The 68th anniversary of the United Nations has been celebrated in Ukraine with weeklong activities engaging development partners and general public in the activities of the world organization at the country level.

The official part of the celebration took place on the United Nations Day 24 October in the form of an official reception at Presidium Art Academy, where national and international partners had an opportunity to look back on the activities conducted together during the past year and create base for future cooperation.

During reception, a combined photo-video exhibition of the work of the 15 UN system organizations was displayed at the venue to give guests understanding on what the United Nations actually does in Ukraine. In addition, an artistic interpretation of the Ukrainian priorities for the Post-2015 development agenda was presented in the form of a sand animation – transforming the wish for the better future for all into sweet expression of human feeling.

“Ideals of social justice, inclusiveness and equity continue to move our hearts and minds to find solutions to problems and to work together towards peace, better standards of life and give people a voice when this simple act of justice is denied”, Ms. Alessandra Tisot, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine said and continued:

“We need to do more, with more passion and conviction and with the longsighted view to take decisions now for a better world in the future, a more sustainable world, planet, hearts and minds filled with the understanding of the why we need to do better”, she added.

Another event to celebrate the 68-year-old organization was organized for librarians at the United Nations depositary hall of the Vladimir Vernadsky scientific library in Kyiv, where during “UN Publications Fair” the most recent publications and other sources of UN information were distributed to the representatives of the scientific, academia and public libraries.

“The event was a great opportunity to build partnerships with the librarians and academic community, advance understanding of the cutting edge work of UN locally as well as globally and promote evidence-based work and further learning”, Ms. Venny Ala-Siurua, UNODC Associate Programme Officer and Chair of the UN Communication Group in Ukraine stated at the event.

Youth of Ukraine was also included in the activities of the United Nations Week, when students of several schools in Kyiv were invited to attend UN4U lectures conducted by UN staff on topics related to UN mandate. One of the lectures conducted in Kyiv Business Lyceum on “Volunteerism” gained particularly warm welcome encouraging youth to become active citizens and work for the development of their home communities in the future.

“It is important to inform young Ukrainians on how volunteerism brings benefits to both society and to young people themselves. The students of such young age are full of possibilities and curiosity, and they will soon lead this country. I would be honored to work for and with more Ukrainian youngsters, who are willing to contribute to the development of their country through volunteerism”, Mr. Shinobu Mashima, Programme Officer of the United Nations Volunteers in Ukraine said.

United Nations Day is celebrated every year on 24 October since 1948 marking the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.

United Nations is present in Ukraine since 1992 with currently 15 UN system organizations operating in the country providing assistance at the central and local levels in pursuing sustained economic growth, good governance, rule of law, respect for human rights and other international standards and norms for the sake of the well-being of the people of Ukraine.

More information about the United Nations Day: http://www.un.org/en/events/unday/