Nelson Mandela is the annual International Day which takes place on every July 18, the birthday of Mandela. This day is celebrated to honour Nelson Mandela. On November 2009, the UN officially declared July 18 as Mandela Day and on July 18 2010, the first official UN Mandela Day was celebrated but other organizations began making Mandela Day from since 2009. This day is marked to remember the achievements of Mandela in working towards conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation.
In 1994, Mr. Mandela was the first constitutionally elected president of South Africa. As champion of peace, he played a role in the Commission on Truth and Reconciliation set up by the Government of National Unity in South Africa in order to help resolve apartheid massacres. Mandela Day is a global day to take action that celebrates the idea that every person has the ability to change the world and the potential to affect it.
Mandela was actively involved in anti-apartheid protests until his presidency. He served in prison for 27 years, many of which were spent alongside other freedom fighters arrested.
In the year of 2022 the essence of Mandela Day it is more important than ever to take action, to inspire change and to make a Mandela Day each day. It is the day in 2022 to share the achievements we have achieved and the lessons we learnt from our fight against this pandemic and its effects on others who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Small efforts begin a national campaign toward social change. When everybody acts, they promote social change, raise awareness and extend the scope of the ideals of Mr Mandela – the struggle against injustice, aid in need and practice reconciliation.
When this day was declared International Mandela Day?
In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly observes 18 July ‘as The International Day of Nelson Mandela.’– in appreciation of the contribution of the former-South African President to the culture of unity and democracy. Resolution A / RES/64/13 honors the principles and the commitment of Mandela to supporting humanity: conflict-resolution; race relations; fostering and safeguarding human rights; reconciliation; gender equality and children’s welfare, and other disadvantaged communities; combating poverty; promoting social justice. The resolution honors his contribution to the universal movement for independence and to the development of a philosophy of peace in the region.
As a human rights lawyer and a prisoner of conscience, as an international peacebuilder and the first democratically elected President of a free South Africa, Nelson Mandela spent his life at the service of humanity.
Nelson Mandela Award
The United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize aims to commemorate and pay homage to the remarkable life and legacy of peace, democratic change and social transformation of Mandela ‘s men, who devoted their lives to serving humanity and to the purposes and values of the UN. It was first awarded every five years in 2015.
Swikriti Dandotia
