Current Affairs MCQs – Page 15 (Q141-150)

United Nations Day is observed every year on October 24, marking the anniversary of the date in 1945 when the UN Charter came into force after being ratified by a majority of its signatories, including all five permanent Security Council members. The day celebrates the achievements of the United Nations and promotes awareness of its work in maintaining peace, advancing human rights and supporting sustainable development. September 24 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the preceding month but is not the actual observance date. The week surrounding UN Day is often observed as UN Week in many countries, including at schools and universities.

World Cities Day is observed every year on October 31, established by the UN General Assembly in 2013 to promote international cooperation in addressing the opportunities and challenges of urbanization worldwide. The day highlights sustainable urban development, with cities now home to more than half of the world's population and projected to house nearly 70 percent by 2050. October 21 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the same month but ten days earlier than the real date. Shanghai first proposed the idea for the observance after hosting the 2010 World Expo under the theme Better City, Better Life.

World Science Day for Peace and Development is observed every year on November 10, proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001 to highlight the significant role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. The day emphasizes how scientific progress can support peace and development goals, while also raising awareness of the challenges faced by scientists in conflict zones. October 10 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the preceding month but is not the actual observance date. UNESCO often highlights the day alongside discussions of gender equality in STEM fields and open access to scientific knowledge.

World Diabetes Day is observed every year on November 14, chosen to mark the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1921, a breakthrough that transformed diabetes from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition. The day, led by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization, raises awareness of the growing global diabetes epidemic and the importance of prevention and management. December 14 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the following month but is not the real observance date. Pakistan has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in the world, according to International Diabetes Federation data.

The International Day for Tolerance is observed every year on November 16, established by UNESCO in 1995 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of its founding and to promote the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance adopted that year. The day encourages mutual understanding among cultures and communities and highlights the dangers of intolerance, including racism, discrimination and religious persecution. November 6 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the same month but is not the actual observance date. UNESCO also awards the biennial UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence around this time.

World Television Day is observed every year on November 21, marking the anniversary of the first World Television Forum held at the United Nations in 1996, which brought together media leaders to discuss television's growing global influence. The day recognizes the role television plays in shaping public opinion and informing audiences about conflicts, threats to peace and other global issues. October 21 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the preceding month but is not the real observance date. Despite the rise of streaming and digital media, television remains one of the most widely consumed media worldwide.

Universal Children's Day is observed every year on November 20, chosen to commemorate the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and later in 1989 when it adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The day promotes the welfare and rights of children worldwide and encourages activities that raise awareness of child protection and education issues. October 20 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the preceding month but is not the actual observance date. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed every year on November 25, chosen to commemorate the 1960 assassination of the Mirabal sisters, political activists brutally murdered under the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. The day marks the start of the annual 16 Days of Activism campaign, which runs until Human Rights Day on December 10 and mobilizes global action against gender-based violence. October 25 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the preceding month but is not the real observance date. The UN General Assembly formally designated the day in 1999 to raise awareness of this widespread human rights violation.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed every year on December 3, established by the UN General Assembly in 1992 to promote the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities across all areas of society and development. The day aims to increase awareness of disability issues and to advocate for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of people with disabilities worldwide. December 13 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the same month but is not the real observance date, though it is close to the anniversary of the 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted on December 13. More than a billion people worldwide, roughly 15 percent of the global population, live with some form of disability, according to WHO estimates.

International Volunteer Day is observed every year on December 5, designated by the UN General Assembly in 1985 to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism in advancing global peace and sustainable development. The day is used by governments, NGOs and the UN Volunteers program to recognize and promote the contributions volunteers make to communities worldwide. December 15 is a tempting distractor since it falls in the same month but ten days later than the actual observance date. Millions of people around the world participate in volunteer activities each year tied to this observance, ranging from disaster relief to environmental cleanups.