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Movie Of The Week
Movie of the Week: Race to Nowhere (2009)
Directed by: Vicki Abeles & Jessica CongdonWritten by: Maimone AttiaRuntime: 85 minutesGenre: Documentary IntroductionRace to Nowhere (2009) is a groundbreaking…
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S.A.F.E® Community Board
Nurturing Our Precious Boys Into Men: Raising the Boy Child with with Purpose
As we celebrate the International Day of the Boy Child, it important to note that, the greatest gift we can…
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Highlights
Swati Shah Reflects on the Bonds That Define Her on International Day of Families
Family is not always defined by blood alone. Sometimes, it’s built in the laughter shared between takes, in the support…
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Highlights
8 Ways to Celebrate This Year’s International Day of Families
Every year on May 15, the world comes together to honor the International Day of Families, a United Nations observance…
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Everyday Power Parenting Moments
Understanding Dyslexia
I have been observing a young girl whose mum works in my compound. She’s the youngest of her siblings and…
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Spotlight
Children Spotlight of the Week: Francisco Vera Manzanares — The Young Voice of Environmental Hope
At just 15 years old, Francisco Javier Vera Manzanares from Colombia is already one of the world’s most inspiring young leaders in climate action and children’s rights. With a voice loud enough to echo across borders and a heart rooted deeply in justice and environmental love, Francisco is proof that children are the present. Born on 22 July 2009, Francisco’s journey began at the age of 9 when he founded “Guardians for Life” (Guardianes por la Vida), a movement of children advocating for climate justice, environmental peace, and child rights across Colombia and Latin America. Today, over 450 children are part of this growing collective, each a torchbearer for a healthier planet. His activism, however, goes far beyond local mobilization. Francisco has spoken in the Plenary Session of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia, becoming the first child to formally address the Colombian Senate, demanding policies that protect people, animals, and the environment. In 2021, he also addressed the Constitutional Court of Colombia to emphasize the civic and environmental rights of children, another historic first. Despite his age, Francisco has stood firm against serious threats. In 2021, after advocating for children’s right to education during the pandemic, he received death threats on social media. Rather than back down, Francisco continued his work with even greater resolve. His bravery earned widespread support, including from then-President Iván Duque, who vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. But as Francisco’s mother, Ana Maria Manzanares, poignantly said: “The tranquility and life we had before are not coming back. Trying to hide it doesn’t seem right. What we want is justice.” His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Francisco is: A Goodwill Ambassador of the European Union Delegation in Colombia UNICEF’s First Defender of Climate Action for Latin America and the Caribbean Young Champion for the #OurVoiceOurFuture Campaign by the European External Action Service A Children’s Advisor to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for General Comment No. 26 on climate change An Advisor to the Demoslab Climate Council in Spain In 2023, Francisco was honored at the Young Activists Summit in Geneva by the United Nations for his outstanding efforts to protect our planet. He is also an author. His debut book, “Ask Francisco: What is Climate Change?”, published by Editorial Planeta in 2022, has been translated into Arabic and continues to educate children globally about the climate crisis. Through his Instagram Live series, Conversaciones con Francisco, he connects with changemakers around the world, proving that young voices can shape powerful conversations. He also leads political advocacy through the Ecohope Declaration, a manifesto urging world leaders to prioritize life and urgently decarbonize economies. Francisco’s message is simple but powerful: “Children are not the future, but the present of the world. This generation must be remembered as the one that not only achieved peace among humans but also made peace with nature.” Despite the threats and challenges, Francisco continues to plant seeds of eco-hope across Colombia and beyond Proving that courage, clarity, and compassion can thrive in even the youngest of hearts.
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Spotlight
Spotlight of the Week: Dr. Denis Mukwege
Born on March 1, 1955, in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denis Mukwege grew up the son of a Pentecostal…
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S.A.F.E® Community Board
Measles Resurgence in North America: Over 1,000 U.S. Cases Raise Alarm in 2025
The United States has surpassed a troubling milestone: 1,001 confirmed measles cases as of May 8, 2025, spread across 31…
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Movie Of The Week
The Beginning of Life: A Compelling Case for Purposeful Parenting in a Changing World
“When you pay attention to the beginning of a story, you can change the whole story.”— Raffi Cavoukian, singer and…
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Spotlight
Spotlight of the Week: Dr. Toyin Ajayi
Be seen. Be heard. Be healthy.” — The mantra that drives Dr. Toyin Ajayi’s mission to revolutionize healthcare for underserved…
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