Human Rights Day

On December 10, 1948, the newly established United Nations General Assembly made the first global written declaration for human rights. Coined as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), it was the first international promise to seek equal rights around the world. In 1950, the United Nations decided to make December 10^th Human Rights Day to keep the momentum of the UDHR going.

The issue of human rights is still prevalent today, but it first gained prominence in the late 1940s. After World War II, citizens across the globe witnessed the aftermath of the Holocaust and wanted to take action to ensure that such horrific acts against humans would never occur again. Also, increased communication technologies made more people aware of genocides and civil wars in other nations, particularly those in Asia and Africa.

Human Rights Day is celebrated in a variety of forms. Some advocates celebrate the day in an upbeat way through ceremonies, parades, plays and musical performances. Others make it a mission to increase outreach on this holiday to people who don’t understand their rights. Most countries focus on educating women and children on human rights, especially in regions where such groups may be oppressed. In other cases, Human Rights Day presents opportunities for protests against oppressive governments. The majority of these protests are carried out peacefully.

2008 marked a special celebration for Human Rights Day. December 10, 2008 marked 60 years since the United Nations penned the UDHR. To date, it is the most-translated document in the world, and it has been printed in over 360 languages. The purpose of the UDHR holds true to this day as citizens from around the world continue to learn about their rights and gain freedom from oppressive governments. Some countries pass out copies of the UDHR every year on Human Rights Day.

All nations in the world recognize December 10^th as Human Rights Day with the exception of South Africa. Instead, the day is observed on March 21^st to remember the Sharpeville massacre that resulted in dozens of deaths after citizens protested against the Arpatheid government. This government promoted white supremacist policies, which resulted in segregation among the population. The deadly massacre occurred on March 21, 1960.

It’s no coincidence that December 10^th is also the same day that the Nobel Peace Prize and the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights are also awarded. The first award is annual, and the second is given every five years. Both prizes tie into the same theme of human rights, so each tie into this holiday just right.

While Human Rights day is designated as a full day for world-wide recognition of inhumane treatment in a variety of forms, it is important that participants take away with lessons to apply to everyday situations. The fight for human rights can be a long-term battle for some groups, and it is important to have the right information and resources on hand at all times in order to succeed.

World Day for Persons with Disabilities

World Day for Persons with Disabilities, also referred to as the International Day of People with Disability, is observed December 3^rd. Originally established by the United Nations in 1992, this international holiday is meant to promote the awareness and understanding of all forms of disability. This day has been decades in the making, and each year has a special theme.

While the United States has long-supported people with disabilities, not everyone gets this type of recognition in other nations. Before the founding of this holiday, many disabled individuals were denied rights and shunned upon. The United Nations founded the World Day for Persons with Disabilities in part to help everyone gain the rights they deserve. At the same time, many of these rights come in the form of support.

The International Day of People with Disability originally stems from a project started by the United Nations in 1976. That year, the U.N.’s General Assembly decided to dedicate an entire year to awareness and increased rights for people with disabilities. The dedication year was slated for 1981. Coined as the International Year of Disabled Persons, the United Nations worked fiercely to increase the rights of people with disabilities, including the education sector. The organization also fought to increase research for disability prevention.

To further enhance the agenda of 1981’s goals, the United Nations declared 1983-1992 as the Decade of Disabled Persons. However, a decade isn’t simply enough when it comes to advocating for the rights of the disabled. In fact, this is a year-round battle since new issues constantly come about. For this reasons, the United Nations decided to declare December 3^rd as the World Day for Persons with Disabilities in 1992.

While considered a holiday, the International Day of People with Disability is more than just a day of observance. The purpose of this day is to increase awareness across the world for a variety of disabilities, ranging from physical, mental and emotional ones. Citizens in various countries are encouraged to seek political action to help others gain the rights they deserve.

In many cases, cultural views have changed thanks to the increased awareness this holiday has brought to certain nations. Not only are people with disabilities are treated equally, but they are also given the economic and social opportunities they may have previously been denied. Such scenarios may be difficult to imagine in the United States, but the fact is that many disabled persons are still not treated equally in other nations.

To keep the momentum of the holiday going, the United Nations implemented themes for each World Day for Persons with Disability starting in 1998. In 2012, the theme is slated to be: “Removing barriers to create an inclusive society for all.” This theme will increase awareness about the many obstacles that disabled persons have to go through in order to exercise equal rights. Examples include a lack of technology, or denied access to mobility devices.

Themes from recent years include:

• 2011: “Together for a better world for all.”
• 2010: “Keeping the promise: Mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals toward 2015.”
• 2009: “Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world.”
• 2008: “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us.”
• 2007: “Decent work for persons with disabilities.”
• 2006: “E-accessibility.”

There are many ways you can celebrate World Day for Persons with Disabilities. While the day may hit home if you or a loved one is disabled, it is important that everyone gets involved to improve the lives of others. Some cities hold forums and public meetings to discuss local issues while others choose to hold parades and other celebrations.

