"Countless people at home and abroad, including the hibakusha, hope that Japan, the only country to experience atomic warfare, will lead the international community in abolishing nuclear weapons. In response to that hope, we urge you to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons."Mitsuaki Takami, Archbishop of Nagasaki, President, Catholic Bishops’… Read More »1945: Destruction of Nagasaki by atomic bomb
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.
"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
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
"International Literacy Day, celebrated annually on 8 September, is an opportunity for Governments, civil society and stakeholders to highlight improvements in world literacy rates, and reflect on the world's remaining literacy challenges. Sustainable Development Goal 4 has as one of its targets ensuring all young people achieve literacy and numeracy and that adults who lack these… Read More »International Literacy Day
Organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, World Suicide Prevention Day provides the opportunity for people across the globe to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention. Access resources and find out more here: World Suicide Prevention Day #WSPD2021 In their Social Justice Sunday Statement 2020-2021 To Live Life to the Full: Mental Health… Read More »World Suicide Prevention Day