sign in sign up
<<
Home , Makar Sankranti, Mesha Sankranti, Nirjala Ekadashi

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Calendar 2021 Employee Diversity and Inclusion

Here at the IET, we are dedicated to demonstrating our Our first multi-year Equality, Diversity and Inclusion commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), Strategy launched in October 2019. The strategy and advocating inclusivity in engineering is a crucial validates our efforts to embed EDI throughout the element to addressing the skills shortage that currently institution and shows that our efforts are joined up threatens UK engineering industry and enables us to and are fundamental to us achieving wider change. represent the global membership base in which we serve. This approach supports equal and professional Adopting methods that enable us to recruit from all opportunity for all. We recognise the importance of sections of society allows us to widen the talent pool, promoting equal opportunities for all and ensuring that inspire a broader range of individuals and show that all processes across the organisation are inclusive. engineering is for everybody.

As one of the largest PEIs in the world; we have This for 2021 highlights major key dates and a duty to promote engineering to everybody and religious holidays that we as an institution celebrate. encourage organisations to do more around promoting The calendar also outlines our many events that happen the importance of embracing equality, diversity and throughout the year that we hope to welcome many of inclusion. It is important that we demonstrate that we you to. are a welcoming and inclusive engineering institution where everybody has an equal opportunity to succeed. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

January

This month can also be referred to as Dry January. This is an annual movement through which millions of people give up alcohol for the month. Run by the charity, Alcohol Change UK, a drier January can give you more energy, a healthier body and allow you to sleep better, plus loads more benefits!

Technology is changing our world and on 6 January, it’s National Technology Day! On this day, we recognise and celebrate achievements in the field of technology and look to the future.

11 January is International Thank You Day, so we want to thank you for taking the time to look at our calendar and we hope you find it useful.

Dry January January Special days 1 New years Day, Solemnity 17 World Religion Day, of Mary Mother of God Timkat (Ethiopian Orthodox (Catholic Christian), Christian) Feast Day of St Basil 18 Week of Prayer for (Orthodox Christian), Christian Unity (Christian) World Day of Peace (18-25), Martin Luther 4 World Braille Day King Day, Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (18-24) S M T W T F S 5 Twelfth night (Christian) 20 Gobind Singh birthday 6 Epiphany/Theophany/ (Sikh) Three Kings Day (Christian), National Technology 25 Conversion of St. Paul 1 2 Day (UK) (Christian), Burns Night (Scottish), Saint Dwynwen’s 8 Feast of the Nativity Day (Welsh) (Christian) 26  () 10 Baptism of the Lord Jesus 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (Christian) 27 Holocaust 11 International Thank You Day 28 Tu B ‘Shevat (Jewish)/ (Tamil Hindu) 12 Vivekananda Jayanti (Hindu) 31 Racial Justice Day 13 (Hindu/Sikh) 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 Makar / Uttarayan// Sankranti/ Festival (Hindu/Sikh), 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 (Hindu) (14-17) 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

February

11 February is National Inventors’ Day! Thanks to inventors and their creative minds, we can safely ride in an elevator, have a well-lit room at the flip of a switch and speak to someone on the other side of the world in a split second. Many inventors go their whole life without recognition for their innovations, so we want to recognise and shine a spotlight on those who have added to our lives.

February also includes National Random Acts of Kindness Day which we encourage across the organisation. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop. National Heart Month Special days

