We thank the following
and those unknown
persons, groups, agencies,
organizations and
governments for their
loving and selfless actions
that bring meaningful
comfort and assistance
to others.
May your lives be graced
by the Divine
with evermore joy
and fulfilling reward.
European UnionThe European Union
donates an additional
US$60 million
to Somalia to support the
transitional government
in efforts toward
peaceful reconciliation.
His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, Saudi ArabiaSaudi King Abdullah Bin
Abdul-Aziz Al Saud's
support and contribution
to the improvement of
world food security and
agricultural development
has resulted in
remarkable agricultural
growth in the country.
GreeceGreece passes legislation
to ban smoking in
nearly all public spaces.
Basque Country, SpainSpain's Basque Country
bans smoking in cars
when children are
present, as well as
on playgrounds
and school yards.
Manitoba Province, CanadaTo eliminate puppy mills
and further protect
animal companions,
a new amendment
to Canada's
Manitoba province's
animal cruelty law
imposes new license
requirement
and other regulations.
Sir Li Ka-Shing, Hong KongHong Kong billionaire
Sir Li Ka-Shing pledges
to donate one third
of his wealth to charity.
Chen Guangbiao, ChinaIn a letter of intent
to Bill Gates and
Warren Buffet,
Chinese billionaire
and philanthropist
Chen Guangbiao declares
that he will donate
all his wealth to charity
after his death.
Holland M. Ware, USAUS businessman and
philanthropist
Holland M. Ware donates
US$1.4 million to further
PETA's campaigns to
end cruelty to animals.
Maneka Ghandi, IndiaManeka Ghandi is
the founder of India's
first ever animal shelter,
People for Animals,
dedicated to
animal rescue work,
lobbies for animal rights,
and provides health care
and treatments
in its 26 hospitals.
Nine Lives FoundationNonprofit Nine Lives
Foundation dedicates
its resources to
the welfare of felines
by operating a veterinary
clinic and shelter that
provides rescue, medical,
and adoption services.
Secret World Wildlife Rescue, United KingdomSecret World Wildlife
Rescue in Somerset,
United Kingdom,
rescues and rehabilitates
orphaned wild animals,
preparing them
for their release
back into the wild.
Cariad Farm Sanctuary, AustraliaCariad Farm Sanctuary,
a nonprofit vegan haven
in New South Wales,
Australia, cares for and
provides a forever loving
home for farm animals.
Florida Research Institute for Equine Nurturing Development and Safety, USAThe nonprofit Florida
Research Institute
for Equine Nurturing
Development and Safety
rescues and cares
for injured horses.
Ailsa McKnight, United KingdomAilsa McKnight of
the United Kingdom
saves the lives of six cats
and three rabbits
after rescuing them from
their abandoned cages,
paying for their treatment,
transporting to the UK
from Malaysia,
and finding new homes
for them.
George SorosConcerned about
global warming and the
urgent need for action,
Hungarian-born
businessman and
philanthropist
George Soros donates
US$1 billion for
clean energy technology
investments and
US$100 million
for environmental
policy development.
Yevgeny Novoselov and Andrei Lamonov, RussiaPilots
Yevgeny Novoselov
and Andrei Lamonov
successfully land
a malfunctioning plane,
saving the lives of
81 passengers and crew
on board.
Jamie PerkinsSeeing smoke coming
from a house in the early
hours of the morning,
Jamie Perkins wakes up
all the residents, thus
saving the lives of
nine individuals from
their burning home.
Gaia ClubThe Poland-based
nonprofit Gaia Club
endeavors to advance
human and animal rights,
as well as better
the environment through
multiple mediums,
such as films, art, radio
and television broadcasts.
9/11 search-and-rescue dogs: Thunder, Ricky, Jake, and DoradoWhen the World Trade
Center collapsed
in New York City, USA,
on 9/11, Thunder, Ricky,
Jake, Dorado, and many
other search-and-rescue
dogs risked their lives
to save their human
companions or search for
missing people, as well
as providing comfort for
their human counterparts.
Kjel the Dutch Shepherd, New Hampshire, USAK-9 Kjel,
the Dutch Shepherd,
helps track and rescue
two teenagers who have
been lost in the woods
in New Hampshire.
Pinky the boxerPinky the boxer saves her
9-year-old human friend
from a potential
medical emergency when
she diverts a swarm of
bees from him,
ending up with
40 bee stings herself.
Canela the canineCanine Canela's
sensitivity
and concerned barking
during a walk with
her human companion
results in the rescue of
an elderly man who has
been clinging to life
for three days
below a precipice.
