International Day of Living Together in Peace
In a world marked by strain and uncertainty, the International Day of Living Together in Peace calls for a renewed commitment to cooperation.
This year’s theme, “Building Trust through Dialogue, Inclusion and Reconciliation,” highlights how closely peace is tied to trust.
Respecting human rights helps build trust and strengthen social cohesion.
Dialogue and inclusion help societies repair relationships, ease tensions, and create the conditions for peace to hold.
Peace flourishes when the dignity of those with different experiences, beliefs, and backgrounds is protected.
Trust, inclusion, and participation are essential, especially for children and young people, to foster a sense of belonging that can lead to a more peaceful and united future.
“... this Day reminds us that it is precisely when this horizon of peace seems distant that we must relentlessly build this ideal of concord and social cohesion.”
AUDREY AZOULAY
Former UNESCO Director-General
@UnitedNations
#DayOfLivingTogetherInPeace #PeacefulLiving #RespectEachOther Tolerance CompassionInAction Forgiveness #MulticulturalCooperation
International Day of Light
The International Day of Light celebrates the vital role light plays in science, culture, art, education, and sustainable development.
This day highlights the essential role of light-based technologies — from lasers to solar energy and serves as a global platform for international cooperation.
This year’s theme is “Light for a Sustainable Future.”
Light-based technologies support this mission by reducing energy waste, improving efficiency, and limiting light pollution.
Let’s continue advancing these innovations to create a more sustainable world for all.
“Without light, our planet would be but a cold and barren place. Light gives us energy, colour, growth and the conditions for life to flourish.”
~Audrey Azoulay, Former UNESCO Director-General
@UNESCO@United Nations
#InternationalDayofLight #LightForSustainability #LightInnovation #SustainableTech #MulticulturalCooperation
International Day of Families
The 2026 International Day of Families theme, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing,” focuses on how social and economic gaps shape everyday family life and affect their children’s futures. It underscores the need for stronger family-oriented policies and equitable access to essential services — including education, reliable healthcare, digital access, and safe environments.
When these resources are unevenly distributed, families can face greater hardship, hindering children’s ability to reach their full potential.
This observance reminds us that by strengthening policies and communities — through advocacy, local support, and volunteering — we can bridge these gaps and ensure that every child can grow up with dignity, security, and opportunity.
“When we protect the youngest members of the human family, we build a better world.”
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
@unitednations
#DayOfFamilies #familiesmatter #internationaldayoffamilies #UnitedNations #MulticulturalCooperation
Mother’s Day
Indigenous peoples have honored mothers, the Divine Feminine, and Mother Earth for tens of thousands of years.
For over 5000 years, Hindus have revered mothers and motherhood as divine.
The ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele.
In the 1600s, in the area that today forms the United Kingdom, a Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday” began.
In the United States, in the early 1900s, Anna Jarvis started Mother’s Day to pay tribute to her mother and the sacrifices all mothers make for their children.
Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world.
It is a day to honor mothers and maternal figures for their love, dedication, and incredible contributions to their families and to society.
“It is the mothers, not the warriors, who create a people and guide their destiny.”
Luther Standing Bear
Oglala Lakota Chief, author, and educator
#mothersday #happymothersday #MothersDay2026 love mom mother motherhood momlife mothers #MulticulturalCooperation
World Press Freedom Day
Every day, journalists around the world ask questions that keep people informed, involved, and engaged. Proclaimed by the United Nations in 1993 and observed annually by UNESCO, World Press Freedom Day honors reporters who bring us the facts — often at great personal cost — and reminds governments of their responsibility to protect press freedom.
The day highlights ongoing challenges, including misinformation, economic pressures, and emerging issues related to artificial intelligence. Despite these obstacles, journalism remains essential for reliable information, accountability, and open dialogue.
This year’s theme, “Shaping a Future at Peace,” emphasizes the vital role of a free press in advancing human rights, sustainable development, and peace.
We thank the press for its unwavering dedication to informing communities worldwide, and look forward to a future that upholds human rights, transparency, and freedom of the press.
“Freedom for people depends on freedom of the press. Free and independent journalism is an essential public good. It’s the backbone of accountability, justice, equality, and human rights.”
– António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
@UnitedNations@UNESCO
#WorldPressFreedomDay #PressFreedom #WPFD #WPFD2026 #MulticulturalCooperation
See Link in Bio to register for event.
Save the Date
12th Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs
Faith Meets Global Values: Crisis and Promise of Multilateralism
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM EDT
777 United Nations Plaza, 8th Floor, Conference Room, New York, NY
Simultaneous Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish
interpretation will be available in the Zoom webinar.
Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kAs2gNy1QQ6bZuE-CQKuQQ
After the Symposium, proceed to Suite 7C for a light lunch and unveiling of a peace quilt hosted by the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church.
