September 28 marks the International Day of Freedom from Hunger, the International Day of Universal Access to Information, and the International Day of Legal Knowledge.
On September 28, 1918, Vasyl Sukhomlynskyi was born – an outstanding Ukrainian teacher-innovator, children’s writer and creator of his own pedagogical system.
International Day of Freedom from Hunger
Every year on September 28, the world celebrates the International Day of Freedom from Hunger. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the problem of hunger and malnutrition, as well as efforts to overcome this global challenge, which puts millions of lives at risk.
International Freedom from Hunger Day was launched in 2006 by the international non-governmental organization Freedom from Hunger, which for more than 70 years has helped people in poor countries gain access to food, medicine and education. The purpose of this day is to draw attention to the problem of chronic hunger, particularly in the least developed countries of the world, and to mobilize resources and efforts to solve this problem.
According to the UN, more than 828 million people in the world suffer from hunger. The people of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia suffered the most from the famine. The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and military conflicts have exacerbated this problem, significantly increasing the number of people who are undernourished on a daily basis.
Interesting facts
Every ninth inhabitant of the planet does not have enough food every day. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are most vulnerable to hunger.
Every year, 3.1 million children die from malnutrition, accounting for almost half of all deaths among children under the age of five.
Children who are chronically malnourished have significantly lower school performance because of the effects of hunger on brain development and overall health.
Hunger costs the global economy more than $3.5 trillion annually in lost productivity, medical costs, and lost human resources.
International day of universal access to information
This day, established by UNESCO in 2015, aims to raise awareness of the importance of free and equal access to information as an inalienable human right and a necessary element for the development of a democratic society.
The idea of celebrating the International Day of Universal Access to Information arose in 2002, when representatives of civil society and journalists initiated a campaign for the recognition of the right to access to information. In 2015, UNESCO officially established this day as an international holiday, and in 2019, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the official recognition of this day at the global level.
Access to information is one of the basic human rights, which allows citizens to obtain important information about government activities, decision-making, and influence politics and public life. This right is critical for the development of democracy, transparency, accountability of government and the protection of other human rights.
Interesting facts
As of 2023, more than 120 countries have passed access to information laws that guarantee citizens the right to receive official data from government agencies.
Countries with high levels of transparency and access to information have lower levels of corruption, greater economic stability, and higher levels of citizen trust in government.
Despite significant progress, more than 40% of the world’s population still does not have access to the Internet, which limits their ability to receive information.
Women are more likely than men to face limited access to information, especially in countries where there are strict social norms and restrictions for women.
International Day of Legal Knowledge
Every year on September 28, the world celebrates the International Day of Legal Knowledge, which is designed to draw attention to the importance of legal education and increase citizens’ awareness of their rights and responsibilities. Legal knowledge is the basis for protecting human rights, building a just society and preventing abuse of power.
The International Day of Legal Knowledge was launched on the initiative of human rights organizations that advocate for raising the level of legal awareness among citizens. The idea arose from the realization that many people do not know about their rights or do not know how to use them, which leads to violations and injustice. The celebration of this day is designed to raise awareness of the importance of legal education, especially among young people and vulnerable sections of the population.
Legal awareness is one of the main tools for protecting human rights. Knowledge of laws allows citizens to effectively protect their rights, demand justice and avoid offenses. In today’s world, legal education is becoming more and more necessary, because the development of technologies and changes in social relations create new challenges and require new knowledge.
Interesting facts
In countries with a high level of legal awareness, citizens participate more actively in public life, vote in elections and monitor the actions of the authorities.
Knowing your rights helps you avoid deception and manipulation, in particular by fraudsters and unscrupulous organizations.
Entrepreneurs who know the law have more chances to successfully conduct business, avoid legal problems and conflicts with state authorities.
Many countries have free legal aid programs for low-income groups of the population, which allows them to receive advice and protect their rights.
Historical events on this day
1066 – Norman conquest of England
On September 28, 1066, the Normans led by William the Conqueror landed on the coast of England, launching a large-scale military invasion. This was the beginning of one of the most important events in the history of the country – the Norman Conquest, which led to a change in the political system, culture and social structure of England. William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, claimed the English throne after the death of King Edward the Confessor, and the Norman victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066 cemented his rule.
1538 – Naval battle at Preveza
In 1538, one of the largest naval battles of the 16th century took place off the coast of modern Greece – the Battle of Preveza. The Ottoman fleet under the leadership of Admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa faced the combined fleet of several Christian countries in Europe, led by Admiral Andrea Doria. The Ottoman Empire won, consolidating its influence in the Mediterranean and restraining the advance of European powers in the region.
1618 – Opening of the first pawn shop
The world’s first pawnshop has opened in Brussels, launching a new financial institution that enabled people to get loans against valuables. The idea of pawnshops quickly spread throughout Europe, and they became an important element of the financial system, allowing people to receive temporary financial support in difficult situations.
