By Carmen Sylva
We all know what the U.N is right? Let me present you few interesting facts.
It is an organization that was made after World War II, when the world was in ruins. People where mourning their loved ones and trying to rebuild their destroyed world. Everybody wanted to make sure something like this would never happen again, they wanted peace.
It was 24th October 1945, when 51 countries gathered in San Francisco, the USA, to sign a document. The document was a “Charter”. It described who’s involved, what the goals are, who has the authority and over what and whom and if there is a life cycle to the group or project, when it is complete, and by signing it all signatory countries established the organization of the United Nations. Today 193 countries are part of it.
74 years later, the U.N is maintaining international peace and security. It is promoting development and giving humanitarian assistance to those in need. It is upholding international law, protecting human rights, and promoting democracy. And now, its Member States are working together to fight climate change. The U.N is helping build the better world, which its founders envisioned 74 years ago. J
Every year, the global network of the U.N Information Centre organizes a variety of events to mark U.N Day. Activities range from ceremonies, seminars, panel discussions, symposiums (a conference or meeting of a particular subject) to series of briefing for students: art competitions, rallies, film screenings and book/photo exhibitions, media campaigns - including interviews and newspaper articles - and social media campaigns.
At our school, we have the MUN (Model United Nations) debate forum, which students from S4 grades onward can join each Friday during the lunch time. Read here about the initiative at our school.
What are they doing this year?
You may not experience directly, but to be fair lots of different things are happening all around the world, to celebrate this wonderful day. In some countries the day is a public holiday, while some others celebrate with awareness programs, cultural shows, etc.
Several international schools throughout the world also celebrate the diversity of their student body on the United Nations Day through cultural performances in the evening and a food fair, where food is available from all over the world.
At the U.N. Headquarters in New York, there will be a concert, it will feature the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra with the participation of Dana Al Fardan, Hala Al-Emadi and Aisha.
There will also be events at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. There will be meeting with 7 U.N. Agencies and the French U.N. Associations and there will be a conference on sustainable cities.
We can all celebrate the U.N Day as we want. It is a day to remember all the good that the U.N. has done for us this past year (and every year since its opening).
“United Nations Day marks the birthday of our founding Charter - the landmark document that embodies the hopes, dreams and aspirations of 'we the peoples.” - Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the UN.
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