UN International

"Through friendship — by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust — we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good."United Nations… Read More »International Day of Friendship

"On this World Day against Trafficking in Persons, let us reaffirm our commitment to stop criminals from ruthlessly exploiting people for profit and to help victims rebuild their lives."UN Secretary-General António Guterres Catholic Social Justice Series paper no 79 Human Trafficking and Slavery, A Response from Australian Catholics comes out of the work of ACRATH,… Read More »World Day against Trafficking in Persons

The Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) prohibits all use, stockpiling, production and transfer of Cluster Munitions. The CCM was adopted in Dublin on 30 May 2008. It has 108 signatories. The Convention became binding international law when it entered into force on 1 August 2010 after 30 States - including the Vatican City State -… Read More »2010: Entry into force of UN Convention on Cluster Munitions

Do you know who the name of the Indigenous people of the place where you live? Check the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies map of Australia here. Find out more about why the United Nations decided in 1994 to celebrate a World Day of Indigenous Peoples on 9 August here.

12 August was first designated International Youth Day by the UN General Assembly in 1999, and serves as an annual celebration of the role of young women and men as essential partners in change, and an opportunity to raise awareness of challenges and problems facing the world’s youth. More information here. 2020 Theme: To be… Read More »International Youth Day

World Humanitarian Day is a time to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world. Find out more here.

Did you know that the Vatican ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty on the very first day that it was opened for signature and ratification? The Holy See's diplomats continue to urge more states to ratify the treaty so that it will enter into force.

Enforced disappearance has frequently been used as a strategy to spread terror within the society. The feeling of insecurity generated by this practice is not limited to the close relatives of the disappeared, but also affects their communities and society as a whole. Special attention must also be paid to specific groups of especially vulnerable… Read More »International Day of the Victims of Forced Disappearances

Biodiversity Month is held in September each year and aims to promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity both within Australia and across the world.

What do you think of when you hear the word 'charity'? For Christians it is something more than philanthropy or giving to worthy causes. Nor is it an alternative to justice for those made poor or pushed to the margins. It is about the fullness of love, of which justice is the bare minimum. "Love… Read More »International Day of Charity

"On September 5, 2013, the ILO Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers (Domestic Workers Convention or C189) entered into legal force. This groundbreaking new treaty and its accompanying Recommendation (No. 201) establish the first global standards for the more than 50 million domestic workers worldwide—the majority of whom are women and girls, and many… Read More »2013: Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers