Harmony Day celebrates our nation's multiculturalism. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background. Since 1999, more than 70,000 Harmony Day events have been held in childcare centres, schools, community groups, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies across Australia. An Australian Government programme, the […]
Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is a genetic condition that occurs at conception. While most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes in each of their cells (46 in total), those with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome 21. Like every other human being, people with Down syndrome differ from individual to individual, and have areas of […]
The hashtag #water2me reflects conversations about what water means to people around the world. Water is undoubtedly central and important to us all, however it means different things to different people. On World Water Day question how water is important in your home and family life, and for your livelihood, cultural practices, wellbeing and local […]
World Meteorological Day marks the establishment in 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) (though it had been around since 1873). The 2021 theme is The Ocean, our climate and weather. The Ocean covers 70% of the Earth’s surface, provides vital resources, is the major driver of the world’s weather and climate […]
World Tuberculosis Day marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced his discovery of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB) and thus opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease. The Day is to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis, and to end the global […]
The International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims pays tribute to the memory of Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero who was murdered in 1980. It is to acknowledge also the right to the truth in the context of gross violations of human rights and […]
First observed in 2008, International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade remembers those who suffered and died through the transatlantic slave trade, the worst violation of human rights in history. For over 400 years, more than 15 million African men, women and children in the 16th to 19th […]
Since the founding of the United Nations (UN) in 1945, hundreds have lost their lives in its service. With an increasing scale and number of UN peacekeeping missions, more lives were lost during the 1990s than in the previous four decades combined. Recognising the increased likelihood of further UN-service related deaths, the Convention on the […]
Started by WWF and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007, Earth Hour is now one of the world's largest grassroots movements for the environment. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories, switching off their lights to […]
For many traditions in Hinduism, Holi is a celebration of the killing of Holika to save Prahlada, a devotee of God Vishnu. In the days leading up to the festival, bonfires are prepared with an effigy of Holika, who tricked Prahlada into the fire, placed on the top of the pyre. Coloured pigments, food, drinks […]