Why we celebrate the International Albinism Awareness Day?




On December 18, 2014, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day. This historic resolution confirmed the global focus on albinism advocacy. The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) joins with the worldwide albinism community in encouraging everyone to celebrate and promote albinism awareness on June 13th each year. The late Ambassador of the Mission of Somalia to the U.N., Geneva, Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari-Bari, led the effort to pass the resolution in cooperation with Under the Same Sun, an organization that promotes and protects the rights of people with albinism, particularly in Africa. Shortly thereafter, NOAH participated in a U.N. “side event” to celebrate the adoption of the resolution. The late Excellency Bari-Bari made opening and closing remarks at the event, which included sharing a story with Pope Francis in which he informed the Pontiff of the atrocities committed against people with albinism in Africa. Many other dignitaries also attended the event, and each made brief statements in support of the resolution. These attendees included representatives from the U.N. delegations from Italy, Israel, Canada and the United States, the U.N. Special Representative on Violence against Children, a representative from UNICEF, and several key individuals in the albinism community.

Past thematic discussions:

2025: “Demanding our rights: Protect our skin, Preserve our lives”.
2024: 10 years of IAAD: A decade of collective progress
2023: Inclusion is Strength
2022: United In Making Our Voice Heard
2021: Strength Beyond All Odds
2020: Made To Shine
2019: Still Standing Strong
2018: Shining our light to the world
2017: Advancing with renewed hope
2016: Protect our rights, celebrate diversity
2015: Persons with albinism, worthy of respect and dignity

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