In spite of everything, a culture of peace is emerging in all fields of human endeavour
monthly, year 25th, number 332 – 2nd May 2025
Good News Agency carries positive and constructive news from all over the world relating to voluntary work, the work of the United Nations, non-governmental organizations and institutions engaged in improving the quality of life – news that doesn’t “burn out” in the space of a day. It is distributed free of charge through Internet to media and editorial journalists, NGOs, service associations and high schools and colleges around the world.
It is an all-volunteer service of Associazione Culturale dei Triangoli e della Buona Volontà Mondiale, an educational charity associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information It is a supporter of the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace. In the final report of the Decade for a Culture of Peace project (2001-2010) provided to the UN Secretary-General for presentation to the UN General Assembly, Good News Agency is included among the three NGOs that have been playing an active role in the field of Information through Internet.*
Government and politics – Education and teaching – Economy, finance and planning
Arts of living and relationships – Work, science and industry
Society and communication –Rules, regulations and environment
United Nations – General Assembly – Seventy-ninth session – Agenda Item 3 –Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 2 April 2025: Freedom of religion or belief
April 3, 2025 - The Human Rights Council (…)
1. Stresses that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, which includes the freedom to have or not to have, or to adopt, a religion or belief of one’s choice, and the freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance, including the right to change one’s religion or belief;
2. Emphasizes that freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression are interdependent, interrelated and mutually reinforcing, and stresses the role that these rights can play in the fight against all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief; (…)
9. Urges States to step up their efforts to promote and protect freedom of thought,
conscience and religion or belief (…)
https://docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/RES/58/5
News related with SDGs number 10-Reduced Inequalities
United Nations – General Assembly – Seventy-ninth session – Agenda Item 13 –Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 March 2025: Implementation of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition (2016–2025)
March 27, 2025 - The General Assembly (…),
3. Reiterates the Decade’s vision to build a world where all countries, organizations and others working on nutrition coordinate action and strengthen collaboration so that all people at all times and at all stages of life have access to affordable, diversified, safe and healthy diets; (…)
7. Encourages Member States to strengthen their efforts to integrate nutrition objectives across all sectors, to track investments in nutrition, and to consider proactive measures to limit the consumption of foods high in saturated fat, trans-fats, free sugar and/or salt and protect the population against encouragement towards their consumption, as appropriate and taking into account national contexts and priorities; (…)
https://docs.un.org/en/A/RES/79/276
News related with SDGs number 2-Zero Hunger
United Nations – Security Council - Resolution 2777 (2025) Adopted by the Security Council at its 9880th meeting, on 17 March 2025
March 17, 2025 - The Security Council, (…)
1. Expresses its appreciation for the United Nations long-term commitment to support the people of Afghanistan and reiterates its full support to the work of UNAMA and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and stresses the need for its continued field presence; (…)
4. Stresses the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes across Afghanistan (…)
https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2777%282025%29
News related with SDGs number 1-No Poverty
Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/208 of 30 January 2025 in support of a project on the promotion of effective arms export controls
January 31, 2025 - The Council of the European Union (…) has adopted this Decision:
Article 1
1. With a view to the implementation of the EU Strategy against illicit firearms, small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, entitled ‘Securing Arms, Protecting Citizens’, and Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, the Union shall further support a project on the promotion of effective arms export controls.
2. The objective of the project referred to in paragraph 1 shall be:
(a) to render international trade in conventional weapons more responsible and transparent;
(b) to mitigate the risk of the diversion of arms to unauthorised users.
The objectives set out in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall be achieved through the transfer of expertise with the aim of supporting alignment with the legal and operational standards of the Union and its Member States, in line with Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, with a particular focus on the Union candidate countries. (…)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202500208
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Book brigade’: US town forms human chain to move 9,100 books one-by-one; a small Michigan community banded together to help a beloved local bookstore move its stock to a new storefront.
April 17, 2025-Residents of all ages in a small Michigan community formed a human chain and helped a local bookshop move each of its 9,100 books – one by one – to a new storefront about a block away. The “book brigade” of about 300 people stood in two lines running along a sidewalk in downtown Chelsea on Sunday, passing each title from Serendipity Books’ former location directly to the correct shelves in the new building, down the block and around the corner on Main Street. [...] Momentum had been building since Tuplin announced the move in January.[…]
News related with SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
Brazil: first country in the world to commit to a national school program on ocean education.
April 10, 2025- The International Forum of Brasilia launches the first Blue Curriculum in the world. As part of the national efforts to consolidate the Blue Curriculum, Brasilia will host, on April 9 and 10, 2025, at the CNPq Auditorium, the International Blue Curriculum Forum: International Experiences in Ocean Education and Education for Climate Resilience.
