Note to Correspondents

UNITED NATIONS TO MARK FIRST INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE ON 2 OCTOBER

 

The United Nations will observe the first International Day of Non-Violence on 2 October with an informal plenary meeting of the General Assembly at UN Headquarters.  Speakers will include the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of South Africa and Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, India.

2 October is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

According to General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”.  The resolution reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.

The Department of Public Information will provide live television and audio coverage of the proceedings in the General Assembly Hall.

Other activities on the Day include a film screening titled Mahatma:  The Great Soul.

A photo exhibition titled “Gandhi & Global Non-Violent Awakening” will be on display from 3 October in the Secretariat, South Lobby.

Programme of Activities at United Nations Headquarters

9:30 a.m. -- 10:30 a.m. Informal plenary meeting of the General Assembly (General Assembly Hall).  The President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of South Africa and Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, India, will make statements.  The meeting will be webcast at www.un.org/webcast.

6 p.m. Screening of the film Mahatma: The Great Soul (Dag Hammarskjöld Auditorium).

Access is limited to UN passholders.  Media without UN accreditation who wish to attend the above events should follow the instructions for obtaining accreditation at www.un.org/media/accreditation. 

* *** *

For information media • not an official record