The 2011 theme for World Food Day is ‘Food Prices from Crisis to
Stability’, with a focus on what can be done to relieve the impact of the current food crisis on the world’s most vulnerable people. Price swings can represent a major threat to food security in developing countries. The poor are the often the hardest hit. According to the World Bank, rising food costs pushed nearly 70 million people in extreme poverty in 2010-11. The UN General Assembly has declared 16^th October every year to be World Food Day. The day is for raising awareness of food security as well as strengthening solidarity in the struggle against world hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

The day of the Rural Women is celebrated directly before World Food
Day in order to highlight the role played by rural women. In developing countries, women often play a direct and vital role in the rural economy. They are often involved in crop production and livestock care and provide food and water for their families. The UN has designated the 15^th October to be the day to recognise the role of women in improving rural development and food security.  The first day was celebrated in 2008 and it recognises, ‘the critical role and contribution of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty’

The 2011 day is about using children and young people as
partners in Disaster Risk Reduction. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is about assessing and analysing casual factors of disasters, thereby attempting to reduce disasters from occurring. The International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction takes place on the 13^th October each year. It aims to promote worldwide awareness of disaster reduction  as well as finding ways to be more prepared for global disasters. It was implemented in 1989 by the UN General Assembly.

Today the festival of Sukkot begins. Sukkot last for seven days as is
known as the festival of rejoicing. It takes place on the fifth day of Yom Kippur and is quite a drastic transition from one of the most solemn holidays in the Jewish year to one of the most joyous. Sukkot has a dual significance: historical and agricultural. The holiday commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters. Sukkot is also a harvest festival, and is sometimes referred to as Chag Ha-Asif, the Festival of Ingathering.

Black History Month (BHM) is held every October in Britain and every
February in USA and Canada. Its aims are to:

• Promote knowledge of  Black History and Cultural Heritage
• Disseminate information on positive Black contributions to British Society
• Heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people to their cultural heritage.

This October there are nearly twenty independence days from countries
all over the world. Countries as wide ranging as China to Zambia are celebrating this month.  A very Happy Independence Day to all!

People’s Republic of China – October 1-2, Nigeria – October 1, Guinea – October 2, Lesotho October 4, Fiji – October 7, Germany – October 3, Uganda – October 9, Republic of China/Taiwan – October 10, Spain – October 12, Zambia – October 24, Iran – October 26, South Vietnam – October 26, St Vincent and Grenadines – October 27, Turkey – October 29

Did you know? More than 150 countries celebrate World Post Day!

World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9^th October, the anniversary of the establishment of UPU (Universal Postal Union). The UPU was founded in Switzerland in 1874.  The purpose of World Post Day is to create awareness of the role of the postal sector in our every day lives. It is also to make us aware of its importance and contribution to the social and economic development of countries. Member countries undertake many activities to create awareness of their Post’s role on a national scale.

Piracy is a global menace and a huge issue for our maritime community.
This year’s theme for World Maritime Day is ‘Piracy: Orchestrating the Response’, raising awareness of the issue of piracy and encouraging co-operation between the member states to eradicate it. World Maritime Day is celebrated yearly by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), during the last week of September. It is a day to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment. This year the aim is to increase pressure at the political level to secure the immediate release of all hostages being held by pirates. The following objectives will also be pursued during the year…

Confucius is the person accredited most with shaping the deep
elements of Chinese culture that we can still see today. When looking at cross-cultural differences between East and West, Confucianism (long-term orientation and knowing your place in society) stands out as being the major difference from the short-term, individualistic orientations of the West. Thus, Confucius has influenced Chinese thought for over 2,500 years. Confucius’s Birthday, otherwise known as ‘National Teachers Day’ takes place in China and Taiwan each year on 28^th September. Chinese philosopher & reformer (551 BC – 479 BC).

The UN World Tourism Association (UNWTO) established 27^th September each year as World Tourism Day. Its aim is to raise awareness of the importance of tourism to the international community and its positive effect, socially and economically, on our society worldwide. The 2011 theme is ‘Tourism linking cultures’, with Yemen hosting celebrations. As we travel, let us engage with other cultures and celebrate human diversity.