SPECIAL THANKS
of the MONTH
International community and PakistanInternational community
comes together to help
the flood victims
of Pakistan, with
donor nations pledging
US$1.1 billion through
the United Nations;
nearly US$1 billion
through the Organization
of the Islamic Conference;
personal donations
from Hollywood actress
Angelina Jolie and,
British entrepeneur
Sir Richard Branson and
singer Imogen Heap;
as well as the tireless
efforts of Pakistan
Army engineers.
Duduzane ZumaDuduzane Zuma, son of
South African President
Jacob Zuma, pledges
to donate 70% of
his proceeds from a trade
transaction estimated
at US$139 million to
benefit the less fortunate
in his country.
Japan's International Cooperation Agency Japan's International
Cooperation Agency
has doubled development
support to Yemen
during the 2009-2010
fiscal year
to US$47 million.
The United Arab Emirates The United Arab
Emirates donates
US$42 million to
the Palestinian Authority
to support the continued
operation of the
Palestinian government.
The United States and FranceThe United States
and France each donate
US$25 million to assist
in Haiti's post-quake
recovery through
the construction of
an industrial park and
the rebuilding of the
country's main hospital.
The United Nations The United Nations will
provide US$10 million
in emergency aid
to Pakistan to assist with
flood relief efforts.
Canada Canada allocates
US$6.2 million to
create processes that
support organic growing
practices to become more
efficient and profitable.
Oprah WinfreyMedia icon
Oprah Winfrey surprises
six successful charter
schools in the US
with donations of
US$1 million each.
The Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation The Zayed Bin Sultan Al
Nahyan Charitable and
Humanitarian Foundation
in the United Arab
Emirates are donating
US$5.4 million
for citizens and foreign
nationals to perform Hajj,
the pilgrimage to Mecca,
Saudi Arabia.
The European UnionThe European Union
contributes over
€3.58 million to support
revitalizing economic
activity in Gaza and
sustainable livelihoods
for Palestinians.
JapanJapan donates
US$3 million to Bhutan
to help design
and reconstruct
earthquake-damaged
schools, making them
earthquake-resilient.
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, United Arab EmiratesSupreme Chairperson of
the Family Development
Foundation,
Sheikha Fatima bint
Mubarak donates
US$2.7 million
for a campaign to
provide healthcare to
less fortunate children.
NorwayNorway donates
US$1.9 million to promote
university education for
indigenous San students
in Botswana.
KuwaitKuwait donates
€1 million to
Foundation Chirac
to support the charity's
goals of promoting peace
and helping
the less fortunate.
RussiaRussia sends a donation
of US$1 million
in humanitarian aid to
Moldovan flood victims,
including mobile power
stations, rescue boats,
and emergency supplies.
Straits Exchange FoundationFormosa (Taiwan)-based
Straits Exchange
Foundation donates
US$1 million to assist
victims of heavy floods
and landslides
in mainland China.
New ZealandNew Zealand announces
a US$729,000 donation
to help alleviate
hunger of millions
in Western Africa.
The US Trade and Development AgencyThe US Trade and
Development Agency
donates US$655,000
to Kazakhstan Railways
to enhance
the nation's rail system.
BrazilBrazil donates
US$500,000 to the
United Nations Relief
and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees
in the Near East
to be distributed
as humanitarian aid for
displaced Palestinians in
Nahr el-Bared, Lebanon.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesia President Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono of
Indonesia authorizes
the distribution of
more than US$330,000
to aid victims of
a volcanic eruption.
Muslim Aid The United Kingdom-
based Muslim Aid
donates more than
US$200,000
in medical equipment
to Gaza, Palestine's
Al-Shifa Hospital.
Delegation of the Catholic, Protestant, Cheondo, Buddhist and Won-Buddhist orders, South KoreaFive major religious
organizations
in South Korea deliver
over US$200,000
in humanitarian
food assistance
to North Korea.
China's Red Cross Society China's Red Cross
Society donates
US$100,000 toward
relief efforts for residents
affected by
the Typhoon Fanapi
in Formosa (Taiwan).
The 14th Dalai Lama His Holiness
the 14th Dalai Lama
donates US$50,000 of
his own money
for research on kindness
and compassion
at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison.
Brazil, Mozambique, and the World Food Program Brazil, Mozambique, and
the World Food Program
sign an agreement to
distribute €43,700
donation in food aid
to primary schools.
Shomari and Stephanie TillmanGrateful for the
Salvation Army's help
during their time of need,
Shomari and Stephanie
Tillman are donating
US$25,000 to assist
the charity in building
a new homeless shelter.
Ezen Ho and five of her friends Singaporean Ezen Ho
and five of her friends
changed their
holiday visit to one of
humanitarian assistance,
bringing US$3,000
in cash donations and
winter clothing for flood
victims of Leh, India.
