Archives
International Women’s Day (8 March 2012)
Rural women enhance agricultural and rural development, improve food security and can help reduce poverty levels in their communities. In recognition of their critical role and contribution, the 2012 observance of the International Women’s Day focuses on "Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty".
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Equal parts diplomat and advocate, civil servant and CEO, the Secretary-General is a symbol of United Nations ideals and a spokesman for the interests of the world's peoples, in particular the poor and vulnerable among them. The current Secretary-General, and the eighth occupant of the post, is Mr. Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea, who took office on 1 January 2007.
Human Rights Day (10 December 2011)
World AIDS Day this year is about "Getting to Zero."
This year, millions of people decided the time had come to claim their rights. They took to the streets and demanded change. Many found their voices using the internet and instant messaging to inform, inspire and mobilize supporters to seek their basic human rights.
As a global community we all share a day in common: Human Rights Day on 10 December, when we remember the creation 63 years ago of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
World AIDS Day (1 December 2011)
World AIDS Day this year is about "Getting to Zero."
Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-Related Deaths.
Backed by the United Nations, the "Getting to Zero" campaign runs until 2015 and builds on last year’s successful World AIDS Day "Light for Rights" initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations.
Rio+20: The Future We Want
“Rio+20” is the short name for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012 – twenty years after the landmark 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. Rio+20 is also an opportunity to look ahead to the world we want in 20 years.
World Philosophy Day (17 November 2011)
Proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference, 33rd session, Paris 2005 (Resolution 33C/45 ). Celebrated at UNESCO’s initiative every third Thursday of November since 2002, World Philosophy Day takes place this year on 17 November 2011.
World Science Day for Peace and Development (10 November)
Proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference ( Resolution 31C/ 20) in 2001, the World Science Day for Peace and Development is an annual event celebrated all over the world to recall the commitment made at the UNESCO-ICSU World Conference on Science (Budapest 1999). The theme of 2011's World Science Day for Peace and Development is "Towards Green Societies: Equity, Inclusiveness, Participation."
United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC)
The Peacebuidling Commission (PBC) is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in countries emerging from conflict, and is a key addition to the capacity of the International Community in the broad peace agenda.
2012 International Year of Cooperatives
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2012 as the International Year of Cooperatives, highlighting the contribution of cooperatives to socio-economic development, particularly their impact on poverty reduction, employment generation and social integration.
25th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development
The United Nations Declaration on the Right to Development unequivocally establishes development as a right and puts people at the centre of the development process. This year marks the Declaration’s 25th anniversary. Yet many children, women and men – the very subjects of development – still live in dire need of the fulfillment of their entitlement to a life of dignity, freedom and equal opportunity.
2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
The International Year of Sustainable Energy for All presents a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of increasing sustainable access to energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy at the local, national, regional and international levels. Energy services have a profound effect on productivity, health, education, climate change, food and water security, and communication services. Lack of access to clean, affordable and reliable energy hinders human, social and economic development and is a major impediment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
United Nations Day (24 October 2011)
UN Day is devoted to highlighting the aims and achievements of the United Nations. UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. The theme of the 2011 UN Day is "Ways the United Nations Makes a Difference in Everyday Life." A campaign spearheaded by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), called 7 Billion Actions, seeks to inspire change that will make a difference by highlighting positive action by individuals and organizations around the world.
Department of Public Information (DPI)
The Department of Public Information is dedicated to communicating the ideals and work of the United Nations to the world; to interacting and partnering with diverse audiences; and to building support for peace, development and human rights for all.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October 2011)
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed every year since 1993, when the General Assembly, by resolution 47/196, designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries — a need that has become a development priority.
The theme of the 2011 observance is "From Poverty to Sustainability: People at the Centre of Inclusive Development".
International Day of Rural Women (15 October 2011)
The first International Day of Rural Women was observed on 15 October 2008. This new international day, established by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/136 of 18 December 2007, recognizes “the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.”
International Day for Disaster Reduction (13 October 2011)
By resolution 64/200 of 21 December 2009 the General Assembly decided to designate 13 October as the date to commemorate the Day and to change the Day's name to International Day for Disaster Reduction. The objective of the observance is to raise awareness how people are taking action to reduce their risk to disasters. In 2011, the observance takes place within the framework of the "Step Up for Disaster Risk Reduction!" campaign, and its theme is “Making Children and Young People Partners for Disaster Risk Reduction”.
World Post Day (9 October 2011)
World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969.
World Habitat Day (3 October 2011)
In 1985, the UN General Assembly designated the first Monday of October of every year as World Habitat Day. In 2011, the theme of World Habitat Day is Cities and Climate Change. The effects of urbanization and climate change are converging in dangerous ways. The results of this convergence threaten to have unprecedented negative impacts on quality of life, and economic and social stability.
International Day of Non-Violence (2 October 2011)
The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. The 2011 commemoration is focused on the theme, "Non-Violence as an instrument of social change – Why Gandhi Matters”.
International Day of Older Persons (1 October 2011)
On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly (by resolution 45/106) designated 1 October the International Day of Older Persons. The theme of the year 2011's commemoration is "Launch of Madrid+10: The Growing Opportunities & Challenges of Global Ageing".