The year 2011 is a turning point in the defence and promotion of human rights. In the Arab world, millions of people took to the street in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and elsewhere to assert their rights and demand change. Young activists and ordinary citizens did the same in Chile, Greece and cities such as Madrid, Jerusalem and New York, calling for more freedom and social equality. (More...)

World Press Freedom Day was born twenty years ago in the vision of a group of journalists gathered in Windhoek, Namibia. The Windhoek Declaration was a call to arms to protect the fundamental principles of the freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration Human Rights. It was also a bell ringing in change across the world. (More...)

International Women’s Day was first honoured one hundred years ago in a handful of European countries. Since then, the celebration has become global, and much has been achieved. The 2011 International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate achievements and mobilize against the challenges that remain. (More...)

In a world buffeted by uncertainty, we must remain true to a moral compass. The inherent dignity and rights of every individual must be the starting point for all our action and the measure of its success. The increasing complexity of the world should not take away from this truth. This is the foundation for healthy societies and strong states. It is the basis for a more equitable and stable international order. (More...)

World AIDS Day is a moment to recall the devastating losses caused to individuals, households and communities across the world by the impact of HIV and AIDS. It is also a chance to review where we stand today in tackling the epidemic. (More...)

Today, on World Teachers’ Day, we pay homage to all teachers for their pivotal role in shaping children’s lives and for their critical contribution to the social, economic and intellectual development of nations. Teachers are change agents, providing the impetus for the emergence of educated communities. (More...)

This day marks the 50th anniversary of a tragic moment in human civilisation, when police gunned down 69 anti-Apartheid demonstrators in the South African township of Sharpville. That massacre appalled the world. (More...)

Journalists from developing nations between the ages of 25 and 35 are encouraged to apply to a fellowship program that will send recipients to New York for approximately two months to cover the United Nations General Assembly. (More...)

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, a landmark event that produced the most progressive and comprehensive policy statement to date on gender equality. Beijing energized women from all walks of life and placed their empowerment at the core of the global development agenda. (More...)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims a common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations. Human Rights Day serves as a yearly landmark to remember the victories won in the long struggle to respect the dignity of all human beings. But its main purpose is to mobilize against major threats to human rights, namely poverty, discrimination, gender inequality, climate change and terrorism. “Embrace Diversity. End Discrimination” is the motto of this 61st anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration. (More...)