Week of Events
International Day of Tolerance
"At a time when extremism and fanaticism are unleashed too often, at a time when the venom of hatred continues to poison a part of humanity, tolerance has never been more vital a virtue." — Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO on the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance. The United Nations is committed to… Read More »International Day of Tolerance
1989: Murder of six Jesuit priests and two co-workers in El Salvador
In the early hours on 16 November 1989, six Jesuit priests, a cook and her 16-year-old daughter were shot and killed at the Pastoral Centre of José Simeón Cañas Central American University (UCA) in San Salvador. The victims were Fathers Ignacio Ellacuría, Rector of the University; Ignacio Martín-Baró, Vice-Rector; Segundo Montes, Director of the Human… Read More »1989: Murder of six Jesuit priests and two co-workers in El Salvador
World Toilet Day
Toilets save lives, because human waste spreads killer diseases. World Toilet Day is about inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and help achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which promises sanitation for all by 2030.
Universal Children’s Day
"Around the world, children are showing us their strength and leadership advocating for a more sustainable world for all. Let’s build on advances and re-commit to putting children first. For every child, every right." - UN Secretary-General António Guterres World Children's Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20… Read More »Universal Children’s Day
1959: Adoption by UN of the Declaration of Rights of the Child
In 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which defines children’s rights to protection, education, health care, shelter, and good nutrition. It was followed on the same day in 1989 by a Convention on the Rights of the Child. Unlike a Declaration, a Convention is legally binding on… Read More »1959: Adoption by UN of the Declaration of Rights of the Child
World Television Day
Television continues to be the single largest source of video consumption. Though screen sizes have changed, and people create, post, stream and consume content on different platforms, the number of households with television sets around the world continues to rise. The interaction between emerging and traditional forms of broadcast creates a great opportunity to raise… Read More »World Television Day
Christ the King
"The Church’s liturgical year concludes with this feast of Christ the King, instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 to celebrate the Jubilee Year and the 16th centenary of the Council of Nicaea. Instituting this feast, Pope Pius XI proclaimed: “Pax Christi in regno Christi” (“The peace of Christ in the reign of Christ”). "Vatican… Read More »Christ the King