From 20 - 22 Nueva Granada School commemorated the XXVI Model UN conference entitled "Sovereign Humanity." The Model UN programme, which took place in the Compensar convention center in Bogota, brought together participants from more than 40 schools.

Over 500 students from across the country assembled with the objective of developing diplomatic solutions for many current issues, simulating the negotiation model used at the UN.  Among the topics discussed in the plenary sessions by students were global issues such as the refugees situation in Iraq, disarmament and security in the Middle East and nuclear-free zones in Iraq. 

The United Nations Information Centre in Bogota organized an information stand for students providing access to materials from several UN agencies.

For the eighth year in a row, the UN Information Centre in Mexico City (UNIC) coordinated the participation of the UN Country Team at the International Book Fair of Palacio de Minería in Mexico City.

The book fair, which was held from 22 February to 2 March and was organised by the National University of Mexico (UNAM), has become one of the most important events on the region’s publishing calendar.  It attracts over 130 000 visitors and receives wide media coverage.

The international book fair brings together more than 350 publishing houses.  Renowned writers, scholars, politicians and other public figures participate in the book fair, which has also become a very relevant communications tool to reach out to varied audiences, including librarians, publishers, students, teachers, as well as children and parents.

UN participation has become one of the highlights of the yearly event.  More than 20 000 people visited the ten UN stands and a growing number of UN agencies are showing interest in participating in future fairs.  This year, UNIC Mexico City arranged for seven UN events, including lectures and book launches.  The events covered a wide range of topics, such as refugees, gender, population, children and HIV/AIDS.  Giving a lecture entitled “The UN in your life”, the UNIC's Director highlighted the importance of the work of the UN in the lives of people around the world.

On 21 February, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lusaka together with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Zambia Commission for the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrated International Mother Language Day at the University of Zambia Chapel under the theme "Languages Matter."  The general public, pupils from schools around Lusaka and students from the University of Zambia attended the observance.

The main event was a panel discussion with experts from the Ministry of Education, the University of Zambia, UNDP, and UNESCO among others.  They discussed the role of traditional languages in development, the state of local languages in Zambia, the role of local languages in schools and the conflicts that arise between traditional languages. In addition, all participants wrote a greeting in their mother language on a poster which was exhibited in the UNIC Lusaka library.

On 20 February, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Bogota together with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Caracas, organized a press conference to launch the Regional Conference on Higher Education 2008. The conference was coordinated by Instituto Internacional para la Educacion Superior en America Latina y el Caribe (International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean) and the Ministry of National Education of Colombia, with the support of the Colombian Association of Universities and the Andres Bello Agreement. The press conference was attended by 25 media representatives.