Diversity Calendar
Diversity Calendar 2024 - 2025
World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), started in 1992, is a global campaign to raise awareness and galvanise action on themes related to breastfeeding.
On this day people are reminded that Indigenous Peoples have the right to make their own decisions and carry them out meaningfully and culturally appropriate to them.
The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by the young people who were gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the first session of the World Youth Forum of the United Nations System.
It is an annual Hindu festival celebrated by siblings i.e. brothers and sisters. The word Raksha means “to protect” and Bandhan means “Bond”, so Raksha Bandhan is a festival celebrating the bond of protection and care between brothers and sisters.
On 19 August, people come together to honour humanitarians around the world who strive to meet ever-growing global needs. No matter the danger or the hardship, humanitarians venture deep into disaster-stricken regions and on the front lines of conflict, strive to save and protect people in need.
In 2017, the General Assembly established the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism to be commemorated annually on 21 August, to honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorism and to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The open, constructive and respectful debate of ideas, as well as interreligious, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, at the local, national, regional and international levels, can play a positive role in combating religious hatred, incitement and violence.
This International Day is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples.
Janmashtami is considered a big Hindu festival marking the incarnation of Lord Vishnu into the form of Shri Krishna.
This day was first celebrated on 31 August 2021. Through this Observance the United Nations aimed to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora around the world and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent.
Since 1967, the annual celebrations of International Literacy Day (ILD) have taken place on 8 September around the world to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating a more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society.
This day reinforces that governments have the primary responsibility to provide protection and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels to all learners, especially those in vulnerable situations.
Raise awareness to create a world of fewer people die by suicide.
Democracy is as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.
The day represents the efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value.
The day highlights bisexuality and the challenges posed by biphobia and bisexual erasure.
The International Day of Sign Languages is a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.
The day recognises the rights of deaf people all around the world.
The first Black History Month in the UK was held in London on 01 October 1987 when Dr. Maulana Karenga from the US was invited to an event about Black people's contributions to history.
The day puts a spotlight on the specificity of older persons around the world, for the enjoyment of their rights and in addressing violations.
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.
Rosh Hashanah, literally the “head of the year” is the Jewish New Year. It is a time of inner renewal and divine atonement.
Navratri is a 9 day festival dedicated to the Hindu deity Durga which starts on the first day of the Lunar month of Ashwin.
It is a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education but also to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to rethink the way ahead for the profession globally.
The day aims to tackle the stigma that limits peoples’ willingness to seek help.
In October 2009, the first London Vigil Against Hate Crime was organised after the death of Ian Baynham.
Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection God provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt.
International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace.
This day aims to promote understanding and dialogue between people living in poverty and the wider society.
On this day in 1708, the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, announced that he would be the last in a line of living Sikh Gurus.
Established in 2002, National Care Leavers week was an event created to celebrate the Care Experienced community.
Jewish people celebrate Shemini Atzeret, also spelled Shmini Atzeret, on the day after Hoshana Rabbah, the last day of the Sukkot festival.
Simchat Torah or Simḥath Torah “Rejoicing with/of the Torah” is a celebration marking the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings.
In 2003, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer, decided to make their moustache campaign about men’s health and prostate cancer.
Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) is a campaign founded in 2012 by a group of Muslim organisations. It aims to showcase the positive contributions of Muslims as well as raise awareness of Islamophobia in society.
Deepawali or Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights and is one of the most celebrated festivals of the year.
All Saints' Day is a Christian solemnity celebrated in honour of all the saints of the church.
All Souls’ Day is a Christian day set aside to pray for those who have departed from this world.
Remembrance Sunday was chosen as a start day to encourage people to remember together the contributions of all faiths and none, and to consider how best to create a just, peaceful, and harmonious world.
The day focuses on men’s health, improving gender relations, highlighting male role models, and promoting positive expressions of masculinity.
Started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998.
The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.”
The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991.
In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
This Sikh festival is marked with prayer processions, hymns, free sweets, and martial arts (‘Gatka’).
St Andrew has been celebrated in Scotland for over one thousand years, with feasts being held in his honour as far back as the year 1000 AD.
In 1948 with the memory of World War II still fresh, the United Nations crafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The first article states, "All human-beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights".
First recognized in 1988, World AIDS Day is dedicated to spreading awareness of the AIDS pandemic spread by the spread of HIV infection, and to mourning those who have died of the disease.
Modern slavery occurs in almost every country in the world, and cuts across ethnic, cultural and religious lines. More than half (52 per cent) of all forced labour and a quarter of all forced marriages can be found in upper-middle-income or high-income countries.
The observance of the Day, which began in 1992, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday observed to mark the moment that took place 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha or ‘awakened one’.
On 10 December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Migrants and displaced people represent some of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in society. Migrants have proven to be a source of prosperity, innovation, and sustainable development to countries of origin, transit, and host countries.
The Sustainable Development Agenda is centred on people & planet, underpinned by human rights and supported by a global partnership determined to lift people out of poverty, hunger and disease. It will, thus, be built on a foundation of global cooperation and solidarity.
Christmas is an annual Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration.
Hanukkah also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE.
The first time the new year was celebrated on January 1st was in Rome in 153 B.C. (In fact, the month of January did not even exist until around 700 B.C., when the second king of Rome, Numa Pontilius, added the months of January and February.)