International Volunteer Day

When: December 5^th

Most people need paying jobs to support their families. But when it comes to supporting others within your own community and beyond, volunteering is what makes the difference. December 5^th marks International Volunteer Day, a holiday designated to thank the millions of volunteers across the world. At the same time, the day increases the awareness of volunteer opportunities within several countries with the hopes that more people will sign up and give back to their communities.

Formally referred to as International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, the primary purpose of the day is to encourage volunteer involvement to promote better economic and social policies for everyone. This type of development may be embarked upon at the local level or national level, but many other volunteers also dedicate their talents to international issues, too. Some common issues include gender equality, poverty, child hunger, HIV/AIDS, better education and environmental sustainability.

On December 17, 1985, the United Nations designated December 5^th as International Volunteer Day. 1986 was the very first observance of this internationally recognized holiday. Over the last few decades, the holiday has gained increased attention and has further spurred more people to volunteer their time and services to causes around the world.

Sitting right in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this holiday may be overlooked by those who aren’t heavily involved within the volunteering community. Ironically, it is volunteers who make such holidays happen for many people in the world. Their sacrifices are often measured in time by the way of transporting food and spending time with others to prevent isolation during the holidays. Other volunteers donate their own resources to help make the holidays happen, especially for children during Christmas and Chanukah.

Not only does International Volunteer Day recognize the efforts of the world’s volunteers, but those involved in the United Nations Volunteers programs can obtain special recognition on this day. Outstanding volunteers in these programs have a chance to be thanked on a much larger scale. Such volunteers range from trade professionals offering free services to the needy, as well as those who develop new humanity programs.  Through the UN’s Volunteer program, people can dedicate their time to even write, design, coach and manage advocacy teams.

2001 was particularly special in the history of International Volunteer Day. Commonly coined as the “International Year of Volunteers,” United Nations assembly members worked with governments that year by encouraging support and the encouragement of volunteers. Not only were volunteers encouraged to work with national issues, but they also promoted involvement in international affairs. The wide publicity resulted in a significant surge in volunteers across the world, particularly after the U.S. 9/11 attacks.

This holiday is supported in most of the world’s countries, thanks in part to the support of the United Nations. The International Red Cross and the Scouts are also ardent supporters of the holiday. Involvement is most common among adults, but supporters also reach out to the youth during this holiday, too.

While the United Nations supports this day at its headquarters in New York City, people around the world celebrate this day in the form of parades, rallies, competitions and special projects. As many nations are currently at war, volunteers hold a special place in communities across the world. As communities grow stronger and look to reach out to others, International Volunteer Day is expected to become even more prevalent on a global scale.

You may see supporters of International Volunteer Day wearing shirts and hats with a special symbol. The official logo of the holiday is presented with two olive branches shaped in a semi-circle with three “V” symbols in the middle. The V’s are made to represent people holding hands, symbolizing the continued connections between humans across all borders. The name of the holiday is usually written in orange letters behind the branches.

World Philosophy Day

Since the earliest times, philosophy has inspired new ideas and concepts, with the aim of sparking independence, creativity and original, analytic al thought.

UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) established World Philosophy Day in 2002 to encourage philosophical reflection worldwide, and it’s been held on the third Thursday of November every year since then. It is a day that is observed publicly, although it’s not a public holiday anywhere in the world.

The day’s purpose is to encourage people to share their thoughts, look at and discuss new concepts frankly, and to publicly debate and discuss the challenges facing today’s society. It’s also a time to celebrate and share mankind’s philosophical heritage, and for opening your mind to new ideas.

The initiative is widely marked across the world, in countries as diverse as Turkey, Chile, France and Morocco (among others).

UNESCO’s underlying belief is that the sort of analysis and reflection philosophy offers should be present in all disciplines that strive to create a greater understanding of the modern world and its challenges, especially those involving justice and ethics. It argues that ethical judgement is essential to a healthy society.

Events are held at international, national and local level to mark the occasion, and everyone is welcome to participate. Activities include:

• Philosophy cafes
• Exhibitions
• Book fairs
• Debates, meetings and lectures, sometimes featuring some of the world’s best-known present-day philosophers
• Global conventions focusing on themes such as the link between culture and education and philosophy.

In 2004, UNESCO’s Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura put out a public message about World Philosophy Day to highlight its significance.

He stressed that philosophy provided the conceptual grounding for the values and principles shaping the potential for world peace – democracy, human rights, justice and equality. Reflection on modern society’s problems and still-to-be-answered questions remain at the core of philosophical thinking.

In 2005, the UN’s General Conference underlined the importance of the event, stating: “Philosophy encourages critical and independent thought and can help towards a greater understanding of the world and encourage peace and tolerance.”

In particular, the importance of teaching philosophy globally was highlighted.

In 2012, the tenth World Philosophy Day has the theme “Future Generations.” It’s an appropriate occasion and theme given that 2012 sees the 15^th anniversary of UNESCO’s adoption of the Declaration on the Responsibilities of the Present Generations Towards Future Generations. And, 300 years ago, in 1712, the great philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau was born.

