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International Day for the Elimination of Discrimination
2023-03-21
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.

In 1979, the General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. On that occasion, the General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination, beginning on 21 March, would be organized annually in all States.

Since then, the apartheid system in South Africa has been dismantled. Racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries, and we have built an international framework for fighting racism, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Convention is now nearing universal ratification, yet still, in all regions, too many individuals, communities and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings.

World Down Syndrome Day
2023-03-21
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) , 21 March, is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.

The date for WDSD being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

Harmony Week
2023-03-20 - 2023-03-26
It is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community.

Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it.

Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.

International Day of Happiness
2023-03-20
March 20th is the UN International Day of Happiness. With our world facing unprecedented challenges, wellbeing matters more than ever.

When we choose to take action to help others, they benefit, we benefit and we set an example of kindness that can ripple out into the world too.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week
2023-03-13 08:00 - 2023-03-19 17:00 (Australia/Brisbane)
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, and organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.

International Women's Day (IWD)
2023-03-08
International Women’s Day (IWD) – 8 March – is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when all women are recognised for their achievements. International Women’s Day was first born out of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.

Since those early days, International Women’s Day has grown in prominence and reach, touching women in every corner of the world. The growing international women’s movement has helped make International Women’s Day a central point for action, to build support for women’s rights and their full participation in the economy, politics, community and in everyday life.

World Hearing Day
2023-03-03
World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world.

World Wildlife Day
2023-03-03
March 3 is World Wildlife Day. It is a United Nations International day to celebrate all the world’s wild animals and plants and the contribution that they make to our lives and the health of the planet.

This date was chosen as it is the birthday of CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed in 1973. This World Wildlife Day is also a celebration of CITES as it turns 50. In recognition of the work CITES does and the collaborative work for conservation that is going on globally, the theme for World Wildlife Day this year is ‘Partnerships for Wildllife Conservation‘.

Zero Discrimination Day
2023-03-01
Zero Discrimination Day started with a focus on HIV to highlight how people can become informed about and promote the rights of people living with and affected by HIV. In recent years it has expanded to focus on ending all forms of discrimination that impact on quality of life, health and well-being.

International Wheelchair Day
2023-03-01
International Wheelchair Day is always recognised on March 1. It’s an annual day of events and activities which take place around the world when wheelchair users celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has on their lives.

Since it was first launched in 2008, celebrations have taken place in Australia, Nepal, Senegal, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
It has continued to grow year after year and we look forward to this year being bigger and better than ever.
Why not organise your own personal celebration? You could involve your school, college, place of work, a charitable organisation or even the community in celebrating the enormous impact that the humble wheelchair has on people’s lives throughout the world?

World Day of Social Justice
2023-02-20
Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants. We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.

Apology Anniversary
2023-02-13
13 February each year marks the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, who suffered trauma because of past government policies of forced child removal.

Many of these removals occurred as the result of laws and policies aimed at assimilating the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population into the predominately white community.

Stolen Generations survivors are some of Australia’s most vulnerable people and many have kept their stories and experiences secret for many years, even decades.

Through hearing the resilient stories of Stolen Generations survivors there is now a willingness for Australians to join in on the healing journey. To be part of solutions into the future. This is the spirit of the anniversary.

International Epilepsy Day
2023-02-13
International Epilepsy Day, celebrated each year on the 2nd Monday of February, is an opportunity to raise awareness of epilepsy, what it is, how it can be treated, and what is needed to bring treatment to all people who need it.

The ability of health workers to diagnose epilepsy, the availability of medicines and research into the health and social care response to epilepsy are just three areas of action for WHO and partners.

Safer Internet Day
2023-02-06
Safer Internet Day is a global initiative to raise awareness of online safety issues. The eSafety Commissioner leads the initiative in Australia. It educates people about online safety risks, like online abuse, how to be safe online and where to go for help.
This Safer Internet Day you are encouraged to take three simple actions when approaching online safety: Connect. Reflect. Protect.

Connect safely by keeping apps and devices secure and reviewing your privacy settings regularly.
Reflect on how your actions online may affect others or your safety.
Protect yourself and others by visiting eSafety.gov.au to find out how to stay safe online and report online abuse.

By doing these things and sharing the Connect. Reflect. Protect message, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day.

Red Feb
2023-02-01 - 2023-02-28
Heart disease is Australia’s leading cause of death affecting families and communities around the country. Can you help us fund much needed life-saving breakthroughs to help us keep families together for longer?

Getting involved is as simple as wearing red and donating. #wearredanddonate

Time to Talk Day
2023-01-20
Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation. Happening every year, it’s a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

We know the more conversations we have, the better life is for everyone. Talking about mental health isn’t always easy, but a conversation has the power to change lives. Explore this site for ideas on how to take part in Time to Talk Day, from organising an event in your local library or hosting a lunch and learn session to simply sharing information on social media or texting a friend.

International Day of People with Disability
2022-12-03
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year to recognise the contributions and achievements of the 4.4 million Australians with disability, both visible and invisible.
