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- Ελληνικά
Report of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Anita Demetriou on the European Mental Health Week,
on World Children's Day, World Environment Day, World Wind Day,
on World Day Against Desertification and Drought and World Refugee Day
Plenary Session of 20 June 2024
Ladies and Gentlemen,
European Mental Health Week, which this year ran from 13 to 19 May, had the theme "Better Together: Co-creating the Future of Mental Health". Mental health is an integral part of our well-being, yet it often does not receive the attention it deserves. It is essential to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourage open discussions, supporting the building of an environment where everyone feels safe and valued. This includes creating workplaces that prioritise mental health, schools that teach emotional intelligence and communities that offer understanding. Let's commit to continuing to champion mental health and foster a culture of empathy and resilience.
Ladies and gentlemen,
On 1 June we celebrated World Children's Day and by extension the potential for children to improve our world, provided of course that as adults we protect their rights and support their participation in dialogue and active citizenship actions, especially when it comes to making decisions that affect their daily lives and their future. Given the conflicts around the world and the conditions of poverty and social exclusion in which millions of children live, let us rush to defend the child in order to ensure a better tomorrow.
However, the protection of our natural environment plays a decisive role for a better future, which is why 5 June each year has been established as World Environment Day. The images of the recent fires in Paphos and Farmakas are particularly saddening and as the House of Representatives we express our sympathy to the affected communities, but also our will to support any action related to forest protection and forest firefighting. Once again I recall from this position the numbers 1407 and 112, to which we are called to report the presence of fire or smoke.
Honouring in particular the value of the natural environment and the need to protect it, on 15 June we celebrated World Wind Day. As we stand on the brink of a new era in energy production, wind energy offers a beacon of hope. Every gust of wind that spins a wind turbine means another step away from fossil fuels and a move towards a greener planet. Let us reaffirm our commitment to expanding wind energy and envision a world where our energy needs are met sustainably, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations.
In addition, 17 June was World Day Against Desertification and Drought, a day that highlights the urgent need to address two other environmental challenges of our time. As the world struggles with the escalating impacts of climate change, desertification and drought remind us of the vulnerability of our ecosystems. Desertification, the process whereby fertile land becomes desert, threatens the livelihoods of millions of people, especially in geographically more vulnerable areas, such as Cyprus. Let us renew our commitment to sustainable land use and water management. Let us strive for a future where deserts do not expand, for a world where our land remains fertile and our water abundant, ensuring a sustainable future for all.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today has been designated as World Refugee Day. It is a day dedicated to the courage of millions of refugees around the world. The day serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and violence. Refugees leave behind their homes, their communities and often their loved ones in search of safety and a better life. Their journey is fraught with danger, but they continue, driven by the hope of finding a place where they can live in dignity and peace. Let us work for a world where no one is forced to leave their home and where those who do find safety and acceptance.
(Text as sent from the House of Representatives)
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