United Nations Day

All of you are sure to know about the United Nations. This is the global body for peace, set in the aftermath of the Second World War, in 1945.

This week is special for this global body as it is celebrating its 63rd anniversary on October 24; the event will be observed around the world as United Nations Day.

The formation of this organisation was to "save succeeding generations from the scourge of war - to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights - to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedoms".

The setting up of this organisation was preceded by 50 nations gathering in San Francisco, USA to put the finishing touches to a very important document - the Charter of the United Nations. October 24 was the date when a sufficient number of ratifications had been officially obtained to launch the new global body.

Celebrating the UN Day started only in 1948. In 1947 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring that October 24 "shall be henceforth officially called United Nations Day and shall be devoted to making known to the peoples of the world the aims and achievements of the UN, and to gaining their support for the work of the United Nations".

The Day is now marked in over 190 UN Member States throughout the world. It is traditionally marked with meetings, discussions and exhibits on the achievements and goals of the UN.

Development Information Day

The World Development Information Day is another international day that is held concurrently (at the same time) with the UN Day. This event aims to draw global attention to development issues and the need to strengthen international co-operation in the development field.

The Day was initiated in 1972 by the UN General Assembly which also decided that the Day should coincide in principle with the UN Day on October 24, which was also the date of the adoption, in 1970, of the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade.

The Assembly felt that improving the dissemination of information and the mobilising of public opinion, particularly among young people, would lead to greater awareness of the problem of development, thus, promoting efforts in the sphere in international cooperation and development.

UN facts
* The UN was established on October 24, 1945.
* Its Headquarters building is on the bank of the East River in New York, USA.
* The UN site is officially international territory, not part of the United States; the land belongs to all UN member countries.
* The UN Headquarters was constructed on land purchased with an US$ 8.5 million donation from John D. Rockefeller Jr, a rich US citizen.
* The first UN General Assembly, represented by 51 nations, was held in January 1946 in London.
* UN membership is open to all “peace-loving states” that accept the obligations of the UN Charter. Admission is determined by the General Assembly upon recommendation of the Security Council.
* The five permanent members of the UN Security Council are China, France, USSR, United Kingdom and the United States.
* Sri Lanka became a UN member on December 11, 1955.