See You at The World Ocean Festival

Promotion of Sustainable Development Goal #14 "Life Below Water," Style & Resilience is partnering with Global Brain and NYC, Office of the Mayor organizing World Ocean Festival and Ocean Conference.

"The ocean sustains marine life and our own–connecting us all across the world, providing sustenance, transport, economies, livelihoods.

Meanwhile, Illegal fishing threatens species, sustenance, and economies worldwide; pollution in the form of chemical run-off, spills, plastics and more damages and destroys marine life and enters our food chain, and climate change is killing our coral reefs, flooding human and animal habitats and feeding a disastrous feedback loop of rising world temperatures."

Check out a note from WOF's Maritime Director Chris O'Brien.

"I have had the pleasure for more than 25 years of work on, in, and around New York Harbor to be involved in some amazing gatherings of vessels, from OpSail to Fleet Week. For me, being on the water has been a lifelong love affair starting as a Sea Scout sailing the waters of Cape Cod and culminating as a US Coast Guard Officer stationed on Governors Island in New York City. As I reflect on a life of connection to the water, I find that have I not only developed a profound appreciation for the Ocean but an understanding of our dependence on them."

Read more on the worldoceanfest.org website here. 

Indigenous Voice, Indigenous Rights - The Role of Community Media

Indigenous peoples make up 5% of the world's population, but 15% of the poorest #DPINGO @UN4Indigenous pic.twitter.com/otUaUBsESq

Have you heard about the UN Declaration of Rights for Indigenous People?

#WeAreIndigenous

Moderator Suzanne Benally Executive Director of Cultural Survival, introduces the article 16 in the declaration, communications and awareness, as a significant part of cultural survival. Media can help bring about understanding and celebration of cultures.

Shaldon Ferris, Eldos FM in Johannesburg, South Africa, talks about the importance about community radio for it provides the people of the community with a voice. It plays as a common medium where your common voice can be heard. It not only provides entertainment, but it also a chance to celebrate people of indigenous cultures. Ferris points out how media never shows people that look like him and his community; there was no awareness. From Dutch to American entertainment, Shaldon learned about other cultures but never saw celebration nor awareness of his own. Ferris praises his sister for stepping up to the plate and creating a community radio station that focused on the issues in the community like having delayed ambulances in an emergency. Because of her and the radio, ambulances and emergency care are now able to come more quickly.

Avexnim Cojti is represents Indigenous Rights Radio, Cultural Survival in Guatemala. 60% of Guatemala is indigenous. The challenge in Guatemala is that there is monopoly of power from private sectors and businesses. In rural parts in the country, they do not speak Spanish, and education is very underdeveloped. For any entertainment, it is used to sell products from these businesses instead of bringing about news and awareness of indigenous culture let alone the outside world. Cojti also speaks about how people are embarrassed to be indigenous now.

Radio stations like Cojti's promotes indigenous pride not only from its history but also for today. There have been many petitions and promises from the government and state to allow indigenous to have media and a voice; however, the power still stays with the private sectors and businesses. For cultural survival, Cotji recommends we teach language through the radio, promote forums and policy, and gain more awareness on indigenous issues. Dev Kumar Sunuwar, Radio Kairan, Nepal, describes his country is a small nation between two big ones, China and India. 36% of the Nepal population is indigenous; however, very few are represented in politics and media. In 2014, the government has give 620 radio stations to community, but a very few are given to these Indigenous community and mainly to dominant groups. Without a voice, there is no influence nor awareness. Outside communities cannot learn about indigenous people if they don't have a voice. Indigenous people cannot be given appropriate treatment nor consideration in human rights and development if they're not given a voice.

Radio serves communities for empowerment, education, and other information. To gain more awareness, Cojti recommends we study and find out what indigenous cultures are around us and see how much it has affected ourselves and identity.

Check out a link to the UN Declaration of Human Rights for Indigenous People here.