February 1 World Hijab Day, Race 14 St. Valentine’s Day Equality week (1-7), (Christian), Transfiguration Imbolc - Northern Sunday (Christian) hemisphere (Wiccan/Pagan), 15 Nirvana Day/Parinirvana Lughnasadh - Southern Day (Buddhist /Jain), hemisphere (Wiccan/Pagan) International Childhood (1-2) Cancer Day 2 Candlemas - Presentation S M T W T F S 16 /Sarasvati of Christ in the Temple (Hindu), Shrove (Christian), Setsubun Tuesday (Christian), (Shinto), St. Blaise’s Day Basant Panchami (Hindu) (Christian) 17 Ash Wednesday - Lent 3 Four Chaplains Sunday 1 2 3 4 5 6 begins (Christian), Random (Interfaith) A c t s o f K i n d n e s s D a y , 4 World Cancer Day, World Human Spirit Day Time to Talk Day 20 World Day of Social Justice 8 International Epilepsy Day 21 Triodion Begins 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 9 Safer Internet Day (Orthodox Christian), International Mother 11 International Day of Language Day, Engineers Women and girls in Week (21-27) Science, World Day of the sick, National 22 World Thinking Day, 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Inventors’ Day Fairtrade Fortnight (22 February - 7 March) 12 Tét - Vietnamese , Red Hand Day 25 Purim (Jewish) (25-26) for Child Soldiers, 26 Puja Day (Buddhist) /Spring Festival/ 28 Rare Disease Day, 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (Asian) Nineteen Day Fast (Baha’i) (28 February - 19 March) 13 World Radio Day 28 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

March

8 March is International Women’s Day! We celebrate this special day each year by recognising the achievements of women throughout the world. An equal world is an enabled world and we can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions and improve situations. Collectively, every single one of us can help to create a gender equal world.

The beginning of March is British Science Week; a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics!

The end of March also marks National Equal Pay Day! Taking place in March, this month symbolises how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year.

On 23 March, the anniversary of the first lockdown for the UK, there will be a National Day of Reflection. Spearheaded by end of life charity Marie Curie, this day is an opportunity to reflect on our collective loss, support those who have been bereaved, and hope for a bright future. Red Cross Month, Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month March Special days 1 St David’s Day (Welsh/ 20 International Day of Christian), Self Injury Happiness, World Oral Awareness Day - SIAD, Health Day, Spring equinox/ Zero Discrimination Day, Ostara - Northern hemisphere International Wheelchair Day (Wiccan/Pagan), 3 World Wildlife Day, Autumn equinox/Mabon World Hearing Day - Southern hemisphere (Wiccan/Pagan) 4 IET Young Woman Engineer of S M T W T F S 21 World Poetry Day, the Year Awards - YWE International Day of , 5 British Science Week (5-14) International Day for 7 Meatfare Sunday (Orthodox the Elimination of Racial Christian) Discrimination, World Down 8 International Women’s Day Syndrome Day, Feast of 1 2 3 4 5 6 Orthodoxy (Orthodox Christian) 10 No smoking Day UK 22 World Water Day 11 (Hindu), Lailat al Miraj (Islamic), 23 World Meteorological Day, World Kidney Day National Day of Reflection 14 Shrove Sunday (Christian), 24 World TB Day, National Equal 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Mother’s Day UK Pay Day (UK) 15 Clean Monday - Great Lent 25 Annunciation of the Blessed begins (Orthodox Christian), Virgin Mary (Christian) Neurodiversity Celebration 26 Khordad Sal/Birth of Prophet Week (15-21) Zarathustra (Zoroastrian) 16 Young Carers Action Day 27 Pesach/ (Jewish) 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 17 St Patrick’s Day (27 March - 4 April), Lord’s (Irish/Christian) Evening Meal (Jehovah’s Witness Christian) 18 Global Recycling Day 28 (Christian), 19 World Sleep Day, St. Lailat al Bara’ah (Islamic) Joseph’s Day (Christian), (28-29), Dahan (Indian) Naw-Rúz / Baha’i New Year 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (Baha’i) (19-20) 29 (Hindu), World Autism Awareness Week (29 March - 4 April) 30 World Bipolar Day 28 29 30 31 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

April

The beginning of April is World Autism Awareness Day; an internationally recognised day encouraging everyone to raise awareness about people with Autism around the world.

