Current Affairs June 2020 - Important Days

1 - Global Day of Parents 2020

The Global Day of Parents is observed annually on the 1^st of June every year. This day honours all the parents around the world for their selfless commitment and lifelong sacrifice they do for their children.

The day recognizes that the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children. This Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2012 with resolution A/RES/66/292. The resolution recognizes the role of parents in the rearing of their children.

2 - World Milk Day 2020

The 20^th World Milk Day was celebrated on 1 June 2020. It has been observed annually since 2001. The Day provides an opportunity to focus attention on milk and to publicise activities connected with milk and the milk industry.

The theme for World Milk day 2020 is ‘the 20^th Anniversary of World Milk Day’. The day was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to recognise the importance of milk as a global food.

3 - World No Tobacco Day 2020

The World No Tobacco Day is celebrated annually on May 31^st. This day is celebrated to create awareness and encourage people to reduce or completely stop the tobacco consumption in any form all across the globe.

The theme of the World no Tobacco Day 2020 is 'Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use'. The Day was first introduced by the World Health Organization to make the whole world free of tobacco.

4 - World Bicycle Day 2020

The World Bicycle Day is observed every year on 3^rd June. The day helps create awareness about the multiple societal benefits of using the bicycle for transport and leisure. It also highlights its benefits as a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit and sustainable means of transportation, promoting health for all.

On June 3, 2018, the first official World Bicycle Day was celebrated. The logo for World Bicycle Day was designed by Isaac Feld and the accompanying animation was done by Professor John E. Swanson.

5 - World Environment Day 2020

The World Environment Day is observed annually worldwide on 5^th June. The day aims to promote “Worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment.” This day is celebrated to spread awareness about the environment and its effects on the daily life of the people.

The day, this year, was hosted by Colombia. The theme for the World Environment Day 2020 is "Biodiversity". Biodiversity is the foundation that supports all life on land and below water.

6 - International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 2020

The United Nations' (UN) International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed on June 4 each year. The day acknowledges the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse.

This Day celebrates the millions of individuals and organizations working to protect and preserve the rights of children and affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of children.

7 - World Food Safety Day observed on 7^th June

The second World Food Safety Day (WFSD) was celebrated on 7 June 2020 to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.

Under the theme “Food safety, everyone’s business”, the action oriented campaign promoted global food safety awareness. Food safety is the absence or safe, acceptable levels of hazards in food that may harm the health of consumers.

8 - World Oceans Day 2020 observed on 8^th June

World Ocean Day is observed on 8^th June annually to raise awareness about the importance of oceans in our lives. The theme of UN World Oceans Day 2020 was “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean.” It was related to the introduction of new methods, ideas, or products.

The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world's oceans.

9 - World Accreditation Day 2020 celebrated on 9^th June

The World Accreditation Day (WAD) 2020 was celebrated on 9^th June under the theme “Accreditation: Improving Food Safety”. The day highlight and promote the role of accreditation in trade & economy. World Accreditation Day as a global initiative, jointly established by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

This year’s theme focused on how accreditation provides added value to supply chains. Supply chains provide a vital role in delivering products and services for consumers, business and the public sector in a timely, cost-efficient and quality manner.

10 - World Day against Child Labour observed on 12 June

The United Nations and International Labour Organization (ILO) observe 12 June every year as the World Day against Child labour. World Day against Child Labour 2020 focused on the impact of crisis on child labour. The COVID-19 health pandemic can push millions of vulnerable children into child labour.

On the occasion of the World Day, a joint ILO-UNICEF paper entitled “COVID-19 and child labour: A time of crisis, a time to act” was released. The paper details about some of the main ways through which the pandemic is likely to affect progress towards the eradication of child labour.

11 - World Blood Donor Day 2020

The World Blood Donor Day is observed annually on the 14^th of June across the world. The day aims to raise awareness about the global need for safe blood and how everyone can contribute. The theme for Blood Donation Day 2020 is 'Safe Blood Saves Lives'. The Slogan of "Blood Donation Day 2020" is 'Give Blood And Make The World A Healthier Place.'

The objective of this year’s campaign is to raise wider awareness of the urgent need to increase the availability of safe blood. It also demonstrates the need for universal access to safe blood transfusion.

12 - International Albinism Awareness Day 2020

The International Albinism Awareness Day is observed annually on June 13. The day focuses on raising public awareness of albinism and preventing attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism. People with albinism face multiple forms of discrimination worldwide. The theme of the day this year is "Made To Shine."

Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. Almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer.

13 - Global Wind Day 2020

Global Wind Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on 15 June. The day is dedicated to spread the awareness and encourage the use of wind as a form of green and renewable source of energy.

The Government of India has set an ambitious target of producing 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030. The country is already working on the target of having 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022, which includes 100 GW of solar, 45 GW of wind energy and 15 GW of other sources of green energy.

14 - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed annually on 15^th June across the globe. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020's theme is "Lifting Up Voices". The day aims to focus global attention on the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of elders.

The day was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/127 December 2011, following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse.

