Twenty years ago, the United Nations proclaimed 21 February as International Mother Language Day in recognition of the importance of promoting and preserving linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The day encourages UN Member States to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world and to promote unity in diversity and international understanding through multilingualism and multiculturalism.

This year marks the beginning of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The Global Goals, adopted by all countries in 2015, are our shared vision to end poverty, safeguard the environment and build a peaceful world. With only 10 years left to achieve the Goals, there is an urgent need to step up action.

A continued lack of decent work opportunities, insufficient investments and under-consumption lead to an erosion of the basic social contract underlying democratic societies: that all must share in progress. Even though the average annual growth rate of real GDP per capita worldwide is increasing year on year, there are still many countries in the developing world that are decelerating in their growth rates and moving farther from the 7% growth rate target set for 2030. As labor productivity decreases and unemployment rates rise, standards of living begin to decline due to lower wages.

Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

World Science Day for Peace and Development is 10 November! The day underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives and highlights the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underscores the role scientists play in broadening our understanding of the remarkable, fragile planet we call home and in making our societies more sustainable.

Did you know that 60% of the world’s population, or 4.5 billion people, live without a toilet or have one that doesn’t adequately dispose of waste? Or that 892 million people still practice open defecation? Exposure to human feces on this scale has a devastating impact upon public health, living and working conditions, nutrition, education and economic productivity across the world.