News related with SDGs number 14- Life below Water
Japan makes high school education free again
(Human Rights Watch)
April 1, 2025 - Japan’s parliament, the Diet, voted this week to make public high school free for all children. Tuition fees had been abolished in 2010, but then reinstated in 2013. The new measure, approved in the budget, will expand equal opportunity in education, and should increase education access and certainty for children of parents with unstable incomes or from immigrant and other marginalized backgrounds who sometimes struggle with the bureaucracy of tuition subsidies. (…)
https://www.inoreader.com/article/3a9c6e77de221a78-japan-makes-high-school-education-free-again
News related with SDGs number 4-Quality Education
PLANETE: Scouts in Africa and Europe leading change in peace, gender, and sustainability
April 2025- The PLANETE project (Acting for Peace, Freedom, Learning, Nature, Equity, Tolerance, and Environment) is empowering over 7,000 Scouts and Guides across five countries and two continents to drive meaningful change in key areas like gender equality, education for peace and climate change education. Led by the Scouts and Guides of France, in partnership with the Scouts of Lebanon, the Association of Guides of Lebanon, the Rwanda Scouts Association, Rwanda Girl Guides Association, the Tunisian Scouts, and the Association of Catholic Scouts of Côte d’Ivoire, this initiative is aiming to reach more than 11,000 Scouts and Guides from 14 to 25. Together, they are leveraging the educational methods of Scouting and Guiding to promote peace, environmental sustainability, and gender equality. Through workshops, camps, training sessions, advocacy campaigns, and other activities, participants are becoming powerful ambassadors for positive change within their communities. These Scouts and Guides are engaging in citizen mobilisation, partnering with local authorities to advance sustainable, equitable, and fair societies. Funded by l’Agence française de développement (French Development Agency), the project provides young people with the tools and skills necessary to create a brighter future. [...]
https://cpnn-world.org/new/?p=36400
News related with SDGs number 4-Quality Education
Boy starts nonprofit and recycles 625,000 batteries with hundreds of youth joining in.
March 30, 2025- When Nihal Tammana was just 10 years old, he heard a news report about a lithium-ion battery exploding at a waste disposal plant. When he learned about the environmental risks of dumping batteries in landfills, he decided to do something. Tammana founded the nonprofit Recycle My Battery and now, at 15 years old, has recycled over 625,000 batteries and placed more than 1,000 battery bins in schools, libraries and businesses to make recycling easier.
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
World Economic Forum Stories - Longevity Economy: financial resilience for every generation
March 28, 2025 - (…) Tackling demographic challenges to ensure a resilient, equitable, and sustainable future in the age of longevity (…) The Longevity Economy Initiative is redesigning retirement systems, advancing financial innovations, and fostering longevity literacy to ensure better financial and health outcomes for individuals and societies. (…) The Longevity Economy Principles provide a clear roadmap for addressing the challenges and opportunities of ageing populations. Designed to be integrated by organizations globally, these principles focus on empowering individuals with financial stability, access to education, and opportunities for lifelong learning, while also promoting healthy ageing and fostering stronger social connections. (…)
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
World Economic Forum Stories - Female innovators paving the way for a sustainable future
(by Grantham Institute - Imperial College of London)
March 7, 2025 - Imperial serves as an innovation hub for climate-smart solutions, showcasing female founders through Undaunted’s programmes. Female innovators emphasize the need for greater visibility, funding, and leadership roles for women in sustainable innovation. They call for dismantling biases in funding and creating women-specific startup programs to support female entrepreneurs. Diversity in leadership has been shown to enhance profitability and innovation, yet female-led startups receive less than 15% of venture capital. Mentorship, a supportive ecosystem, and more women in investment roles are vital for fostering innovation and addressing global challenges. (…)
News related with SDGs number 5-Gender Equality and SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
United Nations – Economic and Social Counseling – Twenty-eighth session –Item 3 (a) – Agenda Item 65 (b) – Report of the Secretary-General: Diversifying economies in a world of accelerated digitalization - Summary
