THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ----- MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RISK REDUCTION DAY 13 October 2011 Each time disaster strikes, nature is often blamed.  Rarely do we think about human actions that increase risk and turn danger into catastrophe.

  THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE 2 October 2011   We mark this year’s International Day of Non-Violence in a world dramatically altered since our last commemoration.  The powerful engine behind that wave of change – beginning in Tunisia and then spreading across North Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere – was none other than a non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights.  

  THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS 1 October 2011   Next year marks 10 years since the adoption of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.  The theme of this year’s International Day of Older Persons, “Launch of Madrid Plus 10: The growing opportunities and challenges of global ageing”, reflects this upcoming milestone.  This year we also commemorate 20 years since the adoption of the United Nations Principles for Older Persons.  These basic principles – independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity – both enshrine the human rights of older persons and give us the objectives for which we strive.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER 16 September 2011 “HCFC phase-out: a unique opportunity”

UNDP Administrator Helen Clark MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY New York, 15 September 2011