In fact, on September 21st, Peace Day was commemorated; the one of Sign Language, on the 23rd; and this 26, the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. But what are these day celebrations for and why were they created?
The UN points out that the purpose is to “raise awareness, raise awareness, draw attention and point out that there is an unsolved problem.”
Along the same lines, Angélica Rodríguez, professor and researcher at the Universidad del Norte, explained that through these dates, governments are analyzing how they can address a situation so that concrete measures can be taken.
The General Assembly usually makes a description of the situation to be dealt with.
How is it done?
The UN explains on its official page that, when proclaiming a date on a certain topic, the General Assembly usually makes a description of the situation that it wants to deal with and gives a context of what is happening.
From what emerges there constitutes a kind of road map for the Member States of the UN. This “also serves as a thermometer to know what is the interest that a matter arouses in a certain region,” says the agency.
For example, explained the researcher Rodríguez, in 1993, when the Cold War came to an end, the UN decided to celebrate the International Day of Peace and that it coincide with the third Tuesday of September, when the ordinary period of the Assembly took place General. Then, in 2001, September 21 was established as a fixed day.
The purpose for this date is to strengthen the ideals of peace between countries.
Is there a difference between International and World Day?
In essence, according to the UN and Rodríguez, the difference is minimal. The days are defined by the General Assembly and the agencies attached to the UN. However, this topic goes much further: there are weeks, years and even international decades.
Idealism or marketing?
Jesús Arroyave, director of the Doctorate in Communication at the Universidad del Norte, explained that these “el día de” strategies usually have a positive social impact and make people reflect, but they often forget the rest of the year.
In Arroyave’s words, it is desirable that there be a sustained effort (not just for one day), so that it causes a significant impact.
“If we want someone to have a cancer test, it should not be information from one day, but continuous exposure, a constant campaign,” he said.
The professor also explained that, in cases such as that of the public health sector, “celebrating days may not transcend and be considered as a shooting star in the sky.”