1651 – Bilotserki peace treaty
On September 28, 1651, the Bilotserki Peace Treaty was signed between Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, the hetman of the Zaporizhzhya Army, and representatives of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. After the defeat of the Cossacks in the Battle of Berestechko, the treaty significantly limited the rights of the Hetmanship, reduced the territory of its autonomy and the number of Cossack registers. This became a temporary compromise in efforts to preserve Cossack statehood.
1870 – Capture of Strasbourg by Prussia
After a long siege, Prussian troops captured the French city of Strasbourg during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. The fall of Strasbourg was an important military achievement of Prussia, which contributed to the end of the war with the victory of German forces and the creation of the German Empire under the leadership of Prussia.
1973 – Abolition of the nature reserve in Khortytsia
In 1973, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine decided to cancel the creation of a state reserve on Khortytsia Island in Zaporizhzhia. This decision significantly limited the possibilities of preserving the historical and cultural heritage of this unique territory, which was of great importance for Ukrainian history as the place of Zaporizhzhya Sich.
1979 – Liquidation of SENTO
In 1979, the existence of the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), created in 1955 to contain the influence of the Soviet Union in the Middle East, was officially terminated. The organization included Great Britain, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Turkey. After the departure of several members and changes in political conditions at the regional level, SENTO lost its relevance.
1999 – Ronaldo – ambassador of peace in Kosovo
Brazilian footballer Ronaldo has been appointed ambassador of peace in Kosovo. This event became part of the large-scale UN program to fight poverty around the world. Ronaldo has spearheaded a campaign to improve living conditions in the conflict-torn region, demonstrating that sports and celebrities can be a driving force for positive change in society.
2000 – Demand for compensation from the Taliban
In 2000, the Afghan Taliban officially demanded compensation from Russia for the ten-year occupation of Afghanistan, which lasted from 1979 to 1989. This became one of the numerous political statements of the movement, which tried to attract the attention of the international community to its vision of historical events.
2001 – Nobel Prize to Kofi Annan
On September 28, 2001, Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to reform the United Nations and his active work to protect peace and human rights around the world. His work as a UN leader contributed to the strengthening of international security and the development of humanitarian cooperation.
Birthday of Vasyl Sukhomlynskyi
On September 28, 1918, in the village of Vasylivka, which is now part of the Kirovohrad region, Vasyl Sukhomlynsky was born in a poor peasant family – an outstanding Ukrainian teacher-innovator, children’s writer and creator of his own pedagogical system. His life and work became a model for many generations of educators, because he was sure that there are no “incompetent”, “lazy” or “incapable” children in the world. Sukhomlynskyi devoted his teaching career to the Ukrainian village of Pavlysh, where he taught at a secondary school for twenty-two years.
Vasyl Oleksandrovych believed that education should begin with oneself and one’s own example. His words: “An ill-educated person who has not received enough attention from his father and mother is like an airplane that took off with faulty engines: he will die himself and cause the death of others” became his pedagogical credo. He believed that real education begins in the family, and the teacher and school play an important, but still additional role.
Sukhomlynskyi was a corresponding member of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the USSR, a candidate of pedagogical sciences, an honored school teacher of the Ukrainian SSR, a Hero of Socialist Labor. He left a rich scientific heritage: about 30 books and more than 600 articles devoted to education and training of young people. In addition, he wrote 1200 stories and fairy tales that reveal the world of childhood, full of fantasy, play and creativity. For Sukhomlynskyi, the main principle of education has always been that children should live in the world of beauty, fairy tales, music, drawing and creativity, because this is what shapes their personality.
Here are some tips from Vasyl Oleksandrovych, which are still relevant today:
“The more serious the crime, the more brutal it is, the poorer the intellectual, aesthetic and moral interests of the family. None of the families of teenagers who committed a crime or offense had a home library. All 460 families I surveyed had only 786 books. None of those who committed the crime could name a single piece of symphonic, operatic or chamber music.”
“To raise real men, you need to raise real women. Where women lack a sense of honor and dignity, men’s moral illiteracy flourishes.”
“Children with suppressed feelings are usually children with suppressed intelligence and impoverished thinking.”
“There are three things that must be brought up in boys and young men – the duty of a man, the responsibility of a man, the dignity of a man.”
“Only he who cannot pass indifferently past the joys and sorrows of an individual person is capable of taking the joys and sorrows of the Motherland close to his heart.”
“Depraved and irresponsible personalities are formed when only one joy reigns in their lives – the joy of consumption.”
“Only the one who respects other people has the right to respect.”
“The highest personal happiness is to fight for something greater than one’s own interests.”
“Duty to the Motherland is a human sanctuary.”
The legacy of Vasyl Sukhomlynskyi is an invaluable source of inspiration for modern teachers and parents, because his ideas and instructions help to form a harmonious and conscious personality. His pedagogical system, based on love for the child and belief in his limitless possibilities, is still relevant today, encouraging every educator to be the best version of himself and to give children the light of knowledge and the warmth of the soul.
