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UNESCO Club of Serres organized an educational programme on the theme of “Mountain Cultures: celebrating diversity and strengthening identity” in observance of International Mountain Day. The programme will take place from 9 December 2016 to 15 January 2017 at the Center of National Environment Protection at the Museum of Natural History in Serres, Greece.

Sam Kanyamibwa, Executive Director of the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS)and Mountain Partnership Steering Committee member, shared a message about the importance of mountains in celebration of International Mountain Day. In his message, he noted that sustainable mountain development must recognize, integrate, strengthen and protect local mountain cultures and their traditional knowledge and practices. He also highlighted how African countries must work together to ensure the sustainable provision of mountains’ ecosystem services and to achieve Africa Sustainable Mountain Development.

Hiking is a classic way of celebrating mountains. This year’s International Mountain Day celebration in the Parc Natural de la Font Roja in Valencia, Spain consisted of a guided excursion over some of the park’s most cherished mountains and valleys. Hikers gathered at one of two meeting spots, in Alcoy and Ibi, making their way toward the peak known as “Alt de la Teixereta”. Here, they enjoyed a picnic with a view before making their way back down the mountain. [...]

The Federal Institute for Less-Favoured and Mountainous Areas celebrated IMD in Vienna, Austria with an event on 12 December. After introducing the 2016 theme, “Mountain Cultures“, two experts discussed applying the LEADER approach – a rural development process focused on forming sub-regional level partnerships between the public, private and civil sectors – in Georgian mountain areas in the Caucasus. In closing, an expert of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management presented photos from a mission in [...]

Mountain Research Ireland (MRI) announced the winner of the “International Mountain Day Award” on 11 December. Each year, this award recognizes a person in Ireland that is working for mountain awareness, education, sustainable development or research. Lorcan McDonnel, Senior Instructor at Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre, won the 2016 award for his contributions to MRI's Mountain Plant Survey, for his service in educating people on the importance of fragile mountain environments and for inspiring the next generation of explorers and researchers.

The Phulchwoki Integrated Development Program of the Youth Awareness Environmental Forum (YAEF) organized an event about the Godawari Area – a major water, biodiversity and heritage site in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal – in celebration of International Mountain Day. The Radio Paryabaran channel, 104.2 MHz, established by the YAEF, also broadcasted mountain programmes daily at 18.00 on 10-12 December.

The Mountain Institute and the Mountain Laurel Learning Center partnered to get young students interested in their mountain community in Tucker County, West Virginia, United States. During the week preceding International Mountain Day, students studied mountain formation and mountain ranges around the world. They also studied the important economic and cultural role of the local tourism industry. Lastly, the students brainstormed activities the community has to offer to residents and visitors and created brochures to promote their mountain community.

On 11 December, Mountain High organized a campout at Ski Dubai in celebration of International Mountain Day. Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Participants of different ages and nationalities celebrated together by hiking, skiing and spending the night in tents.

In commemoration of International Mountain Day, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in Colombia is organizing the event "Páramos Symposium: the páramos, water and people" on 14-15 December 2016 in Bogotá, Colombia. Recognizing the role of the páramos (high alpine tundra ecosystems) in regulating and supplying water to the region, the event aims to analyse the current management of high mountain ecosystems in Colombia and to guide the governance and conservation of these territories.

The NGO OCOTEA, with support from the municipality of Soata, is organizing a book presentation in celebration of International Mountain Day on 19 December from 17.00-19.00 in Bogotá, Colombia. "¡Este es mi paisaje! La biodiversidad de Soatá, Boyacá, Colombia" (This is my landscape! The biodiversity of Soata, Boyaca, Colombia") compiles ten years of biodiversity research and initiatives in the mountains of Soata, which was listed as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Conservation Area in 2008.