Argentina defeat Germany 3-1

DECEMBER 1, 2015 | EDIT

Raipur, 30th Nov 2015: Gonzalo Peillat scored a double for the third match in succession as Argentina defeated Olympic champions Germany 3-1, guaranteeing a second place finish in Pool B at the Hero Hockey World League Final 2015 in Raipur, India.

Finishing second in the Pool means that Argentina will face the team that finishes third in Pool A in the quarter-finals. Germany finished third in Pool B, and will take on the second place finisher from Pool A.

Los Leones took the lead thanks to Peillat’s 17th minute penalty corner before Niklas Wellen restored parity ahead of half time.

There was a moment of drama in the third quarter when Argentina’s Joaquin Menini was brought down by Germany goalkeeper Nico Jacobi, who was subsequently yellow carded. Remarkably, the resulting penalty stroke was brilliantly saved by substitute keeper Andreas Späck, who dived to his right to deny Juan Gilardi.

Two goals in two fourth quarter minutes settled the contest, with Matias Paredes pouncing from close range ahead of another Peillat penalty corner.

Speaking after the match, Germany’s Oliver Korn said: “We are quite disappointed. It is always tough to play against Argentina. We didn’t defend so well today. For us it doesn’t matter who we play in the quarter-final, we just want to win the next game, but more importantly use the matches to develop as a team and get better.”

Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi, who played his 200th international match today, said: “We are very proud of this game. After the result against the Netherlands the other day our goal was to make a similar game against a tough German team, and I think we played very smart, very solid and were very effective in the circle. Today was a special day for me, and I really enjoyed the game.”

Hero Man of the Match: Gonzalo Peillat (ARG)

0

DECEMBER 1, 2015 | EDIT

Voler app for iOS brings the car of your choice at your doorsteps

Ties up with one of the best payment solutions gateways Citrus for smooth payments

Mumbai, 30th November, 2015:  Voler, one of India’s finest self-drive car rental enterprise today  announced the release of Voler app for iOS. The app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and allows users to find and book from a wide range of cars on the go. Voler app users can find the car location,  select their ride, and either pick it up from the nearest location or book a doorstep delivery within minutes.  To enhance the experience further, the startup has tied up with one of the best payment solutions gateways Citrus for smooth payments.

Voler app is first of its kind app which has in-built delivery option embedded in it. The app will soon allow users to view full checklist, rate customer experience, provide 24*7 roadside assistance and lock/unlock the cars.