South Korean aid groupsSouth Korean aid groups
sent 200 tons of rice
to assist North Korea
following floods as part
of an initial shipment
of US$8.6 million
in assistance offered
by South Korea.
AlgeriaAlgeria sends 60 tons
of humanitarian aid
including food, tents
and other supplies to
Mauritania to help
flood victims.
LibyaLibya sends 28 tons of
medicines and equipment
as well as
water purification and
medical kits to help flood
victims in Cameroon.
UkraineUkrainian Prime Minister
Mykola Azarov
announces that in spite of
a poor harvest due to
extreme weather,
the country is ready to
offer food assistance to
Georgia and Armenia.
UN High Commissioner for RefugeesThe UN
High Commissioner for
Refugees has provided
emergency relief
since 2008 to 400,000
cyclone victims
in Myanmar, including
paying and training
beneficiaries to
rebuild their homes.
King Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia Funded by donations
from King Abdul Aziz Al
Saud of Saudi Arabia, a
camp opens in Pakistan's
Sindh province to
provide shelter and relief
materials to families
affected by the floods.
Bangladeshi governmentThe Bangladeshi
government assists
flood victims by
distributing rice and
cash relief, as well as
approving house building
grants
for damaged property.
Life for Relief and Development, the Muhammad Bin Rashed Al-Maktoom Charity, and the Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan FoundationUnited Arab Emirates-
based charities Life for
Relief and Development,
the Muhammad Bin
Rashed Al-Maktoom
Charity, and
the Zayed Bin Sultan Al
Nahyan Foundation
supply food
for thousands of people
in Palestine and Haiti.
MozambiqueThe government of
Mozambique restores
subsidies to keep
prices of bread, water and
electricity affordable
for the country's people.
The UN Children's Fund, World Health Organization, and Sudan For the first time
in six months,
the UN Children's Fund,
World Health
Organization, and the
Sudanese government
are able to coordinate
a delivery of vital
medical and food supplies
to children in the
Jebel Marra uplands
of Sudan, Darfur.
The UN World Food Program The UN World Food
Program in Syria is
expanding its electronic
food voucher program,
where Iraqi refugees
conveniently
receive coupons
via mobile phones that
can be used to purchase
food at selected shops.
IndiaIndia launches
a special fund to provide
Indian nationals living in
other countries who can
no longer find work with
food, medical services
and airline tickets
to return home.
RussiaRussia announces
a provisional lifting of
a ban on exporting wheat
on foreign
humanitarian aid.
South Korea's Red CrossSouth Korea's Red Cross
offers food, medicine
and other supplies
to North Korea to
aid victims of floods.
India, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the Center for North East StudiesFunded by
the Indian government
and the United Nations
Children's Fund,
the nonprofit Center for
North East Studies
operates a boat clinic that
provides health care
to residents along
the Brahmaputra River
in India.
The Afghan Red Crescent Society and the Max India Foundation The Afghan
Red Crescent Society
and the Max India
Foundation partner to
assist Afghan children
with potentially
fatal heart disease.
The UN World Health Organization The UN World Health
Organization assists
North Korea in launching
her first medical service
system, enabling
remote area hospitals to
obtain on-line support.
GermanyGermany donates 290
two-way radios for use
in Palestinian police cars
as part of a €15 million
aid package to
help develop
Palestine's police
and judicial system.
The United Nations World Food Program, Agricultural Market Development Trust, and other organizations The United Nations
World Food Program,
Agricultural Market
Development Trust, and
other organizations
help boost food security
in African and Asia by
implementing small scale
rain-harvesting
techniques, resulting in
increased crop yields.
World Bicycle Relief The US-based World
Bicycle Relief boosts
school enrollment by
donating 30,000 bikes to
Zambian school children.
Turkmen President Gurbangulu Berdimuhammedov Turkmen President
Gurbangulu
Berdimuhammedov
pardons nearly 4,000
inmates and declares
September 10
a non-working day
in honor of
the end of Ramadan.
The Druk White Lotus School, IndiaThe Druk White Lotus
School in Ladakh,
northern India, adopts
and cares for 42 youths
who lost their parents
during the region's
August flash floods.
CambodiaCambodia opens
a first-ever methadone
treatment clinic
to help people end
heroin addiction.
The Indian Institute of Science, the Indian Institute of Technology, and the government of India The Indian Institute of
Science and the Indian
Institute of Technology
develop a US$35
solar-powered laptop
to improve
student education, which
the government intends
to support by installing
broadband internet
in 22,000 colleges.
Former Cuban President Fidel Castro Former Cuban President
Fidel Castro calls for
nuclear disarmament for
all countries and asks the
international community
to do everything possible
to avoid conflict
in the Middle East.
Missouri and other US statesMissouri joins other
US states to ban the
synthetic compound K2,
which produces an effect
similar to marijuana.
