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International Mountain Day
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International Mountain Day is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring positive change to the world's mountains and highlands.
It was the UN General Assembly who designated 11 December, from 2003 onwards, as 'International Mountain Day'. This decision results from the success of the UN International Year of Mountains in 2002, which increased global awareness of the importance of mountains, stimulated the establishment of national committees in 78 countries and strengthened alliances through promoting the creation of the International Partnership for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions, known as the 'Mountain Partnership (WSSD, Johannesburg, 2 September 2002). FAO was the designated lead coordinating agency for International Year of Mountains and is mandated to lead observance of International Mountain Day.
International Mountain Day 2009
Foreword
10 November 2009
Dear Colleague,
The United Nations General Assembly has designated 11 December, from 2003 onwards, as the “International Mountain Day”. It is observed every year with a different theme relevant to sustainable mountain development. The theme for the International Mountain Day 2009 is “Disaster Risk Management in Mountains”.
Mountains are hazardous places. Many mountain communities live under the threat of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, avalanches, landslides and floods. Many are the factors that cause people to live in these vulnerable situations: ties of kinship and community, a culturally different notion of risk and last but not least, poverty.
This year’s International Mountain Day aims to raise awareness on the high number of natural hazards in mountain areas and the high vulnerability of mountain communities. It draws attention to sustainable agricultural, pasture and forestry practices as key elements of risk reduction as well as the need to develop integrated strategies and policies at a national level.
Please find enclosed communication and promotional material prepared by FAO to help you celebrate this special event and to share it with your relevant key-partners.
These communication materials are posted at the following website: www.fao.org/mnts/intl_mountain_day_en.asp. For any further information or specific questions related to this year’s theme, please contact Sara Manuelli (Sara.Manuelli@fao.org) or mountain-day@fao.org.
In the follow-up to the International Mountain Day 2009 please do not forget to send us a report about the celebrations of the Day in your country or institution. Also we would very much appreciate receiving feedback on the relevance and usefulness of the communication materials we have provided.
Best regards,
José Antonio Prado
Director,
Forest Management Division
Fax: +39-06-57055 137
E-mail: mountain-day@fao.org |
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The Mountain Voices Web site presents interviews with over 300 people who live in mountain and highland regions round the world. |
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What are UN International Days?
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Since the early days of the United Nations system, the UN has established a set of days (as well as weeks, years and decades) to help focus the world on the issues in which the UN has an interest and commitment. The UN calls on member states and other organizations to mark these days in ways which reflect their priorities. Read more... |
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