2016 Theme: Indigenous Peoples’ Right to Education This year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is devoted to the right to education. The right of indigenous peoples to education is protected by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which in Article 14 states that “Indigenous peoples […]
World Population Day – 11 July
« On this World Population Day, I urge all Governments, businesses and civil society to support and invest in teenage girls. Everyone deserves the benefits of economic growth and social progress. Let us work together to ensure a life of security, dignity and opportunity for all. » Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 2016 Theme: […]
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture – 26 June
« The law is crystal clear: torture can never be used at any time or under any circumstances, including during conflict or when national security is under threat. On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we express our solidarity with and support for the hundreds of thousands of […]
World Refugee Day – 20 June
In a world where violence forces hundreds of families to flee each day, the UN Refugee Agency believes now is the time to show world leaders that the global public stands with refugees, and it will launch its #WithRefugees petition on June 20th to send a message to governments that […]
World Day to Combat Desertification – 17 June
« Without a long-term solution, desertification and land degradation will not only affect food supply but lead to increased migration and threaten the stability of many nations and regions. This is why world leaders made land degradation neutrality one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. » UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon […]
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – 15 June
The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than double, from 542 million in 1995 to about 1.2 billion in 2025. Around 4 to 6% of elderly people have experienced some form of maltreatment at home. Elder maltreatment can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term […]
World Day Against Child Labour – 12 June
2016 Theme: End child labour in supply chains – It’s everyone’s business! The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Each year on 12 June, […]
World Day for Cultural Diversity, for Dialogue and Development – 21 May
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is annually held on May 21 to help people learn about the importance of cultural diversity and harmony. Various events are organized to increase the understanding of issues around cultural diversity and development among governments, non-governmental organizations and the public. Many […]
World AIDS Orphans Day – 7 May
Fifth World AIDS Orphans Day: Tens of “Circles of Hope” are created worldwide by young people to remind governments of the objectives set in 2001, when they signed the United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS. Children orphaned by AIDS are just a fraction of the problem, as millions more […]
International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action – 4 April
« On this International Day, let us work together to advance the goal of a world free of the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war. » Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. 2016 Theme: “Mine Action is Humanitarian Action” On 8 December 2005, the General Assembly declared that 4 April of each year […]