Prepared by the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, Outreach Division, Department of Public Information, this calendar lists events organized to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations. For information on UN conferences and special observances , please consult this list.
2006
January February March April May June
July August September October November December

October
Millennium Development Goal 7
Goal 7

Ensure environmental sustainability.

Target: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the people without sustainable access
to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

Target: By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum-dwellers.

Achievements:

Access to safe drinking water has increased, but half the developing world still lack toilets or other forms of basic sanitation.

Nearly 1 billion people live in urban slums because the growth of the urban population is outpacing improvements in housing and the availability of productive jobs.

Millennium Development Report 2005


By resolution 58/211, the General Assembly designated 2006 as the International Year of Deserts and Desertification. The Assembly is deeply concerned by the exacerbation of desertification, particularly in Africa, and its far-reaching implications for the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, in particular on the goal on poverty eradication.

2006 marks the end of the First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty which was proclaimed by the General Assembly by resolution 50/107 of 20 December 1995.
A review of the Decade was carried out at the Commission for Social Development, 44th session,
8 - 17 February 2006.

 
1 November 2005 - Early 2007
Exhibition
"Uniting Painting" by Ranan Lurie. This work of art is a large international exhibit spanning continents. One of its missions is to connect the world by art and goodwill.
UN Visitors' Lobby.

29 August - 25 October
Exhibition
"In Praise of the Olive". An exhibition presenting all sides of the culture of the olive, from the mythical appearance of the olive in the Mediterranean and its links with Olympic Games, to the reality of the culture of the olive in Greek lands.
Sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN.
UN Visitors’ Lobby.

1 September - 10 October
Exhibition
"North South East West". An exhibition by ten leading Magnum photographers, capturing not only the impacts of global warming, but the solutions which are being implemented to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
Sponsored by the Climate Group, in partnership with the British Council and the British Consulate General.
UN Visitors’ Lobby.

October – mid-November
Exhibition
"The Beauty of Deserts – The Challenge of Desertification". A photographic exhibition providing an insight into life and survival in the desert on the occasion of the 2006 International Year of Deserts and Desertification.
Sponsored by the Secretariat of UN Convention to Combat Drought and Desertification, the Governments of Italy and Algeria and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
UN Visitors’ Lobby.

1 October
Observance
The Dag Hammarskjöld Library marks:
International Day of Older Persons

4 October
Film Screening
"Talk Mogadishu: Media under Fire", Director: Judy Jackson; Producers: Judy Jackson and Deborah Parks. The film tells the story of HornAfrik, the first independent TV and radio station in war-torn Somalia. After-film discussion will be held with one of the founding members of HornAfrik, Mohamed Elmi, and director/producer, Judy Jackson.
Organized by the Department of Political Affairs, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Department of Public Information, the UN Development Programme, and Search for Common Ground. (UN Common Ground Conflict Resolution Film Series 2006).
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium
6.00 p.m.

5 October
NGO Briefing
"Improving the Quality of Life for Older Persons: Advancing UN Global Strategies". Held in observance of the International Day of Older Persons. Keynote speakers: Thoraya Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director, and Jose Miguel Guzman, ECLAC Adviser in Demographic Analysis. During the panel discussion, representatives of four geographical regions will provide insights into living conditions of the ageing population in their area.
UN Headquarters, Conference Room 2
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

11 October
Secretary-General's Lecture Series
 Stephen C. Schlesinger will speak on the topic - "Act of Creation: The Founding of the United Nations". Secretary-General Kofi Annan will make opening remarks and chair the event. A question-and-answer session with the audience will follow the lecture. Stephen Schlesinger is Director of the World Policy Institute at New School University in New York and a former Director at UN-Habitat. He is the author of several books, including Act of Creation: The Founding of The United Nations: A Story of Superpowers, Secret Agents, Wartime Allies and Enemies, and Their Quest for a Peaceful World.
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium.
1:30 - 2:45 p.m.

11 October
Observance
The Dag Hammarskjöld Library marks:
International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction

12 October
NGO Briefing
"Issues on the Agenda of the 61st Session of the General Assembly". The briefing will look at possible outcomes and recommendations of the general debate (19-29 September) as well as the High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development (14-15 September).
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

15 - 16 October
 Event
"Stand Up Against Poverty, Stand up for the Millennium Development Goals". At events around the world, citizens will be invited to stand up against poverty and set a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of people to stand up.
Sponsored by the Department of Public Information and the Millennium Campaign. At UN Headquarters, the UN community - delegates of Member States, UN System staff as well as NGOs - are invited to participate in the Stand Up gathering on Monday, 16 October, at 1:00 p.m., in the North Lawn area, UN Headquarters.

16 October
 Unlearning Intolerance Series
The 5th seminar in the Series, "Cartooning for Peace, The Responsibility of Political Cartoonists?". Secretary-General Kofi Annan will make opening remarks, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Shashi Tharoor will introduce the programme. French cartoonist, Jean Plantu, who has worked with Le Monde since 1972, will make the keynote address. Panel discussions will focus on: "The Role of Cartoons in Educating about Political and Social Issues" and "Reconciling Rights and Responsibilities". Program Details.
UN Headquarters, Conference Room 2
10:00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.

16 October – 24 November
Exhibition
"Human Security". Photographic exhibition showing projects implemented by the UN Trust Fund on Human Security to coincide with the meeting of the Advisory Board on Human Security.
Sponsored by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
UN Visitors’ Lobby.

16 October
Observance
The Dag Hammarskjöld Library marks:
World Food Day

17 October
Observance
The Dag Hammarskjöld Library marks:
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

18 October
Film Screening
"At the Glass Building: the history of the UN told by its Secretaries-General" - Two parts of the film will be shown: Boutros Boutros-Ghali: The stormy years, and Kofi Annan - As long as the day lasts. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communication and Public Information. Panelists: Sir Brian Urquhart (former USG); Stephen Schlesinger, author of "Act of Creation", and Romuald Sciora, producer of the series. Presented by the News and Media Division, DPI.
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium
6:00 p.m

19 October
NGO Briefing
"Approaches to Prevention of Intergenerational Transmission of Hate, War and Violence". This full-day event will be divided into a regular DPI/NGO briefing in the morning and a townhall meeting in the afternoon, organized by the International Psychoanalytical Association. The purpose of the event is to look at the role psychoanalysis can play in managing intergenerational transmission of hatred and violence.
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

23 October - 1 December
Exhibition
"Afghan Children – the Next Generation". Photographic exhibition showing the face of Afghanistan today through its children.
Sponsored by Fairleigh Dickinson University and ImagineAsia.
UN Visitors’ Lobby.

24 October
Observance
The Dag Hammarskjöld Library marks:
United Nations Day

24 - 30 October
Observance
The Dag Hammarskjöld Library marks:
Disarmament Week

25 October
Observance
"United Nations Day Concert". The concert featuring the National Symphonic Orchestra of Greece conducted by Steven White and Andreas Pylarinos.
Sponsored by the Department of Public Information and the Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN.
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

26 October
NGO Briefing
"The Different Faces of Ethics". In the spirit of transparency and accountability, the briefing will look at the question of ethics. In addition to the academic perspective, it will also provide an overview of an independent Ethics Office at the UN that reports directly to the Secretary-General. Speakers include Mr. Tunku Abdul Aziz, Special Adviser on the Establishment of the Ethics Office; Jean Marc Coicaud, Head, UN University Office in New York; and Randy Cohen from the New York Times Magazine.
Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

 


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