UN Day 2009
United Nations Day (UN Day) is observed annually worldwide on 24 October to commemorate the founding of the United Nations in October 1945. To celebrate UN Day 2009, UNU presents a symposium on Friday, October 23 on the theme of Human Security and, along with UN agencies in Japan, welcomes everyone to outdoor activities, exhibitions and performances at United Nations University Headquarters in Shibuya.
Outdoor events will be held in the courtyard of UNU Headquarters from the morning and will include a farmers’ market selling local produce, an open café, a mini-theatre showing films from the UNU Media Studio, as well as exhibitions, workshops and performances.
In addition to the UN Week celebrations, Aoyama Commons, a neighbourhood association of businesses and organisations in the area, will extend activities over the weekend of October 24 and 25 on the theme of “Feeling Satoyama in Town” with dozens of activities for children and adults to be held at UNU Headquarters and nearby locations.
The 2009 UN Day Symposium
The Emergence of Human Security: 15th Anniversary
Friday, 23 October, 14:00–17:00 at United Nations University Headquarters.
Registration for this event has closed, however, there may be seats available on the day. Please be sure to bring photo ID with you if you attend.
Special Notice
We are pleased to announce a performance following the symposium: CARAVAN — Persian traditional music and Sufi poetry by Rumi.
Human Security is an idea that was first articulated in the 1994 Human Development Report. It places individuals and their needs at the centre of policy-making and provides a philosophical basis for identifying threats to people’s security, including natural disasters, poverty, disease, inequality, and violence, and searching for responses to these threats. Japan is one of the founders of the concept and no other country has made larger combined intellectual, financial, and operational contributions to the idea. The UN Day 2009 symposium at UNU will examine Human Security 15 years after its emergence, elaborate how the concept has evolved and explore the forthcoming challenges.
The keynote speech will be delivered by Dr. Izumi Nakamitsu, director of the Policy, Evaluation and Training Division of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the United Nations.
Five distinguished panellists will then address a range of questions: Where does the concept of Human Security stand 15 years after its emergence? What has gone right — and wrong? What examples best illustrate how focusing on individuals rather than states has achieved effective implementation of operational UN mandates, strengthening peace, development and sustainability? What are the current challenges to Human Security? Are they the same as 15 years ago? Which types of threats have been under-estimated or should be given higher priority? What can we anticipate in the next 15 years, and will the concept of Human Security still be relevant in 2025?
The symposium will not only elaborate the concept of Human Security academically, but will look at functional and operational issues as well. It will provide a forum to discuss ideas for the forthcoming UN Secretary-General’s Report on Human Security in 2010, a platform to disseminate the latest knowledge on the concept, and a means to encourage public engagement with UN activities.
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Page last modified 2019.04.16.
