International Charity Day (05/09)

International Day of Charity, established by UN General Assembly resolution № A/RES/67/105 of March 7, 2013, is celebrated annually on September 5.

The purpose of Day – is to attract public attention to the work of charities and individuals in overcoming poverty and acute humanitarian crises, and, of course, to encourage their work and mobilize people, public organizations and stakeholders around the world to participate in volunteer and charitable activities.

According to the UN, charity, which helps eradicate poverty in all countries of the world, and expression of solidarity with the disadvantaged contribute to the establishment of dialogue between people of different cultures, religions and civilizations.

The initiative to establish this Day was taken by the Hungarian government, and the date is timed to coincide with the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997). A renowned missionary and Catholic nun –, she served the poor, sick and orphans for half a century, doing charitable work first in India and then in other countries. For her noble work, Mother Teresa received recognition in the world, and in 1979 she became a laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize «For her activities in helping a suffering person».

Even today, in today's technological and ever-developing world, poverty, as a result of social, economic and man-made disasters, still persists in all countries, regardless of their level of economic, social and cultural development.

Charity helps overcome the consequences of these severe crises and complements government activities in the fields of health care, education, housing construction and public protection. It also promotes the development of culture, science, sports and ensures nature conservation.

Charity, in fact, is voluntary and impersonal, focused on socially significant tasks and does not involve making a profit. At the same time, the resources are both financial and material resources, as well as the abilities and energy of people. After all, charity is aimed not only at helping those in need, but also at helping to restore historical monuments and churches, equipping educational and medical institutions, and much more.

Charity, like volunteerism and philanthropy, is one of the important needs of humanity. It brings people together, helps create an inclusive and more sustainable society, and protects the most vulnerable and disadvantaged segments of the population. Charitable activities make the voice of reason and mercy sound louder in conflict situations.

Today, when the need for humanitarian assistance is great and when the number of refugees and displaced persons has reached a record high since the end of World War II, charity is playing an increasingly important role. So the International Day of Charity is designed to establish the principle of mercy in society. After all, it is unknown who will need support and when.

I would also like to note that not only Mother Teresa is known for her heroic ascetic work. Charity has been done at all times. In Russia, famous patrons and philanthropists were: Count Sheremetev, Pavel Tretyakov, Savva Mamontov, Pavel Demidov and others who made invaluable contributions to supporting culture, science and art. And, for example, the famous scientist Albert Einstein signed his autographs for $1, and donated the proceeds to charity. French religious figure – Sister Emmanuel (1908-2008) taught the poor in schools at Catholic missions in Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt, and sought the construction of schools, kindergartens and clinics in poor neighborhoods. Pakistani Abdul Sattar Edhi (1928-2016) in 1948 organized a voluntary ambulance service, including not only emergency treatment, but also free medical examinations, orphanages and drug rehabilitation centers. Businessman Bill Gates founded a charitable foundation in 2000 that helps seriously ill and poor people, as well as – develop healthcare and education.

In general, many artists, businessmen, rulers and ordinary citizens of different countries are involved in charity work. Russia is no exception. For example, actors: Konstantin Khabensky founded a charitable foundation for children with cancer; Gosha Kutsenko – fund for helping patients with cerebral palsy «Step together»; Evgeny Mironov, Igor Vernik and Maria Mironova established a charitable foundation in 2008 to support artists «Artist». Film director Timur Bekmambetov co-founded the charitable foundation for helping children with immune disorders «Sunflower». Conductor Vladimir Spivakov established the International Charitable Foundation, whose scholarship recipients were many gifted young musicians, and Valery Gergiev founded the Foundation with the aim of organizing charitable activities in the field of art, culture, education and education. Top model Natalya Vodianova – foundation «Naked Heart», which built more than 100 playgrounds and parks in 68 cities of Russia. Singer Joseph Kobzon patronized two – orphanages in Yasnaya Polyana and Tula for many years. The «Fair Aid» Foundation, founded by Elizaveta Glinka, commonly known as Doctor Lisa, provides financial support and medical care to dying cancer patients, low-income non-oncology patients, and the homeless…

This list goes on for a long time. Television is increasingly joining charity. According to statistics, in Russia every 7th resident of the country is involved in charity work.

There are charitable organizations of various directions in the world – some help children, adults, disabled people, the elderly, people who, for various reasons, find themselves in difficult situations, others – dogs, domestic cats, Amur tigers, birds and turtles. Third – architectural and cultural monuments that face something... These are large and small organizations that work with different resources. There are many options for help – you can donate money, regardless of size, donate things or blood, help put out fires, or you can give up your time.

The main thing is to understand that helping others – is not a heavy duty or burden, but happiness. If we are generous, we are more sympathetic and attentive to people, we understand them. This creates strong connections between us, helps us value life and feel useful and in demand.

Therefore, on International Charity Day, the UN invites all Member States, UN organizations and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to celebrate this Day accordingly, promoting charity, including through educational and propaganda events.



Postcard «5 September — International Charity Day» Story «Characters from 2 "G"»

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