International Migrants Day occurs each year on the 18th of December. It is an opportunity to recognise the complexity and challenges of international migration and the important role cooperation and collective action among countries and regions play.
DineSmart is an initiative to raise awareness about the prominent issue of homelessness in Australia. Dine at participating restaurants and help out local grassroots community groups attempting to aid the homeless or at risk.
Since establishment in 2003, DineSmart has distributed $7,162,515 in funds, supported 700 organisations, donated 10,000 SleepSafe Kits, and provided 93,585 SmartMeals.
How DineSmart works:
Street Smart partners with restaurants and local homeless charities
Diners make a $2 donation at partner restaurants for dine-in or takeaway
Money raised will provide meals for vulnerable people who may otherwise not have eaten
December 10 commemorates the day that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted in 1948. This is significant as the UDHR sets out human rights which are recognised as the basic and minimum standard for all citizens.
Human Rights Day marks an opportunity to:
Commemorate, educate and reflect on the principles that form the UDHR;
Celebrate the rights Australians have the opportunity to exercise everyday;
Acknowledge the responsibility of promoting these rights for all people.
The campaign runs every year from 25 November-10 December, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Human Rights Day. 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.
In 2020 the global theme is: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” Make a difference during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by supporting women and girl survivors of violence to stay safe and free of violence.
Globally, even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, 1 in 3 women experienced physical or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner.
Emerging data shows an increase in calls to domestic violence helplines in many countries since the outbreak of COVID-19.
In some countries, resources and efforts have been diverted from violence against women response to immediate COVID-19 relief.
Get involved this December by:
Raising awareness on social media
Donating
Organising events in your local community
Sharing photos, videos and messages on social media about how you are participating
Decembeard is a hair-raising fundraiser held during the month of December. Men are encouraged to grow a beard in the final month of the year to raise awareness and much needed funds for bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is the third most common type of newly diagnosed cancer in Australia.
15,253 Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, including 1,531 (10%) people under the age of 50.
To get involved, grow a beard or some chin stubble and promote your facial hair to raise awareness and funds for Australia’s second biggest cancer killer – bowel cancer. Women and children are also encouraged to take part by making or faking a beard and encouraging the men in their lives to find out about bowel cancer and grow a beard for Decembeard!
Decembeard’s goal is to have a lasting impact on our health future – where no one dies of bowel cancer and all those diagnosed receive the support they need.
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year. IDPwD is a United Nations observed day celebrated internationally. It aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions.
According to the WHO World Report on Disability, 15 per cent of the world’s population, or more than 1 billion people, are living with disability.
The 2020 theme ‘Not all Disabilities are Visible’ focuses on spreading awareness and understanding of disabilities that are not immediately apparent, such as mental illness, chronic pain or fatigue, sight or hearing impairments, diabetes, brain injuries, neurological disorders, learning differences and cognitive dysfunctions, among others.
World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year. It raises awareness across the world and in the community about the issues surrounding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a day for people to show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
“HIV continues to pose serious challenges around the globe.”
HIV still exists in Australia. There were 833 new HIV diagnoses in Australia in 2018.
HIV can affect anyone. There is no vaccine or cure for HIV, however there is highly effective treatment. People living with HIV take medications on a daily basis to maintain their HIV at an undetectable level and to keep themselves healthy. Today, HIV is considered a chronic but manageable condition, and people living with HIV can lead long and healthy lives, with a similar life expectancy to a person who does not have HIV.
Like other conditions, HIV can be prevented. By being informed about what HIV is and how it can be transmitted, we can take measures to look after ourselves and others.
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