Basic Information
United Nations Day is observed on 24 October to bring public attention to the work, role and achievements of the United Nations and its family of specialized agencies.
Observed on: 24 October
Organized by: UN
Introduced in: 1948 (First United Nations Day)
Observed: Worldwide
About United Nations Day
United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the United Nations Charter coming into force on October 24, 1945 and celebrates the work of this organization. The five permanent members of the security council ratified the charter are France, the Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. The first United Nations Day observed in 1948.
Formation of a “League of Nations” was in the Treaty of Versailles, which was one of the treaties to formally end World War I. However, the outbreak of World War II suggested that the League of Nations needed to take on a different form.
The main purposes of UN are 1) To keep peace throughout the world, 2) To develop friendly relations among nations, 3) To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms, 4) To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals.
The work of UN is spread now in many fields with the specialized agencies, including: the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The works includes in the fields of human rights, support in area of famine, eradication of disease, promotion of health and settlement of refugees.
Activities and Programs on United Nations Day
Many activities and programs are organized all around the world including UN offices to show the work doing by United Nations. Debates, exhibitions, seminars, conferences etc. are done to show and spread the relevance of the work of the UN in modern times.
The day focuses to bring public attention to the work, role and achievements of the UN and its family of specialized agencies. Other events include food festivals to show food from around the world, programs to show cultural diversity and heritage around the world etc.