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International Days – November
Celebrated every 10th November, the Day highlights the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives. By linking science more closely with society, World Science Day for Peace and Development aims to ensure that citizens are kept informed of developments in science. It also underscores the role scientists play in broadening our understanding of the remarkable, fragile planet we call home and in making our societies more sustainable.
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13th November – World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on 13th November. On this Day, participants attempt to make the world a better place by celebrating and promoting good deeds and pledging acts of kindness, either as individuals or as organisations. It was first launched in 1998 by The World Kindness Movement, an organisation formed at a 1997 Tokyo conference of like-minded kindness organisations from around the world. There are over 28 nations involved in The World Kindness Movement which is not affiliated with any religion or political movement. The mission of the World Kindness Movement and World Kindness Day is to create a kinder world by inspiring individuals and nations towards greater kindness. Here are some kindness ideas for the Day: https:// www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas. 14th November – Hindu Festival of Diwali
Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning “rows of lighted lamps”. Houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called diyas. People also enjoy fireworks and sweets too, so Diwali is really popular with children. 16th November – International Day for Tolerance
The United Nations (UN) is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples. This imperative lies at the core of the United Nations Charter, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is more important than ever in this era of rising and violent extremism and widening conflicts that are characterised by a fundamental disregard for human life. In 1996, the UN General Assembly invited UN Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance on 16th November. This action followed up on the United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 at the initiative of UNESCO, as outlined in the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year.
19th November – World Philosophy Day
“Philosophy is a valuable tool for thinking about change; but it is also an approach that promotes dialogue and tolerance.” — UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay Philosophy is the study of the nature of reality and existence, of what is possible to know, and of right and wrong behaviour. It comes from the Greek word phílosophía, meaning “the love of wisdom”. It is one of the most important fields of human thought as it aspires to get at the very meaning of life. World Philosophy Day was introduced in 2002 by UNESCO and is observed annually on the third Thursday of November to honour philosophical reflections around the world. It is a day for people to share thoughts, openly explore and discuss new ideas and inspire public debate or discussion on society’s challenges.
20th November – Universal Children’s Day
World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20th November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. The 20th November is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Since 1990, World Children’s Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children’s rights. World Children’s Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.
Every year on 25th November, UNESCO marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This day was first commemorated in 1999 following a proclamation from the UN General Assembly. Globally, one in three women has experienced either physical or sexual abuse, most often perpetrated by someone she knows. Violence against women is a gross violation of human rights, profoundly impacting victims, their communities and society as a whole. The most severe consequence is death – globally about 38 per cent of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners. Family and domestic violence affects women’s ability to pursue economic security, to care for themselves and their families, and to lead active and positive lives. The International Day is a timely opportunity to raise awareness for the health and social consequences of violence against women and strengthen our commitment to collective action. Only together can we eliminate violence against women and girls.
