International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

Categories:: Cause
Tags:: Awareness Safety
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every March 25
Holiday emoji:: 🎗️

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is observed every March 25. This day honors the lives of United Nations personnel who have been abducted, detained, or killed in the line of duty. Learn about their sacrifices, advocate for their safety, and support organizations working for justice.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Brands
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Observe

Expected International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members Deals

On International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members, the focus shifts from commercial deals to advocacy and support. Organizations like the United Nations, Reporters Without Borders, and the Committee to Protect Journalists lead global campaigns, highlighting the plight of staff members and demanding accountability. Corporate partners often engage through awareness drives, digital safety initiatives, and matching donation programs to support humanitarian efforts. We encourage individuals and businesses to visit the official UN website and related human rights organizations to learn more about how to contribute to protecting those who serve in dangerous regions.

Platform Guide for International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #UNStaffSolidarity. Share stories of resilience and call for justice for detained or missing staff members.

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #InternationalSolidarityDay. Post about corporate responsibility in protecting global workers.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #StandWithUNStaff. Share educational resources and participate in discussions about human rights.

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members Hero

Alec Collett

Alec Collett was a British journalist working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) when he was abducted in Beirut, Lebanon, on March 25, 1985. His disappearance and eventual death highlighted the extreme dangers faced by UN staff. The International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members was established in his memory and to honor all UN personnel who have suffered similar fates while serving the global community.

History of International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

The goal of the U.N. is to promote international peace and security, as well as foster friendly relations among the nations. However, with great responsibility comes even greater challenges, and this day was created to tackle one of them. Today we are marking a very important day in the lives of the staff members of the United Nations (U.N.), and the world at large.

Since its inception, hundreds of fearless men and women have lost their lives in brave service. This service is often centered around the peacekeeping missions of the organization which usually involves travel to risk-prone nations. With that being said, it is no surprise that the 1990s brought a wave of unrest in the lives of the U.N. staff members. This was caused by an increased need for U.N. peacekeeping missions. During this time, more lives of staff members were lost than in the previous four decades combined. This stirred up a cause for a resolution to protect the members of the United Nations. The first of such resolutions was adopted by the U.N. Security Council in 1993, and subsequently, the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel was created to protect U.N. personnel.

Alec Collett was a journalist and member of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (U.N.R.W.A.). He was abducted by a gunman, and his dead body was eventually found in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley in 2009. International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members was created in honor of his abduction, and to raise awareness of the protection of U.N. members as attacks against them intensify.

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members timeline

1945

The Foundation

The United Nations is established.

1985

The Abduction of Collett

Alec Collett is abducted on March 25.

1994

The Safety Convention

The Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel is adopted by the U.N. General Assembly on December 9.

2007

The Biggest Loss of Life

The deaths of 42 U.N. staff members represent the biggest annual loss of staff members.

How Businesses Can Celebrate International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

Local businesses can observe International Day of Solidarity by raising awareness among their employees and customers. Consider hosting a brief informational session about the work of UN staff and the challenges they face. Businesses could also partner with human rights organizations to share their messaging or offer a small donation to support programs that protect aid workers and journalists. Promoting digital safety best practices for employees who travel internationally also aligns with the day’s spirit.

International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members FAQs

When is International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members?

For 2027, this important observance takes place on Thursday, March 25, continuing its mission to advocate for the safety and justice of UN staff worldwide.

How many UN staff members have been detained or gone missing?

Annually, numerous UN and associated personnel face threats, detention, or go missing, with the total number of those affected by violence, abduction, or death exceeding 3,500 since the UN’s inception.

Why was International Day of Solidarity established?

Created to honor journalist Alec Collett and other UN staff abducted or killed, the day serves as a crucial reminder of the need for international protection and accountability for those serving humanitarian causes.

What is the significance of March 25 for this day?

The date specifically commemorates the abduction of Alec Collett in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1985, serving as a poignant annual reminder of the ongoing need for solidarity and protection for UN staff.

How to Observe International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members

Spread awareness
One of the best ways you can observe this day is by helping to spread awareness. This day was created to raise awareness and stir up action towards the protection of members of staff of the United Nations. You can join the cause by sharing some facts and statistics across your social media platforms. This shows gives other people the opportunity to learn more about the cause.
Take a moment of silence
As we have established, hundreds of lives have been lost through the peacemaking missions of the U.N. Take some time out today to remember those fearless lives, and have a moment of silence for the lost lives. If you know someone who has lost a loved one through the U.N. peace missions, today will also be a great time to send a sweet condolence message to them.
Offer helpful information
There are still members of the U.N. that were abducted and haven’t been found. Visit their site to know more about these people and see if you can offer any helpful information. You could go the extra mile and share this information with others to see what you can find.

5 Interesting Facts About Peacekeeping Missions

It is cost-effective
According to studies, it is eight times less cost-effective to deploy a U.N. Peacekeeping mission than the US military.
It is becoming less fatal
Over the last 25 years, the rate of fatal attacks on peacekeepers has fallen.
It takes a village
The U.N. Peacekeeping is made up of over 110,000 field personnel and over 100 countries contributing troops, police, and civilians.
It has a far reach
The actions of the U.N. Peacekeepers have helped over 150 million people worldwide.
Some missions are very old
There have been over 70 peacekeeping missions of the U.N., six of which were active for over 26 years.

Why International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members is Important

It protects our fearless soldiers
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members has a greater goal of protecting the members of the United Nations. We are all about this day because the people that go the extra mile to create global peace deserve to have their lives protected too.
It raises awareness
A lot of people do not understand the length U.N. members go through to foster global peace. This day sheds light on that and raises awareness on a global scale of the sacrifices they undergo, as well as the cause for their protection.
It’s a Memorial Day
This day raises awareness of the risks U.N. members go through. It also serves as a Memorial Day for those who have lost their lives and lost loved ones. This day allows us to mourn with those who have lost loved ones in the peacemaking fight, and allows them to feel less alone.