Students from school in Kyiv display UN information materials

From 21 to 22 October 2009, UN System Agencies presented information materials about their recent research, projects and experiences at an information fair at the Verhovna Rada of Ukraine. The UN information office in Kyiv, UNAIDS, UNDP, Office of the World Bank in Ukraine, United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) granted more than 70 publications to distribute among the members of parliament, their assistants and personnel of Apparatus of Verhovna Rada of Ukraine. During the Informational Fair more than 500 books and brochures were distributed by the UN representatives, and around 200 copies were given to the Parliamentary Library.

UN system representatives in Ukraine gave lectures dedicated to the UN day at four Universities and two schools in Kyiv. UN experts presented students the various aspects of the UN activities globally and in Ukraine. Students learned actual facts and figures on the Millennium Development Goals, especially those adopted by Ukraine. The recent Human Development Report was also presented to students.

On 23 October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine hosted Model UN - simulation of work of the UN Security Council. The Model UN for the first time was conducted at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The participants – students of Kiev Institute of International Relations and other higher educational institutions of Ukraine discussed the issue of combating piracy and drafted a resolution with a number of proposals for concrete steps to address piracy.

Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs opens the 2009 UN Day Exhibition with UN Resident Coordinator

The UN Day in Ghana commenced as the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Accra representative was interviewed on the Ghana Television Breakfast show programme in the Akan language on the theme “Ghana and the UN: Addressing the Challenges of the Millenium Development Goals, Climate Change and the Global Economic Crisis", a part of the national activities to mark 2009 UN Day put together by the Ad Hoc planning committee convened by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Regional Integration.

UNIC Accra coordinated the organisation of a photo exhibition on its contribution to the Ghana Government to attain the targets set for the Millenium Development Goals. The National Information Officer, Mr. Abraham K. Nunoo, conducted Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni and the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Daouda Toure, Members of the Council of State, Ministers, Members of Parliament and members of the diplomatic corps round the exhibits.

Other visitors to the exhibition included traditional rulers, students, members of the security services, members of NGOs and a cross section of the Ghanaian population. The photo exhibition received a large patronage and media coverage.

Children prepare for their performance of an African dance at the UN house on UN Day

On UN Day, with support of the UN Country Team, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Prague organized the UN Open House event, targeting secondary and high school students and the general public. Over 120 students from four different schools, and 30 others attended a full-day programme which included lectures and presentations, the film "UN Year in Review", "Seal the Deal" presentation, UNHCR photo exhibit, World Health Organization (WHO) children drawings exhibit and UNICEF’s “School in a Box“ presentation and exhibit. The programme also included an African dance performed by school kids in support of children in Africa.

Various information materials in Czech were disseminated during the event. Among guests visiting the UN House were members of the Diplomatic Corps, government, local authorities as well as partner NGOs.

UN Staff wear blue to pay tribute to the UN Day

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Rio de Janeiro chaired local Communications Team (Comm Team) as they organized the UN Day which was celebrated throughout the country. Two main activities were prepared for the celebration.

The first activity was to ask young Brazilians, “What are you doing to take care of the environment?”. The Comm Team partnered with TIM, Brazil’s largest mobile phone carrier and MTV in Brazil. TIM sent a text message to over nine million of their young customers asking them this question. MTV disseminated the campaign during its programmes throughout the day.

MTV and TIM will continue its campaign until the World Environment Day on 5 June 2010. The twenty best ideas and the best five short films will be announced on 5 June 2010.

The other activity was a ceremony in Brasilia’s Botanical Garden in which over 200 people attended. During the ceremony, the Secretary General’s message was read and the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs donated a large sun dial with the UN logo and wooden benches to be placed in the garden. Finally, each chief of an agency in attendance planted a tree in the garden.