February 23, 2025 - Strategies for economic diversification in the context of rapid digitalization are explored in this report, focusing on how policymakers in developing countries can design responsive policies in order to capitalize on the benefits of frontier digital technologies. The shift from export-oriented industrialization to technology-led transformation is examined, highlighting the opportunities and challenges faced in developing countries in diversifying economies, as well as the need to rethink industrial and innovation policies, to drive structural transformation and industrial upgrading (…)
https://docs.un.org/en/E/CN.16/2025/2
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
World Economic Forum Stories -These 6 ‘longevity economy’ principles can help an ageing population live well
Feb 8, 2024 – (…) The World Economic Forum’s Longevity Economy Principles set out 6 actions to fund our longer lives as the global population ages. (…)
Principle 1: Ensure financial resilience across key life events (…)
Principle 2: Provide universal access to impartial financial education (…)
Principle 3: Prioritize healthy ageing as key for the longevity economy (…)
Principle 4: Evolve jobs and lifelong skill-building for a multigenerational workforce (…)
Principle 5: Design systems and environments for social connection and purpose (…)
Principle 6: Address longevity inequalities across gender, race and class (…)
News related with SDGs number 8-Decent Work and Economic Growth
UNAOC and Religions for Peace: “A Call for Peace, the End of Wars and Respect for International Law”
April 18, 2025 -The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and Religions for Peace (RfP) are joining forces to launch “A Call for Peace, the End of Wars and Respect for International Law”, an initiative aiming to amplify a condemnation against war while fostering a message of peace and upholding respect for international law.The initiative, presented on April 3 at the UNAOC headquarter in New York, will be held on 25–26 April 2025 in Gernika, Spain, a town that has become a universal symbol of the horrors of war and the enduring spirit of peace. The two-day event will kick off on 25 April with roundtable discussions at the Liceo Theatre, featuring religious leaders, faith-based actors, and civil society representatives, followed by a screening of “Why War”, a film by renowned filmmaker Amos Gitai. On 26 April, the high-level opening ceremony and the official launch of the “Call for Peace” [...]
https://cpnn-world.org/new/?p=36417
News related with SDGs number 16-Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Woman who couldn’t afford to retire was still waiting tables at 81— until a stranger raised over $300K
April 15, 2025- At 81, a waitress from Pittsburgh had no plans to retire—not because she didn’t want to, but because she couldn’t afford to. Then, in a twist that restores faith in humanity, a kind-hearted stranger launched a fundraiser on her behalf. She raised over $300,000, and a long-overdue retirement was within reach. The incident happened when Tamie Konzier took a break from her busy day to have lunch with her son Leo at a nearby restaurant called Eat'n Park. [...]
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Civil Rights symbol Ruby Bridges writes love letter to teacher that helped her in tumultuous first grade
April 15, 2025 -Screaming protestors surrounded the building as federal marshals escorted a brave six-year-old girl on her way to making history. In first grade. It was November of 1960 when Ruby Bridges became the first black student to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. After many white parents chose to withdraw their children from school, the principal kept everyone else far away from her. In fact, Ruby ended up being the only pupil in her class during the entire first year. The circumstances might have been impossible to bear if not for her teacher, Barbara Henry. The woman’s kindness made such a difference that Ruby has stayed in touch with her for more than six decades—and she just published a public tribute. [...]
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Inclusion of food education in school curriculums.
March 27, 2025- UNESCO encourages governments and education stakeholders to provide school meals based on fresh and local products and to reduce the presence of sugary and ultra-processed foods. It also calls on States to support this leap in quality by including food education in school curricula.
https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/education-unesco-calls-better-quality-school-meals?hub=701
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
MiAlgae to bring green growth to Grangemouth with new production facility
(by Beth Anton)
April 16, 2025 - Biotech pioneer MiAlgae has marked a major step forward in its mission to increase production volumes of its sustainable biotechnology solutions, as it submits plans for a new production facility in Grangemouth, Scotland. (…) MiAlgae repurposes whisky industry by-products to grow microalgae as a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to fish-derived Omega-3s. The site is ideally located near distilleries and MiAlgae’s customers in the Central Belt of Scotland, which will help it scale its sustainable production model. The new facility will enable the company to address the increasing demands from aquaculture and pet food markets, which are seeking sustainable and ethical sources of marine Omega-3s. MiAlgae is also exploring new markets including meat alternatives, nutraceuticals and livestock feed – sectors with significant global demand. (…)
