United Nations month theme for 2023 – “International Year of Millets”
The United Nations (UN) will be celebrating its 78th foundation anniversary this 24 October 2023. Hence, October of every year is known in the Philippines and the rest of the globe as UN month.
The Philippines, after all, is one of the original 51 UN member-states. In line with this, the UN has designated 2023 as the “International Year of Millets.”
In a resolution approved back in March 2021, the UN General Assembly explained that the declaration is “aimed at raising awareness of and directing policy attention to the nutritional and health benefits of millet consumption and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions.”
It also added that there is a need “to advocate for diversified, balanced and healthy diets through the increased sustainable production and consumption of millets.”
According to a report published in Vera Files last July 2023, millet is known as dama in Tagalog or kabog (humas) in Visayan. Antonio Pigafetta, the chronicler of Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition, even reported being served cakes made of rice and millet wrapped in leaves by the locals when they arrived in Cebu in 1521.
Social Studies Departments and UN student organizations in elementary, secondary, and tertiary schools across the country are expected to hold activities in connection to this theme. This may include essay writing, poster-making, and jingle-making competitions.
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