22 April marks International Mother all about supporting environmental protection. Every year around the world, Earth Day organisers promote green campaigns to save the Earth. Caesarean Awareness Month IBS Awareness Month Sarcoidosis Awareness Month April Special days 1 April Fools’ Day, Maundy 15 International Thursday (Christian) Microvolunteering Day

2 (Christian), 19 Ridvan (Baha’i) World Autism Awareness (19 April - 1 May) Day 21 Navami (Hindu) 3 Holy Saturday (Christian) S M T W T F S 22 Stephen Lawrence Day, 4 Sunday (Christian), International Mother Qingming Festival/Tomb Earth Day Sweeping Day (Chinese) 23 St. George’s Day (Christian), 7 World Health Day, Shakespeare Day 1 2 3 Holocaust Remembrance 24 Lazarus Saturday Day/Yom HaShoah (Orthodox Christian) (Jewish) (7-8) 25 Palm Sunday 8 International Romani Day (Orthodox Christian), 11 World Parkinson’s Day World Malaria Day, 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mahavir Jayanti (Jain), 12 Ramadan (Islamic) Pesach Sheni (Jewish) (25-26) (12 April - 12 May) 27 Jayanti (Hindu) 13 /Marathi New Year (Marathi/Konkani 28 World Day for Health & 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ) Safety at Work 14 Baisakhi/ (Sikh), 29 International Dance Day, /Mesha On your Feet Britain, Lag Sankramana/Hindu Solar B’Omer (Jewish) (29-30) New Year (Hindu), 30 Holy Friday (Orthodox /Puthuvarudam/ Christian), International Tamil New Year (Hindu), 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Jazz Day Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Jewish) (14-15) 25 26 27 28 29 30 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

May

The annual Green Ribbon Campaign takes place every May during Mental Health Awareness Week and aims to get people talking openly about common mental health problems. This campaign promotes open conversations about mental health and challenges the associated stigma that sometimes come with it.

The end of May marks World Multiple Sclerosis Day; a day to celebrate global solidarity and hope for the future. Events and campaigns take place throughout May, bringing the global MS community together to share stories, raise awareness and campaign for everyone affected by multiple sclerosis. Cystic Fibrosis Month Hepatitis Awareness Month Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May Special days

1 Beltane - Northern 14 /Akha hemisphere (Wiccan/ (Hindu/Jain) Pagan), Samhain - Southern 15 International Day of (Wiccan/Pagan) S M T W T F S hemisphere , Families International Workers’ Day/ /Labour Day 16 Shavuot (Jewish) (16-18) 2 Pascha (Orthodox Christian), 17 International Day against Last day of Ridvan (Baha’i) Homophobia Transphobia and Biphobia, Tish’a B’av 1 3 Feast of Saints Philip (Jewish) (17-19) and James (Christian), World Press Freedom Day, 20 Global Accessibility Deaf Awareness Week (3-9) Awareness Day 4 World Asthma Day 21 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and 5 African World Development 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Heritage Day, (Mexican) 22 International Day for Biological Diversity, 6 USA Declaration of the Bab (Interfaith) (Baha’i) (22-23) 8 World Red Cross Red 23 Pentecost (Christian) Crescent Day, World fair 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 26 /Buddha Jayanti/ trade day Buddha /Buddha 9 Women’s Health Week Day (Buddhist/Hindu) (9-15), Laylat al-Qadr (Islamic) 27 Ascension of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i) (27-28) 10 Mental Health Awareness 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Week (10-16) 28 World Hunger Day 12 International Nurses Day, 29 International Day of United Eid al-Fitr (Islamic) (12-13) Nations Peacekeepers 13 Ascension of Jesus 30 Trinity Sunday (Christian), (Christian) World Multiple Sclerosis Day 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 World No-Tobacco Day

30 31 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

June

June is LGBT Pride month where we celebrate the heritage of the LGBTQ+ community and its triumph over adversity. Events are held throughout the summer across the world in honour of the celebration.

International Women in Engineering Day also takes place in June; an international awareness campaign to raise the profile of women in engineering and focus attention on the amazing career opportunities available to girls in this exciting industry.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month is a celebration of these diverse communities and recognises their contributions to British society past and present.

