UNOG

UNOG Open Day 2012

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

10th anniversary of Switzerland's membership in the UN

International Day of Democracy

Sustainable Energy for All

Stands and demonstrations

Exhibitions and Guided Tours

"Building for Peace" – organized by the United Nations Office at Geneva
"Greening the UN" – organized by the United Nations Office at Geneva
"Children and migration" – organized by the Permanent Mission of Mexico
Exceptional exhibition of ancient, rare books on the themes of peace, democracy and international relations, organized by the Library of the United Nations Office at Geneva
"From the League of Nations to the United Nations" – permanent exhibition of the League of Nations Museum
"The City speaks" organized by the British Council and the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom
Paintings by Evy Pineda – organized by the Permanent Mission of Honduras

Guided Tours of the UNOG Library, international research centre and instrument for People's Understanding since 1927. The tours include the temporary exhibition in the League of Nations Museum "Philanthropy and International Organizations since the League of Nations".

Guided Tours of the League of Nations Museum, to showcase the history of International Geneva through unique archives documents. The tours include the permanent exhibition "From the League of Nations to the United Nations" and the temporary exhibition "Philanthropy and International Organizations since the League of Nations".

It will also be possible to freely visit the UNOG Library and the League of Nations Museum during the whole day.

For the younger ones

Painting, make-up, story-telling, reading corner, TV corner, gymnastics, puppet theatre, quiz, video games, Arabic calligraphy and other fun and educational activities will be offered throughout the day, within the Palais des Nations and in the Ariana Park.

... and more ....