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United Nations Activities: April 2021

United Nations Activities: April 2021

Graphic Image for April 2021 World Health Day Theme

This year, the World Health Day is continuing to celebrate and draw attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

Decent Work & Economic Growth (Theme)

April 2, 2021 (Event): World Autism Awareness Day

  • Time and Day: 10:00-11:00 a.m. on April 8
  • Theme: Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World
  • Watch Video: https://youtu.be/wjl7FVAXYbE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, glaring inequalities around the world have become more evident, especially when it comes to income and wealth distribution, access to health care, protection under the law, and political inclusion. Persons with autism have long faced many of these obstacles, which were exacerbated by the pandemic. These issues have worsened by long recognized discriminatory hiring practices and workplace environments that present obstacles for persons with autism, ultimately leading to severe unemployment for a large majority of adults with autism. The 2021 World Autism Awareness Day observance will address these issues through a virtual event that will also include moderated panel discussions with individuals on the autism spectrum who have experienced the challenges and seen these new opportunities in the employment market themselves.

Making Ear and Hearing Care Accessible in Zambia

With the help and support of the Ministry of Health and WHO training resources, nurses from across Zambia were able to undergo training on ear examinations and services. This has helped raise awareness and prevent, identify, and address hearing loss for more than 15,000 people.

April 4: International Mine Awareness Day (Event)

    1. Time: An all-day event
    2. Theme: The Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards
    3. Watch Video: https://youtu.be/6tVtLo_mM_Q

On December 8, 2005, the General Assembly declared that April 4 of each year shall be observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. It fosters the establishment and development of national mine-action capacities in countries where mines and explosive remnants of war constitute a serious threat to the safety, health, and lives of the civilian population, or an impediment to social and economic development at the national and local levels. The UN Secretary-General will be engaging in public advocacy to promote the vision of the United Nations to achieve a world free of the threat of mines and explosive hazards and to assist in mobilizing resources for the UN Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action.

April 21: World Creativity and Innovation Day (Commemorative Event)

The UN recognizes April 21 as a day to raise awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in all aspects of human development. The concept of this day is open to interpretation from artistic expressions to problem solving in the context of economic, social and sustainable development.

Photo shows first child to receive COVID-19 vaccine on Cook Island in South Pacific

On a small island in the remote South Pacific, a one-month-old baby was the world’s first child to receive a vaccine delivered by a drone. The state-of-the-art craft that transported the vaccine, travelled nearly 40 kilometers over rugged mountain terrain, flying from Dillon’s Bay in western Vanuatu to remote Cook’s Bay – a scattered community accessible only on foot or by small boats – where 13 children and 5 pregnant women were inoculated by a nurse.

Learn more on why this could have a tremendous impact: https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/12/1028931

April 26: World Intellectual Property Day (Commemorative Event)

Every year, World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated to learn the roles that intellectual property (IP) rights play in encouraging innovation and creativity. All ideas become IP assets that can drive business development, economic recovery, and human progress.

Find out how your business can benefit from IP.

Good Health and Well-Being (Theme)

April 6: International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (Event)

In response to global developments concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace will focus on the health benefits of participating in sporting and physical activity, especially in this time of uncertainty and social distancing.

April 7: World Health Day (Commemorative Event)

April 7 is a day to celebrate the work of nurses and midwives and remind the world leaders of the critical role they play in keeping the world healthy. Nurses and other health workers have been at the forefront in the response to COVID-19, providing high quality, respectful treatment and care, leading community dialogue to address fears, and collecting data for clinical studies.

In addition, the UN is launching the first ever State of the World’s Nursing Report 2020. It provides a global picture of the nursing workforce and support evidence-based planning to optimize the contributions of this workforce to improve health and wellbeing for all. Learn more.

April 7-9: ECOSOC Youth Forum of 2021 (Event)

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum is the annual initiative of the President of the Council. It has evolved into a key platform where young people can contribute to policy discussions at the United Nations through their collective ideas, solutions, and innovations.

Since 2013, the success has led to development of themes of the Youth Forum by taking into consideration the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Participation in the forum is by invitation where youth participants are selected by National Youth Councils, regional youth organizations, and youth-led and youth-focused organizations and networks affiliated with the Major Group for Children and Youth (UN-MGCY) and the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organizations (ICMYO).

Screenshot of UN Session

April 14: World Chagas Disease Day (Commemorative Event)

The World Health Assembly approved April 14 as World Chagas Disease Day. which seeks to raise public awareness of this neglected tropical disease (NTD) that mainly affects poor people. This day is an opportunity to attract international attention while committing countries to enhance control interventions for diseases that remain present in many countries.

