Archived Recent Additions (January-March 2010)
World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April 2010
The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder so they can lead full and meaningful lives.
Annual Commemoration of the Genocide in Rwanda (2010)
For the 16th commemoration of the Rwanda genocide, the United Nations Department of Public Information organised in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the UN several events on Wednesday, 7 April 2010 and Thursday, 8 April 2010 at UN Headquarters in New York.
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, 25 March 2010
The International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade for 2010 is being observed under the theme “Expressing Our Freedom Through Culture”, which highlights the centrality of cultural heritage, passed down from generation to generation, as a medium for expressing and nurturing identity during the days of slavery, and ultimately for celebrating freedom from it after.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2010
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (resolution 2142 (XXI)).
World Water Day, 22 March 2010
An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
World Poetry Day, 21 March 2010
Poetry contributes to creative diversity, by questioning anew our use of words and things, our modes of perception and understanding of the world. Through its associations, its metaphors and its own grammar, poetic language is thus conceivably another facet of the dialogue among cultures. Diversity in dialogue, free flow of ideas by word, creativity and innovation. World Poetry Day is an invitation to reflect on the power of language and the full development of each person’s creative abilities.
Presidency of the Security Council
The Presidency of the Security Council during the month of March is held by Gabon. The Presidency rotates monthly based on the list of Member States of the Security Council, in the English alphabetical order of their names.
Special Commemorative Event Honouring UN Family Members Who Lost Their Lives in the Earthquake in Haiti
On 9 March 2010, a special memorial event was held at UN Headquarters to honour Members of the UN Family who lost their lives in the earthquake in Haiti on 12 January 2010. Among those participating were Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, General Assembly President H.E. Dr. Ali Abdussalam Treki, and the Permanent Representative of Haiti, H.E. Mr. Léo Mérorès.
2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), 3-28 May 2010
The NPT is a landmark international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. The NPT represents the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States.
International Women's Day 2010
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. In recognition of this important anniversary, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day – which is observed worldwide on 8 March – is "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All".
International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The date represents the day in 1952 when students demonstrating for recognition of their language, Bangla, as one of the two national languages of the then Pakistan, were shot and killed by police in Dhaka, the capital of what is now Bangladesh.
World Day of Social Justice
The General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in 2007, inviting Member States to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures
The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2010 the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures and has designated UNESCO to play a leading role in the celebration of the Year - capitalizing on the Organization’s invaluable experience of over 60 years to advance “the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples”.
Presidency of the Security Council
The Presidency of the Security Council during the month of February is held by France. The Presidency rotates monthly based on the list of Member States of the Security Council, in the English alphabetical order of their names.
Memorial website and condolence book honouring UN family members lost in the earthquake in Haiti
On 12 January 2010 at 4:53 PM, an earthquake of a magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter scale shook the earth under Haiti, leaving death, destruction and suffering in its wake. The UN's memorial website remembers those members of the UN family who lost their lives in the earthquake and lists those confirmed to have died. Visitors to the site can leave a message in the online condolence book.
Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Although sexual exploitation and abuse is not a new phenomenon, it was brought to the forefront of public attention in 2002 following allegations of widespread sexual exploitation and abuse of refugee and internally displaced women and children by humanitarian workers and peacekeepers in West Africa. The Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Task Force was established in February 2005 with the aim of preventing acts of sexual exploitation and abuse - and improving response to it when it occurs.
Secretary-General's briefing to the General Assembly on the Emergency in Haiti
The Secretary-General announced a flash appeal for Haiti and highlighted the need for medical care, food, clean water and shelter. He said he had ordered $10 million to be released from the Central Emergency Response Fund to kick-start the UN's response, and had been in touch with key world leaders to make sure that the UN's response will be well-coordinated, effective and, above all, immediate.
Business.un.org - Partnering for a Better World
Business is a critical partner in the United Nations’ efforts to address global challenges. This website offers a user-friendly process to match business resources with the needs of UN organisations. Businesses can use the website to get ideas and inspiration - and to relay how they would like to help the United Nations. They will then be linked to potential partners within the United Nations.
Presidency of the Security Council
The Presidency of the Security Council during the month of January is held by China. The Presidency rotates monthly based on the list of Member States of the Security Council, in the English alphabetical order of their names.