3 December is the annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, proclaimed in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and increase awareness of their situation. This year, the theme for this day is “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in several parts of the world, measures have been adopted to counter it and prevent the spread of the virus. However, such efforts have had repercussions in many different areas, activities, and segments of society, with a wide range of consequences. In this context, the Federal University of Saint Mary - UFSM, a UNAI member institution in Brazil, had the initiative of showcasing the effects of this pandemic, particularly regarding economic and social issues.

Rebecca Turay (United States) recently graduated from Curtis High School in Staten Island, New York and is currently attending Brooklyn College. She is of Sierra Leonean descent. Ms. Turay represents the City University of New York C.S.I. Liberty Partnerships Program and Children’s Aid. In her statement below, Ms. Turay presents her experience of fighting racism through education as a tutor and a student.

Naomi Sugita Reis (Brazil) is a student of Human Rights and International Cooperation at the University of Bologna, Italy. She volunteers to promote social justice, international migration and multiculturalism in Latin America and Europe and has represented the Brazilian youth in events organized by the United Nations. She serves as the Youth Moderator for the 2021 International Day of Peace Youth Observance. Read her statement on peace below:

The T. A. Marryshow Community College – TAMCC, a UNAI member institution in Grenada, an island country in the Caribbean Sea, is one of the vital implementation partners of the US$14 million Climate-Smart Agriculture and Rural Enterprise Programme (SAEP).

Abraham Lugo (Venezuela) is an LGBTQ+ immigrant and an advocate for peacebuilding, social justice and immigrant rights. He is an undergraduate student and the Student Body Vice President at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States. In his statement below, Mr. Lugo introduces a virtual campaign “United After” that targets youth and shows how COVID-19 affects different communities and individuals.

The United Nations reaches its 76th anniversary with a wide range of global challenges that require both consensus and coordinated multilateral responses.

The Paraná River, in South America, with an extension of around 5,000km and running through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, is second in length within the subregion, and it has a significant economic relevance, in terms of livelihoods for fishermen, trade of goods and generation of hydroelectric power. The delta of the Paraná River is a set of wetlands that supply water, food, storage of greenhouse gases, transportation, and leisure, among other benefits.

Lena Silberman (United States) is a student at Cañada College in California. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at California Polytechnic State University, graduating with honours and a double major in Comparative Ethnic Studies and Sociology. In her statement below, Ms. Silberman talks about how the “Peace Flag” project brought togetherness to her community despite the physical restrictions of the pandemic.

While the international community has a direct responsibility towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as outlined in the 2030 Agenda, stakeholders such as institutions of higher education are also called to implement such Goals.