The United Nations Population Fund The United Nations
Population Fund has
sent obstetricians
and midwives to
flood-affected areas
in Pakistan to assist
expectant mothers.
The United Kingdom's Department for International Development and Sierra LeoneWith funding from
the United Kingdom's
Department for
International Development,
Sierra Leone provides
free medical care
to expectant and
nursing mothers, and
children under five.
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, the United States,
Netherlands, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan, Guyana, Sierra
Leon, Laos and LiberiaThe World Giving Index
ranks Australia,
New Zealand, Canada,
Ireland, Switzerland,
the United States,
Netherlands,
United Kingdom,
Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan,
Guyana, Sierra Leon,
Laos, and Liberia
as the most generous
countries in offering
money, time,
and help to strangers.
SingaporeSingapore's
National Volunteer and
Philanthropy Center
shows donations to
charitable organizations
increased from
US$279 million in 2001
to US$504 million
in 2009, while
volunteerism both within
and outside the country
also increases.
Marion Nairelet, FranceFollowing a fire
at a camp where
a group of indigenous
Roma people were living,
French charity worker
Marion Nairelet has
successfully persuaded
local officials to
build homes for them.
Mexican President Felipe Calderón Mexican President
Felipe Calderón
announces a plan to
safeguard the lives of
journalists which
includes addressing
the causes of violence,
legal reforms,
and providing
immediate access to
security personnel.
Ashley JuddTo increase awareness
for their plight and
suggest actions
for change, acclaimed
Hollywood actress
Ashley Judd visits
women and families
affected by violent crimes
in the mining region of
the Democratic Republic
of Congo.
Kate WinsletOscar-winning British
actress Kate Winslet
launches a charity
to help people
suffering from autism.
Eva Longoria, Ryan Seacrest, Joe McHale and other Hollywood starsOver 150 Hollywood
stars including
Eva Longoria,
Ryan Seacrest and
Joel McHale participate
in the inaugural online
Celebrity Twitter
Auction to raise money
for special needs children
in Haiti.
Arlene Hoffman, USA
Fifty-four-year-old mail
carrier Arlene Hoffman
offers a kidney to the
“paired exchange
program” to ensure that
her customer,
who is suffering from
kidney failure, obtains
a donated kidney.
The Homeless World Cup The Homeless World
Cup helps people in need
through soccer, while
also providing training,
job opportunities
and counseling
to improve their lives.
Researchers at the University of Colorado-Denver, USA
Researchers
at the University of
Colorado-Denver
in the USA find that
secondhand smoke
induces a level of
lung inflammation that
causes smoke-related
illnesses such as cancer,
heart disease, diabetes
and others.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, USAMayor Michael Bloomberg
of New York City, USA,
proposes an outdoor
smoking ban in public
areas to protect citizens
from secondhand
smoke exposure
and raise health standards
for the city.
Jordanian Nizar Fakhoury and Climb for Cancer teamJordanian Nizar
Fakhoury and his Climb
for Cancer team
scale the world's tallest
free-standing peak,
Mount Kilimanjaro,
raising funds to help
two disadvantaged
young cancer patients
in his country.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner French Foreign Minister
Bernard Kouchner visits
the earthquake-damaged
hospital in
Port-au-Prince, Haiti,
where he commends the
medical staff
for having overcome
extremely difficult
conditions to provide
vital medical care.
Sam Johnson, New ZealandCanterbury University
Law student
Sam Johnson creates
an online Facebook
student volunteer group
for post-earthquake
cleanup in New Zealand.
The International Women's Club of MoscowThe International
Women's Club of
Moscow, Russia, hosts
inter-cultural exchanges
and friendships,
raises money for
charitable endeavors,
and encourages members
to engage in
volunteer activities.
Erner RojasPhilippine Emer Rojas
joins other
tobacco cancer victims
in campaigning to have
graphic picture warnings
on cigarette packages to
better protect the public.
NovalungGermany-based
Novalung company
has developed
an artificial lung that
saves the life of
a two-year-old
in Missouri, USA.
CNN International, Nnamdi Asomugha, Madieu Williams and Ndamukong SuhAs part of
its weekly program,
CNN International
highlights US National
Football League African
stars Nnamdi Asomugha,
Madieu Williams and
Ndamukong Suh, who
continually give back
to their countries.
Participants of the World Week for the Abolition of MeatConcerned groups and
political parties around
the world celebrate the
first-ever World Week
for the Abolition of Meat.
The US Executive Office of Science and Technology Policy, scientists, Dr. Tony Koslow, and Scripps Institution of Oceanography A report issued by the
US Executive Office of
Science and Technology
Policy, representing the
work of many scientists,
indicates that nearly half
of the US coastal water
bodies have become
dead zones due to runoff
from livestock manure
and agricultural
fertilizers; and
Dr. Tony Koslow of the
Scripps Oceanography
warns that dead zones
are a growing
global problem.