15 - International Day of Family Remittances 2020

The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) 2020 was observed on 16 June. It is observed on this every year. The theme this year is "Remittances are a lifeline." The day is celebrated to recognise the efforts of migrants who help to improve the lives of their family members back home.

Global remittances to developing countries are projected to fall by US$ 110 billion in 2020 due to the economic crisis induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first International Day of Family Remittances was celebrated on June 16, 2015.

16 - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2020

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year on 17^th June. The day aims to raise awareness of the presence of desertification and drought, highlighting methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought.

The theme for year 2020 is "Food. Feed.Fibre. - the links between consumption and land." This year’s observance is focused on changing public attitudes to the leading driver of desertification and land degradation: humanity’s relentless production and consumption.

17 - International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict is a United Nations observance on June 19 every year. The day is observed to raise awareness of the need to put an end to conflict-related sexual violence, to honour the victims of sexual violence and to pay tribute to all those who have courageously devoted their life for the eradication of crimes.

A virtual event was organized by the office of the SRSG on sexual violence. The purpose of this event was to outline a number of implications related to the effects of COVID-19 on the lives of the survivors.

18 - Autistic Pride Day observed on 18^th June

Autistic Pride Day is observed on 18^th June to create awareness about autism among people. The day highlights the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society.

Autistic Pride Day is dedicated to neurodiversity and celebrating rather than distinguishing individual differences. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuro-developmental disorder which affects communication and socialization.

19 - World Refugee Day 2020

The United Nations' (UN) World Refugee Day is observed annually on June 20. The day honors the courage, strength and determination of refugees who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence.

The theme of World Refugee Day this year is "every action counts." The theme focusses on every individual's contribution and responsibility to make a difference to make sure that no one is left behind. The focus is to bring about changes to make the world more inclusive.

20 - World Music Day observed on June 21

World Music Day or Fête de la Musique was observed on June 21. It is an annual celebration that was founded by Jack Lang and Maurice Fleuret in 1981. This was first of its kind that musicians from the 8 Northeast states performed live virtually to celebrate world music day.

World Music Day started in 1982 in France as 'Fete de la Musique', a music festival. Every year free concerts are organized across the globe to make music accessible to all. It was so popular that is spread worldwide and people in every country celebrate music in their own unique way.

21 - Sixth International Yoga Day observed on 21^st June

The sixth International Day of Yoga was observed on 21^st June, 2020. International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21^st June every year to recognize many benefits of the ancient Indian practice of yoga. The theme of 2020 Yoga day was "Yoga for Health - Yoga at Home".

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The World Health Organization mentioned ‘yoga’ as a means to improve health in its Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world. Yoga benefits include increased flexibility and fitness, mindfulness and relaxation.

22 - World Hydrography Day 2020

The World Hydrography Day is celebrated annually on June 21 to give suitable publicity to the work of hydrographers at all levels and increase the coverage of hydrographic information on a global basis. The World Hydrography Day theme for 2020 is “Hydrography Enabling Autonomous Technologies”.

The day seeks to highlight the fundamental importance of hydrography. Hydrography is the science of surveying and charting bodies of water, such as oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers.

23 - United Nations Public Service Day 2020

The United Nations’ Public Service Day is held annually on the 23^rd of June. This day intends to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlights the contribution of public service in the development process; recognize the work of public servants, and encourage young people to pursue careers in the public sector.

The United Nations (UN) holds a Public Service Awards ceremony each year. It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions worldwide.

24 - International Widows’ Day 2020

The International Widows Day is observed every year on 23^rd June. The day aims to raise awareness of the violation of human rights that widows suffer in many countries following the death of their spouses. International Widows' Day was initiated by the Loomba Foundation in 2005.

The theme of the day this year is ‘I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights’, which is aligned with UN Women’s new multi-generational campaign, Generation Equality.

25 - World Olympic Day 2020

The International Olympic Day is celebrated on the 23^rd June annually. It was introduced in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on the 23^rd June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris. The goal was to promote participation in sport across the globe regardless of age, gender or athletic ability. The three pillars of the day are - “Move”, “Learn” and “Discover”.

Over the last 20 years, this Olympic Day has been associated with Olympic Day Runs all over the world. McDonald's in 2003 became the worldwide partner of this event.

26 - International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on 26 June against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. The theme for 2020 is – "Better Knowledge for Better Care" to emphasize the need to improve the understanding of the world drug problem and how in turn, better knowledge will foster greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance and security.

The observance was instituted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec 7, 1987. The day is celebrated worldwide to make people aware and emphasize the hazards of drug addiction and illegal trafficking.

27 - Day of the Seafarer 2020

The Day of the Seafarer 2020 was celebrated across the globe on the 25^th June. This year marked the 10^th anniversary of the day. The campaign for 2020 is "Seafarers are Key Workers".

The 2020 Day of the Seafarer campaign pays tribute to seafarers, acknowledging their sacrifice and the issues they face. The campaign encourages everyone to treat seafarers with the respect and dignity they deserve. The decision to celebrate 25^th June as the Day of the Seafarer was taken by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2010.