The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lusaka, together with the UN System in Zambia and partner Read Beyond Zambia, celebrated World Book and Copyright Day on 23 April.  Celebrations began with a parade, lead by the Zambia Army Brass Band.

At a ceremony following the parade, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Zambia stated that it was disheartening that people only used books when they had to study or conduct research and that people did not understand and appreciate copyright related issues. A writer from the Young Writers Association of Zambia (YOWAZ) bemoaned the lack of funding and support that made it impossible for young writers to adequately protect their intellectual property from unlawful reproduction.

Local artists, poets and writers educated the participants on the importance of the book and copyright related issues through plays and poems. There was also a book fair where various publishers and writers showcased their intellectual property. The event was attended by approximately 120 people.

The United Nations System in Zambia participated in a two day exhibit on 5 and 6 March as part of International Women's Day celebrations under the theme "Financing for Gender Equality." The UN along with 25 macro and micro financial institutions showcased products and services targeted at women. These products and services included helping women access finances and other forms of assistance for their businesses, interest free loans and guidance in managing their finances.

The official launch was attended by the Minister of Gender, the UN Resident Coordinator, the head of the International Labor Organization (ILO), senior government officials, chief executives and representatives from financial institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) supporting gender issues, a variety of exhibitors and the general public.

In his speech, the ILO representative outlined the activities of the UN in Zambia to assist women in becoming economically empowered. He also stated that the UN was primarily a rights based organisation with each UN agency applying rights based approaches in its work. UN agencies in Zambia allocate significant resources to improving the survival prospects for children in the early years and strive for safer childbirth and maternity protection. They finance programmes in the prevention of HIV and AIDS, targeting young women and men through UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO and UNAIDS.

Support continues with basic education that promotes the rights of the girl child, protects girls from child labour and encourages them to stay in school. Resources are also dedicated to training to help women find decent employment opportunities in the labour market.

The Minister in her key note speech pointed out that gender imbalance still existed in a number of sectors of development. She implored financial institutions to make policies that would help women acquire loans for their businesses. She also asserted the government's commitment to financing for gender equality.

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.

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lusaka together with United Nations Youth Association of Zambia (YUNA) hosted the third International Day in of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust at the University of Zambia on 28 January.  A candlelight vigil was held and a local a cappella group provided music.  More than 150 people attended the colorful ceremony.