Equally, the interests of younger generations are increasingly being taken into account when sustainable development is being considered.

In Paris, where it is based, UNESCO will organize a series of events on November 14 and 15, including a demonstration of how to teach this subject to schoolchildren.

At the same time, some Parisian school kids will write message for children of their age to see in 50 years’ time, and place them in a time capsule. On November 15, there will be a couple of round table discussion sessions focusing on youth and responsibilities towards future generations.

World AIDS Day

Between 1981 and 2007, some 25 million people lost their lives to AIDS. Five years ago, over 33 million people were thought to be living with HIV, and two million died worldwide in the same year, making HIV/AIDS one of the severest epidemics on record.

Observed globally on December 1 every year, although it is not a public holiday, World AIDS Day has become one of the best-known international health days. Its aim is to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, honor and remember those who have died from the disease, and commemorate progress, such as better access to prevention and treatment services.

This day is now the longest-established disease prevention and awareness drives of its kind.

Two public information officers at the Geneva-based World Health Organization first came up with the idea in 1987, and the first World AIDS Day was held on December 1 the following year.

The day was decided because 1988 was election year in the US, and December 1 was long enough after the election but still far enough from the Christmas holiday to secure maximum media coverage.

Since 1996, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has had responsibility for promoting and planning the day. In 1997, the World AIDS Campaign, now an independent organization in its own right, was created to concentrate on education, prevention and communication all year round, rather than focusing on a single day.

Since 2008, the campaign’s Global Steering Committee has chosen the day’s theme, following extensive and wide-ranging consultation. Themes may run for one year or longer.

Past ones have included youth, children and women and girls living with AIDS, stigma and discrimination, along with human rights. Between 2005 and 2008, the theme was Stop AIDS – Keep the Promise, to urge leaders to meet their commitment to universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support.

In 2012, the theme focuses on Working Together for an AIDS-Free Generation. Overarching that, between 2011-2015, World AIDS Days will take the banner “Getting to zero: zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths”.

Some countries hold AIDS Awareness Months, often in December, to coincide with the day.

The president of the United States issues a proclamation every World Aids Day, and, in recent years, both the current and past popes have sent patients and doctors special messages.

Since 2007, World AIDS Day has been marked in Washington with a huge ribbon displayed on the North Portico of the White House.

Events are held across the world on December 1, often to honor someone who has died from an AIDS-related condition. For instance, the AIDS Memorial Quilt project has panels made by friends and relatives of someone who has lost their life to the disease, and the quilt is exhibited across the US.

It’s also a day when many people choose to wear a red ribbon, one of the most widely recognised HIV/AIDS symbols.  Originally designed as a badge, the ribbon is now often worn in many different ways.

World Diabetes Day

The long-term health condition diabetes is caused when blood sugar levels get too high. There are two categories of the diseases. With Type 1, the body doesn’t produce any insulin at all. Type 2 is more common, and occurs when the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the cells don’t react to this hormone as they should do.

Worldwide, in 2010 an estimated 285 million people had the disease. In the US, rates have been rising significantly over the last two decades – in 2010, 26 million Americans had the condition, 57 million were living with pre-diabetes, and 7 million were  thought to be diabetic without realizing it. The condition costs America $132bn each year, and its rapid escalation has led to its being described as an epidemic.

World Diabetes Day is the main international campaign for the disease, and has been held every year on November 14 since 1991 to involve millions of people across the world in advocacy and awareness. The campaign highlights those issues of greatest importance to the diabetes community, and aims to ensure they remain center stage.

That is the day Frederick Banting was born. With Charles Best, Banting first came up with the concept which led, in 1922, to insulin being discovered.

The annual event is organised by the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation in response to the rapidly rising number of diabetics worldwide. It became an officially recognised United Nations day in 2007, following the passing of a special resolution.

That same year,  a logo was designed for World Diabetes Day. It is the international symbol for the disease, a blue circle. The circle is a symbol of health and life in many cultures, so the message is intended to be very positive and unifying. The color blue is the shade of the UN flag, and symbolizes the sky that links all countries.

Each year, a different campaign for the day is chosen, addressing a particular issue faced by the diabetes community, which then lasts for all of the following year. Past themes have included adolescent and childhood diabetes, foot care, obesity, human rights, the condition as it affects more vulnerable people, lifestyle and “talking about diabetes”.

For the period 2009-2013, the chosen topic is diabetes and education. For the 2012 campaign, the slogan is Diabetes: Protect our Future.

The International Diabetes Federation has more than 200 member associations in over 160 nations and territories, including all UN member states, organizations, diabetic individuals, their families and health professionals.

The day itself is marked by a wide range of activities, and by many different groups and organizations, from health departments to NGOs and businesses.

Events include extensive media coverage, events for kids, sporting occasions, workshops, exhibitions and leaflet and poster campaigns. In many places there are also free screenings for the condition and its complications.

In 2012, the role of education will be highlighted, for health professionals as well as diabetics and those who are most at risk in lessening the impact of diabetes across the world.