24 October – World Development Information Day [Infographic]

Development plays a a crucial role in our lives. From personal to global, development is what we always look forward to. Recognizing this need and importance for the dissemination of information, the United Nations celebrates World Development Information Day every year on October 24 ^th. The UN General Assembly in 1972 established the World Development Information Day to direct people’s attention toward developmental problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them. The main aim of this day is to propagate information and mobilize public opinion, especially among young people, in order to draw their attention and create awareness of the problems surrounding development, promoting efforts in the field of international cooperation for growth and development. The UN  General Assembly in 1964 established The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD), with the primary objective of formulating policies relating to all aspects of development including trade, transport, aid, finance, and technology. UNCTAD is a part of the UN secretariat. Prior to officially announcing 24 ^th October as World Development Information Day, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) proposed measures for dissemination of information and for the mobilization of public opinion, relative to trade and development problems on May 17 ^th, 1972. It was then passed by the UN General Assembly on May 19 ^th, 1972. To promote prosperity among all countries be it poor, rich, or middle-income while protecting the planet, the UN has proposed 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These goals recognize and address the global challenges targeted to be achieved by 2030.

• No poverty
• Zero hunger
• Good health and well-being
• Quality education
• Gender equality
• Clean water and sanitation
• Affordable and clean energy
• Decent work and economic growth
• Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
• Reduced inequalities
• Sustainable cities and communities
• Responsible consumption and production
• Climate action
• Life below water
• Life on land
• Peace, justice and strong institutions
• Partnerships for the goals

In recent years, many events have concentrated on the role of modern technologies such as the Internet and mobile phones, which can play a key role in alerting and making people aware, while simultaneously trying to find solutions to problems of trade and development. The World Development Information Day is an observance declared worldwide and it is every individual’s responsibility to take action toward the sustainable goals, which are now termed as #GlobalGoals. Striving to achieve these sustainable development goals is probably the most important need of the hour as these not only relate to the UN alone but are applicable to the world as a whole. What goals can be more important than those which aim at making the world a better place and help us sustain life on earth? This October 24 ^th, let us not stay ignorant anymore and turn a blind eye toward global goals. Let us work toward the betterment of our homes, our countries, our world by harnessing the power of information and witness drastic game-changing improved results!