The end of June marks Armed Forces Day where we commemorate the service of the men and women in the British Armed Forces. Pride Month National Osteoporosis Month June Special days 1 Global Day of Parents 20 Pentecost (Christian), World Refugee Day, 3 The Feast of Corpus Christi Father’s Day UK (Christian) 21 World Humanist 4 International Day of Day (Materialism), Innocent Children International Day of , Victims of Aggression World Music Day, First 5 World Environment Day Nations Day (Canadian S M T W T F S Native People), World 8 World Oceans Day Wellbeing Week (21-30), 10 Ascension of Jesus Nirjala (Hindu) (Orthodox Christian) 22 Summer /Litha 11 Sacred Heart of Jesus - Northern hemisphere (Christian) (Wiccan/Pagan), 1 2 3 4 5 / - 12 World Day against Child Labour, Global Wellness Southern hemisphere Day, Queens Birthday (Wiccan/Pagan), Windrush Day 14 World Blood Donor Day, Men’s Health Week 23 International Women (14-20), Dragon Boat Festival in Engineering Day, 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 (Chinese), Nutrition and International Widow’s Day Hydration Week (14-20) 24 Nativity of Saint John the 15 Saint Vladimir Day Baptist (Christian) (Christian), World Elder 26 International Day in Support Abuse Awareness Day of Victims of Torture, 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 16 Guru Arjan martyrdom (Sikh) Armed Forces Day (UK) 17 World Day to Combat 29 Feast Day of Saints Peter Desertification and Drought and Paul (Christian) 18 Autistic Pride Day 30 International Asteroid Day 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

July

Disability Awareness Day takes place in July aiming to raise awareness of disability and heart related long-term conditions. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer demonstrating that we value the contribution of individuals with disabilities and we are currently working towards becoming a Disability Confident Leader.

The global movement to reduce plastic pollution takes place in July – it’s a plastic free month where we look at solutions and ideas to help reduce plastic waste in your life. Plastic Free July International Group B Strep Awareness Month July Special days 3 International Day of 19 Eid al Adha - Sacrifice Day Cooperatives (Islamic) (19-23), Waqf al Arafa (Islamic) 4 US (USA) 23 Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassie (Rastafari), 9 Martyrdom of the Bab Tokyo Summer Olympics (Baha’i), The Nine Days (until 8 August), Tu B’Av (Jewish) (9-18) S M T W T F S (Jewish) (23-24) 11 World Population Day 24 12 Malala Day, / (Mormon Christian), Ratha Jatra/Chariot Asalha Puja Day (Buddhist) festival (Hindu) 1 2 3 25 Feast day of St. James the 14 Disability Awareness Day Great (Christian)

15 St. Vladimir the Great Day 28 World Hepatitis Day (Orthodox Christian), 30 World Day Against World Youth Skills Day Trafficking in Persons, 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 17 World Day for World Friendship Day/ International Justice, International Day of World Emoji Day, Friendship Tisha B’Av (Jewish) (17-18)

18 Nelson Mandela 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 International Day

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

August

The IET and RS Components have collaborated to host an event and National Day called REflect, dedicated to promoting engineering and technology careers to the Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and to those from a low socioeconomic background, with the goal of encouraging them to make positive steps towards a bright future.

Latest research by the IET has shown that only 12% of engineering companies in the UK have sought to increase the diversity of their engineering, IT and technical workforce in terms of ethnicity.

World Humanitarian Day takes place in August and is an international day dedicated to recognising humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes.

17 August also marks National Nonprofit Day and as a not for a profit organisation, we recognise the goals and positive impacts non-profits have on communities and the world. MedicAlert Awareness Month Psoriasis Awareness Month August Special days 1 Lammas (Christian), 18 Ashura (Islamic) (18-19) Lughnassadh - Northern 19 World Humanitarian Day hemisphere (Wiccan/ Pagan), Imbolc - Southern 20 Varalakshmi Vratam (India) hemisphere (Wiccan/Pagan) 21 (Hindu) 6 Feast of the 22 (Hindu), Transfiguration(Christian) S M T W T F S Ulambana (Taoist/ 9 International Day of the Buddhists) World’s Indigenous People, 24 Paralympic games 2021 /Hijri (untill 5 September) New Year/Arabic New Year (Islamic) (9-10) 29 International Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 against Nuclear Tests, 12 International Youth Day Beheading of St. John the 13 Obon (Buddhist–Confucian/ Baptist (Christian) Shintoist) (13-15) 30 Janmashtami 15 Assumption of Blessed (Hindu) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Virgin Mary (Catholic Christian), Dormition of the Theotokos (Orthodox Christian), Indian Independence Day (Indian) 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 17 National Nonprofit Day

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

September

The International Day of Charity takes place on 5 September to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa who worked tirelessly to overcome poverty, distress and suffering of the poorest in the world.

