January 17 marks International Mentorship Day, International We Are Not Broken Day, International Cable Car Day and Children’s Invention Day.
International Mentoring Day
International Mentoring Day is celebrated every year around the world to highlight the role of mentoring in the personal and professional development of people. This date reminds of the importance of support, transfer of experience and knowledge between generations, helps to unite people of different ages, status and professional level to achieve common goals.
Mentoring is an informal process in which an experienced person (mentor) shares knowledge, skills and life experiences with a less experienced participant (student or mentee). This format helps with personal development, expands professional horizons, increases self-confidence, and contributes to the achievement of career or educational goals.
Mentoring takes on a special importance in wartime conditions. It helps young people and adults to adapt to new realities, find themselves in new conditions and get support in difficult situations. Ukrainian mentors actively work with children affected by the war, support their integration into society and education. Mentoring is also common among veterans who are returning to civilian life and entrepreneurs who seek to restore business in difficult conditions.
Interesting facts
The very word “mentor” comes from Greek mythology. The mentor was a friend of Odysseus, to whom the hero entrusted the upbringing of his son Telemachus during his journey.
In the US, mentoring programs are widely used in large corporations, such as Google and Microsoft, where employees are motivated to pass on knowledge to their younger colleagues.
Canada has government mentoring programs for immigrants to help them adapt to their new environment.
International Day “We Are Not Broken”
This date is dedicated to raising awareness of psychological trauma and the importance of mental health. Her main goal is to show people that even after difficult trials, they have the right to support and can restore their inner balance.
The slogan “We are not broken” emphasizes that trauma is not a sentence, but a part of life experience that can be overcome. She urges people not to hide their feelings, but to seek help and support, because everyone deserves understanding and help in overcoming difficulties.
In the conditions of the modern world, when people are faced with wars, crises, pandemics and other upheavals, the topic of mental health is especially relevant. Post-traumatic stress, anxiety disorders, depression — all this is a consequence of difficult life situations. At the same time, these issues often go unnoticed due to fear of judgment or lack of awareness.
For Ukraine, this topic acquired special importance in the conditions of the war. Thousands of people who have lost loved ones, homes or experienced other traumatic events need support to recover. International We Are Not Broken Day encourages dialogue about the need for psychological assistance programs, veterans’ rehabilitation, support for displaced people, and other initiatives aimed at emotional healing.
Interesting facts
This slogan comes from the psychology of trauma, emphasizing the human ability to recover even after severe shocks. It became a symbol of the movement for the rights of those who experienced emotional pain.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, levels of anxiety and depression worldwide have increased by 25%. This has led many countries to implement national mental health support programs.
Research shows that people who have access to support groups or psychological help recover more quickly from traumatic events.
This tradition of repairing cracks in ceramics with gold symbolizes beauty in imperfection. She reminds us that trauma can be a source of strength if we find a way to accept it.
Countries that invest in mental health programs have lower crime rates, higher productivity, and overall improved quality of life.
International Cable Car Day
The date of the holiday was chosen in honor of a significant event — the issuance of the first cable car patent in 1871. This invention became a real breakthrough in transport engineering, opening up new possibilities for movement in mountains, urban areas and hard-to-reach places.
The first cable cars were created to facilitate the transportation of goods, especially in mountainous regions where traditional transport was inefficient. A patent issued in 1871 laid the foundation for the development of this technology, which later became an integral part of both tourist and urban infrastructure. Cable cars have become not only a means of transportation, but also an engineering achievement that continues to impress with its simplicity and efficiency.
Today, cable cars are used in various fields — from winter tourism to urban passenger transportation. They have become a symbol of ecological transport, which helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, preserve natural landscapes and at the same time provide convenience for millions of people.
In many cities around the world, in particular in La Paz (Bolivia) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), cable cars have become part of the urban transport system, solving the problems of traffic jams and access to remote areas.
Interesting facts
The first cable car patent was issued in the US to Andrew Gallinger in 1871. His system used a cable to move loads in hard-to-reach places.
The cable car to Mount Elbrus in Russia is considered the highest in Europe, lifting passengers to a height of more than 3,800 meters.
Vietnam is home to the longest cable car in the world – “Halong”, its length exceeds 5 kilometers.
In La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, there is the largest network of urban cable cars, which includes 10 lines and greatly facilitates movement in mountainous terrain.
Cable cars are considered an environmentally friendly mode of transport, as they minimize the damage to the environment compared to the construction of roads or railways.
Day of children’s inventions
This day is dedicated to the development of creative thinking in children and emphasizes the importance of innovation even at a young age. The date of this holiday was not chosen by chance: it was on this day that Benjamin Franklin was born – one of the founders of the United States, an outstanding statesman, publicist, scientist and inventor. His figure became a symbol of the desire for knowledge, curiosity and innovation.
The holiday reminds us that great discoveries can begin with children’s curiosity and the desire to change the world. Many young inventors already at an early age created something unique that changed the lives of millions of people. From new toys to technological breakthroughs, children’s ideas can be a true source of innovation.
