Are You Aware? Today Marks World Charity Day
Share
The International Day of Charity, observed annually on September 5th, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. Its primary aim is to promote awareness and provide a global platform for charitable activities carried out by individuals, charitable organizations, philanthropic groups, and volunteers on local, national, regional, and international levels.
The idea for this day originated as a Hungarian civil society initiative with the support of the Hungarian Parliament and Government in 2011. Its goal was to enhance the visibility of charitable efforts, organize special events, and foster greater solidarity, social responsibility, and public support for charity.
Read more :Â Did You Know? Today Is World Coconut Day
September 5th was chosen to honor the memory of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her tireless work in combating poverty and distress, both of which pose threats to global peace.
On December 17, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by Hungary to designate September 5th as the International Day of Charity. This resolution received co-sponsorship from 44 UN Member States, representing all five Regional Groups within the United Nations.
The General Assembly’s resolution invited Member States, UN organizations, international and regional bodies, stakeholders, and civil society NGOs to commemorate the International Day of Charity appropriately. They were encouraged to do so by promoting charity through education and public awareness-raising activities.
The United Nations marked the first commemoration of the International Day of Charity on September 5, 2013, at its headquarters in New York. The event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and participation from various organizations engaged in philanthropic work. The focus was on charity’s role in poverty alleviation, access to clean water and sanitation, and its contribution to the implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
To celebrate the International Day of Charity, individuals and organizations can engage in various activities, including financial donations and purchasing products that contribute to charities. This day serves as a reminder that even small acts of charity can make a significant difference in addressing humanitarian crises and building more inclusive and resilient societies.
