Recognizing Our Diverse Community
December is the Universal Month for Human Rights. In 1948 with the memory of World War II still fresh, the United Nations crafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The very first article states: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. You can learn more about this awareness by visiting HERE.
December 1st is World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day is a global movement to unite people in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Since 1988, communities have stood together on World AIDS Day to show strength and solidarity against HIV stigma and to remember lives lost. You can learn more about this day HERE.
December 2nd is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict. This date commemorates the adoption by the United Nations on December 2nd, 1949 of an agreement to reduce and eradicate slavery of all forms. You can learn more about this HERE.
December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). This day is a globally recognized observance dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. We celebrate this day to appreciate the contributions which people with disabilities make to our societies, and also to express solidarity with them in their struggle to overcome the barriers and challenges which they still face, due to stigmatization and exclusion. You can learn more about this day HERE.
December 7th at sundown marks the start of Hanukkah for people of the Jewish community. Hanukkah, which is Hebrew for “dedication,” is the Festival of Lights. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greek army, and the subsequent miracle of rededicating the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and restoring its menorah, or lamp. The miracle of Hanukkah is that only one vial of oil was found with just enough oil to illuminate the Temple lamp for one day, and yet it lasted for eight full days.You can learn more about this celebration HERE.