Dr. Lee Yuan-tseh, Formosa (Taiwan) Chemistry Nobel laureate
Dr. Lee Yuan-tseh
of Formosa (Taiwan)
encourages decreased
consumption of meat to
ensure that
the human race
is not wiped out
within 100 years
due to climate change.
The United Nations Children's Fund, Zimbabwe, and international donorsThe joint efforts of
the United Nations
Children's Fund,
the government of
Zimbabwe, and
international donors
enable the distribution
of 13 million textbooks
to primary schools.
Lewis Gordon Pugh, British explorer and
swimmer Lewis
Gordon Pugh braves
freezing temperatures
to swim a meter
across a lake at the base
of Mount Everest to urge
action on climate change.
People for the Ethical Treatment of AnimalsPeople for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals
has conducted an
undercover investigation
documenting
inhumane treatment
at a US commercial
testing laboratory,
resulting in the lab being
closed and the rescue of
around 250 dogs and cats
from a life
of animal testing.
Environmentalists, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, and other Canadian first nations Environmentalists and
Canadian first nations
campaign to halt
tar sand oil extraction,
which is damaging
the habitat of
endangered caribou and
releases so much CO2
during extraction that
scientists have warned
the process could set off
runaway climate change.
Kenichi Fukushima and Against Meat JapanVegan advocacy group
Against Meat Japan holds
its first Meat Free march
in Osaka,
with the group's founder
Kenichi Fukushima
appealing to the public
to adopt
a compassionate lifestyle.
Prince CharlesHis Royal Highness
Prince Charles launches
a tree-planting program
to save a two million
hectare rainforest area
in Africa.
IndiaIndia declares elephant as
a national heritage animal
to protect
their dwindling numbers.
Nepal's Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and India's National Tiger Conservation Authority Nepal's Ministry
of Forest and Soil
Conservation and
India's National Tiger
Conservation Authority
agree to work together to
safeguard wildlife in
the forest areas adjacent
to the two countries.
Dr. Andrew Pershing and fellow scientists in the US and CanadaDr. Andrew Pershing of
the University of Maine
and other US and
Canadian researchers
publish findings that
whales store significant
amounts of carbon
in their bodies and thus
play an important role
in the balance of
marine ecosystems
and our planet.
Professor Francisco Casanova, Brazil Professor
Francisco Casanova of
Federal University of
Rio de Janeiro in Brazil
develops Earth-friendly
bricks which decrease
building costs 30 percent
and reduce emissions
by up to 90%.
Leilani Münter American race car driver
and vegetarian
Leilani Münter works
to inspire fans toward
eco-friendly lifestyles
through her own adoption
of green practices.
Southwest AirlinesUS-based Southwest
Airlines announces plans
to donate US$1 from
every reservation made
through its EarlyBird
Check-In program,
up to US$100,000, to
benefit National Wildlife
Refuge Association's
recovery efforts
following
the Gulf oil spill.
The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Federal Express The US National
Aeronautics and Space
Administration and
Federal Express partner
to transport nearly
300 sea turtles to safety
following the
Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Bolivian biologists and environmentalistsBolivian biologists and
environmentalists rescue
19 rare pink freshwater
dolphins which had been
trapped in a river
by deforestation debris,
and release them
in safer waters.
El Al airline, IsraelIsraeli national airline
El Al announces a ban on
the transport of primates
or any other animals
planned to be used
in animal testing.
Friends of Humane Society of Tijuana Friends of Humane
Society of Tijuana
organizes volunteers
from Mexico and the US
to treat some of the city's
7,000 street dogs and cats
to improve their health
and help find
loving homes for them.
The United Kingdom's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and Pensthorpe Conservation Trust The United Kingdom's
Royal Society for
the Protection of Birds,
the Wildfowl and
Wetlands Trust, and
Pensthorpe Conservation
Trust initiate plans
to reintroduce
rare native cranes
not seen for 400 years.
Sharjah Cats and Dogs and the government of the United Arab EmiratesLaunched with the help
of the government, the
Sharjah Cats and Dogs
Shelter in the
United Arab Emirates
are using online forums
to find loving homes
for abandoned pets.
ChinaConservation efforts
by local communities
in China have enabled
the Yunnan black
snub-nosed monkey to
increase in number
from 1,750 in 1994
to 2,500 today.
Yasmin Qureshi, United KingdomYasmin Qureshi,
Member of Parliament
for Bolton South East in
the United Kingdom
calls on the government
to ban the use
of wild animals for
performing in circuses.
