Written by: Aiya Rodjel
Like last year, celebrations of most holidays are different in 2021. While people across the country are still not allowed to have large public gatherings, there are still ways to commemorate special holidays, like having fast internet and participating in online celebrations. Among the international holidays, we’re celebrating while social distancing nowadays the United Nations Day 2021.
In this article, we’ll delve into the history and rationale why we celebrate United Nations Day. We’ll also talk about the activities people tried and can try to observe this special holiday. And at the latter part, we will realize the importance of having fast and affordable home fiber plans in partaking in these kinds of celebrations.
What is United Nations Day?
United Nations Day is a special day and all member states of the United Nations (UN) celebrate it. Held every October 24, this marks the anniversary of the official creation of the UN through the United Nations Charter.
While it’s not a public holiday, it’s a special day wherein member nations amplify the purpose of the UN. One of the most important purposes of the UN is to maintain international peace. Hence, member states make it a point to promote each other’s cultures, developing friendly relations with one another along the way.
According to the UN’s website, to mark the holiday, the UN usually holds a concert in the General Assembly Hall of the Organization, at the UN Headquarters in New York City. As nations slowly recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s UN day concert represents a call to strengthen international cooperation in the interest of both nations and peoples, for a more peaceful and prosperous future for all.
This year’s concert is still happening. However, it will follow a hybrid format with part live and part pre-recorded performances, with a small audience following physical distancing protocols. Since the official establishment of the UN, countries around the world have been coming up with their own ways to celebrate the official founding day of the UN.
Forging World Peace after World War II
To understand what makes UN Day special, one needs to reminisce the history of the United Nations. The UN is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1945, right after the World War II. From 51 member states in the year it was founded, the UN now has 193 members, which includes the Philippines.
All member states of the UN are members of the General Assembly. Membership is through a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council. The Security Council is composed of five permanent members. These five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The United Nations Principle
The UN has evolved through the years to keep up with the rapidly changing world. However, one principle remains: the UN has remained the one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity.
Basically, the mandate of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security. It is also in charge of protecting human rights across the globe, delivering humanitarian aid. Additional to its tasks is to promote sustainable development and uphold international law.
While its primary role in developing friendly relations among countries, it is also mandated to spread awareness about pressing issues around the globe. This is to avoid further wars and destruction across nations. Its peacekeeping budget helps it support human rights causes and maintain world peace.
This international organization also serves as the international court to settle disputes, which was instrumental during the cold war. Because its scope of work is quite broad, the UN has different organs for different purposes. These include the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the UN Secretariat.
Celebrating United Nations Day Amid the Pandemic
Just because public gatherings are not allowed doesn’t mean countries won’t get to commemorate United Nations Day. There are plenty of ways to highlight the significance of world peace and international cooperation.
Dress up as your neighbor.
Schools across the nation usually mark United Nations day by holding a parade with different national costumes. While schools in the Philippines are still mostly online, the UN day 2021 celebration has migrated to the online space as well. A lot of children still dress up in attires of foreign lands.
While they’re dressed up, UN Day is the perfect day to educate the younger generation. You can emphasize the significance of the UN Charter as it continues to maintain world peace to this day. United Nations Day is the best time them and the rest of the nations that we can accomplish through cooperation.
For example, children who are tasked to dress up in the national costume of the country of France can research what the United Nations meant to that country. As the kids dress up in fun costumes, there is an opportunity to educate them. This can include why the United Nations day was being celebrated, to begin with.
The safest option would be to dress up as your home nation, but by dressing up as other nations, there’s an opportunity to learn about others. The United Nations is about bringing different countries together, and that’s why it’s essential children learn of other nations and their customs as well.
But remember, all of these participants were able to take part in such festivities and gain additional learnings through a stable and fast internet connection. And as much as needed for online learning and other activities outside the celebration, it will be best to get an affordable home fiber plan for your home.
You can also check out these related articles:
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Celebrate through works of art.
Another fantastic way to commemorate United Nations Day is through the arts. This can be cultural performances, songs, or even posters that zero in on the official establishment of the UN. In order for more people to appreciate this intergovernmental organization, more people around the world need to be reminded of why the United Nations is important.
A lot of people forget the primary role of the different organs of the UN: basically, it is cooperation for countries around the world to lead a better life. It means learning from history as perpetuated by the UN Charter. Through art, more people can appreciate the significance of the UN Charter and the official establishment of the United Nations.
