On September 4–29, a thematic book exhibition “Our world. Your step. Help your neighbor!” timed to the World Charity Day runs in the Documents of international organizations reading room (auditorium 207g).
This Day was proclaimed at the 67th session of the UN General Assembly on 17 December, 2012 (resolution 67/105) and is observed annually on 5 September.
Having proclaimed this holiday, the General Assembly suggested to all organizations of the UN system, as well as other international, regional and nongovernmental organizations encouraging and developing charity in every way possible, and called on all people, irrespective of their age or sex, to give vent to that incentive to unselfish deeds which lives in the soul of every person.
The fifth of September was chosen deliberately. This is the day of death of Mother Teresa who in 1979 was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace for her action against poverty and aid to people. Mother Teresa (born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu), the known missionary and nun, for more than 45 years had served to the poor, disabled and orphans doing charity work in India at first and then in other countries. With her life and deeds for the sake of the poorest and most vulnerable representatives of mankind she inspired many people to do kind things all over the world.
Charity is an activity during which resources are voluntary and gratuitously distributed by their owners for assistance to needy people, and also for the solution of public issues and improvement of social life and living conditions. It concerns both financial and material resources and human abilities and energy
Charity promotes the United Nations’ ideals and plays a very important role in its activities. Donation of personal time or money, voluntary work in the homeland or in any corner of the world, a disinterested care and kindness – these and other manifestations of solidarity of peoples of the world are a common contribution to a harmonious coexistence of nations and a peaceful future.
Charity, as well as voluntariness and philanthropy, joins people and further the creation of a sustainable society, encourages dialogue between people belonging to different civilizations, cultures and religions. It helps to overcome the consequences of heavy humanitarian crises, assists the state in the sphere of public health services, education, house-building and population protection. Charity promotes the development of culture, science, sports, environment protection, and also the maintenance of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged population. Charity makes the voice of reason and mercy sound more loudly in armed conflicts.
The purpose of the World Charity Day is to attract the public attention to the role of various charitable organizations and individuals in the fight against poverty and solution of acute humanitarian crises, and to encourage the interaction of welfare funds in different countries.
The offered exhibition includes about 60 documents: books, periodicals, documents of international organizations in Russian and English languages.
The exposition consists of the following thematic sections:
- The history of charity in the world.
- The modern trends of charity: problems and perspectives.
- Charity in Belarus.
- Public policy, business and charity.
- The activity of international and regional welfare funds and charitable organizations.
- Religious communities of the world and charity.
The exhibition is designed for research workers, university professors and students, representatives of public authorities, social workers and everyone who is interested in the questions of charity.
Useful links
- The World Charity Day
- Humanitarian issues
- Social development
- Action against poverty
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- The Millennium Development Goals
- Human development reports
- The World population report
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