World Suicide Prevention Day also takes place in September. This is an awareness day set aside to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world. 

World Alzheimer’s Month Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Reyes Syndrome Awareness Month Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month September Special days

4 Paryushana Parva (Jain) (4-11) 21 International Day of Peace, World Alzheimer’s Day 5 International Day of Charity, Teachers’ 22 Autumnal equinox/Mabon Day India - Northern hemisphere (Wiccan/Pagan), Spring 6 (Jewish) equinox/Imbolc - Southern S M T W T F S (6-8) hemisphere (Wiccan/Pagan) 8 Nativity of Virgin Mary 25 World’s biggest Coffee (Christian), International Morning Literacy Day 26 European Day of 10 / Languages, Hoshana Vinayaka Chaturthi 1 2 3 4 Rabbah (Jewish) (Hindu), World Suicide (26-27) Prevention Day 27 World Tourism Day, 11 Ethiopian New Year Meskel (Ethiopian Orthodox (Rastafari) Christian), National 14 Elevation of the Holy Cross Inclusion Week (27 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 (Christian) September to 3 October) 15 International Day of 28 Shemini Atzeret (Jewish), Democracy, Yom Kippu World Rabies Day, Simchat (Jewish) (15-16) Torah (Jewish) (28-29) 17 Vishwakarma Jayanti/ 29 Michaelmas (Christian), (Hindu) World Heart Day 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Mid-Autumn Festival (Asian) (19-21) 20 National Eye Health Week (20-26), Sukkot (Jewish) (20-27), (Hindu) (20 September to 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 6 October)

26 27 28 29 30 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

October

October is ; an annual commemoration of the history, achievements and contributions of black people in the UK. We celebrate the extraordinary contribution that current and historical black figures have made in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Established in May 2011, they are the UK’s first and leading membership organisation for employers looking to build inclusive workplaces. They offer consultancy, training and thought leadership, to help you make inclusion an everyday reality at your place of work. Black History Month Breast Cancer Awareness Month Lupus Awareness Month Rett Syndrome Awareness Month SIDS Awareness Month October Special days

1 International Day of Older 15 International Day Persons, National Day of the of Rural Women, People’s Republic of (Hindu) (Chinese) 16 World Food Day 2 International Day of non 17 Conflict Resolution Day, Violence, International Day for the S M T W T F S (Indian) Eradication of Poverty 4 World Habitat Day, 18 Feast of Saint Luke World Smile Day, Dyslexia (Christian), Mawlid an Nabi Awareness Day, Feast of (Islamic) (18-19), World Saint Francis of Assisi/ Menopause Day 1 2 Blessing of the Animals at the Cathedral Day 19 / Kojagari (Christian) (Hindu / Buddhist) 5 World Teachers’ Day 23 (Hindu) (23-25)

6 International Walk to 24 United Nations Day, 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 School Day World Development 7 (Hindu) (7-15) Information Day

9 World Post Day 26 Intersex Awareness Day 10 World Mental Health Day 27 World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 11 International Day of the Girl Child, National Work Life 28 Milvian Bridge Day Week (11-15) (Christian)

12 Yom HaAliyah/Aliyah Day 29 World Stroke Day 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 (Jewish) (12-13) 31 , Reformation 13 International Day for Day (Protestant Christian), Disaster Reduction Samhain - Northern hemisphere (Wiccan/ 14 World Sight Day, Ayudha Pagan), Beltane - Southern Puja (Hindu), Maha Navami hemisphere (Wiccan/Pagan) (Hindu) 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 (31 October - 1 November) 31 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

November

LGBT STEM Day takes place in November; a day to celebrate and raise awareness for diversity and inclusion in STEM. We aim to highlight some of the global challenges LGBTQ+ scientists and engineers face. As one of the largest PEIs in the world; we have a duty to promote engineering to everybody and encourage organisations to do more around promoting the importance of embracing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Centenary of the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

‘Abdu’l-Bahá served as head of the Baháʼí Faith from 1892 until 1921 and was the last of three “central figures” of the religion. His writings and talks are regarded as a source of Baháʼí sacred literature.

