United Nations: 70 years in the service of peace and justice

United Nations: 70 years in the service of peace and justice - 24 October 2016

The United Nations held its 70th anniversary on 24 October 2016. The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, opened the International Court of Justice (ICJ) exhibit on 24 October 2016 to mark 70 years in the service of peace and justice. At the United Nations headquarters in New York, Ban Ki-moon and the President of the International Court of Justice, Ronny Abraham, opened the ceremony for the exhibition entitled ’70 Years in the Service of Peace and Justice.’

The photography exhibition represented the history of the International Court of Justice and how it works for the peace of the international community. The exhibtion included examples of judgements and advisory opinions that showcase the ICJ’s contribution to peaceful resolutions of conflicts around the world. The exhibition will be on display until 28 December 2016.

The United Nations also held ceremonies around the world to commemorate 70 years in the service of peace and justice. They included concerts, conferences, sporting competitions, art exhibitions, and film screenings.

In Brussels, the exhibition to celebrate 70 years was called ‘Around the World in 70 Days.’ Elyx, the UN’s first digital ambassador, created by French artist, Yak, journeyed for 70 days – Elyx has no nationality, no gender or race, nor does it speak, representing a universal character. Elyx’s journey began on 15 August and ended on 24 October, UN Day, at the UN headquarters in New York, visiting UN offices around the world. The adventure was documented on social media (#UN70 and www.elyx70days.org).

In the Russian Federation, a special event was held at the Bolshoi Theatre. President Vladamir Putin addressed the event organised by The Russian Public Committee for the Observance of UN70, which included short ballets staged by choreographer Alexei Ratmansky.

The Islamic Republic of Iran held a UN Journalism Award Contest with five winners selected. Belarus promoted the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) with a blue Express Train Tour, which travelled across the country visiting seven cities to hold more than 250 events. Austria held a travelling photography exhibition called ‘We the Peoples’ to mark 70 years – it was launched in September in Vienna, and will continue to Germany (Bonn) and Hungary (Budapest). Poland celebrated the UN’s 70th anniversary with ‘The Blue March of Peace’ in Warsaw. Peru held a photography exhibition called ‘For a Better World’ from 12-25 October in Miraflores, and will continue in November and December in other locations around the country. Pakistan held a photography exhibition called ‘Pakistani People and the United Nations – Human Stories through Photography’ in the City Heritage Museum in Lahore. India launched the UN@70 campaign and the YoUNg@70 initiative in New Delhi with the theme ‘The Future we Want’ to raise global awareness of sustainable development. And Turkey held a ‘Youth and Music’ event, which included videos and posters, as well as orchestral concerts.

https://www.un.org/un70/en/content/events/around-the-world

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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