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When populations experience economic growth, their appetite for more food and more resource intensive food grows. While this is welcomed in many parts of the world in which communities suffer malnutrition and hunger, the gap between the haves and have nots is growing. The Chefs’ Manifesto is championing a better food future, inspiring people to make changes in their kitchens and communities and empowering them to call on governments and companies to play their part.

Königswinter, Germany – On Friday 6th of March, the Capacity Development & Innovations Office (CDIO) of the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was welcomed at the CJD Königswinter School for a very special event. The occasion was the first ever film screening  organized by the CDIO to raise awareness about the UNCCD, the protection of the environment  and sustainable development. This event saw the screening of “Wild Karnataka”, a cinematographic masterpiece that presents the flora, fauna, and natural beauty of the Indian state of Karnataka in breathtaking pictures. Wild Karnataka is a 52-minutes film, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. It is a brilliant documentary, suitable for viewing by the entire public, and is a visual celebration of the wildlife and ecosystems of Karnataka that we must protect. This film reinforces the crucial importance of the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land. The event heard brief remarks from Head of the CDIO, Dr. Richard A. Byron-Cox who introduced the presenter of the film and its soundtrack composer, Grammy award-winning artist and UNCCD Land Ambassador, Indian national, Ricky Kej, who was the special guest of the occasion. The screening was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of Karnataka’s rich biodiversity, as well as to share its linkage with the UNCCD goals. The audience was totally engrossed by the film following which Dr. Byron-Cox and Ambassador Kej fielded questions from the young audience who fully engaged a series of queries on issues such as the role of the UNCCD in sustainable development and what they can do to help protect the environment. The CDIO is certain that these sorts of events and visits are key to raise awareness, engaging the public at large including the youngest in supporting the UNCCD; and addressing the achievement of global sustainable development. In the end, everyone present agreed that we are all required to preserve our beautiful planet, its biodiversity and land. The CDIO has among its chief aims providing inspiration to the youth to play their part in promoting the importance of land globally. The entire CDIO composing of the Head of the office, Dr. Richard A. Byron-Cox, Sandrine Rastetter, J. Daniel Gonzalez Carmena, Ana Marques, Jorge Sanz, Mariya-Yelyzaveta Tserkovnyuk, Nicolo Accame, Eldhos Vakkanal and Alejandra Peña Vasquez, being officers, consultants and interns, respectively. This multicultural Team comprises people representing countries from all over the world i.e.: St. Vincent and the Grenadines, France, Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, Italy, Japan, India and Colombia.    

The Poster Competition 2019 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is meant for people to show the world their posters regarding the UN-Day Bonn (Germany, October 12). This competition aims to promote their creativity and to give them the opportunity to share ideas and experiences in this field. The theme of the Competition is: “Achieving SDGs to leave no one behind” Submissions requirements: Format : A3 Resolution : 300ppp Maximum file size 100MB Short title and a text of maximum 250 words in German, English, French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic or Chinese.   Submission Deadline: The deadline is October 31, 2019 at 23:59 Bonn time (GMT +2). No registration form or submission will be accepted after this date. Eligibility of participants: Participation in the poster competition is FREE! Participants should register through the online form. Registration means agreement to the Competition Rules. All entries must be original works produced by the participant which have not been published anywhere. To be able to participate, the participants need to be at least 18 years old on the date of the submission deadline or need parents’ consent to participate. Participants must provide proof of their age or parental consent form if and when requested by the Capacity Building Marketplace team. Participants are limited to one submission per person and the same poster cannot be submitted more than once. Current and former staff, consultants, and interns of the United Nations, as well as first degree relatives of the aforementioned individuals, cannot participate in the competition. The participants grant the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), its partners and other UN agencies as well as other persons or entities authorized by the UNCCD, a free of charge, non-exclusive, irrevocable, transferable, perpetual, worldwide license to use the copyright, related rights or any other intellectual property rights that have arisen by law or will arise by law from the prepared and submitted poster designs. The UNCCD is entitled to publish the posters but has no obligation to do so. The UNCCD-CBM reserves the right to modify the original design in order to include the corporative elements of the UNCCD, such as, but not limited to, the UNCCD Logo. Competition submissions must not include any endorsements of products or services, or any obscene, violent, racist, religious intolerance or defamatory content. Incomplete entries or entries that do not comply with the formal specifications will be automatically disqualified. Submissions may also not be accepted into the contest if the image in the entry features an identifiable individual who has not given their consent to appear or if the image, advertising or trademarks which would otherwise require the UNCCD to obtain permission to use. Voting process: UNCCD-CBM selects shortlisted candidates The winner will be defined through the public vote online. The winners will be notified by email.  

This July is the first time the United Nations will review the progress made towards meeting Sustainable Development Goal 15, which is about Life on Land. Healthy and productive land is important in the achievement of many of the SDG goals and targets – poverty reduction, food security, gender equality, access to clean water and energy, urban development, peace and stability

The Capacity Building Marketplace (CBM) was one of the main highlights of the UNCCD’s stand at the just concluded Global Festival of Action for Sustainable Development held last week at the Bonn World Conference Center. Here the CBM team shared with participants of the festival information of the great opportunities and possibilities offered on the Marketplace; invited the young visitors to become involved in the sustainable development process; and explained the importance of achieving Land Degradation Neutrality to the realization of the SDGs in general.