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Background Considered by many to be the most important event on the environmental calendar, World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated every year on 5 June in more than 100 countries around the world. This observance draws attention to some of the ways in which humanity is endangering its own habitat and to emphasize the urgent need for us to change our attitudes and behaviours towards the environment. World Environment Day inspires action by governments, individuals, non-governmental organizations, community and youth groups, business, industry and the media to improve their environment, including clean-up campaigns, tree planting, colorful street rallies, exhibitions, green concerts, essay competitions in schools, recycling efforts and much more. The day is an occasion to make more serious pledges leading to the establishment of permanent structures that deal with environmental management and economic planning. It also provides an opportunity for governments to take steps to sign or ratify international treaties and conventions. World Environment Day is a multi-media event, which inspires thousands of journalists and broadcasters to report critically and enthusiastically on the environment and publicize how we can change our behaviour. It is a visual event with television documentaries, photo and art exhibits and poster displays. It is an intellectual event for those who organize and participate in green seminars, round-table meetings and symposia. Although the main event of this years celebration would be held in Adelaide on 4 June with the presentation of UNEP's Global 500 awards to individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the protection of the environment, several large events are also planned in Tokyo, last year's WED host, the largest being the events at the United Nations University (UNU), also called Global Echo. In celebration of WED 2000, the UNU would be organizing a series of large events centering on 3 and 4 June 2000 (Saturday and Sunday). Most of these events would be held at the UNU grounds and its surrounding areas, including the Children's Castle, the Women's Plaza, and Aoyama Gakuin University. A complete list of proposed activities and locations is included with this letter for your reference. Last year, the WED celebrations (or Global Echo 1999), attracted about 10,000 people, most of whom are concerned about the environment or are curious about what they can do to assist environmental protection. This year, we expect to double that number with bigger activities and better dissemination of information and announcements. In order to make the celebration more of a success, we are calling upon different sectors of society to participate in the events. Not only are we inviting the general public to participate, we are also inviting, NGOs, NPOs, students, media and industry. On the occasion of commemorating the World Environment Day in Tokyo, which will be jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Government of Japan, many events will be held throughout Japan, including a special award ceremony for the Global 500 Awards. The UNU will also hold a series of events in cooperation with the Global Environment Information Centre (GEIC) between 2 and 13 June 1999. One of the activities for WED '99 will be the "United Nations University Open House" to be held on Friday, 4 June 1999, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This event aims to introduce the public to efforts of the UNU in tackling environmental issues, and to highlight the importance of environmental protection. In so doing, we also hope to promote a more friendly UNU public image. Global Echo 99 List of Activities
How Can You Celebrate World Environment Day? World Environment Day can be celebrated in many ways, including street rallies, bicycles parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns and much more. In many countries, this annual event is used to enhance political attention and action. Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment deliver statements and commit themselves to care for the Earth. More serious pledges are made which lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management and economic planning. This observance also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions. On this World Environment Day, let us examine the state of our environment. Let us consider carefully the actions which each of us must take, and then address ourselves to our common task of preserving all life on earth in a mood of sober resolution and quiet confidence. Where will the main celebrations be held? Each year, UNEP, the United Nations agency responsible for coordinating World Environment Day activities, selects a city as the main venue for the international celebrations. This year, this special event will take place in Adelaide, Australia. The main event to be held on 5 June will culminate with the presentation of UNEP's Global 500 awards to environmentalists, from every corner of the world, who have made outstanding contributions to the protection of the environment. These environmentalists are members of a broad and growing environmental movement that is flowering around the world. They have taken the part that most of us hesitate to take for want of time and caring, and in honoring them UNEP seeks inspiration from their extraordinary deeds. When did it all Begin? World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of UNEP. UNEP World Environment Day Site
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Background | Activities | Area Map | Contact Persons | Sponsors
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