The New York City Audubon Society The New York City
Audubon Society
in the US asks
the city government to
protect migrating birds
by dimming city lights
at night.
Facebook groupA Facebook group
saves the life of
pit-bull pup Huey by
raising awareness of
his imminent demise
at an overcrowded
animal shelter and paying
for his transportation
across the US
to his new home.
Echo the rescue dog, United KingdomEcho, who helped
look for survivors
after the January 2010
earthquake in Haiti,
is welcomed back to
Greater Manchester,
United Kingdom,
after a period of time
in quarantine.
SPECIAL SALUTE
of the MONTH
ChinaOfficials in Beijing,
China, pledge more than
US$700 billion to
develop clean energy
in an effort to meet
the goal of generating
15% of her electricity
from sustainable sources.
President Bronislaw Komorowski, Poland Poland's President
Bronislaw Komorowski
urges NATO and allies to
draw up plans
for troop withdrawal
from Afghanistan.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, US President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, King Abdullah II
of Jordan, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and former British Prime
Minister Tony BlairPalestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas and
Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu
meet in Washington, DC,
USA with US President
Barack Obama and
other dignitaries, with
a goal of restarting
direct peace negotiations.
Israel and UkraineIsrael and Ukraine sign
agreements to waive
visa requirements
for travel between
the two countries.
Côte d'Ivoire Former soldiers for
the New Forces Group in
Côte d'Ivoire have begun
to receive payments
for relinquishing
their weapons and
returning to peaceful
civilian life, as well as
becoming employed
in various
government projects.
African Green Revolution Forum and African heads of stateOver 800 heads of state
have attended the first
international African
Green Revolution Forum
in Accra, Ghana,
to discuss new policy and
investment initiatives that
encourage sustainable
agricultural practices,
examine ways to
increase food security,
a greener environment,
and reduce poverty levels.
France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, and TunisiaMinisters of
ten European and
African countries
located along both the
northern and southern
Mediterranean shores
meet in Libya
for the 5 + 5 Dialogue
to discuss
continued cooperation
among member states.
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso European Commission
President
José Manuel Barroso
calls for governments to
uphold human rights,
including those
of minorities.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and the Russian governmentPresident
Dmitry Medvedev and
the Russian government
have implemented
a number of reforms
aimed at reducing
the nation's alcohol
consumption by 50%.
Jews for Justice for Palestinians Members of Jews for
Justice for Palestinians
from Israel, Germany,
the US, and Britain deliver
a symbolic amount
of aid to Palestinians
in Gaza, calling for
the free passage of goods
and people to and from
the Gaza Strip.
12 Mongolian officialsTwelve Mongolian
officials hold
a cabinet meeting in
a part of the Gobi Desert
that used to be arable
land to raise awareness
of the urgency of
global warming.
LebanonLebanon earns praises
from the Federation of
Arab Journalists
for the country's high
level of press liberty.
First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva of Azerbaijan and First Lady Sandra Roelofs of Georgia First Lady
Mehriban Aliyeva of
Azerbaijan and First
Lady Sandra Roelofs
of Georgia organize
10-day reciprocal visits
for less fortunate youths
to learn about the
other nation's culture.
US First Lady Michelle ObamaAddressing chefs at
the National Restaurant
Association,
US First Lady
Michelle Obama
appeals for healthier
menu options with
lower fat content, and
adding side dishes of
fresh fruits and vegetables.
V-Club, RussiaThe nonprofit V-Club
opens in St. Petersburg,
Russia, to introduce
the many benefits of
the plant-based lifestyle,
and donates funds
to animal rights and
environmental
organizations.
Waste Plan, South AfricaWaste Plan, the largest
recycling provider
in Cape Town,
South Africa, diverts
500 tons of refuse from
landfills every month,
thus far recycling enough
paper to save more than
62,000 pine trees.
Russell CroweOscar-winning Australian
actor Russell Crowe quits
smoking for his children.
Philippe Croizon, France Philippe Croizon is the
first quadruple-amputee
to successfully swim
the 21 miles across
the English Channel.
People for the Ethical Treatment of AnimalsPeople for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals
has conducted an
undercover investigation
documenting
inhumane treatment at
a US commercial testing
laboratory, resulting in
the lab being closed and
the rescue of around
250 dogs and cats from
a life of animal testing.
SPECIAL
CONGRATULATIONS
of the MONTH
Turkey and GreeceTurkey renews relations
with Greece by
revising the nation's
national security policy,
lifting restrictions
toward Greece.
United Nations membersLeaders of 140
member states of the
United Nations convene
to discuss advancements
toward the eight
Millennium Development
Goals, of which
the goal of reducing
extreme poverty by half
is well on its way
to being attained and
the goal of eliminating
gender inequality
in primary and secondary
education is also
making progress.
