Mercy Global Concern - 2003

United Nations Days for June

4: International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

On August 19, 1982, at its emergency special session on the question of Palestine, the General Assembly "appalled at the number of innocent Palestinian and Lebanese children victims of Israel's acts of aggression", decided to commemorate 4 June each year as the International Day of innocent Children Victims of Aggression (resolution ES- 7/8)

Explore the various ways the UN is involved with children's issues: www.un.org/partners/civil_society/m-child.htm

5: World Environment Day

By resolution 2994 of December 1972, the General Assembly designated 5 June as World Environment Day to deepen public awareness of the need to preserve and enhance the environment.

Check out the UN Environment Program's website for information about this day. The theme this year is "Water - 2 billion people are dying for it"

www.unep.org/wed/2003 (English)
www.rolac.unep.mx/dmma2003/index.htm

17: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

World day to combat Desertification and Drought was adopted by the General Assembly in 1994. States were invited to devote the day to promoting awareness of the need for international cooperation to combat desertification.

20: World Refugee Day

On December 4, 2000, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and the organization of African Unity (OAU) had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day. 23: UN Public Service Day

The General Assembly designated June 23 Public Service Day. The day is meant to encourage Member States to organize special events on that day to highlight the contribution of public service to development.

26: International day against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking

The General Assembly in 1987 decided to observe June 26th as the international Day against Drugs.

Check out the UN website for more information on this day/issue www.undcp.org/adhoc/decade/

26: International day in Support of Victims of Torture

The decision to annually observe the UN International Day in support of Victims of Torture was taken by the General Assembly on December 12, 1997 at the proposal of Denmark, which is home to the world-renowned International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. It proclaimed June 26th as the annual UN day in support of Victims of Torture, with a view to total eradication of torture and effective functioning of the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Deirdre Mullan RSM