INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL DAYS

4 - 10 March 2023

Source: www.un.org, www.au.int, The Africa Fact Book (2020), www.daysoftheyear.com

 4 March

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development.

UNESCO proclaimed the 4 March as World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development), to raise awareness of the role of engineering in modern life. Engineering is defined as “the branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures.” The day is also used to promote awareness of engineering as a career, and the importance of young people, especially girls and women, studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

 4 March

International Day of Mathematics.

Greater global awareness of mathematical sciences are vital to addressing challenges in areas such as artificial intelli - gence, climate change, energy and sustainable development, and to improving the quality of life in both the developed and the developing worlds. In many countries, 14 March (3/14) is already celebrated as Pi Day because π, one of the world’s most widely-known mathematical constants can be rounded to 3.14. This year, according to UNESCO Director General, Audrey Azoulay, “we are celebrating a universal history which began in Palaeolithic Africa more than 20,000 years ago.”

 4 March

World Obesity Day.

World Obesity Day was established in 2015 as an annual campaign with the goal of stimulating and supporting practical actions that will help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight and reverse the global obesity crisis. “Half of all adults in South Africa are overweight (23%) or obese (27%). And the World Obesity Federation anticipates an additional 10% increase (37%) in obesity among adults by 2030. Overweight and obesity hugely increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases.” https://www. wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/ opinion/2022/2022-09/obesitycosts-south-africa-billions-wedid-the-sums.html