0

Worldwatch Institute at UN Climate Change Negotiations

DECEMBER 1, 2015 | EDIT

Media Contact: Gaelle Gourmelon Phone: +1 (202) 745-8092 x 510 E-mail: ggourmelon@worldwatch.org Worldwatch Institute at UN Climate Change Negotiations Washington, D.C.—- Worldwatch will contribute to the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) starting in Paris, France today by advising governmental delegations, participating in high-level consultations, and speaking at conferences for the general public (www.worldwatch.org). “The Paris climate summit has all the ingredients to make history: an almost universal understanding of the urgency to act, an agreement on the final document within reach, and governments worldwide determined to act,” says Alexander Ochs, Director of Climate and Energy and Worldwatch’s head of delegation. “A quarter century after the world embarked on protecting the atmosphere, we are closer than ever to making real change happen. Paris can alter the way we generate and consume energy; manufacture goods; produce our food and treat our forests and peatlands; run our transport systems; respond to the ecosystem changes already underway; and, maybe most importantly, work together across borders when confronted with problems of global scale,” says Ochs. “Let’s seize this opportunity!” Worldwatch will be among the international civil society organizations at the COP21 that will lead in debates and discussions about solutions to climate change. “It is time for society to come together and act,” says Ed Groark, Chairman of the Worldwatch Institute. “The world can no longer afford to squabble while dramatic changes in the global climate already shift the social and environmental systems on which we universally rely. There is enormous public momentum behind the negotiations in Paris. The COP must become a watershed event that sets the course for governments, businesses, and social societies in how we treat our environment and each other for decades to come.” Alexander Ochs can be reached directly throughout the conference at +49 170 665 0165.  — END—   Worldwatch is an independent research organization based in Washington, D.C. that works on energy, resource, and environmental issues. Worldwatch delivers the insights and ideas that empower decision makers to create an environmentally sustainable society that meets human needs (www.worldwatch.org). EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: From INDC Design to NDC Implementation—- Integrated Climate Projects as a Vehicle for Effective and Sustainable Climate Impact | Workshop of the International Climate Initiative (ICI) December 5, 2015 | 14:00 — 15:30 | Hotel Hyatt Regency, Charles de Gaulle, 351 avenue du Bois de la Pie Working group III: Sectoral approaches to INDC implementation Input: Alexander Ochs, Director, Climate and Energy To illuminate how international cooperation efforts can most appropriately support partner countries, the meeting addresses barriers related to Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) implementation: (1) financing of INDCs, (2) sectoral approaches for INDC implementation, and (3) the role of co-benefits for INDC implementation. Note: This event is not open to the public.   Meeting of the Sectoral Leads of the Low-Emissions Development Strategies Global Partnership (LEDS-GP) December 7, 2015 Chairman of the Energy Working Group: Alexander Ochs, Director, Climate and Energy Alexander Ochs will present the ambitious 2016 program of the Energy Working Group to other sectoral leads of the Low-Emissions Development Strategies Global Partnership. Note: This event is not open to the public.   Advancing Low Carbon Development in the West African Region December 8, 2015 | 14:00 — 15:30 | Salle 1 of the Africa Pavilion | COP 21 Panelist: Alexander Ochs, Director, Climate and Energy The Ministers of Environment of Senegal and Gambia will co-chair a panel of experts to discuss the developmental challenges in the West African region in the face of a changing climate and the imperatives and benefits for low-carbon development. Learn about trends and lessons in the region as well as the necessary tools than can drive low carbon development. Meat —- The Big Omission from the Talks on Emissions December 9, 2015 | 15:00 — 16:30 | Observer Room 04 | COP 21 Speaker: Wanqing Zhou, Research Associate, Food and Agriculture Leading experts and government officials will discuss the climate impacts of meat and dairy consumption, public awareness about these impacts, and potential policy and behavior change solutions. The focus will be on action post-Paris as well as on new research and work in Brazil, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Unsustainable Meat: The Impacts of Industrial Livestock and Feedstock Production on Climate and the People December 10, 2015 | 10:00 — 11:30 | The Netherlands Climate Pavilion | COP 21 Speaker: Wanqing Zhou, Research Associate, Food and Agriculture Small farmers, representatives from affected communities, and social participants impacted by industrial livestock and feedstock production will present testimonies, photographs, and creative campaigns to contribute to the discussion of agroecology and food sovereignty as solutions to the climate crisis.     RESOURCES Before and during the COP21 Paris Conference, the Worldwatch Institute is publishing a series of blogs featuring developments and expectations from the negotiations as well as from various regions. Please check in for updates. Among the posts already published:   India’s INDC for Emissions Reduction: Finding the Devils in the Details Greater Flexibility and Integrated Action Bring “Cautious Optimism” to Upcoming Paris Climate Talks

0

Opening of 10th session of Intangible Heritage Committee in Windhoek

DECEMBER 1, 2015 | EDIT

Windhoek, 30 November—The 10th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage chaired by Trudie Amulungu of Namibia, opened on 29 November in Windhoek with the participation of 500 delegates from some 100 countries.

Key speakers at the opening ceremony included Laura Mcleod-Katjirua, Governor of Namibia’s Khomas Region, Awad Ali Saleh, Chairperson of the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Stanley Simataa, President of UNESCO’s General Conference, and Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, Minister of Education, Arts and Culture of Namibia.

Elemotho, the Namibian musician, performed at the ceremony, which also included a dance performance and poetry reading.

“UNESCO has over the years rightly placed great emphasis on the protection of humanity’s intangible heritage. Central to UNESCO’s mission is the recognition that whatever human beings have created, built and invented over the centuries is the collective heritage of all humankind, for which we have to assume collective responsibility. The destruction, abuse, violation and defiling of any item diminishes us all and should be avoided at all costs,” said the Namibian Minister of Education, Arts and Culture. […] Like the land we live on and the life that it supports, we protect what we value. For intangible culture to be kept alive, it must remain relevant in the context of the current generation, who must in turn, maintain its relevance going forward.” Ms Hanse-Himarwa said.

UNESCO General Conference President Stanley Simataa for his part highlighted the major role intangible cultural heritage could play in implementing the 2030 sustainable development agenda: “Indigenous and traditional knowledge and practices embedded in our cultures, are powerful tools to address the pressing challenges facing humanity today. These challenges include poverty and hunger in all their dimensions, climate change and natural disasters, loss of biodiversity, social marginalization and economic inequalities.”