Morocco The government of
Morocco receives
the 2010 United Nations
Habitat Award for a
several-year program that
has been successful in
reducing disadvantaged
living conditions and
improving housing
among the underserved.
ScotlandOfficials in Scotland,
United Kingdom, report
crime in the past year
to be at a 32-year low,
with vandalism,
violent crime, and
crimes of dishonesty
showing the most
significant decreases.
The United KingdomObserving the fourth
annual decline
in five years and
the biggest decrease
since 1948,
the United Kingdom saw
a 6% fall in alcohol
consumption in 2009.
Iranian scientist Baqer Larijani and Omani scientist Ali Jafar Mohammad For their efforts through
research to prevent
diabetes and cancer
in the Eastern
Mediterranean Region,
Iranian scientist
Baqer Larijani and
Omani scientist Ali Jafar
Mohammad are awarded
the World Health
Organization prize,
plus US$300,000
to further their work.
Radio Okapi, the Democratic Republic of the CongoThe UN-backed radio
station Radio Okapi in
the Democratic Republic
of the Congo
has been honored with
the 2010 Free Media
Pioneer award by
the International Press
Institute for their use of
media to foster peace.
US ScientistsTo help those without
access to eye-testing
equipment, US scientists
develop a special tool
that gives an eye test
through a smart phone
and sends the test results
to doctors
in remote regions.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development The United Nations
Conference on Trade and
Development expects
international sales of
certified organic produce
to increase to €52 billion
by 2012,
from €30 billion in 2006.
GermanyGermany realizes the
possibility of providing
100% sustainable energy
after passing milestones
where solar energy
in July began exceeding
50% of nuclear energy,
and on December 26,
2009, wind energy was
great enough to power
the entire country.
As the 20th anniversary
of the reunification
between East and West
Germany approaches,
Chancellor
Angela Merkel remarks
on the country's
culturally-richer,
progressive evolution
over the past two decades.
George ClooneyHollywood superstar
George Clooney becomes
the fourth recipient
ever to be conferred
the Bob Hope
Humanitarian Award
for his outstanding work
that has inspired many
in the industry to join
in benefiting humanity.
Irom Sharmila, India Indian social activist
Irom Sharmila
has been honored with
the Rabindranath Tagore
Peace Prize for her
steadfast commitment
to humanitarian ideals
and human rights.
Russian RailwayRussian Railways
launches a train service
that will allow Russians
to travel by train
to Nice, France.
Marylebone Cricket Club of London, the Afghan Youth Cricket Support Organization, and the Afghan-Connection organization The first ever
girls' cricket camp in
Afghanistan, sponsored
by the Marylebone
Cricket Club of London,
the Afghan Youth
Cricket Support
Organization, and the
Afghan-Connection
organization
is held in Kabul.
Marco DiazDominican long distance
ocean swimmer
Marco Diaz has
successfully completed
the last stretch necessary
to symbolically unite
all five continents.
Alexandre Allard and Danny Luong, Canada Canadian teens and
longtime friends
Alexandre Allard and
Danny Luong win
the 2010 Stockholm
Junior Water Prize for
developing a technique
that uses bacteria
to clean up waterways.
Philips corporationMultinational Dutch
electronics corporation,
Philips, invents
a machine that uses
superheated air
rather than oil to
prepare food tastily and
in a healthier manner
than frying.
HyundaiKorean automaker
Hyundai introduces
its first all-electric
zero-emissions vehicle,
with planned production
for 2012.
Âu Lạc (Vietnam) Âu Lạc (Vietnam) joins
the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) Wildlife
Enforcement Network to
minimize and prevent
illegal wildlife activities,
including hunting,
trafficking
and product trade.
Canon corporationJapan-based electronics
corporation Canon
creates the world's
largest image sensor
which enables
photography
and videography in
low-light environments
and may facilitate
recordings of animals
and stars at night.
Former US President Bill ClintonFormer US President
Bill Clinton discusses
how the vegetarian diet
helped him to lose
20 pounds for
his daughter Chelsea's
August wedding, and
has been keeping up with
the vegan diet to
maintain his health.
Mark Zuckerberg, USA
American
Mark Zuckerberg,
vegan founder of
the popular
social networking site
Facebook, has been
ranked first in the US
magazine Vanity Fair's
list of 100 Most
Influential People.
Natalie King, United Kingdom
22-year-old student
Natalie King of the
United Kingdom invents
a pot that monitors and
signals plants' needs.
Captain Sophie Blanchard Captain
Sophie Blanchard
has been named
Etihad Airways'
first female captain,
or pilot-in-command,
in Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates.
