Saturday 15 September 2012 - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Palais des Nations and Ariana Park



Some 9,000 visitors flocked to the Palais des Nations under bright blue skies for an Open Day organized by the United Nations Office at Geneva on 15 September 2012 to mark the tenth anniversary of Switzerland’s accession to the United Nations.

Brazilian drums gave a decisively festive beat in the Assembly Hall and children ran in solemn hallways more accustomed to quiet conversations among men in dark suits, while curious visitors learned about solar power and refugee registration in the Ariana Park. When the doors opened at 11 a.m. in the morning, hundreds of families from Geneva or surrounding areas as well as tourists passing through the city were already queuing on the Place des Nations to enter the ground of the United Nations.

The programme focused on democracy (15 September being the International Day of Democracy) and sustainable energy (2012 is the International Year of Sustainable Energy for all). Visitors could participate in dozens of activities, including concerts, dances and other cultural performances organized with the help of member states, film screenings, debates on democracy, exhibitions, quizzes and sports as well as many games for young children.

Over 100 United Nations staff, easily identifiable thanks to their white and blue t-shirts, volunteered their time to make the Day a success, and visitors unanimously praised their helpfulness and courtesy.

Pictures and interviews with enthusiastic visitors are available on the Facebook page created for the event: Open Day Facebook


See below the programme for the day.

Cultural activities, dance, music, story-telling, films and ceremonies

On the occasion of this Open Day, the United Nations offers a true cultural festival!

Dance shows, concerts, a Japanese tea 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 and Romania, as well as the UN Music Club.

Visitors can also listen to “Story Telling” organized by the “International Organization of La Francophonie”

First-time performances:

• The Permanent Mission of Italy, with the support of Bayer, BCC Barlassina and Elior, present: “A Stradivarius for the United Nations”, an exceptional concert played on an original 1726 Antonio Stradivari violin.

• The Permanent Mission of Mexico will offer a piano recital by the world-known pianist Jorge Viladoms Weber.

Film screening


10th anniversary of Switzerland's membership in the UN

International Day of Democracy

Sustainable Energy for All

Stands and demonstrations

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 fun events.

Thus you will be able to discover life in a refugee camp thanks to the exhibition of tents and emergency equipment, as well as the use of improved 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.


Exhibitions and Guided Tours

For the younger ones

... and more ....


Downloads:

Flyer with map and programme
Map
Programme

______________________


Important Practical Information

• All are welcome. A valid identification document (passport, ID card or driving licence) will be necessary to enter the premises (one ID document per family or group); visitors aged up to 13 years do not need an ID but have to be accompanied.

• Pets are not permitted to enter, except for guide dogs.

• It is strongly recommended to use public transport to reach the Place des Nations. The Transports public genevois (TPG) are offering a free shuttle service from Cornavin train station to the Place des Nations (every 20 minutes between 10:40 and 16:40; last departure from the Place des Nations at 18:00) - see map

• Food and drinks will be available (hot and cold food, sandwiches and beverages).

______________________

Click here to have a glimpse of the cultural events organized on the previous Open Day at the UN, which took place on 5 June 2010, on the occasion of the World Environment Day.
______________________

For more information, please contact:
United Nations Information Service
Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10
Tel.: +41 22 917 2336 - Fax: +41 22 917 0030
e-mail: openday2012@unog.ch

Join us on Facebook