Every year on 18 July — the day Nelson Mandela was born — the UN asks individuals around the world to mark Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) by making a difference in their communities. Everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better, and Mandela Day is an occasion for everyone to take action and inspire change.

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 Nelson Mandela Foundation is dedicating this year’s Mandela Day to Action Against Poverty, honouring Nelson Mandela’s leadership and devotion to fighting poverty and promoting social justice for all.

How the Day came about

In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.

General Assembly resolution A/RES/64/13 recognises Nelson Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity, in the fields of conflict resolution, race relations, the promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, as well as the fight against poverty and the promotion of social justice. It acknowledges his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.

Nelson Mandela Rules

In December 2015, the General Assembly decided to extend the scope of Nelson Mandela International Day to also be utilised in order to promote humane conditions of imprisonment, to raise awareness about prisoners being a continuous part of society and to value the work of prison staff as a social service of particular importance.

The United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/70/175 not only adopted the revised United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, but also approved that they should be known as the “Nelson Mandela Rules” in order to honour the legacy of the late President of South Africa, who spent 27 years in prison in the course of his struggle referred to above.

Local Events in Shepparton

Nelson Mandela Day Mass

A Thanksgiving Mass will be held from 11am -12pm St Brendan’s Catholic Church, 121 Knight St, Shepparton. All welcome.

Latrobe: Nelson Mandela Learning Centre Project

The Future Voices International Nelson Mandela Day and the Launch of Shepparton Nelson Mandela Learning Centre Project is an opportunity to continue building a stronger Australia. Regional Victoria’s engagement with the world is via celebrating Nelson Mandela’s legacy, the values of humility and education defined by his actions of “mutual social responsibility; mutual assistance; respect, empowering and trust of the others; sharing; unselfishness; self-reliance; love; peace; caring for the others, reconciliation; being generous, hospitable, friendly and compassionate. This will be an opportunity to promote Victoria’s multicultural heritage, celebrating our diversity and promoting social inclusion in our community. There’s a word in South Africa: ‘Ubuntu’ that defines the greatest of humanity. It reminds us that we are all bound together in ways that can be invisible to our eyes.

This launch event will be held at Latrobe University Shepparton Campus on Tuesday 18th of July 2017 start 5:30pm- 8:30pm.