Friday 3 May 2013

United Nations - What is the difference between international days and world days?


International days are events organised by the United Nations to celebrate important dates and anniversaries. These events are aimed at promoting the objectives of the Charter of the United Nations and aim at supporting awareness campaigns and people's action on political, social, cultural, humanitarian or human rights.

These events are usually chosen by the delegates of the UN Member States gathering in the annual sessions of the General Assembly.

The United Nations along with the International Days, celebrates also Weeks, Years and Decades to inform the world public about specific issues such as human trafficking, non-communicable diseases, discrimination of HIV / AIDS, racism, gender equality or the access to justice and fair trial.
 
Further information on the United Nations events are available on the UN international observances site:

International Days
https://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-days/index.html

International Weeks
https://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-weeks/index.html

International Years
https://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-years/index.html

International Decades
https://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-decades/index.html


World Days, on the contrary, are events organised by the Specialized Agencies of the UN system, like for example:

22 March - World Water day (UNESCO)
http://www.unwater.org/water-cooperation-2013/en/

3 May - World Press Freedom Day (UNESCO)
http://www.unesco.org/new/?id=46282

17 May  - World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (ITU)
http://www.itu.int/en/wtisd/Pages/default.aspx

16 October - World Food Day (FAO)
http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en/