2008 is the United Nations International Year of:
· the Potato, which aims to increase awareness of the importance of potato and promote potato-based farming systems. See www.potato2008.org
· Planet Earth, which aims to focus on the positive aspects of the relationship between human beings and the earth, and demonstrate how geoscientists are key players in creating a sustainable future for humans and their planet. See www.esfs.org
· Sanitation, which aims to raise awareness of sanitation in achieving the Millenium Development Goals. See www.un.org/esa/sustdev/sdissues/sanitation/sanitation.htm
· Languages, which aims to promote unity in diversity and global understanding. See www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/ga10592.doc.htm
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1
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One Day in Peace
Initiated in 2000 to mark the start of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World and supported by the United Nations
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21
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Martin Luther King Day
http://martin-luther-king-day.123holiday.net/
The third Monday in January celebrates the life and legacy of the American civil rights leader who championed justice and equality throughout society
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21–1 Feb
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Big Schools Birdwatch
www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch/ |
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26–2 Feb
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National Storytelling Week
Promotes the oldest art form in the world. It is the traditional medium of communication from generation to generation.
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27
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Holocaust Memorial Day
www.hmd.org.uk/ |
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1-29
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Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender History Month
www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/ |
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1
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UNICEF Day for Change
www.unicef.org.uk/regions/products/?product=57 |
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2
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World Wetlands Day
www.wildlifetrusts.org/index.php?section=environment:water:world%20wetlands%20day |
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3
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National Potato Day
www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/show_event.php?id=257 |
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21
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International Mother Language Day
http://webworld.unesco.org/imld/ |
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14-21
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National Nestbox Week
www.bto.org/nnbw/index.htm |
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22
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World Thinking Day
www.worldthinkingday.org/en/home |
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23-2 Mar
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Jewish Book Week
www.jewishbookweek.com/2008/programme.htp |
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25-9 Mar
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FairTrade Fortnight
www.fairtrade.org.uk/fortnight.htm |
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29
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24-Hour Tea and Coffee Break
www.actionaid.org.uk/index.asp?page_id=1330 |
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1 - 31
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Women’s History Month
The theme for 2008 is ‘Women's Art: Women's Vision’.
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1 - 31
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Veggie Month
www.veggiemonth.com/ |
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1
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Women of Color Day
www.teacherplanet.com/resource/womenofcolor.php |
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6
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World Book Day
www.worldbookday.com |
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8
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International Women’s Day
http://www0.un.org/cyberschoolbus/womensday/index.asp
Promoted by the United Nations General Assembly to recognise that peace and social progress require the active participation and equality of women, and to acknowledge the contribution of women to international peace and security.
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10
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Commonwealth Day
Celebrates the links amongst the 53 countries that make up the commonwealth. This year the theme is ‘The Environment - Our Future’
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20
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Sun-Earth Day
http://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2008/about/index.php |
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21
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International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/iderd/
Promoted by the United Nations General Assembly, this is the anniversary of the killing of 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws".
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21
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World Poetry Day
www.unesco.org/poetry/bienvenue.php?initia=english
Promoted by UNESCO
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22
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World Day for Water
www.worldwaterday.org/page/1023
Raises public awareness and focuses attention on the vital need to protect and conserve water resources. The theme for 2008 is sanitation.
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2
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International Children's Book Day
Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen's birthday, 2 April, International Children's Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books
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5-5 May
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National Pet Month
Aims to promote responsible pet ownership among primary schoolchildren
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7
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World Health Day
Promoted by the World Health Organisation to mark the importance of health for productive and happy lives. In 2008 the theme is 'Protecting Health from Climate Change'.
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8
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International Roma Day
www.voiceofroma.com/culture/intl_rmdy.shtml
Day to celebrate Roma culture and combat discrimination
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15
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War Tax Resistance Day
www.warresisters.org/what_is.htm
Marks the day when US citizens have to pay their taxes and some withhold the amount that pays for war
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21-27
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Welly Week
www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicgardening/schools.php
Organised by Garden Organic to help educate and inspire people about organic gardening, farming and food for a sustainable future for ourselves and our planet
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21-27
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Real Nappy Week
www.wen.org.uk/nappies/index.htm
Raises awareness of the environmental impact of disposable baby nappies
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22
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Earth Day
www.earthday.gov/kids.htm |
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23
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World's Biggest Lesson
www.campaignforeducation.org/action/2008/action_2008.html
Part of Global Education Action Week which highlights the Millenium Development Goals on Education
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24
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National Walk to Work Day
A campaign to encourage people to walk all or part of the way to work to help the environment and themselves
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25
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World/Africa Malaria Day
In 2000, African leaders pledged to halve the burden of malaria in Africa by 2010. In 2007 the World Health Assembly adopted it as a worldwide day.
