La littérature et le monde albanais sont en deuil après le décès d'Ismail Kadaré, survenu le matin 1er juillet à Tirana. Né le 28 janvier 1936 à Gjirokastër, il était l'écrivain albanais le plus connu et le plus traduit dans le monde. Hommage(s).
- Articles / Courrier des Balkans, Albanie, Culture et éducation, PersonnalitésSurprise and jubilation in the United Nation Security Council (UNSC): 2028 begins with a bang. The permanent members of the body declare that they will voluntarily renounce their right of veto in cases of mass atrocities. This self-limitation, achieved after a long struggle, would have been unthinkable without the far-reaching reform of the Security Council that preceded it. The initiative, based on an earlier Franco-Mexican proposal and the Code of Conduct of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency Group (ACT Group), came from the new members of the enlarged UNSC. Since 2027, it has consisted of 27 instead of 15 members. Germany is among the new members. In her first speech after the enlargement, the German Ambassador to the UN noted with a wink that her country had hoped to be represented in 2027/28 even without the reform. After all, Berlin had already announced in 2023 that it would stand for election as a non-permanent member in 2027/28. However, it was not foreseeable at the time that Germany would now be one of the six new semi-permanent members of the Security Council.
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IPI together with the Office of the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety and Global Citizen, cohosted on July 1st the US launch of “Make a Safety Statement,” a joint United Nations–JCDecaux Global Campaign for Road Safety.
Every year, road traffic deaths claim the lives of a staggering 1.19 million people and leave countless others with severe injuries. In response to this urgent global issue, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, in collaboration with JCDecaux, with the support of Saatchi & Saatchi, launched a worldwide campaign under the motto “Make a Safety Statement.” This initiative is being launched in 80 countries and 1,000 cities and represents a call to action, amplifying the message of the New Decade of Action for Road Safety, aiming to halve the number of road-related victims by 2030.
In the US, road crashes are the second biggest cause of accidental death, after firearms. According to the World Health Organization, the US fatality rate is estimated at 12.7 per 100,000 people, while the rate in Europe is 6.5 per 100,000 people. Pedestrian deaths in the US rose over 40% from 2010 to 2018, more than twice the pace of any other OECD country.
The campaign aims to promote road safety and create secure, inclusive, and sustainable streets worldwide. Through active involvement in the “Making a Safety Statement” campaign, we can decrease risk factors, especially in urban areas, enabling people to safely walk, live, and enjoy their environment. The initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals and safeguard the well-being of our planet and people.
Speakers focused on creating “safe and sustainable mobility in the city, from NYC to Marrakesh.” During the event, Street Art for Mankind artist Dragon76 created an original piece of art that was unveiled at the conclusion of the event.
Street Art for Mankind is a nonprofit organization that strongly believes in the power of art to trigger social change. With the support of over 80 prominent international street artists, the organization curates and produces large murals, interactive exhibitions, and live performances around the world to bond communities and generations around human rights.
Welcoming remarks:
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, President and CEO of the International Peace Institute
Jean Todt, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety
Jean-Luc Decaux, President & Co-CEO of JCDecaux North America
Opening remarks:
H.E. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the UN
H.E. Hedda Samson, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to the UN
Speakers:
H.E. Krzysztof Szczerski, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the UN
Ydanis Rodriguez, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation
Lucrecia O’Har, Account Manager – Local Government (NYC), ESRI
Dani Simons, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs – Americas, Alstom
Closing remarks and call to action:
Jean Reno, Actor and Road Safety Advocate
Audrey and Thibault Decker, Co-Founders of Street Art for Mankind
Dragon76, Artist
Moderator:
Esra Sergi Bertani, Communications Officer, UN Office for Partnership
Smoke rises from the Israeli side after Palestinian Hamas gunmen infiltrated areas of southern Israel, as seen from Gaza, October 7, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem
Speaking at a conference titled “The World After October 7th,” which was organized by the European Association for the Defense of Democracies and the World Council for Public Diplomacy and Community Dialogue, Imam Hassen Chalgoumi stated: “October 7 was a turning point, comparable to the September 11 terror attacks. The attacks by Hamas and their allies shocked not only Israel but the entire world. It was a horrific crime, a massive massacre that changed the world.”
Following the October 7 Massacre, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Houthis in Yemen united under the Iranian umbrella in order to attack Israel. Chalgoumi pointed out the growing alliance between various Islamist groups, including Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and other extremist organizations. He stressed that these groups reveal the true nature of terrorism and pose a threat to global security. “These groups do not represent Islam,” he emphasized, “but are dangerous extremists undermining the stability of different regions.”
In Europe, Chalgoumi sees a troubling trend of increasing support for Islamist ideologies, often accompanied by support from far-left and far-right groups. He warned that this development is leading to more division and fear in Europe. “The rise of extremist parties on both sides is a threat to Europe’s unity and security,” he warned.
Chalgoumi called for concrete actions to combat extremism. He advocated for improved education, stronger legislation, and more support for moderate voices within the Muslim community. “We must invest in education and awareness,” he said. “Parents, teachers, and religious leaders play a crucial role in preventing radicalization.”
He also emphasized the importance of responsible media use and addressing online radicalization. “The propaganda on social media is powerful and dangerous,” Chalgoumi said. “We must protect young people from these influences by teaching them critical thinking and making them aware of the dangers.”
Chalgoumi concluded with a call for unity and cooperation. “It is time for us to come together and work towards a peaceful and stable future,” he said. “We can only overcome these challenges by working together and supporting each other.”
Manel Msalmi, president of EADM and a women’s rights activist, noted the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli women and children on October 7, including the mass rapes of the living and the dead, and the sexual torture endured by the hostages. She also noted the rise of antisemitic attacks in Europe, such as the recent rape of a 12-year-old Jewish girl by anti-Semites in France. She stressed the need to fight against hate and extremism in the wake of the rise of far right and the far left during the elections.
Across Europe, mainstream and left-leaning parties that have traditionally been strong supporters of democracy and minority rights have grown more critical of Israel and more sympathetic to the Continent’s growing antisemitism. Meanwhile, right-leaning parties, including some on the far right that have historically espoused antisemitism, are now more supportive of Israel and are taking a strong stand against Islamic extremism — albeit one often infused with racism and xenophobia. This makes the plight of Jews in Europe more precarious than ever following the October 7 massacre.