Dates significant to human rights & diversity 

Dates significant to human rights and diversity

Mark your calendar with dates significant to human rights and diversity. Plan or attend events that celebrate and educate around these dates. The United Nations designates international days This link opens in a new window to focus the world on the issues in which the UN has an interest and commitment. The following dates are recognized by the United Nations, the Canadian Government or the Alberta Government. The dates relate to the themes of intercultural relations, abilities and disabilities, and gender - highlighted in the first of phases of Help Make a Difference.

PLEASE NOTE:  The following website links are provided as a service and were accurate at the time of posting. The Ministries of Culture and Community Spirit and Seniors and Community Supports are not responsible for content to websites other than their own. If you have questions about the website links or their content, please contact the administrator of the website in question.

Download and print Celebrate All Year Round Download Adobe Acrobat Reader . This attractive flyer includes a list of days signficant to human rights and diversity.

January

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 27
Honour Holocaust victims and educate to prevent future acts of genocide.
http://www.un.org/holocaustremembrance/emainpage.shtml This link opens in a new window

February

Black History Month

Celebrate the contributions of the Black community to our country, province and community.
More information on Black History Month

International Development Week

First week in February
Raise awareness of how our lifestyles in Canada impact others around the world.
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/idw This link opens in a new window

National Flag Day of Canada

February 15
Commemorate the anniversary of the Canadian flag.
http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/flag-drapeau/index_e.cfm This link opens in a new window

International Mother Language Day

February 21
Promote multilingual education, and encourage linguistic diversity.
http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/language/index.html This link opens in a new window

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March

International Women's Day

March 8
Celebrate the progress made in the rights of women
http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/1071.cfm This link opens in a new window

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 21
Raise awareness of racism

Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination

March 21-28
Work to eradicate racism.

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April

Equality Day

April 17
Celebrate the anniversary of Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that provides for equality.

April/May
Holocaust Day – Yom ha-Shoah

Date dependent on the Jewish lunar calendar
Speak out when you see unfair treatment.

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May

Asian Heritage Month

Celebrate the contributions of the Asian community to our country, province and community.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/asian/index.asp This link opens in a new window

World Press Freedom Day

May 3
Celebrate the freedom to voice your opinions.
http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/un_days/press.asp This link opens in a new window

International Day of Families

May 15
Take time for your family. Plan an activity with them.
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/family/IDF.html This link opens in a new window

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

May 21
Implement policies that recognize the benefits of our diversity.
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/cultural_diversity/ This link opens in a new window

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June

World Refugee Day

June 20
Advocate for the rights of refugees and immigrants.
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c46d.html This link opens in a new window

Celebrate Canada

June 21 – July 1
http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada/index-eng.cfm This link opens in a new window 

Eleven days of celebrations including:
National Aboriginal Day June 21: http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada/11/jna-nad-eng.cfm This link opens in a new window
Saint-Jean Baptiste Day June 24: http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada/11/baptiste-eng.cfmThis link opens in a new window 
Multiculturalism Day June 27: http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada/11/multi-eng.cfm This link opens in a new window
Canada Day July 1: http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada/11/canada-eng.cfm This link opens in a new window

National Aboriginal Day

June 21
Learn more about Aboriginal cultures.
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ach/ev/nad/index-eng.asp This link opens in a new window

Multiculturalism Day

June 27
Take pride in your ancestry and create opportunities for everyone to feel welcome.
http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada/11/multi-eng.cfm This link opens in a new window

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July

Canada Day

July 1
Celebrate the uniqueness of Canadian culture.
http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada/11/canada-eng.cfmThis link opens in a new window 

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August

Alberta Heritage Day

First Monday in August
Recognize the cultural heritage of Alberta and celebrate your own.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

August 9
Learn more about Canada’s First Nations people.
http://www.un.org/en/events/indigenousday/  

International Youth Day

August 12
Acknowledge the youth in your life.
http://www.un.org/en/events/youthday/  

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September

International Literacy Day

September 8
Reflect on the right to an education and the role literacy plays in our lives.
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/literacy/ This link opens in a new window

International Day of Peace

September 21
Work for peaceful resolution of conflicts in your family, your community and in our society.
http://www.un.org/events/peaceday/2007/index.shtml This link opens in a new window 

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October

Women's History Month

Celebrate the contributions of women in Canadian society.
http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/whm-mhf/index-eng.html This link opens in a new window

International Day for Older Persons

October 1
Honour the contributions older people make to your community.
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/olderpersons/ This link opens in a new window

World Mental Health Day

October 10
Take care of yourself.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_mental_health_day/en/index.html This link opens in a new window

World Food Day

October 16
Raise awareness and take action on issues of food security and hunger.
http://www.fao.org/wfd2007/index_wfd2007 This link opens in a new window

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

October 17
Support efforts to eliminate poverty.
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/poverty/ This link opens in a new window

Persons Day

October 18
Mark the anniversary of women being declared "persons" in law.
http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/1072.cfm This link opens in a new window 

Citizenship Week

Third Week in October
Show you are proud to be Canadian.
http://www.pch.gc.ca/pc-ch/minstr/arc_disc-spch/kenney/2007/20071017-eng.cfm This link opens in a new window

United Nations Day

October 24
Celebrate and education about the work of the United Nations.
http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/un_days/un_day1.asp This link opens in a new window

Disarmament Week

October 24 – 30
Work for nuclear free zones, bans on landmines and peace.

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November

Family Violence Prevention Month

Seek ways to end family violence.
http://www.child.alberta.ca/home/834.cfm This link opens in a new window

Veterans Week

November 5-11
Reflect on the many Canadian men and women who gave their lives to protect our democratic way of life in Canada.
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=feature/vetweek 

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict

November 6
Work for peace.
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/environment_war/index.html This link opens in a new window

International Day of Tolerance

November 16
Move beyond tolerance to acceptance!
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/tolerance/ This link opens in a new window

World Philosophy Day

Third Thursday in November
Share your philosophical heritage and open yourself to new ideas.
http://portal.unesco.org/shs/en/ev.php-URL_ID=11560&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html 

Universal Children's Day

November 20
Celebrate those rights that allow children to grow and prosper without harm.
http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/un_days/children1.asp This link opens in a new window

Restorative Justice Week

Third week in November
Consider how our laws protect us and how our justice system provides remedies for all.

Ukrainian Famine and Genocide Memorial Day (Holodomor)

Fourth Saturday in November
Remember the victims and educate to prevent future acts of genocide
http://www.pch.gc.ca/pc-ch/infoCntr/cdm-mc/index-eng.cfm?action=doc&DocIDCd=CJK080843 This link opens in a new window

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

November 25
Work to end gender violence.
http://www.un.org/en/events/endviolenceday/ This link opens in a new window

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

November 25-December 10
Prevent violence in all its forms.

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December

World AIDS Day

December 1
Raise awareness of AIDS/HIV.
http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/un_days/aids1.asp This link opens in a new window
http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/HIV.html This link opens in a new window

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

December 2
Discuss circumstances for how slavery can continue and work to eliminate them.
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/slavery/index.html This link opens in a new window

International Day of Disabled Persons

December 3
Raise awareness of the needs and concerns of disabled people.
http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/un_days/disabled1.asp This link opens in a new window

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

December 6
Remember the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre when 14 women were murdered at Ecole Polytechnique and educate others about violence against women.
http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/vaw-vff/index-eng.html This link opens in a new window

International Human Rights Day

December 10
Celebrate and educate about human rights and fundamental freedoms by hosting an event, undertaking an activity or taking action.
http://justice.alberta.ca/programs_services/humanrights/dates/Pages/int-humanrights-day.aspx

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