1 March 2014 - Zero Discrimination Day is the opportunity to celebrate everyone’s right to live a full and productive life with dignity—no matter what they look like, where they come from or whom they love.
Working with Nobel Peace Prize winner and UNAIDS Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, UNAIDS launched the #zerodiscrimination campaign in December 2013 on World AIDS Day.
By joining hearts and voices, individuals, communities and societies can transform the world every day and everywhere. Zero Discrimination Day is celebrated each year on March 3rd, and is a moment to highlight how everyone can become informed and promote tolerance, compassion and peace.
Discrimination is a violation of human rights. It is illegal, immoral, hurtful and dehumanizing. Too many people around the world face unequal treatment because of their race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or identity, disability, gender or age.
There are many things which can be done to counter discrimination and encourage acceptance; speaking up when something is wrong; raising awareness; supporting people who have been discriminated against; and promoting the benefits of diversity.
“People who discriminate narrow the world of others as well as their own,” says Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. “I believe in a world where everyone can flower and blossom.”
Many international celebrities have joined the call for zero discrimination, recording video messages and taking photographs with the butterfly sign. The personalities include UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Annie Lennox, international football star David Luiz, actress and activist Michelle Yeoh and HSH Princess Stephanie of Monaco.
“The AIDS response itself has taught the world tremendous lessons in tolerance and compassion,” says UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “We know that both the right to health and the right to dignity belong to everyone. Working together, we can transform ourselves, our communities and our world to reach zero discrimination.”
JOIN US:
You can join the celebrations through social media:
Download a butterfly (http://ow.ly/tlD7l) the symbol of positive transformation and upload your photo on facebook.
You can also update your Facebook status with the following text:
Discrimination is a violation of human rights. It is illegal, immoral, hurtful and dehumanizing. Too many people around the world face unequal treatment because of their race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation or identity, disability, gender or age. Stand up for #zerodiscrimination! Celebrate Zero Discrimination Day on 1 March, 2014. Read more here: http://ow.ly/t6q8V
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485