Braille (named after its inventor in 19th century France, Louis Braille) is used by blind and partially sighted people to read the same books and periodicals as those printed in a visual font.
Epiphany is celebrated as Christmas Day in most Orthodox Christian religions.
Sikhs make a pilgrimage to the site of this Sikh- Muslim war and take a dip in the sacred water tanks of Muktsar.
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as the International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education in peace and development.
The Scottish national holiday celebrates the life and work of Robert Burns, a famous poet who is known all over the world. Burns Night is often celebrated with a Burns supper which usually includes haggis, neeps and tatties.
Holocaust Memorial Day is the day for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.
Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures.
It is marked across the UK throughout February to connect and reflect on the past and present of the LGBT Community.
Vasant Panchami day is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women.
This Day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened.
It is also called “The New Year of the Trees” and it is one of four “New Years” mentioned in the Mishnah.
Buddhist holiday observed annually on the full moon day that falls during the third lunar month.
It is celebrated to commemorate the death of the Buddha when he attained complete nirvana or parinirvana.
The day recognises the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections.
UNESCO believes in the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity for sustainable societies.
It’s an event where the 5 Nations (Become, EPIC, VOYPIC, Who Cares? Scotland and Voices From Care Cymru) come together to celebrate care experienced children and young people, their stories and their achievements.
Ramadan is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar and one of the holiest times for Muslims as it marks a four-week period of fasting that Muslims worldwide take part in.
Zero Discrimination Day highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change.
The day that precedes Ash Wednesday and therefore the feast before beginning Lent.
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
A Jewish holiday that celebrates the Jewish people being saved from persecution over 2000 years ago.
Islamophobia is a fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance through threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world.
This annual event is organised by the British Deaf Association (BDA) to promote awareness of issues affecting sign-language users and, more generally, the welfare of Deaf people in the UK.
It is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960.
A week dedicated to raising awareness and promoting acceptance of autism.
The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 1807. From that day on, “all manner of dealing and reading in the purchase, sale, barter, or transfer of slaves or of persons intending to be sold, transferred, used, or dealt with as slaves, practiced or carried in, at, or from any part of the coast or countries of Africa shall be abolished, prohibited and declared to be unlawful”.
It is a day to recognise the diversity of transgender identities and to support the transgender community.
Eid al-Fitr is held immediately after Ramadan. Its name comes from an Arabic term that translates as the “feast of breaking the fast”.
It aims to shine a light on autism to increase awareness about life for Autistic adults and children. It’s also an event used for tackling misinformation and myths about living with autism.
It is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The date of 7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.
Passover is celebrated by Jews every year, commemorating the anniversary of our miraculous Exodus from Egyptian slavery, as told in the Bible.
Vaisakhi is a religious ceremony that marks the beginning of the new year in Sikhism.
Good Friday is a Christian observance that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
It is also called Pascha commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
It is the annual event dedicated to awareness about the various environmental challenges that face our planet.
It is a day when the International Labour Movement remembers those who have been killed or injured in workplace accidents and those who have died from occupational diseases.
Each year, the week brings awareness to the isolation that deaf people can experience, whilst promoting social inclusion of those with hearing loss.
Mental Health Awareness Week is an ideal time for us all to think about mental health, tackle stigma, and find out how we can create a society that prevents mental health problems from developing and protects our mental well-being.
This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way.
The date of May 17 was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.
Vesak or Wesak celebrates the Buddha's birthday and, for some Buddhists, also marks his enlightenment and death. It is also called Buddha Day.
Pride month is a time for the entire LGBTQ+ community to come together globally and celebrate Pride in a full spectrum of activities, pride events, campaigns and much more! Pride month falls in June every year as it is also the month which saw the Stonewall riots.
Gypsy Roma and Traveller History Month (GRTHM) was established in Britain in 2008 as a way of raising awareness of these communities and their contributions to society, and to offset negative stereotyping and prejudices.
Since 1973, World Environment Day has been the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world.
Eid al Adha is known as the Holiday of Sacrifice celebrated in Islam. It comes after Arafat Day, the second day of the week-long Hajj pilgrimage.
Play creates powerful learning opportunities across all areas of development – intellectual, social, emotional and physical.
Currently, 160 million children are still engaged in child labour. That is almost one in ten children worldwide.
Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. In almost all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves.
Elder abuse is a problem that exists in both developing and developed countries yet is typically underreported globally.
To observe the Day, the United Nations invites governments, international organizations, civil society groups, and individuals to hold events and initiatives promoting strategies to identify, address and counter hate speech.
World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
The solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with seasons, harvests and livelihood. Therefore, many cultures celebrate various combinations of the solstices, the equinoxes, and the midpoints between them, leading to various holidays arising around these events.
Ashura is a holy day for Muslims all over the world. The Shia Muslims see it as the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram and the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali (the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad) at the battle of Karbala. For the Sunnis, Ashura is the day Moses fasted to show his gratitude for the freedom of the Israelites.
The festival pays homage to the Buddha and commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon. It is also the celebration of the 'Four Noble Truths'- Dukkha, Tanha, Nibbana, and the eightfold path preached by Buddha after his enlightenment.
Each 15 July, the WorldSkills movement alongside the United Nations, recognises the importance of global skills development.
Everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better! Mandela Day is an occasion for all to take action and inspire change.
Through friendship — by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust — we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.
Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad.