I am over and over again astonished by the sheer endless amount of international days, and the amazing creativity which is put into the identification of new international days. As I just got to know by flipping through my Alertnet expresso news, today is the World Book Day . As somebody addicted to books (and to rooms with book shelves that touch the ceiling), seeing books as the subject of the day made me actually quite happy. However, seeing yet another international day also made me think a bit...
Some time ago, after stumbling over the international day for the African child, the international day for water and the world AIDS day, I went to the web to look for a complete list with international days. I managed to get a complete list of all days, weeks, and decades, featuring quite exotic days such as the world meteorological day, world no tobacco day, united nations public service day, international day of cooperatives, international day for the preservation of the ozone layer, world space week, and the international mountain day.
From my time in Somaliland I remember that some local NGOS truly specialized in facilitating the celebration of international days on behalf of the international NGOS and UN agencies, who never ever failed to provide the necessary money for these meaningful celebrations. The program was always the same, regardless of whether it was the international women's day, children's day or something else: A march through the city, spearheaded by Hargeisas' only policy band, followed by few kids with pre-fabricated banners (in English, so avoid that messages could penetrate the minds of the public...), some speeches (depending how much you paid, you could also get ministers to contribute their voice to it), a drama group (performing some acrobatics - always managed to attract a huge crowed of street kids) and of course, not to forget, the obligatory T-shirts and posters, which you would then see for a while on the streets (the only lasting effect of the day). Interestingly enough, though it was always exactly the same program, it never ever ever was implemented without delay, problems, something not working out, ...
It seems, that at least one additional international day is declared each year. But than again, who wonders - after all, our world isn't getting that much better, so maybe reminding citizens of the bad and evil in this world and how to fight it is the way to go ahead.
What I am personally really waiting for is the day when the world leaders declare the "day of the international day" ;)
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