The news of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s passing on 28 November, 1921, inspired an unprecedented event of unity among the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze communities of Haifa. Special days

1 All Saints’ Day (Christian), 16 International Day of International Stress Tolerance Awareness Week (1-5), November 18 World Philosophy Day, Rajyotsava LGBT STEM Day Day (Indian) 2 All Souls’ Day (Christian) 19 International Men’s Day, Purnima (Hindu/ 3 Stress Awareness Day Sikh/Jain) 4 /Deepavali/Bandi 20 Africa Industrialisation Chhor Divas/Tihar/ Day, Universal Children’s Swanti/Sohrai (Hindu/ Day, Black Awareness Day S M T W T F S Jain/Sikh/Buddhist) (4-8) (Brazil) 5 Guy Fawkes Day, 21 Feast of Christ the King Balipadyami (Hindu) (Christian), World Day of 6 /Bhaubeej/Bhai Remembrance for Road Tika/Bhai Phonta (Hindu), Traffic Victims, World 1 2 3 4 5 6 Birth of Baha’u’llah Television Day (Baha’i) (6-7) 24 Martyrdom of Guru Tegh 8 Intersex Day of Solidarity, Bahadur (Sikh), Day of the National STEM Day, Maths Covenant (Baha’i) (24-25) Week England (8 -13) 25 International Day for the 9 World Freedom Day Elimination of Violence 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 against Women, 16 Days 10 World Science Day for of Action Against Domestic Peace and Development, Violence (25 November - (Hindu/Jain) 10 December) 11 Remembrance Day 27 Feast of the Holy Family 12 World Pneumonia Day (Catholic Christian), 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha 13 World Kindness Day (Baha’i) 14 World Diabetes Day, 28 First Sunday of Advent World Day of the Poor (Christian), (28 (Catholic Christian) November - 6 December) 15 (Hindu), 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Shichi-Go-San (Shintoist), 30 St Andrew’s Day (Christian) Nativity Fast (Orthodox Christian) (15 November - 24 December) 28 29 30 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

December

Our annual Young Woman Engineer of the Year (YWE) awards take place at the beginning of December, celebrating outstanding female engineers and their contribution to the engineering sector.

Purple Light Up takes place in December and is a global movement designed to draw attention to the economic empowerment of disabled people.

Volunteers are at the heart of the IET, and in December we celebrate International Volunteer Day, thanking our volunteers for everything they do for us. Special days

1 World AIDS Day 20 International Human Solidarity Day, 2 International Day for the December Transgender Day of Abolition of Slavery Remembrance 3 International Day of 21 Winter solstice/Yule - Person’s With Disabilities Northern hemisphere Purple Light Up Day (Wiccan/Pagan), 5 World Soil Day, Summer solstice/Litha International - Southern hemisphere S M T W T F S Volunteer Day (Wiccan/Pagan) 6 Saint Nicholas Day 24 Eve (Christian) (Christian) 25 Christmas Day (Christian), 7 International Civil Feast of the Nativity Aviation Day (Orthodox Christian) 1 2 3 4 8 Immaculate Conception of 26 Boxing Day/St Stephen’s Mary (Catholic Christian), Day (Christian), Bodhi Day (Buddhist) Zarathosht Diso/Death of Prophet Zarathushtra 9 International Anti (Zoroastrian), Corruption Day (African-American) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 10 Human Rights Day (26 December to 1 January) 11 International 27 Christmas Day substitute Mountain Day bank holiday (UK)

12 Our Lady of Guadalupe 28 Holy Innocents (Christian), Day (Catholic Christian) Boxing Day substitute 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 bank holiday (UK) 16 Posadas Navidenas (Hispanic Christian) (16-25) 31 New Year’s Eve/ , Watchnight 18 International service (Christian), Migrants Day Karamu (African-American), 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Ōmisoka (Japanese)

26 27 28 29 30 31