Young Voices of Substance Abuse

April may also be the month of rain and showers; however, it also serves as a time for Substance Abuse Awareness. On Thursday, April 20th, the UN Department of Public Information hosted high school students to present their work and impact promoting awareness on the issue in association with the Sustainable Development Goals. We opened with Moderator Gertrude Noden, professor for Global Education Motivators and Founder of Words into Deeds, explaining the process students used to implement the SDGs to best go about "Breaking the 50% Cycle."

Eva Mayu Mecham, a junior at New Roots Charter School, originally from Ecuador faced a culture shock when she moved to the United States especially with the views on addiction and substance abuse. Classmates around smoked both tobacco and pot. Eva clarifies that there are many misconceptions of addiction which can allow shame and diminishing of "potheads" or victims of drug abuse' characters especially from society's view.

"Open my eyes, open my heart." - Eva Mayu Mecham

This sense of addiction shouldn't inspire us to exclude those who need help. Instead, we should take them in and look to ways of education and programs to find solutions and strategies to fight substance abuse.

Mother and Deputy Executive Director of Southern Tier AIDS Program, Michelle McElroy talks about that we as a community need to come together and think of a new strategy. How can the United States go about drug policy? We need to supply our children and youth accurate information of the medical benefits and effects of drugs for them to analyze. We need to teach our youth analytical skills so they can act upon relevant information and make their own educated decisions. Do we really want our youth to believe that Cocaine is less dangerous than Marijuana because that is what the federal drug policy is entailing?

"Our goal is to save just one addict at a time." - Student pledge to decrease substance abuse

In sending a message "Through Art Expression," students found that the arts serves as an appropriate outlet concerning their experiences. Check out the spoken word performed by Weaver Hill and Shjon Amaker, students from New Roots Charter School.

Mayor of the city of Ithaca, Svante L. Myrick promoted youth involvement in policy making especially with laws that affect them. Our youth obtains a sense energy, creativity, and moral authority our legislative lacks. Youth have a different perspective and different experience than the older crowd does. When people are suffering anywhere, we have a responsibility to do something and seek recovery and prevention.

Youth Delegate, Faith de Castro argues that students should be instructed in the early age in the importance of human rights. With that in mind, we encourage everyone especially youth to learn more substance abuse and health for it is a right to know all the information.

To learn more, check out the following websites the students of New Roots Charter have so kindly given us as a trusting resource.

Alcohol and Drug Council

Phone: 607.274.6288

Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP)

Website: stapinc.org

Phone: 888.206.2870

Rescue Mission

Website: rescuemissionalliance.org

Phone: 607.273.6648

Dena Mekawi Speaks at LIM College

On Wednesday, April 19th, LIM College's Philanthropy Club invited Dena Mekawi to speak about her experience as a Youth Representative to the United Nations, entrepreneur in creating Style & Resilience, and leader in mixing Philanthropy with the means of self-expression.

LIM's Philanthropy Club is focused on achieving the following:

• To promote the welfare of others and giving back to the community

• To assist non-profit organizations in their pursuit in helping those in need

• To further bring generosity and responsibility into the fashion industry

As media is known to deteriorate body positivity with unrealistic body imagery, fashion brands have the opportunity to make right and to boost self-esteem when implementing diversity in strategic messaging. Fashion has the potential to promote not only health physically, but also mentally, with the amount of influence it has.

Dena also mentioned to students about how fashion can tie into the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals by becoming more eco-friendly in using less-hazardous chemicals and more sustainable in assuring treatment of all employees are ethical. At the end of the day, businesses can improve a lot in the long run by switching to more sustainable business models by taking into consideration the profit as well as the people and the planet.

Style & Resilience is excited to continue working with LIM in leading this movement of sustainable fashion and awareness. Stay tuned for more.

From Homeless to Global Entrepreneur

From Homeless to Global Entrepreneur, Rahfeal explains the journey to Resilience.