United Nations Day is also the perfect day to watch old films and documentaries on the United Nations. There are a lot of materials online that educate about the UN Secretariat, Economic and Social Council, and Trusteeship Council. You’ll have a better appreciation of world history by exploring the past achievements of the United Nations.
At the very least, you can watch films that show the devastating effects of World War II. This will help you realize why the establishment of the United Nations was important. You have to remember that there was another world war that happened that took place a few decades before the second world war. Through old war films, you’ll understand why forming the United Nations was essential in peacekeeping.
Making friends from other nations.
United Nations Day is the perfect time to go out of your comfort zone and meet people of different nationalities. While it can be challenging to travel abroad amid the pandemic, you can join online events that will have various nationalities.
By befriending foreigners, you’ll get to learn their different customs. You’ll be exposed to a culture that’s different from yours. You may even find lifelong buddies you have a lot in common with.
What’s great about meeting people online is that you can connect with each other even if you speak different languages. Technology has made it possible for people to get in touch with one another even if they don’t speak the same tongue. This could even be the perfect opportunity for you to learn a new language.
To start, you need to look for a platform that’s safe and secure. Through your fiber internet, this shouldn’t be a problem. While your goal is to make friends, you have to put your safety first. You can share your personal e-mail once you’re more comfortable with the people you’re talking to.
Eating across the globe.
One fun way to appreciate other nations is through food. You can sample different cuisines on this special holiday. To make the experience more exciting, you should try dishes you’ve never tried before. It may be a risk to go out of your comfort zone, but you might find a new favorite dish by trying something new.
What’s great about this type of celebration is that you can order different cuisines simply through your fast fiber internet connection. There are a lot of local apps that offer delivery from foreign restaurants. You simply need to research recommended dishes they have to offer. As long as you have a great internet provider in the Philippines, the world is your oyster.
If you want to take this international celebration to the next level, you can even consider cooking dishes from around the world. You can search for recipes and order all the necessary ingredients you need online. A lot of exotic spices and ingredients are accessible simply through the internet. This may take more time and effort on your end, but you’ll end up learning a lot. You might even find your next specialty dish through your research.
Donate to international causes.
You have to remember that the UN has become a powerful advocacy tool for people around the world. African Americans have used to suppress oppression, and to this day, a lot of organizations advance their advocacies through the UN.
It doesn’t matter if you’re part of a huge agriculture organization or not. You don’t even have to donate millions to start being of service to others. You can donate whatever you’re capable of to organizations that specialize in humanitarian aid such as the World Food Programme.
There are a lot of local non-government organizations (NGOs) that extend their reach to other countries. While you may not be able to reach those far-flung areas yourself, you can help those in need in other places through a trusted NGO. You simply need to look for a cause you personally believe in.
To start, you simply need to search for reputable organizations through your fiber internet. With a reliable internet provider in the Philippines, you can find causes you’re passionate about.
Volunteer for the good of humanity.
If you’re not financially capable to donate to non-government organizations, you can volunteer for those whose principles you believe in. There are a lot of organizations that specialize in protecting human rights and other causes that mirror the purposes of the UN. You simply need to find the one that you’re passionate about.
If you’re passionate about sustainable development, you can sign up for organizations that safeguard the environment. By volunteering, you can help drive more donations. You can also educate more people about the significance of cooperation.
By volunteering, you’ll get to see first-hand why it is important for people to be of service to others. You’ll have a better appreciation of what you do have. In the end, you’ll end up learning a lot, and helping a lot of people at the same time.
Connect in Celebration of the United Nations
Although United Nations Day is not a public holiday, it’s still a special day to the world. It’s far from perfect, but it has made things around the globe so much better. In order for you to fully appreciate this special day, you need to have an unlimited and fast internet connection at home.
Through a reliable internet provider in the Philippines like Streamtech, you can commemorate holidays even in the comforts and safety of your home. Through Streamtech, you can enjoy fast and reliable connections through its affordable home fiber plans, and take your home connectivity to the next level.
Aside from unlimited fiber internet, we also offer cable TV services through Planet Cable. To help you exceed your limits, you can take advantage of our Extendifi WiFi Extender, which helps your entire household enjoy the Streamtech experience. Connect with our team today to know more. You can also visit our Official Facebook Page for more details.
