International Olympic Day
Olympic Day was introduced in 1948 to commemorate
the birth of the modern Olympic Games on 23 June 1894 at the Sorbonne in
Paris. The goal was to promote participation in sport across the globe
regardless of age, gender or athletic ability.
Olympic Day is
celebrated all around the world: hundreds of thousands of people – young
and old – participate in sports activities, such as runs, exhibitions,
music and educational seminars.
Olympic Day is nowadays developing
into much more than just a sports event. Based on the three pillars
“move”, “learn” and “discover”, National Olympic Committees are
deploying sports, cultural and educational activities. Some countries
have incorporated the event into the school curriculum and, in recent
years, many NOCs have added concerts and exhibitions to the celebration.
Commemorating the birth of the modern Olympic Games, Olympic Day is
not only a celebration, but an international effort to promote fitness
and well-being in addition to the Olympic ideals of Fair Play,
Perseverance, Respect and Sportsmanship.
Olympic Day Runs
Olympic Day Run is an
international Olympic Movement activity promoting mass participation of
sports held in June organized by National Olympic Committees (NOCs). The
International Olympic Committee (IOC) was formally established on 23
June 1894 through the efforts of Pierre de Coubertin promoting
competitive sport as a revival of the ancient Olympic Games.
In 1987, in an effort to encourage all NOCs to commemorate and
celebrate Olympic Day, the IOC Sport for All Commission launched the
Olympic Day Run concept with the objective of promoting the practice of
participation in sport by men, women and children from all corners of
the world and all walks of life, regardless of athletic ability. The
first Olympic Day Run was held in 1987, over a distance of 10km, with 45
participating NOCs. In 2006, there were 161 NOCs promoting Olympic Day
Run to their countrymen.
The Olympic Day Run is usually held during June 17–24 by NOCs, with
1.5 KM Olympic Day Fun Run, 5 KM, and 10 KM running activities.
Over the last 20 years Olympic Day has been associated with Olympic
Day Runs all over the world. From 45 participating National Olympic
Committees (NOCs) in the first edition in 1987, the numbers have grown
to nearly 200 participating NOCs.
Public Service Day
The
United Nations’ Public Service Day is held on June 23 each year. It
recognizes that democracy and successful governance are built on the
foundation of a competent civil service. The day aims to celebrate the
value and virtue of service to the community.
What Do People Do?
The United Nations (UN) holds a Public Service Awards ceremony each
year. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public
service institutions worldwide. This event promotes the role,
professionalism and visibility of public service. At the same time,
Africa Public Service Day is celebrated in Africa to coincide with the
United Nations Public Service Day.
Many public service organizations and departments around the world
celebrate this day by holding various events to recognize the valuable
role that public servants play in making improvements in society.
Activities include: information days featuring stalls and booths about
the public service; organized lunches with guest speakers; internal
awards ceremonies within public service agencies or departments; and
special announcements to honor public servants.
Background
On December 20, 2002, the United Nations General Assembly designated
June 23 of each year as United Nations Public Service Day (resolution
57/277). It encouraged member states to organize special events on that
day to highlight the contribution of public service in the development
process.
This day was created to: celebrate the value and virtue of public
service to the community; highlight the contribution of public service
in the development process; recognize the work of public servants; and
encourage young people to pursue careers in the public sector.
Symbols
The United Nations Public Administration Network (UNPAN) uses a
special logo for Public Service Day. It features two columns, one on the
left side and one on the right side, and in between are a pair of hands
outlined in orange in a flame-like manner. These hands surround three
blue human figures. The figure in the middle depicts a woman and the two
other figures, one on each side of the woman, are male. The word
“Public”, which joins the two columns, is written above the heads of the
figures, which are standing on or supported by the word “Service” in
capital letters, which joins the two columns. A smaller version of
UNPAN’s main logo is located above the word “Public”.
UNPAN’s main logo, in blue and white, is similar to the logo on the
UN flag. It features a projection of a world map (less Antarctica)
centered on the North Pole, enclosed by olive branches. The olive
branches are a symbol for peace, and the world map represents all the
people of the world.
