The International Day of Non-Violence, celebrated on October 2nd each year, holds a special place on the global calendar. This day marks the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, a towering figure in the Indian independence movement and a pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.
In 2004, Iranian Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi proposed the idea of an International Day of Non-Violence. This concept garnered support, particularly from leaders of India's Congress Party. They actively called upon the United Nations to adopt the idea, recognizing the profound significance of honouring Mahatma Gandhi's legacy and principles.
On June 15, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution to establish the International Day of Non-Violence. This significant decision solidified the annual observance of Gandhi's birth anniversary as a day to commemorate his non-violent struggle for freedom and justice.
World Habitat Day
World Habitat Day, observed on the first Monday of October each year, serves as a global platform to contemplate the state of our habitats and emphasise the fundamental right of every individual to have access to adequate shelter. In 2023 World Habitat Day was observed on the 2nd of October.
The United Nations has been at the forefront of promoting the right to adequate shelter and sustainable urban development. In 1985, the UN took a significant step by designating the first Monday of October each year as World Habitat Day. The purpose of this observance is to prompt global reflection on the state of our towns and cities and to reaffirm the basic human right to adequate shelter.
The first World Habitat Day was celebrated in 1986, with Nairobi, Kenya, serving as the host city. Under the theme 'Shelter is My Right', this inaugural celebration set the stage for subsequent annual observances, drawing attention to the pressing issue of housing and urban development on a global scale.
The theme for World Habitat Day 2023, 'Resilient Urban Economies: Cities as Drivers of Growth and Recovery', aligns with the challenging economic circumstances facing urban areas worldwide.
Oct 01, 2023
International Day of the Older Persons
October 1 is observed as the International Day of Older Persons across the globe. The day was introduced by the United Nations General Assembly with an aim of honouring the contribution of older persons and looking into the problems that they face. Older people make significant contributions to society via volunteer work, passing on experience and knowledge, and assisting their families with different responsibilities. As today we celebrate this occasion, let's glance at its history and significance.
On December 14, 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons (resolution 45/106). This was preceded by initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the UN General Assembly.
International Coffee Day
Every year, International Coffee Day is observed on October 1, to celebrate and promote the use of coffee. The day is marked to celebrate the coffee sector's diversity, quality and passion. Every year 77 Member States of the International Coffee Organization (ICO), dozens of coffee associates, and millions of coffee lovers come together to celebrate their favourite beverage.
For the first time, International Coffee Day was celebrated back in 2015. The International Coffee Organisation (ICO) decided to dedicate the day to all coffee lovers in 2014, but the first official International Coffee Day was launched in 2015 in Milan.
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) was set up in 1963 in London, under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) due to the economic importance of coffee. It administers the International Coffee Agreement (ICA), an important instrument for development cooperation.
The 2023 theme for International Coffee Day is 'Sustainability in Every Cup'.
Sep 30, 2023
International Translation Day
International Translation Day, observed on September 30 every year, serves as a global celebration of the invaluable contributions made by translators and language professionals. These individuals play a pivotal role in facilitating cross-cultural dialogue, contributing to global development, and fostering world peace.
International Translation Day was first established in 1991 by the International Federation of Translators (FIT). FIT is a collective organization representing translators, interpreters, and terminologists worldwide, founded in 1953. The day was instituted to foster unity within the global translation community and to raise awareness about the significance of the translation profession.
The choice of September 30 for International Translation Day is symbolic, as it coincides with the feast day of St. Jerome. St. Jerome is a revered figure in the field of translation studies and is considered the patron saint of translators. He was a Christian scholar and priest known for his monumental task of translating most of the Bible into Latin from the original Hebrew, making it more accessible to readers. His pioneering work laid the foundation for translation as a profession.
The theme for International Translation Day 2023 is 'Translation unveils the many faces of humanity'.
Sep 29, 2023
World Heart Day
World Heart Day, annual observance and celebration held on September 29.
The day is celebrated by organizing various activities and awareness events globally to raise awareness about the heart disease and its preventive measures to manage the cardiovascular diseases.
World Health Day was first founded in 1999 with the World Heart Federation (WHF) collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The idea of an annual event was conceived by Antoni Bayés de Luna, the president of WHF from 1997-2011. Originally, World Heart Day was observed on the last Sunday of September, with the first celebration taking place on September 24, 2000.
The theme for World Heart Day 2023 is 'Use Heart, Know Heart'.
Sep 28, 2023
World Maritime Day
World Maritime Day is observed every year on the last Thursday of September. In 2023, it was observed globally on September 28. The day, which is observed to recognise the contribution of people engaged in the maritime industry, also aims to draw public attention towards various issues related to the industry such as shipping, marine trade and environmental causes, among others.
In 1948, an international conference in Geneva passed a resolution that led to the foundation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to look after the business and operations in the maritime industry. The organisation's role was aimed at looking after technological collaboration, environmental regulation, and legal issues, and to ensure safety for every member of the workforce. Decades after its establishment, the International Maritime Organization declared the last Thursday of every September as World Maritime Day. World Maritime Day was observed for the first time on March 17, 1978.
According to the International Maritime Organization, the World Maritime Day theme for 2023 is 'MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on'.
World Rabies Day
World Rabies Day is observed every September 28 to raise awareness about rabies and its prevention. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can affect all mammals, including humans. It is most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, but it can also be transmitted through contact with the saliva of an infected animal.
World Rabies Day was established in 2007 by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is celebrated every year on September 28, the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur, who developed the first rabies vaccine.
The theme for World Rabies Day 2023 is 'Rabies: All for 1, One Health for All'. This theme highlights the importance of collaboration and equality in the fight against rabies. It also emphasizes the need to strengthen overall health systems to achieve the One Health goal of eliminating rabies by 2030.
International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI)
International Day for Universal Access to Information, proclaimed at the 74th UN General Assembly on October 15, 2019, shines a spotlight on the fundamental right to seek, receive, and impart information. Held annually on September 28, this day emphasizes the significance of an informed citizenry and highlights the theme of the online space's pivotal role in ensuring access to information.
On November 17, 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared 28 September as International Day for Universal Access to Information. Considering that several civil society organizations and government bodies in the world have adopted and currently celebrate this observance, the UN General Assembly also adopted September 28, 2019 as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
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