Dianova’s Most Read Articles in 2020

Remembering the year that many would like to forget, let’s have a look back on 2020 and on the 10 most-liked articles during that period

 

How Will COVID-19 Affect the Role of NGOs?

Lidiya Grigoreva, Head of the NGO Liaison Unit at the Office of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, provides insights about the future of NGOs stemming from her 20-year experience in this field.  All is not doom and gloom and there’s still room for optimism: given the role they’ve been playing during the pandemic, NGOs will most likely have a stronger voice in shaping multilateralism.

World Drug Report 2020

As every year, we present a brief summary of the six booklets of the United Nations World Drug Report 2020, including its key findings and policy implications. As was the case for each country’s economy and almost each individual’s daily life, COVID-19 (and the measures implemented to prevent its spread) affected all aspects of the illicit drug markets, including production, trafficking, and use.

COVID-19 and Mental Health

A special event was held by the NGO Committee on Mental Health: “Advocating Mental Health amidst a Global Pandemic”. Although they remain largely undocumented, the consequences of COVID-19 on mental health have been dire, especially for the most vulnerable, including migrants and refugees. It is therefore crucial to support mental health care providers, develop interdisciplinary and intercultural care networks, and promote self-care.

Addiction Services Are Essential Services

As part of a global campaign, this statement by Dianova emphasizes the necessity for addiction treatment and prevention services to be considered on par with other healthcare services. COVID-19 has revealed many dysfunctions in our health and care systems, many of which have primarily affected the most vulnerable people, including those who are in the throes of addiction. Yet, in many countries, authorities have been unable to support addiction services adequately. This must change.

Tips for Better Sleep in Times of Crisis

In these unfortunate times, we often lay in bed at night, mulling over negative thoughts, until we can grasp a few hours of bad sleep. On a more lighthearted tone, this article by medical surgeon and neurologist Betty Pardey (published originally by Dianova Chile’s NovaSalud Magazine) provides a number of tips to help us have a more restful slumber.

PsychoFlamenco Workshops

Implemented at the Can Parellada facility in Spain, the ‘PsychoFlamenco Workshops’ are Flamenco-based, gender-oriented therapeutic activities intended to promote residents’ empowerment and emotional development. These workshops offer a space for interaction, respect and acceptance in a format similar to group therapy, as well as artistic tools for managing and expressing emotions and developing soft skills.

Global Survey on the SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals have for many years been among our top priorities and concerns. This article relates the implementation and outcomes of the Global Survey which targeted private individuals, politicians, and representatives of civil society, business, academia and the media, with the objective of prioritizing relevant environmental, social and economy issues and challenges. The Global Survey could reach out to about 27,000 participants in 174 countries.

Is Addiction a Disease?

No one chooses to get sick. Illness imposes itself upon you. You “catch it” without having wanted to. A virus enters our respiratory system. Our body goes haywire. Our genes are responsible. Or it’s just bad luck. On the other hand, it is always a conscious person who takes the initiative to use a substance or to start gambling. When addiction occurs, it is only the consequence of their initial choice. Even though addiction has now obliterated their capacity for choice. So, is addiction a disease?

Social Justice Day: An Indian Perspective

This text provides insights into the situation of India as regards social justice and the situation of women. As the author puts it, Indians are rightly proud about of their culture but it should be emphasized that this same culture has for centuries been rooted in the exploitation of others in the name of caste, creed, and gender. Despite the laws that were introduced to address inequality and discrimination, women are still discriminated against and excluded from decision-making processes.

SDGs also Impacted by COVID

One-third of the way to achieving sustainable development goals by 2030, all indicators are flashing red. What’s more, the COVID-19 pandemic has not only dramatically halted their progress but has also undone decades’ worth of betterment of society in various countries. The road to recovery lies with the very principles that inspired the 2030 Agenda: inclusion, equality and sustainability, and of course the will to leave no one behind.