WHO continues to support global awareness raising on the extent of illness, suffering, disability and death associated with all NTDs.

April 28: World Day for Safety and Health at Work (Commemorative Event)

Photo of Yes We're Open business sign

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work will aim to stimulate national tripartite dialogue on safety and health at work. The ILO is using this day to raise awareness on the adoption of safe practices in workplaces and the role that occupational safety and health (OSH) services play. It will also focus on medium to long-term including recovery and future preparedness integrating measures into OSH management systems and policies at national and enterprise levels.

Life on Land (Theme)

April 22: International Mother Earth Day (Commemorative Event)

International Mother Earth Day is a day that calls for urgent action. Nature is suffering; there are wildfires, heat records, and the worst locust invasion in Kenya. Now as we face the COVID-19 pandemic, worldwide health is directly linked to the health of our ecosystem.

Photo of gorilla and baby in forest
COVID-19 has been a major concern for great ape conservation. Both humans and great apes are susceptible to infectious diseases. This could lead to a catastrophic loss to the population.

We Need Earth - photo of globe in hands

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (Theme)

April 7: International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda (Commemorative Event)

Every year, on or around April 7, the UN organizes commemorative events at its headquarters in New York and at UN offices around the world.
To Observe: https://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/rwanda/historical-background.shtml

April 12: International Day of Human Space Flight (Commemorative Event)

On April 12, 2011, the General Assembly declared this day to celebrate the beginning of the space era for mankind, reaffirming the important contribution of space science technology in achieving sustainable development goals and increase the well-being of States and peoples, and ensuring the realization of their aspiration to maintain outer space for peaceful purposes. This day, in 1961, was also historic for the first human space flight, carried out by Soviet citizen Yuri Gagarin, which paved the way for space exploration for the benefit of mankind.

April 22: International Girls in ICT Day (Commemorative Event)

Over the years, Girls in ICT Day has been celebrated in more than 170 countries with over 11,000 events worldwide by engaging key stakeholders and partners to inspire girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers through trainings, information sharing, capacity building activities, and role models. More than ever, adolescent girls with job-specific skills related to STEM – such as engineering, computer programming, cloud technology, robotics, health sciences and technologies – are better equipped for jobs in the labor markets. However, traditional employment sectors are currently declining in response to automation, while innovation opens new ones demanding different skills. Without STEM skills – critical thinking, problem-solving and digital skills– girls and women will be further left behind from equal economic and social participation.

April 24: International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace (Commemorative Event)

Preserving the values of multilateralism and international cooperation, which underpin the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is fundamental to promote and support the three pillars of the UN – peace and security, development, and human rights. Global issues such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, humanitarian and migratory crises are cross-cutting, implicating the values and interests of nations and necessitating collective attention and action. The 75th anniversary year is striving to realize the founders’ vision of a healthy, equitable, peaceful, and more sustainable future for all.

April 25: International Delegates Day (Commemorative Event)

In order to raise awareness of the role of the representatives and delegates of the Member States to the United Nations, the UN General Assembly has proclaimed April 25 as International Delegates Day. The General Assembly recognizes the crucial role of the delegates in fulfilling the main goals of the United Nations. Part of the delegates’ tasks is to live up to these goals, whether it is maintaining international peace, encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, or promoting effective multilateralism.

April 26: International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day (Commemorative Event)

An explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986 spread a radioactive cloud over large parts of the Soviet Union, now the territories of Belarus, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation. Nearly 8.4 million people in the three countries were exposed to the radiation. On this day annually, the General Assembly recognizes that three decades after the disaster there remains persistent serious long-term consequences and that the affected communities and territories are experiencing continuing related needs.

April 30: International Jazz Day (Commemorative Event)

International Jazz Day raises awareness in the international community of the virtues of jazz as a force for peace, unity, dialogue and enhanced cooperation among people, as well as an educational tool. This important international art form is celebrated for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity, eradicating discrimination, promoting freedom of expression, fostering gender equality, and reinforcing the role of youth for social change.

Why Jazz?
There are many reasons why people should engage in the promotion of jazz music. It breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for mutual understanding and tolerance, it is a vector of freedom of expression, it is a symbol of unity and peace, and it reduces tensions between individuals, groups, and communities.

Screenshot image from International Jazz Day Virtual Global Concert 2020

In April 2020, people around the world gathered virtually for the International Jazz Day Global Concert.
Watch the International Jazz Day Virtual Global Concert