Many national and international days and weeks, as well as global summits and conferences, can act as the perfect frames to highlight issues that GRANs care deeply about. These special dates are opportunities to educate the public on GRAN issues, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate progress and achievements. The calendar below captures dates that best align with GRAN priorities and campaigns and aims to inspire GRAN groups and individuals to pick opportune timings throughout the year to draw attention to GRAN advocacy issues.
2022
House of Commons in Session:
September 19 - October 7
October 17 - November 4
November 14 - December 16
April - November
GRAN Health Equity Campaign Advocating for fair global access to lifesaving medicines.
July 29 - August 2
24th International AIDS Conference, Montreal -- Featuring the latest HIV science, the program offers a range of topics, including exploring Indigenous responses to HIV, surveillance ethics, health innovation, HIV cure, and vaccine research.
september
September 19 Transforming Education Summit -- Taking place during the 77th UN General Assembly, the Summit seeks to mobilize political ambition, action, solutions and solidarity to transform education: to take stock of efforts to recover pandemic-related learning losses; to reimagine education systems for the world of today and tomorrow; and to revitalize national and global efforts to achieve SDG-4.
September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Canada) -- Honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities.
Dates yet to be announced Seventh Replenishment Conference of The Global Fund -- The Global Fund is a partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics.
october
October 1 International Day of Older Persons -- Created in 1990 by the United Nations to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions that older people make to society.
October 11 International Day of the Girl Child -- Created in 2012 by the United Nations to promote girls’ human rights, highlight gender inequalities, and address the various forms of discrimination and abuse suffered by girls around the world.
november
November 7 - 18 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP 27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt -- A strong presence from Africa, Lower Income Countries, and Small Island States is anticipated and a focus by them on funding for Loss and Damages related to climate disasters.
November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, and peace, as well as to the fulfillment of women's and girls’ human rights. This day is a call for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy, and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions.
November 25 - December 10 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence -- Women’s organizations, advocates, and activists join together for this global campaign which links the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and International Human Rights Day.
december
December 1 World AIDS Day People around the world unite to raise awareness and show support for people living with and affected by HIV, to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS, and to celebrate victories, such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.
December 6 National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Canada) -- Commemorated on the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre, in which an armed student murdered fourteen women and injured ten others in the name of "fighting feminism”.
2023
january
January 24 International Day of Education -- The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.
february
February 5 - 11 International Development Week (Canada) -- Draws attention to international development and spotlights the important contributions Canadians are making through partnerships around the world.
Dates TBA Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Replenishment -- Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is the United Nations global billion-dollar fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises. ECW was launched to transform the aid system that currently leaves behind millions of the most vulnerable children and youth on the planet. The Fund’s strategy is designed to address the obstacles that have prevented humanitarian and development organizations from delivering quality education in humanitarian crises.
March
Release Date TBA Federal Budget Canada
March 8 International Women’s Day -- Ranges from celebration of respect, appreciation, and love towards women to a celebration of women’s economic, political, and social achievements.
March 24 World Tuberculosis Day -- Created by the World Health Organization to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
april
April 23 - 29 World Immunization Week Aims to highlight the collective action needed and promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. The ultimate goal of World Immunization Week is for more people – and their communities – to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
April 25 World Malaria Day Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease that continues to have a devastating impact on the health and livelihood of people around the world. World Malaria Day is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control.
june
Pride Month -- Parades, festivals and events take place across Canada and around the world celebrating 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and communities. Contributions to society by 2SLGBTQ+ persons receive special recognition. Pride month celebrates the progress made towards the eradication of hatred and discrimination while recognizing that much work still needs to be done so that 2SLGBTQ+ persons everywhere may live openly in community, free from fear.
June 5 World Environment Day -- Highlights the protection and health of the environment as urgent global issues and provides a global platform for taking action to help drive change in national and international environmental policy.
June 15 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day -- Initiated by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in 2006 and was first recognize as a UN Day in 2011. In many parts of the world, elder abuse occurs with little recognition or response. This day is a call to action to protect the human rights of older persons.
June 16 International Day of the African Child -- Honours those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 and focuses attention on the barriers African children face in order to receive a quality education.
