United Nations Day
United
Nations Day highlights, celebrates and reflects on the work of the
United Nations (UN) and its family of specialized agencies
What Do People Do?
On and around October 24, many activities are organized by all parts
of the UN, particularly in the main offices in New York, the Hague
(Netherlands), Geneva (Switzerland), Vienna (Austria) and Nairobi
(Kenya). These include: concerts; flying the UN flag on important
buildings; debates on the relevance of the work of the UN in modern
times; and proclamations by state heads and other leaders.
Background
The foundations for a “League of Nations” were laid in the Treaty of
Versailles, which was one of the treaties to formally end World War I.
The treaty was signed in Versailles, France, on June 28, 1919. The
league aimed to encourage disarmament, prevent outbreaks of war,
encourage negotiations and diplomatic measures to settle international
disputes and to improve the quality of life around the world. However,
the outbreak of World War II suggested that the League of Nations needed
to take on a different form.
The ideas around the United Nations were developed in the last years
of World War II, particularly during the UN Conference on International
Organization in San Francisco, the United States, beginning on April 25,
1945. The UN was officially created when a UN charter was ratified on
October 24 that year.
United Nations Day was first observed on October 24, 1948. The UN
recommended that United Nations Day should be a public holiday in member
states since 1971. There were also calls for United Nations Day to be
an international public holiday to bring attention to the work, role and
achievements of the UN and its family of specialized agencies. These
have been spectacular, particularly in the fields of human rights,
support in areas of famine, eradication of disease, promotion of health
and settlement of refugees.
The UN does not work alone but together with many 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).
Symbols
The UN emblem consists of a projection of the globe centered on the
North Pole. It depicts all continents except Antarctica and four
concentric circles representing degrees of latitude. The projection is
surrounded by images of olive branches, representing peace. The emblem
is often blue, although it is printed in white on a blue background on
the UN flag.