Blanche Mannix, United KingdomCanadian-born vegetarian
Blanche Mannix
celebrates
her 105th birthday
in the United Kingdom,
attributing her longevity
and good health to her
lifelong plant-based diet.
Kim Hee-JinInspired by
Supreme Master Ching Hai's
book,
“The Noble Wilds,”
Korean film director
Kim Hee-Jin has decided
to become a vegan.
Cruelty Free Web Radio, ItalyOperates by volunteers
in Italy, the recently
launched Cruelty Free
Web Radio broadcasts
events and information
about veganism,
animal rights
and the environment.
SPECIAL APPLAUSE
of the MONTH
India's Planning Commission India's
Planning Commission
has allocated more than
US$300 million to be distributed to states
as incentives
for development of
green technologies.
RussiaRussian Industry Minister
Viktor Khristenko
notes in a recent
progress report that
48.3% of the nation's
chemical weapons
had been eliminated.
JapanJapan has announced that
work will begin to
dispose of some 400,000
chemical munitions
left in China since 1945.
ChinaChinese top legislation
has prepared a draft
revision to the country's
criminal law that would
eliminate at least
10 crimes that are now
considered punishable
by death, as well as
disallowing
capital punishment
for people
75 years and above.
AlgeriaThe Algerian government
offers to waive all arrests
and legal proceedings
for former members
of parties such as
the Salafist Group for
Preaching and Combat
who pledge peaceful
reintegration into society.
IsraelIsrael allows a shipment
of new vehicles to
cross into Palestine's
Gaza Strip for the
first time since 2007.
RwandaThe government of
Rwanda is working to
restore the Gishwati
Forest region by
relocating communities
away from areas
at high risk of
climate change impacts
while engaging residents
in activities such as
soil replenishment
and tree replanting.
Yemen and USAYemen's Minister of
Foreign Affairs
Dr. Abu Baker al Qirbi
and special US envoy
Foreign Secretary
Lincoln Lee meet to
discuss cooperative
endeavors toward a goal
of eliminating
small arms and weapons
from the region.
Leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia Leaders of
the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia
reaffirm their readiness
to dialog with the
government of Colombia
to resolve conflict through
peaceful negotiation.
Radio Quran, Othmane Touati and Samir Sayoud Following an interview
with Radio Quran
in Algeria in which
former members of
a separatist group,
Othmane Touati and
Samir Sayoud,
called on their Algerian
counterparts to join
reconciliation efforts,
several of the group's
leaders voluntarily
surrendered their arms.
Russian President Dmitry MedvedevIn response to Russian
citizens' concerns about
the steeply rising costs
of essential food items,
President
Dmitry Medvedev visits
a local supermarket to
check bread prices
and assures that he will
investigate the situation
more fully.
Young Muslims in Amman, JordanIn support of
peaceful coexistence
with other faiths, young
Muslims in Amman,
Jordan walk from
their mosque to
a nearby Greek Orthodox
Christian church,
bringing flower bouquets
to the clergymen and
congregation members.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda RajapaksaSri Lankan President
Mahinda Rajapaksa
states that
the government is
working to increase
organic growing practices
to provide
chemical-free produce
to fellow citizens.
Viktor Maslyakov, RussiaThe newly appointed
director of Russia's
Federal Forest Agency,
Viktor Maslyakov,
announces plans to
re-plant all the forests
that were damaged
or destroyed
in the nation's wildfires.
The Animal Affinity Club, FranceThe Animal Affinity
Club in Strasbourg,
France, matches up
small animals with
inmates which results in
the animals helping
their caregivers to be
calm, enhances
their self-confidence,
and improves the quality
of their relationships.
European UnionThe European Parliament
approves a new
legislation that reduces
the number of animals
used in laboratory
experiments, including
a ban on using
chimpanzees, gorillas,
and orangutans.
Denny's diner franchiseNational US diner
franchise Denny's
switches its
veggie burger option to
a 100% vegan version.
Universities in the United KingdomUniversities across
the United Kingdom
are offering more
'green degrees' to help
the nation adapt
and find solutions
to climate change.
Buenos Aires, ArgentinaIn consideration for
the environment,
more and more people in
Buenos Aires, Argentina,
are leaving their cars
at home and using bicycles
as their preferred mode
of transportation.
Linda Fondren, USAConcerned about the
health of her community,
Linda Fondren
in Mississippi, USA,
organized walks for more
than 100 individuals
as well as offering
free weekly access
to her gym.
SPECIAL KUDOS
of the MONTH
MoroccoMorocco's Ministry of
Foreign Commerce
announces that starting
on January 1, 2011,
tariffs on Moroccan
goods exported to Sudan
will be reduced by 80%.
Tel Aviv, IsraelTel Aviv, Israel,
is lauded for
many of the city's
environmentally-friendly
initiatives.
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