RSVP here for lunch: [email protected]
Sponsors:
ACT Alliance
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church
International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation
Islamic Relief USA
Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue-Jewish Theological Seminary
Soka Gakkai International
The Lutheran World Federation
United Religions Initiative
World Council of Churches
In cooperation with: United Nations Interagency Task Force on Religion and
Sustainable Development and its Multi-Faith Advisory Council
Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
This year’s theme, “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together,” recognizes the AANHPI values of hard work, resilience, connection, and community. The month of May was chosen because it commemorates the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, built mostly by Chinese immigrants. This heritage month celebrates the vital contributions, histories, and cultures of the AANHPI that enrich our nation.
#aanhpiheritagemonth #asianamerican #pacificislander #nativehawaiian #MulticulturalCooperation
Happy Vesak Day!
Vesak, the most sacred day for Buddhists worldwide, commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Lord Buddha. It is a profound time for reflection on His teachings, mindfulness, and compassion. Many celebrate by visiting temples to meditate, listen to teachings, and offer flowers, candles, and incense. Central to the day are acts of kindness, with devotees dedicating time to helping those in need. Ultimately, Vesak Day promotes peace, harmony, and spiritual growth while affirming Buddhist values. It is a day for Buddhists of all traditions to celebrate their common history, practice, and philosophy. May this Vesak Day bring greater wisdom and happiness to all.
#VesakDay #Vesak #HappyVesakDay #Buddhism #MulticulturalCooperation
International Jazz Day
International Jazz Day celebrates jazz as a universal language of freedom, peace, and unity.
Born in African American communities in New Orleans, jazz blends African American traditions with European instruments and Caribbean rhythms.
During the Great Migration, millions of African Americans moved north, carrying jazz with them.
Artists like King Oliver and Louis Armstrong helped jazz take root in Chicago, where it evolved into new styles and eventually became a global phenomenon.
Chicago-born jazz legend Herbie Hancock played a key role in establishing International Jazz Day in 2011.
Now celebrated in over 190 countries, it is the world’s largest annual jazz observance — making Chicago, USA, a fitting Global Host City in 2026.
This day reminds us that music can transcend borders, spark dialogue, and inspire hope for a brighter future.
“We need to move into a culture of peace...we all need each other and the greatest happiness in life is not how much we have, but how much we give. That’s a wealth that’s priceless. You can’t buy compassion.”
Herbie Hancock
Legendary Jazz Pianist, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
@UNESCO@United Nations
#InternationalJazzDay #JazzFreedom #PeaceAndUnity #JazzLovers #MulticulturalCooperation
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day
On April 26, 1986, an explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union caused the largest radiological accident in history, affecting the territories, now known as Belarus, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation.
In these three countries, nearly 8.4 million people were exposed to the radiation.
In 1990, the Soviet Union finally reached out to the international community, allowing the United Nations to aid in the Chernobyl recovery.
On this day, we remember the victims, pay tribute to the first responders, and recognize that affected communities and territories continue to require assistance.
All countries must work together to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities and protect public health worldwide.
“Disasters know no borders. But together, we can work to prevent and contain them, support all those in need, and build a strong recovery.”
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
@unitednations
#internationalchernobyldisasterremembranceday #internationalchernobyldisaster #internationalchernobylremembranceday Chernobyl #chernobylremembrance #MulticulturalCooperation
International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace
In a world that can feel divided, the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace reminds us that our greatest strength has always been our ability to come together. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2018, this day reaffirms the UN Charter and its principles for resolving disputes among countries through peaceful means. Multilateralism refers to countries working together to address shared global challenges, such as climate change, poverty, public health issues, and conflict resolution. No country can solve today’s challenges alone. Dialogue, diplomacy, and multilateral solutions offer the most reliable path to a peaceful and just world.
“Let us be determined to heal divisions and forge peace.
Determined to uphold the dignity and worth of every person....
Determined to reform multilateralism for the 21st century and come together for the common good.”
– António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations @unitednations
#MultilateralismDay #DiplomacyForPeace #WorldPeace #GlobalSolidarity #MulticulturalCooperation
International Mother Earth Day
International Mother Earth Day, proposed by Bolivia and adopted by the UN in 2009, recognizes Earth as our shared home and highlights the interdependence of all living beings. Rooted in the 1992 Rio Declaration’s vision of a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature, the Day calls on us to act as responsible stewards of the planet, caring for, restoring, and protecting Earth’s ecosystems. It encourages cooperation among scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, policymakers, and Earth law advocates to strengthen the links between ecological health, policy, and law.
Together, we must preserve ecosystems, reduce pollution, and balance human needs with the health of the planet for present and future generations. Our own well-being depends on a thriving Mother Earth that sustains all life.
“Repairing relations with Mother Earth is the mother of all of humanity’s challenges.”
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
@unitednations
#MotherEarthDay #HarmonyWithNature #EarthDay #UnitedNations MulticulturalCooperation
