List of international observances
An international observance, also known as an international dedication or an international anniversary, is a period of time to observe some issue of international interest or concern. This is used to commemorate, promote and mobilize for action. Many of these periods have been established by the United Nations General Assembly (UN), Economic and Social Council, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),[1] World Health Organization (WHO) and other United Nations bodies including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In this case, the lead agency for a particular international observance uses the symbolism of the United Nations (UN), perhaps a specially designed logo for the year, and the UN infrastructure to coordinate events worldwide. It also presents a written report about the event. This summarizes the activities that took place around the world under the auspices of the international observance, and makes recommendations for the future.
Below is a list of days, years and decades that have been recognized as international observances by the United Nations, or by other organizations that declare international observances but are not as widely recognized.
Days
Weeks
Week | Name | Recognized by |
---|---|---|
February 1–7 | World Interfaith Harmony Week | UN with A/RES/65/5[135] |
March 27 – April 2 (2017) | Global Money Week[29] | |
April 25 – May 2 (2009) | Vaccination Week in the Americas[136] | |
August 1–7 | World Breastfeeding Week | WHO[137] |
September 5–11, 2016 | Idiopathic Hypersomnia Awareness Week[138] |
Months
Month | Name |
---|---|
February | Black History Month (USA) |
February | Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month (USA) |
June | LGBT Month (USA) |
October | Breast Cancer Awareness Month Black History Month (UK) |
November | Movember - November events to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues, such as prostate cancer and depression |
November | National Novel Writing Month - people from all over the world try to write a 50,000 word novel in a month |
Years
Decades
Decade | Name | Recognized by |
---|---|---|
2015–2024 | International Decade for People of African Descent | UN General Assembly[175][176] |
2014–2024 | United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All[175][177] | UN |
2013–2020 | International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures | UNESCO[178][179] |
2011–2020 | United Nations Decade on Biodiversity | UN |
2011–2020 | Third International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism | UN |
2011–2020 | Decade of Action for Road Safety[180] | UN |
2008–2017 | Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty[175] | UN |
2005–2015 | Water for Life Decade | UN |
2005–2014 | Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People [181] | UN |
2005–2014 | United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development[182] | UN |
2003–2012 | United Nations Literacy Decade [183] | UN |
2001–2010 | International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World [184] | UN |
2000–2010 | Bone and Joint Decade[185] | WHO, UN |
2000–2010 | Second International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism [186] | UN |
1997–2006 | First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty [187] | UN |
1994–2004 | First International Decade of the World's Indigenous People [188] | UN[175] |
1993–2003 | Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination[175] | UN |
1990s | International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction | |
1976–1985 | United Nations Decade for Women[189] | UN |
See also
- List of awareness days
- United Nations Regional Information Centre
- List of commemorative days
- List of commemorative months
- List of environmental dates
- UN international days and observances
- World Health Observances
References
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Notes
- "United Nations Conferences and Observances" (press release), United Nations, Reference Paper No. 47, 20 February 2008.
- United Nations Conferences and Observances
- World Physical Therapy Day 2010