Dates to Remember Civic Space for Media

Speak out, organise, and take action The freedoms of association, assembly and expression – the rights that make up `civic space’ - are an essential part of a vibrant society; where debate and discussion thrive, and where people are able to contribute to important decisions that affect them. The following dates are opportunities on the international development calendar to highlight these issues that affect everyone, everywhere.

20 Feb 8 21 March 25 March World Day of International International Day for International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Social Justice Women’s Day the Elimination of Racial Human Rights Violations and for Recognises the need to promote efforts to A global day celebrating the social, economic, the Dignity of Victims tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion and cultural and political achievements of women, Discrimination Commemorates lives lost to fight for democracy Promotes the right to truth and justice around unemployment. and also marks a call to action for accelerating and equal human rights in during human rights violations, marks the 24 March gender equality. the Apartheid regime, now recognised globally as 1980 anniversary of the assassination of Arch- a call to intensify efforts against racism, racial dis- bishop Oscar Romero, of El Salvador, who vocally crimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. denounced human rights violations in his country.

22 April 3 20 12 Earth Day World Press Freedom Day World Refugee Day International Youth Day Events worldwide are held to demonstrate An opportunity to celebrate the fundamental Commemorates the strength, courage, and An opportunity to draw attention to youth issues support for environmental protection. It was principles of press freedom, assess the global state resilience of millions of refugees around the worldwide, during IYD, concerts, workshops, first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinat- of press freedom, defend the media from attacks on world. cultural events, and meetings involving national ed globally by the Earth Day Network and cele- their independence, and pay tribute to journalists and local government officials and youth brated in more than 193 countries each year. who have lost their lives in the line of duty. organisations take place around the world.

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19 August 30 August 16 September 21 September World Humanitarian Day International Day of International Day International Day An annual reminder of the need to act to the Victims of Enforced alleviate the suffering. It is also an occasion to of Democracy of Peace An opportunity to review the state of democracy Commemorates the ideals of peace both within honour the humanitarian workers and volunteers Disappearances in the world and to encourage active participation and among all nations and peoples, a globally toiling on the frontlines of crises. A day created to draw attention to the fate of individuals imprisoned at places and under poor and support for democratic ideals among the shared date for all humanity to commit to conditions unknown to their relatives and/or international community, national governing building a culture of peace. legal representatives. bodies, civil society and individuals.

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2 October 24 October 16 November 10 December International Day of World Development International Day Non-Violence Information Day for Tolerance Commemorates the day in 1948 the United Marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Draws the attention of world public opinion each Commemorates UNESCO’s Declaration of Nations General Assembly adopted the Gandhi, this is an occasion to disseminate the year to development problems and the necessity Principles on Tolerance, which qualifies tolerance Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an message of non-violence, including through of strengthening international co-operation to not only as a moral duty, but also as a political opportunity to assess progress towards securing education and public awareness, to secure a solve them. and legal requirement for individuals, groups human rights and showcase those fighting for culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and and States, promoting equal treatment and rights around the world. non-violence. opportunity for all groups and individuals.

Tips for journalists For a full list of • Ask the question – do people have the freedom to speak out, organise, and take action around the themes raised international for each day? Why is civic space important for making progress around each of these issues? observances, see • For each of the days, find out what the theme for the year is and focus your coverage around these. http://www.un.org/en/sections/ • Free to use visuals are often available and can be found in an online search. observances/international-days/ • Look for the untold stories – who is most excluded? Where are the marginalised voices? • New reports and statements are often launched to shed light on the current situation, seek these and find out how your country rates.

This toolkit is prepared by CIVICUS, through the Civic Space Initiative, implemented in partnership with World Movement for Democracy, ARTICLE 19, and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law.