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Calendar 2012

Below is a selection of international development dates for your diary in 2012. Below each date you will find a brief summary from members of our research teams on why we think they are important.

January

World Economic Forum - 25 to 29 January

February

World Social Forum, Dhaka - 5 to 10 February

March

International Women's Day - 8 March
This day marks the 100th year of demanding equal rights for women - much has been gained, but much yet needs to be done.'
Andrea Cornwall, IDS Research Fellow and Director for Pathways of Women's Empowerment

April

World Health Day - 7 April

May

World Fairtrade Day - 12 May

G8 Summit - 15 May

International Day Against Homophobia - 17 May
‘In development work we sometimes assume that everyone is straight - such as in household models or gender analysis comparing women and men. As a result we exacerbate the exclusion of an already marginalised population of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. This day is a challenge to us to make development live up to its promise of promoting equality and injustice for all.'
Susie Jolly, Programme Convenor, Participation Team

June

World Environment Day - 5 June
'Biodiversity, the totality of all genes, species and ecosystems on the planet, is our greatest natural treasure. Its diminution and degradation should be prevented at all cost.'
John Thompson, IDS Research Fellow, KNOTS Team

Rio + 20, United Nations Sustainability Development Conference - 20 to 22 June

July

WEDC International Conference - 6 to 8 July

World Population Day - 11 July

London Olymplics Start - 27 July

August

International Day for Indigenous People - 9 August

September

International Literacy Day - 8 September

International Day of Democracy - 15 September
Democracy is a complicated mix of ideas, concepts, institutions, values, obligations, procedures, rights and, probably, a whole lot more that can be debated, assessed and quibbled over. But in its essence the term derives from the ancient Greek term meaning "rule by the people." Creating a form of government in which the demos ("the people") rule themselves is not a simple, easy or unidirectional process. There is an assumption held by many that the long-term economic development and welfare of a country hinges on a successful transition to democracy. So after securing the freedom to vote for the candidate that you dislike the least, expect many voices in front of the mikes promising a better tomorrow to follow.
Marc P. Berenson, IDS Research Fellow, Governance Team

October

World Food Day - 16 October
'The food crisis has been called a silent tsunami. When it comes to hunger, silence is deadly. World Food Day is an opportunity for collective action. Civil society must not tolerate hunger - it must hold donors and developing countries to account for any delay, mediocrity and mendacity.'
Lawrence Haddad, Director

November

World Toilet Day - 17 November

December

World AIDS day - 1 December

UNFCCC Climate Change Conference (COP 18) begins this month.