UN Day: The 72nd Anniversary for Serving the Humanity
United Nations is the biggest intergovernmental organisation in the world with 193 members of states. The UN was established in 1945 after the World War II to maintain international Peace and Security. President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States coined the name “United Nations” in the first declaration by the UN of 1 January 1942 and later the charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of the 50 countries; however, the United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945 with the ratification of The Charter by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council (UN). Every year 24 October has been celebrated UN Day since 1948 as a public holiday. The UN has devoted for serving the humanity with fundamental three core of areas Peace and Security, Sustainable development and Protecting Human rights since its existence of 72 years under many interventions including humanitarian, development and peacekeeping operation across the globe. Truly speaking, I was blessed and honoured for taking part the celebration of the 72nd anniversary of UN day, 24 October 2017, at Munyonyo Primary School in Kampala, Uganda.
I was a member of a team from United Nation Association of Uganda – Kampala International University chapter those were volunteering during the celebrations of UN Day. During the event, there were community outreaches in all divisions of Kampala by all UN staffs headed by H.E Rosa Malango, UN Uganda Resident Coordinator, the civil society, local leaders and community members. Celebrations of the UN Day was done through community services for the least advantaged and vulnerable people in Kampala in the sprite of ‘Leaving No One Behind’ under the Thame of United Nations is for you, #UN4U! The main aim was to raise the Sustainable Development Goals, the work of the UN in Uganda, and show solidarity with the people that the United Nations is for them, for u, and for everyone. All the participants of the celebrations took part the community outreach with different activities and locations; however, activities were included cleaning, delisting drainage channels, planting trees, blood donation, community sanitation, reproductive health, entertainment and others in all division of Kampala such as Kalerwe Market in Kawempe, Kampala School of the Physically Handicapped, Mengo in Rubaga, Munyonyo Primary School in Makindye and Kyambogo Primary school in Nakawa. Interestingly, all the activities were framed for the promotion of some selected SDGs; Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Life on land, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger, Clean water and sanitation.
Personally, I planted two trees at Munyonyo School for preserving the environment, Climate action and promoting Sustainable Cities and Communities. Luckily, I planted a guava tree with Almez Gebru, UNDP country representative to Uganda, and the one was planted with my colleague Suuna Pius, UNA-Uganda Volunteer. Finally, a well-organised closing ceremony was held at the office of the Prime Minister whereby all participants come together and reported activities done for the people. Rt. Hon. Moses Ali, First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament of Uganda was the keynote speaker of the event who praised the UN team in Uganda for working closely and tireless with government agencies to make the life better for Ugandans and Immigrants.
In closing, the UN has devoted for serving everyone in everywhere on earth since it was created; provided food and assistance for IDPs and refugees, protecting and promoting the human rights, keep peace with peacekeeping operations and prevent conflicts and, improved lives and building resilient nations. Every person who believes in humanity and its power will love to work with the United Nations for making the world peace and prosperous. I usually advice myself and others to improve the state of the world and making a better place to live under UN system since UN is for everyone!