Nelson Mandela International Day: Take Action! Inspire Change

This year on 18 July, the world will be celebrating Mr. Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday!

For 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.

The UN is joining a call by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to devote 67 minutes of time to helping others, as a way to mark Nelson Mandela International Day.

In Brussels, the UN Regional Information Centre, with the support of the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Embassy of South Africa will mark the day with Exhibit panels, featuring background on the Day and suggestions for 67 minutes of service. A photo slide show will also been screened with a selection of quotes by Mr. Mandela.

A dedicated ‘post’box will be available at the exhibit site and throughout the day, the public will also be able to write a message to Mr. Mandela that will be sent to him through the South African Embassy in Brussels.

Address: Main Entrance Hall, International Press Centre (IPC), 155, rue de la Loi/Wetstraat, 155 1040 Brussels

The Embassy will also organize some specific actions at Dutch and French-speaking children’ homes in and around Brussels with activities ranging from the cleaning of toys, repairing bicycles, washing windows, mending clothes and the cleaning of play yards. Together we call on everybody to make every day a Mandela Day to make a difference in the lives of people.

The Embassy lauds the continued commitment of all involved in this regard and welcomes the initiative of the city of Liége, the first to do so in Belgium, to promote Mandela Day-67 minutes of community service.

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If you can't attend the exhibition in Brussels, you are welcome to submit your message to Nelson Mandela via our Facebook page and we will put it in the 'post' box for you.