Nelson Mandela International Day

The Nelson Mandela Moot Court Competition is an annual event in which students from around the world come together in Geneva to argue a hypothetical human rights case . The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition is the only global moot court competition explicitly dedicated to human rights. It is co-organised by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, the Academy on Human Rights, Washington College of Law, American University, and the United Nations Human Rights Council Branch (HRCB), at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Related Sites and Documents:  Learn more . Watch the 18th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition! Human Rights Council

The Office of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi will be leading UN agencies and members of the Diplomatic corps in the Celebration of Mr. Kennedy Odede, the 2025 United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize Laureate. Mr. Odede is the first Kenyan to receive this prestigious award and shared the 2025 Prize with Ms. Brenda Reynolds, a social worker of Saulteaux heritage in Canada, who has made a lasting impact on the health and well-being of Indigenous communities. Mr. Odede's organization, Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), a renowned Kenyan grassroots organization provides critical services to urban informal settlements, reaches over 2.5 million This follows the presentation of this award on 18 July, International Mandela Day, by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the 79th session of the General Assembly, Philémon Yang, to the two laureates at a ceremony held at the UN Headquarters in New York. Key speakers: Mrs. Zainab Haw...

This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day 2025 on 18 July will be celebrated under the theme: “ It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity. ” Nelson Mandela, in addressing the scourge of poverty, suffering and deprivation, said: "It is in your hands to make our world a better one for all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised." These profound words by our global icon and father of our nation are at the heart of our actions this Nelson Mandela Day in tackling poverty, fighting inequality and building a society based on justice .  The day is an opportunity for citizens to recognise their individual power to change the world for the better. We can also play a part by raising awareness and expanding the reach of Mandela’s values which include fighting injustice, helping people in need and advancing reconciliation. We can restore our nation by helping one person at a time. Every action we take has a knock-on effect , which will soon snowball into rebu...

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Madiba’s extraordinary life was a triumph of the human spirit. He endured the brutal weight of oppression, and emerged not with a vision of vengeance and division — but of reconciliation, peace and unity. Today, Madiba’s legacy is now our responsibility. We must carry forward his commitment to peace, justice and human dignity. One of the central lessons of Mandela’s life was that power is not a personal possession, to be hoarded. Power is about lifting others up. It is about what we can achieve with one another, and for one another. Power is about people. In every facet of his life, Nelson Mandela demonstrated the power of collective, grassroots action to drive change and progress, and deliver power to the powerless. This same spirit can be found in today’s winners of the Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize. Ms. Brenda Reynolds is a Saulteaux member from Fishing Lake First Nation in Canada. She is a social worker, who t...

Resolution A/RES/64/13 recognizes Mandela's values and his dedication to the service of humanity in: conflict resolution; race relations; promotion and protection of human rights; reconciliation; gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups; the fight against poverty; the promotion of social justice. Programme: Opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the General Assembly Statement by H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations Keynote by H.E. Ms. Naledi Pandor, former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa Awarding of the 2025 UN Mandela Prize to Ms. Brenda Reynolds and her remarks Awarding of the 2025 UN Mandela Prize to Mr. Kennedy Odede and his remarks Remarks from Member States Related Sites and Documents:  More information about the Mandela Prize . Watch the Nelson Mandela Day 2025 commemoration!

   The Nelson Mandela Moot Court Competition is an annual event in which students from around the world come together in Geneva to argue a hypothetical human rights case. The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition is the only global moot court competition explicitly dedicated to human rights. It is co-organised by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, the Academy on Human Rights, Washington College of Law, American University, and the United Nations Human Rights Council Branch (HRCB), at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Watch the 17th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition! Human Rights Council