter the dispiriting narrative that the future will bring only more alienation, tragedy, and loss.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A narrative of HOPE reminds us that humanity can take control of its own destiny.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hope reinforces the belief that it is in our hands to recover better from the pandemic and rescue our planet from climate disaster.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hope renews partnerships with the coalitions needed to create the future we want.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To inspire hope, we must draw upon and demonstrate our successes, and our examples of goodwill and cooperation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Empowered by hope, we can tackle global environmental challenges with refreshed energy, mindful that we have both the capacity and the political will to make a meaningful difference.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This in turn will help us heal from the massive mental health crisis affecting our communities and our societies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My friends,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I will convene, on 19 July, a High-Level Thematic debate entitled, \u201cThe Moment for Nature,\u201d.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This event will help build cohesion across the global environmental work streams. It will look at successful and promising initiatives to tackle common bottlenecks.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our goal is to remind people that it is indeed possible to tackle climate change, to address the challenges we face.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the remaining tenure of my Presidency and beyond, I will do all that I can to support efforts to combat the climate crisis through the lens of psychology, and alleviate its negative impacts on mental health.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In a world defined by complex challenges and interdependence, let us continue to make use of every opportunity to give hope to our children through greater political will and transformative leadership.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And yes, with clear minds and clarity of purpose.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I thank you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Virtual<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p> I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p> Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p> A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,556,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-267761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-pga","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n