In a video message to participants, the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, described Namibia as “a great champion of the 2003 Convention” for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and thanked its government for hosting the meeting. “This is a strong signal for Africa, UNESCO’s global priority. This is a strong signal for intangible heritage,” she said.

During its session, which ends on 4 December, the Committee will review six nominations for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, as well as 34 nominations for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The 24 members of the Committee will also examine a range of 12 ethical principles to be considered in safeguarding intangible heritage. Their goal is to prevent disrespect and misappropriation—be it moral, legal or commercial—of intangible cultural heritage. They recognize the importance of ensuring the free and informed prior consent of local communities, respecting the rights of those concerned to full and equitable participation in any process, project or activity that may affect them, and acknowledging the crucial role of communities in maintaining and managing their culture and heritage.

The List in Need of Urgent Safeguarding features intangible heritage elements whose viability is at risk and whose safeguarding is regarded as a matter of urgency. It numbers 38 elements to date and enables States Parties to the Convention to mobilize international cooperation and assistance to ensure the transmission of these cultural practices with the participation of the communities concerned.

The following elements are nominated for inscription on the List in Need of Urgent Safeguarding this year:

• Colombia – Traditional Vallenato music of the Greater Magdalena region
• Egypt – Traditional hand puppetry
• Mongolia – Coaxing ritual for camels
• Portugal – Manufacture of cowbells
• The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia—Glasoechko, male two-part singing in Dolni Polog
• Uganda – Koogere oral tradition of the Basongora, Banyabindi and Batooro peoples

The Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity numbers 314 elements to date. It aims to enhance the visibility of communities’ traditions and knowledge without recognizing standards of excellence or exclusivity.

This year’s nominations for the Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity are:

• Afghanistan – Attan
• Algeria – Sbuâ, annual pilgrimage to the zawiya of Sidi El Hadj Belkacem in Gourara
• Andorra; Spain; France – Summer solstice fire festivals in the Pyrenees
• Argentina – Filete porteño in Buenos Aires, a traditional painting technique
• Armenia – Kochari, traditional group dance
• Austria – Classical horsemanship and the High School of the Spanish Riding School Vienna
• Azerbaijan – Copper craftsmanship of Lahij
• Bangladesh – Jatra traditional performing arts
• Bosnia and Herzegovina – Konjic woodcarving
• Bulgaria – Surova folk feast in Pernik region
• Bulgaria; The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; Republic of Moldova; Romania – Cultural practices associated to the first of March
• Cambodia; Philippines; Republic of Korea; Viet Nam – Tugging rituals and games
• Colombia; Ecuador – Marimba music, traditional chants and dances from Colombia’s South Pacific region and Equador’s Esmeraldas Province
• Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – Tradition of kimchi-making
• Dominican Republic – Son
• Ethiopia – Fichee-Chambalaalla, New Year festival of the Sidama people
• Greece – Tinian marble craftsmanship
• Indonesia – Three genres of traditional dance in Bali
• Italy – Celebration of the Celestine Pardon
• Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan – Aitysh/Aitys, art of improvisation
• Kyrgyzstan – Kok-boru, traditional horse game
• Namibia – Oshituthi shomagongo, marula fruit festival
• Nigeria – Eyo masquerade festival
• Peru – Wititi dance of the Colca Valley
• Romania – Lad’s dances in Romania
• Saudi Arabia – Alardah Alnajdiyah, dance, drumming and poetry in Saudi Arabia
• Slovakia – Bagpipe culture
• Tajikistan – Art of Chakan embroidery in Kulob
• Turkmenistan – Epic art of Gorogly
• United Arab Emirates; Oman – Al-Razfa, a traditional performing art
• United Arab Emirates; Saudi Arabia; Oman; Qatar – Majlis, a cultural and social space
• United Arab Emirates; Saudi Arabia; Oman; Qatar – Arabic coffee, a symbol of generosity
• Uzbekistan – Ropewalking
• Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) – Traditional knowledge and technologies relating to the growing and processing of the Curagua

****

Webcast: http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/

An information kit on the session contains facts and figures, frequently asked questions, information on proposed candidates and suggested contacts for interviews is available here:

See also: http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/10com

Contact: Lucía Iglesias Kuntz l.iglesias@unesco.org, +264818000472, +33 (0) 680240729