News related with SDGs number 14- Life below Water
We need to save Earth’s soil — Changing our food choices can help
(by Carolyn Fortuna)
April 14, 2025 – (…) Changing food choice patterns has the power to reduce carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. It can also make a huge impact on sustaining Earth’s soil, which is an essential key to a successful future food system. By replacing meat with plant-based sources of protein, we can help to increase soil moisture, which hasn’t been replenished for decades. We must do what we can to prevent prolonged droughts, which are increasing in a warming world. If we don’t reinvigorate soil moisture, its current trajectory points to the Earth’s soil drying even more, which will jeopardize crucial food stocks. (…)
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/04/14/we-need-to-save-earths-soil-changing-our-food-choices-can-help/
News related with SDGs number 15-Life on Land
Japanese firms build 3D-printed train station in a week
April 11, 2025 - Japanese companies have built what they call the world's first 3D-printed train station, a compact white curved-roof structure installed in a rural western region. (…) Using conventional methods, "it takes a month or two to build a roof and walls," JR West's Naohiro Ohashi said. "We were able to install them in about two hours -- so there is an advantage in terms of speed," he told reporters last month. (…)
https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Japanese_firms_build_3D-printed_train_station_in_a_week_999.html
News related with SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
NOS delivers world’s first 100% biomethanol-powered crew transfer vessel to Vestas
(by Meghan Sapp)
April 9, 2025 - In Sweden, as a groundbreaking move toward a more sustainable future for the offshore industry, Northern Offshore Services announces the delivery of the world’s first 100% biomethanol-powered crew transfer vessel (CTV). (…) The vessel is a 25-meter, high-speed catamaran with an updated and improved hull design, 24 pax seating, specially designed for fast and reliable transfer of technicians and light cargo. (…) The vessel is powered by biomethanol only, a clean, renewable fuel derived from sustainable biomass. This innovative vessel is a part of N-O-S’s commitment to driving the transition to emission-reducing technologies and advancing the industry’s decarbonization efforts.
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Dual-fuel hydrogen trucking trial launched in Australia
(by Meghan Sapp)
Apr 9, 2025 - In Australia, Warradarge Energy Pty Limited announced a strategic partnership (…) to trial dual-fuel hydrogen technology to reduce the carbon footprint of Fenix’s haulage operations in Western Australia’s Mid-West region. The Newhaul trial will test the ability to decarbonise and reduce the diesel consumption of some of the largest trucks operating on West Australian roads. Newhaul operates a fleet of 200 ton quad road trains transporting iron ore over 500 km from Fenix’s Mid-West mines to Geraldton Port. Data generated from the trial will confirm the hydrogen consumption and diesel displacement rate of the technology. (…)
News related with SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Hundreds of volunteers form human chain to get 9,000 books to new location for indie bookstore.
April 17, 2025 - A popular Michigan bookstore recently received a helping hand from the community when a human chain formed to move its entire inventory from the store’s old location to its new location. The owner took to social media and put out a call to her many followers and customers for volunteers, and the response was overwhelming, with 300 people showing up to help.
News related with SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
Growing and sharing seeds can boost mental health.
March 31, 2025 - Saving and sharing seeds has clear environmental benefits. But new findings suggest they can also lead to improvements in well-being.The project was small and the results were modest. However, it is supported by a scientific study published by Canadian researchers in December, which found that community seed saving has a positive impact on health and well-being.
https://www.positive.news/society/growing-and-sharing-seeds-can-boost-mental-health/
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Global celebration of International Jazz Day 2025 culminates in Abu Dhabi.
March 25, 2025- This year’s International Jazz Day also coincides with the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, an annual global gathering that brings together a collective of creative thinkers, decision makers, artists, designers, change makers and leaders from the world of culture and creativity. The Summit will feature special programming, including panels and conversations with Herbie Hancock and other renowned artists.