Children’s Invention Day encourages children not to be afraid to think outside the box, experiment and propose their ideas. It is also a reminder to adults to support young inventors, to provide them with opportunities for development and self-realization.
Interesting facts
Benjamin Franklin began to show his inventive abilities as a child. At the age of 11, he developed wooden fins for swimming, which became his first known invention.
Plasticine, inflatable balls and even a snowball were created by the children. For example, George Nissen, at the age of 16, invented the trampoline, which became popular all over the world.
The young American Kenneth Schulte, at the age of 14, developed a solar panel that significantly reduces energy consumption. And 12-year-old Anna Du created a robotic device for cleaning the oceans from plastic waste.
Research shows that children who engage in creative projects demonstrate higher academic results and better social adaptation.
In many countries, special competitions and programs aimed at finding and developing the ideas of young inventors are held. For example, in the USA such initiatives operate under the auspices of NASA.
Historical events on this day
730 year – In Constantinople, the Byzantine emperor Leo III Isaurus convened a silence – a meeting of senators and clergy. During this council, the worship of icons was declared a crime, which was the beginning of the anti-iconoclastic movement in Byzantium.
1209 year – A university opened its doors in Cambridge, which over time became one of the most prestigious in the world.
1558 year – The beginning of the Livonian War, which lasted 25 years and had a great impact on the political map of Europe at that time.
1562 year – Charles IX of France issued the Edict of Saint-Germain, which provided the Huguenots with certain rights and became an important step towards religious tolerance in France.
1595 year – The French king Henry of Navarre declared war on Spain, which was a continuation of the large-scale struggle for influence in Europe.
1605 year – The famous novel “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes, which became a classic of world literature, was published for the first time.
1734 year – Augustus III was elected the King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which marked a new stage in the history of this state.
1805 year – The first university in the east of Ukraine was opened in Kharkiv, which became an important center of science and culture.
1861 year – Received a patent for a flushable toilet tank, which significantly increased the level of household hygiene.
1912 year – The members of Robert Scott’s expedition reached the South Pole, but the way back was fatal for them.
1920 year – The Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which implemented Prohibition, went into effect, ushering in the era of alcohol prohibition.
1921 year – The Ukrainian Free University was established in Vienna, which was later transferred to Prague.
1944 year – The Battle of Monte Cassino began. It was one of the most difficult battles of the Second World War, which opened the way for the Allies to Rome.
1945 year – Warsaw was liberated from German occupation.
1949 year – In the USA, the trial against the leaders of the communist party began, which became a symbol of the opposition to communism in the country.
1966 year – As a result of the crash of an American bomber over Spain, four hydrogen bombs were lost, which caused an international scandal.
1987 year – The Women’s Council was created in Ukraine, which became an important body for the protection of women’s rights.
1992 year – The Republic of Equatorial Guinea recognized the independence of Ukraine.
2000 year – The Taliban of Afghanistan officially recognized the independence of Chechnya.
2010 year – The first round of presidential elections took place in Ukraine, which determined the country’s new political course.
Start of patrol police in Dnipro
On January 17, 2016, an event took place in what was then Dnipropetrovsk (now Dnipro), which became a landmark in the reform of the law enforcement system of Ukraine. The new patrol police took the oath, officially starting their activities in the city. This event was part of a large-scale project aimed at updating the principles of work of law enforcement agencies, restoring trust in them and creating an effective modern structure.
The launch of patrol police in the Dnipro became one of the stages of the all-Ukrainian reform, which began in Kyiv in 2015. In the city, this project symbolized a new page in the relationship between the police and citizens. The main principles of the new structure’s work were transparency, honesty and service to society.
974 people applied for participation in the competition, of which 950 successfully completed their studies. These numbers indicate a high level of training and strict selection. The composition of the new police was diverse and was characterized by the following indicators:
- 23% of new recruits are women, which is an important step towards gender equality in law enforcement.
- 86% had a higher education, which indicated a high level of professional training.
- Every tenth patrolman had experience of participation in ATO, which ensured the presence of people with combat skills and experience of working in difficult conditions.
- 13% of new police officers previously worked in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which allowed to preserve valuable experience, but within the framework of new standards.
Victoria Nuland’s statement about 18 action scenarios in the event of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine
On January 17, 2022, US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland made a statement that became one of the key ones in the period of escalating tensions between Russia, Ukraine and Western countries. She reported that the USA has developed 18 action scenarios in the event of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. Her words emphasized the readiness of the United States, together with its allies, to quickly respond to any aggressive actions of Russia.
“I’m not going to talk about all 18 different scenarios. I will only point out that we are ready to inflict serious pain quickly if Russia makes any aggressive move. They have their demands, but we also have our concerns.” Nuland said.
The Russian side responded quite restrainedly, but with a certain amount of irony. The Kremlin said it was also considering various scenarios, although, they said, there were “fewer than in the US”. This statement demonstrated not only the confrontation between the two countries, but also Russia’s confidence in its ability to maneuver in the face of growing pressure from the international community.
