Commemorative Events for 2011
- General Assembly President's Message
- Secretary-General's Message
- Secretary-General's Video Message
- Pledges
Events at UN Headquarters in New York
(Commemorations around the World)
In keeping with this year’s theme of “Take Action! Inspire Change”, staff from UN Headquarters in New York volunteered for the Central Park Conservancy in a park improvement project.An interactive exhibit in the UN Headquarters Visitors Lobby invited individuals to make their own personal pledge to 67 minutes of public service in honour of Mandela.
A Student Leadership Conference was held, giving students the opportunity to learn about Mandela’s leadership example and to interact with senior UN staff members who have previously worked with Mandela.
Around the world, the UN’s network of information centres conducted volunteer events and commemorations.
67 Minutes for 67 Years
2011 Commemoration — Events Around the World
UN information centres (UNICs), peacekeeping missions and political offices held events around the world, including:
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
UNDP, the South African Embassy and Nahtam Social Responsibility inaugurated a 67-foot canvas highlighting 67 years of community work. The UNDP-UAE staff also assembled 67 parcels for distribution to 67 needy families .
PHOTO: Ms. Elissar Sarrouh (UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative) and Mr. Gordon Johnson (Dep. Resident Representative).
(Credit: UNIC Abu-Dhabi)
Algiers, Algeria
A conference debate dedicated to Nelson Mandela International Day, organized by UNIC Algiers in collaboration with El Moudjahid Newspaper and the Mashaal Shahid Association.
Almaty, Kazakhstan
The presentation of a UN video documentary “Nelson Mandela’s Life Story” and 67 minutes of public service, organized by UNO Almaty.
Brazzaville, Congo
A film screening with young people, in partnership with the South Africa Embassy.
Brussels, Belgium
A screening of “Son of Africa, Father of a Nation” at the Goethe Institute to an audience of 300, as well as 67 minutes of community service contributed by UNRIC staff.
Cairo, Egypt
A social and musical event, as part of community service for Sudanese refugees in Egypt, organized by UNIC in cooperation with the Embassy of South Africa and UNHCR.
A commemorative ceremony, including a statement by H.E. the Ambassador of South Africa and a musical performance by a group of Sudanese refugees.
PHOTO: Sudanese refugees perform at the event.
(Credit: UNIC Cairo)
Canberra, Australia
A tree-planting and educational outreach event organized by UNIC Canberra in partnership with the Embassy of South Africa.
Chwane Mthethwa, Second Secretary, South African High Commission, and Christopher Woodthorpe,
Director of UNIC Canberra plant a native tree.
Chichipa, Mexico
A call for 67 minutes of volunteerism, organized by UNIC Mexico City, FAO and a local NGO, as well as a special event, including a film screening with young people.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
A lecture entitled “Take Action & Inspire Change” delivered to an audience of 300 school children at Swarnapali Girls College, Anuradhapura.
Dakar, Senegal
A two days series of humanitarian events at Albert Royer Children Hospital, organized by UNIC Dakar.
PHOTO: Cleaning of Albert Royer children hospital by members of the LEO Club Dakar Bidew, 17 July 2011
(Credit: UNIC-Dakar)
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
A commemoration at Muhimbili National Hospital which included the cleaning of the children’s ward, visits with 60 cancer patients between the ages of 2 and 17 years, and a fun day with the children and their parents.
PHOTO: Sunday Nkwabi,National Secretary General-UNCTN carrying a baby living with cancer during Nelson Mandela International day, 17 July 2011.
(Credit: UNIC Dar es Salaam)
Geneva, Switzerland
A commemoration event for 70 postgraduate students, including a film screening and 67 minutes’ discussion on community support for the achievement of MDGs.
Lagos, Nigeria
67 minutes of community service contributed by UNIC staff and interns at a facility for persons with Down syndrome, as well as a discussion of Nelson Mandela Day at the facility and a screening of the movie “Invictus.”
PHOTO: UNIC Lagos staff, interns and the pupils of the school in a group photograph
(Credit: UNIC Lagos)
Lusaka, Zambia
The launch of a community school rehabilitation programme dedicated to Mandela Day, organized by the UNIC, UNHCR, and several partners.
Nairobi, Kenya
A commemoration of Mandela Day at the Hoywik Educational Children Centre Kibera, organized by UNIC Nairobi and the Embassy of South Africa.
New Delhi, India
A commemoration service, a march, performances and an art exhibition by school students and a discussion with Ahmed Kathrada, close associate of Nelson Mandela and co-prisoner at Robben Island.
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
An exhibit of photos, films and posters, which received 3,156 visitors.
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
A screening of “Invictus” and the placement of a newspaper supplement.
Prague, Czech Republic
A commemorative event, jointly organized by UNIC Prague and the Embassy of South Africa.
Pretoria, South Africa
A ceremony in the UNIC Library, as well as 67 minutes of volunteering by UNIC staff at a nursing home and orphanage in Pretoria, co-organized with the Mandela Foundation.
A ceremony at the UNIC library and a visit by staff volunteers to the SOS Children’s Village, a shelter for orphaned and abandoned children.
PHOTO: UN staff dedicated the afternoon to the 160 children at the SOS Children’s Village in helping to clean their housing and windows and interacting with the enthusiastic kids.
(Credit: UNIC Pretoria)
Tehran, Iran
A commemorative seminar, in cooperation with the Iranian Association of International Relations.
A round table discussion entitled “Mandela: Symbol of Peace and Understanding,” organized by UNIC Tehran in cooperation with the Iranian International Studies Association.
Turkey
Community service at an elderly care house in Ankara, organized by UNIC in cooperation with the Embassy of South Africa and Keçiören Municipality.
Vienna, Austria
A screening of the film "Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation," organized by UNIS Vienna in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of South Africa.
Yaounde, Cameroon
A screening of “Invictus” , followed by a discussion at Goethe Institut, as well as 67 minutes of volunteerism at a local hospital by UNIC staff.
Yerevan, Armenia
An art exhibition dedicated to Mandela Day, jointly organized by UNO Yerevan and the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Cultures.