International Days

International days are occasions to educate ourselves and those around us on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. Each international day offers the opportunity to organize activities related to the theme of the day. Last week marked two important Internation Days, International Day of Human Rights (December 10th) and the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime (December 9th). 

Human Rights Day

"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world... Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world." - Eleanor Roosevelt, who was Chair of the Commission on Human Rights and played an instrumental role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Every year on 10 December we have an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of human rights in re-building the world we want, the need for global solidarity, as well as our interconnectedness and shared humanity. This year’s #HumanRightsDay theme relates to the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on the need to build back better by ensuring Human Rights are central to recovery efforts. Under the call to action “Stand Up for Human rights”, we are all asked to take actions that can contribute to recovering better and fostering more resilient and just societies. To learn more, watch this short video https://youtu.be/7nY2NrJLIlk or read more here www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day

International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.

75 years ago, leaders of the Nazi regime were prosecuted for crimes against humanity and war crimes during the Nuremberg trials. This paved the way to the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide on 9 December 1948, punishing genocide as a crime and setting out the legal basis for action by States to prevent such future atrocities. The Convention signifies the international community’s commitment to “never again”. Every year on December 9th, the world marks the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. The Day represents memory and action; memory as vital requirement for action: It carries the purpose of raising awareness of the Genocide Convention and its significance for combating and preventing the crime of genocide and to commemorate and honor its victims. Ultimately, preventing genocide involves all of us. Remembering the events of the past and paying respects to those who lives that have been lost, as well as those who survived, is essential for its prevention.