Saturday 15 September 2012 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Palais des Nations and Ariana Park
If you would like to visit the Palais des Nations and the lovely Ariana Park, mark 15 September on your calendar, a day when the UN will open their doors to the Geneva public.
The last time the UN organized an open house was in 2010, and it was a tremendous success with more than 6,500 visitors. This event is organized under the high patronage of the UNOG Director-General, Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, with the support and cooperation of the Swiss Confederation, the Geneva Canton, the City of Geneva and the “Fondation pour Genève”.
On the occasion of this Open House Day, the United Nations offers a true cultural festival. There will be dance shows, concerts, a Japanese tea ceremony, a Shaman ceremony, and a fashion show will be performed on four different stages within the Palais des Nations. These events are organized with the support of the permanent missions of Brazil, Burundi, China, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar and Romania, as well as the UN Music Club.
Visitors can also listen to “Story Telling” organized by the “International Organization of La Francophonie” This year also marks the 10th anniversary of Switzerland’s membership in the UN, and this will be highlighted by several events. And there is more, for 15 September is also the International Day of Democracy. Within this framework, several events will take place under the theme: “Jean-Jacques Rousseau, l’esprit des Lumières et la démocratie” (“Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the Spirit of the Enlightenment and Democracy”). And finally, 2012 is the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. During Open House Day, you will be able to: discover a pioneering solar panel developed by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), which will soon be installed at Geneva Airport, as well as a fountain powered by solar energy, also developed by CERN. You will also be able to participate in the inauguration of the solar power supply station for electric vehicles at the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Permanent missions will help you discover their countries and the specific aspects of their cultures. United Nations funds, programmes and agencies will help you learn about their activities through interactive and enjoyable events.
Thus, you will be able to discover life in a refugee camp owing to the exhibition of tents and emergency equipment, as well as the use of solar powered stoves; organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research), with the participation of UNOSAT (UNITAR’S Operational Satellite Applications Programme), will demonstrate the use of “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” (UAVs), which will take and transmit aerial pictures of the Palais des Nations and the Ariana Park. In other words, if you really would like to have something different to do, and to learn about the UN and the work taking place in Geneva, come to the Palais des Nations on 15 September. It will be the ideal occasion for an enjoyable day while learning more about the United Nations in Geneva, its member states and partners from International Geneva.
