UN Days July
Individuals and groups can help to make UN Days much more effective through meditation and prayer. On this site there is a meditation in support of the UN Days and information on ways to participate in the UN Days & Years Meditation Initiative
Here you will find information on the UN designated Days during July 2012. Information provided includes some background, links to the UN site on the Day (where such a site exists), together with key thoughts for reflection.
7 July
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COOPERATIVES
Year 2012 theme: Cooperative enterprises build a better world
Cooperatives play an important role in economic and social development. Based as they are on the principle of cooperation, they are helping to pioneer new ethics and values in business and economics.
This year's theme links to the observance of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives. It seeks to encourage the growth and establishment of cooperatives all over the world, and to recognize the actions of cooperatives in helping to achieve internationally agreed upon development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals.
The International Day of Cooperatives is observed by the United Nations on the first Saturday of July. On this day, in 1895, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) was formed, and since 1927 the ICA has observed the first Saturday of July as International Cooperative Day. The ICA is an umbrella group of organisations encompassing 760 million members of cooperatives in 100 countries. The statistics are phenomenal: over 1 billion people are part of the Cooperative Movement; four out every 10 Canadians are members of at least one cooperative; in Bolivia one-third of the population is a member of the 1590 cooperatives ... more
Information on the Day is available from:
Key thoughts for reflection:
The basis of co-operation lies primarily in mutual responsibility.
Heart, 559
Verily, cooperation opens all possibilities, but one needs the understanding of what this cooperation comprises. Often people relegate it to the province of certain state matters whereas cooperation is the condition of the entire life. Precisely, even in each small mutual assistance is comprised cooperation which has a cosmic significance. Each glance, each handshake, each thought is a sign of cooperation, if consciously utilized. How valuable it is for people to feel that they are constantly generating consequences! Like titans, they shake the world.
Heart, 204
11 July
WORLD POPULATION DAY
Year 2011 theme: The World at 7 Billion
Achievement of all the Millennium Development Goals will require significant progress in lowering the birth rate in many of the economically poorest countries and improving reproductive health services and family planning. Check out the excellent UN Population Fund site exploring the links between the Goals and Population issues: http://www.unfpa.org/pds/
To explore the issues raised we recommend you visit the World Population Day site and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) site. Also check out the UN site on the Day.
Check out the State of the World Population Report 2011. The theme is: People and Possibilities in a World of 7 Billion
This year's State of World Population report, People and Possibilities in a World of 7 Billion, looks at the dynamics behind the numbers. It explains the trends that are defining our world of 7 billion and documents actions that people in vastly different countries and circumstances are taking in their own communities to make the most of their--and our--world.
The report makes the case for sound planning and investing in people.
Look here for the latest estimate of the global population.
Key thought for reflection:
Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world ... Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.
Eleanor Roosevelt
18 July
NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY
In November 2009 the United Nations General Assembly declared that 18 July, Nelson Mandela's birthday, would be observed every year by the United Nations as Nelson Mandela International Day. The day honors the former South African President's contribution to the culture of peace and freedom and his long-standing commitment to promoting conflict resolution, race relations, human rights, reconciliation and gender equality. This is the first time that the United Nations has honored any world leader with an annual celebration. The decision was made by the General Assembly as part of a two day debate on the organizations work for a culture of peace.
Nelson Mandela International Day, now in its fifth year, was inspired by Mr Mandela’s speech at London’s Hyde Park on 27 June 2008 when he purposely misread his speech to say “it is in your hands now” instead of the prepared “it’s in our hands”.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation reports: The overarching objective of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.”
Information on the Day is available from the UN and also from The Nelson Mandela Foundation.
30 July
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP
Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2011, the International Day of Friendship draws attention to frinedship as the fundamental glue uniting people across diverse cultures and backgrounds. It is essential to the building of Cultures of Peace and is fundamental to the work of the United Nations.
Information on the Day from the UN here.
Key thoughts for reflection:
Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.
Woodrow Wilson
The idea of friendship permeates the work and ideals of the United Nations. The Charter proclaims that one of the purposes of the Organization is "to develop friendly relations among nations". These same words appear in the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UNESCO’s Constitution speaks of the need for peace based not just on the "political and economic arrangements of governments", but on the "intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind". And the UN Alliance of Civilizations initiative aims to improve cooperation and understanding among nations and peoples across cultures and religions, including to counter the forces that fuel extremism.
Ban Ki-moon
