Mercy Global Concern - 2003
November Days at the UN
November 6: International Day for Preventing the Exploitation
of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
On November 5 2001, the General Assembly declared November 6th
of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation
of the Environment in War and Conflict. In taking this action,
it considered that damage to the environment in times of armed
conflict impairs ecosystems and natural resources long after
the period of conflict, often extending beyond the limits of
national territories and the present generation.
Visit this website for an idea of the kind of damage that occurs
because of conflict.
http://postconflict.unep.ch/
November 16th: International Day of Tolerance
In 1996, the General Assembly invited Member States to observe
the International Day for Tolerance on November 16th, with activities
directed towards both educational establishment s and the wider
public.
Study the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance then plan an event in your
community or college to spread the message of Tolerance.
http://www.unesco.org/tolerance/declaeng.htm
November 20th: Africa Industrialization Day
Within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade
for Africa, the GA proclaimed November 20th as Africa Industrialization
Day. The day is intended to mobilize the commitment of the International
Community tot he industrialization of Africa.
Study "A Call to Solidarity with Africa" - A
Statement by the US Catholic Bishops (November 2001) www.usccb.org/sdwp/africa.htm
November 20th: Universal Children's Day
The GA recommended in 1954 that all countries institute a Universal
Children's Day, to be observed as a day worldwide to promote
the welfare of all of the worlds' children. November 20th
marks the day in which the General Assembly adopted the Declaration
of the Rights of the Child.
To find out the many ways in which the UN is working on issues
relating to children,
Check this website: www.un.org/partners/civil_society/m-child.htm
November 21st World Television Day
In 1996, the GA proclaimed November 21st, as World Television Day. States are
invited to observe the day by encouraging global exchanges of television
programmes focusing on issues such as peace and security, economic and social
development and the enhancement of cultural exchanges.
Monitor what you local television network offers and then write
with suggestions, which might help issues of peace with justice.
November 25: International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women.
The GA has designated November 25th as the International Day
for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and has invited
governments, international organizations and NGO's to organize
on that day activities to raise public awareness on the problem.
The date came from the brutal 1961 assassination of the three
Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic,
on orders of the Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo.
To learn more what the UN Human Rights Commission is doing on
this issue see
www.unhchr.ch/women/focus-violence.html
November 29th: International Day of Solidarity with
the Palestinian People.
Established in 1977, this day reaffirms that the UN has a permanent
responsibility to the question of Palestine until it is resolved
in a satisfactory manner in accordance with international legitimacy.
In December 3, 2001, the General Assembly authorized the Committee
on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian
People to continue to promote the exercise of these rights, to
adjust its work programme in the light of developments and to
emphasize the need to mobilize support and assistance for the
Palestinian people.
For more information on what the UN is doing
on this issue see:
www.un.org/partners/civil_society/m-qpales.htm
This is a deeply complicated issues and a good place to start
is the Mideast Web Gateway: www.mideastweb.org
Deirdre Mullan RSM
MGC
New York
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