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27
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Freedom Day in South Africa
http://africanhistory.about.com/library/bl/blsaholidays.htm
Marks the day in 1994 when the first democratic election was held in South Africa, that is an election when all adults could vote irrespective of their race, and the day in 1997 when the new constitution took effect
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1
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International Workers Day: May Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labour_Day
Commemorates the historic struggle of working people throughout the world
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1 - 31
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National Share-A-Story Month
www.btinternet.com/~martin.kromer/NSSM.htm www.usborne.co.uk/news_and_fun/share_a_story.asp?css=1 |
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1 - 31
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Walk in the Woods Month
www.treecouncil.org.uk/index.php?q=node/140 |
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3 |
Low Tide Day www.riverocean.org.uk/lowtide/lowtide2008-listings.htm Aims to increase awareness and encourage care of our water environment |
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3
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World Press Freedom Day
www.un.org/depts/dhl/press/ |
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4-10
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Compost Awareness Week
www.compostawarenessweek.org.uk/ |
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6
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International Dawn Chorus Day
An opportunity to set aside the environmental challenges we face for a few minutes and join friends and colleagues around the world in celebrating nature's daily miracle - the Dawn Chorus.
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10–1 June
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Reading Children’s Festival
www.reading.gov.uk/leisureandculture/Category.asp?cat=1389
Events and activities for children across Reading, including fun days, workshops, carnivals and sport events
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10
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World Fair Trade Day
Celebrates fair trade internationally with the aim of promoting fairer trade with small scale and marginalised producers from the majority world
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14-25
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Be Nice to Nettles Week
Celebrates the important role of the nettle in the natural world, especially in the lives of some of the most beautiful wild creatures
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15
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International Conscientious Objectors Day
www.ppu.org.uk/cosx/costemp/co_day1.html
Remembers those who maintained the human right not to kill.
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15
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International Day for Families
UN sponsored day to promote the importance of families. The theme for 2008 is ‘Fathers and Families: Responsibilities and Challenges’.
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17
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World Telecommunication Day
www.itu.int/wtisd/2008/theme.html
Aims to stimulate reflection and exchange of ideas and to bring the benefits of information and communication technologies to all of the world's inhabitants. The theme for 2008 is 'Connecting Persons with Disabilities: ICT Opportunities for All'.
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17
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International Day against Homophobia
www.homophobiaday.com/ |
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18
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World Debt Day/Journey to Justice
www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/?lid=3814
Jubilee Debt Campaign’s international day of action marking 10 years since 70,000 people made a human chain in Birmingham to demand that the G8 'Drop the Debt'.
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19-25
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National Summer Walk to School Week
Promotes the environmental and health benefits from walking rather than being driven to school. There is another in October.
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19-25
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National Vegetarian Week
www.vegsoc.org/nvw/index.html |
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21
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World Day for Cultural Diversity and Development
www.un.org/depts/dhl/cultural_diversity/
Promoted by UNESCO as a platform for people to come together to share thoughts, experiences, practice and knowledge
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22
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International Day for Biological Diversity
Promoted by UNESCO to increase public awareness of the importance of biological diversity with the ultimate goal of stopping the ever-increasing loss. The theme for 2008 is 'Biological Diversity and Agriculture'.
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23
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World Turtle Day
Brings attention to conservation issues and highlights ways individuals can protect these endangered reptiles.
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23
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Friendship Friday
www.school-link.org.uk/scuk_schoollink/jsp/friendshipfriday/index.jsp |
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24
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European Day of Parks
www.europarc.org/international/data/edp.htmlAims to raise the profile of Europe's protected areas and generate public support for their aims and work. The theme for 2008 is 'Nature - Bridging Borders'. |
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25
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Africa Day
www.london.gov.uk/mayor/culture/africaday/index.jsp
Marks the anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, which for nearly four decades has been Africa’s voice on the international stage and an advocate at home for progress and peace
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29 |
International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers www.un.org/depts/dhl/peacekeepers/
Commemorates those w |