News related with SDGs number 3-Good Health and Well-Being
Rules, regulations and environment
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81st ESCAP Commission Session
From 21 to 25 April 2025 - the 81st session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will take place at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. Guided by the theme “Regional Cooperation for Resilient and Sustainable Urban Development in Asia and the Pacific”, the session will bring together leaders and partners to explore how inclusive urban growth can drive the region’s sustainable development agenda. (…)
https://unhabitat.org/news/14-apr-2025/81st-escap-commission-session
News related with SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
UK Government invests nearly £38 million to bring 319 new green buses to communities across England
April 11, 2025 - A £37.8 million UK Government investment to propel forward green transport will introduce 319 new zero-emission buses across the country. (…) It comes as the Government made changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate yesterday, including increasing flexibility of the mandate up to 2030, and allowing hybrid vehicles to be sold until 2035, all with the aim of supporting UK EV manufacturers. (…)
News related with SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
April 2025 Photovoltaic Module Capacity Utilization Rate: upward trend driven by policy and market
April 10, 2025 - Policy Stimulus Drives Strong Rebound in Capacity Utilization. (…) Affected by this, the PV industry has seen a "rush to install." Especially for distributed PV projects, in order to connect to the grid before the policy deadline and enjoy better feed-in tariffs or maintain the original on-grid model, demand has surged in the short term. Zhongyuan Securities pointed out that policy stimulus for PV rush installations is expected to drive a rebound in enterprise capacity utilization rates. (…)
https://www.energytrend.com/news/20250410-49193.html
News related with SDGs number 7-Affordable and Clean Energy
Strain 'trick' improves perovskite solar cells' efficiency
(by Renewable Energy News - ScienceDaily)
Apr 9, 2025 - Researchers have found a way to dramatically reducing energy loss and boosting efficiency perovskite solar cells by incorporating rubidium using lattice strain -- a slight deformation in the atomic structure that helps keep rubidium in place. (…)
News related with SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Indian researchers find metallo-nanozymes can be seamlessly integrated into biological systems
(by Meghan Sapp)
April 9, 2025 - In India, scientists have found that metallo-nanozymes, or artificial biocatalysts, mimicking natural enzymes that utilize metal ions for their catalytic activity are capable of controlling electron transfer, a crucial process for regulating cellular energy. This newly identified property of metallo-nanozymes seamlessly integrate into biological systems, enabling sustainable energy production, medical inventions, and environmental solutions. (…)
News related with SDGs number 9-Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Natural Gas continues to drive U.S. emissions reductions
April 8, 2025 - Natural gas is driving decarbonization efforts across the energy value chain. A new peer-reviewed study from Miami University of Ohio underscored the significant role of the U.S. shale revolution in creating a greener economy. Researchers found that natural gas development has led to an average annual reduction of 10.5 percent in CO2 emissions per capita, with overall U.S. greenhouse gas emissions per capita decreasing by 7.5 percent annually. This study aligns with earlier findings from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), which highlighted the environmental benefits of natural gas. The NETL report noted that the emissions intensity of the 2020 U.S. energy profile had decreased by 32 percent, largely due to the growing share of natural gas in the energy mix.
https://energycentral.com/c/og/natural-gas-continues-drive-us-emissions-reductions
News related with SDGs number 12-Responsible Consumption and Production
How a Water Operators’ Partnership is transforming water management in Tunisia
April 2025 – (…) For decades, Gabes has faced serious water management issues. (…) A partnership between MM Spa Milan, Tunisia’s national water utility SONEDE, and the Municipality of Gabes is tackling these problems. With funding from the European Union and support from UN-Habitat’s Global Water Operators’ Partnership Alliance, the initiative is focused on improving water distribution, strengthening governance, and increasing flood resilience. (…)
News related with SDGs number 11-Sustainable Cities and Communities
Kandla Port to launch India’s first green hydrogen plant
(by Juan Pedro Tomas)
March 27, 2025 - In India, India Today reported that India’s Kandla Port set to become the first in the country to host a green hydrogen manufacturing facility. The project is expected to be operational by June 2025. The green hydrogen plant will harness renewable energy from wind and solar sources to manufacture hydrogen suitable for several industrial processes, fuelling the transportation and manufacturing industries, according to the report. This initiative is a part of the larger governmental strategy to promote green energy and cut carbon emissions (…)
News related with SDGs number 7-Affordable and Clean Energy
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Good News Agency is published monthly (except August) in English, Italian and Portuguese. Past issues are available at www.goodnewsagency.org . Rome Law-court registration no. 265 dated 20 June 2000. Managing Editor: Fabio Gatti. Editorial research by Fabio Gatti, Isabella Strippoli, Elisa Minelli, Salvatore Caruso Motta, Chiara Damilano, Francesco Viglienghi, Carlo Toraldo, Andrea Landriscina, Nazzarena Franco. Webmaster, media and NGO coverage: Simone Frassanito (simone.frassanito@goodnewsagency.org)
Good News Agency is distributed free of charge through Internet to media and editorial journalists of the daily newspapers and periodical magazines and of the radio and television stations, NGOs, service associations, high schools and colleges as well as over 26,000 Rotarians around the world.
It is an all-volunteer service of Associazione Culturale dei Triangoli e della Buona Volontà Mondiale, a registered, not-for-profit educational charity chartered in Italy in 1979 The Association operates for the development of consciousness and promotes a culture of peace in the ‘global village’ perspective based on unity in diversity and on sharing. It is based in Piazzale degli Eroi 8, 00136 Rome, Italy. The Association is a member of the World Association of Non Governmental Organizations.
* http://decade-culture-of-peace.org/2010_civil_society_report.pdf - In section A - International Organizations, page 12, the Report says: ”Diffusion and exchange of culture of peace information via the Internet has become the major instrument for several international organizations, notably the Culture of Peace News Network, the Good News Agency and the Education for Peace Globalnet.”