Internal Comms Awareness Day Calendar: H2 2022

With the second half of 2022 round the corner, Canopact has compiled a calendar of awareness days for H2 📅

This isn’t an exhaustive list but will hopefully provide some inspiration for your planning of internal comms and events for the next six months 🙌

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July

3^rd: International Plastic Bag Free Day was created as a worldwide initiative to eliminate the single use of plastic bags and look for more eco-friendly alternatives. Choose paper over plastic bags or bring your own bags when shopping 🛍️

4^th: Independence Day commemorates the Declaration of Independence in the United States in 1776. Parades, picnics and barbeques are just some of the celebrations which take place on this day in the US and among Americans living abroad 🥳

9^th- 13^th: Eid al-Adha is the latter of two official holidays which are celebrated in Islam. Sweets and gifts are given on this day, and extended family members are often visited and welcomed ☪️

18^th: Black Leaders Awareness Day was created to enable people from all cultures to learn about the history of past black leaders, and to showcase current and next-generation leaders 🧑🏿

August

4^th: Cycle to work day is the UK’s biggest cycling community event and is now in its 10^th year. Organised by the Love to Ride online community, if you log a ride on the 4^th, you’ll be entered into a prize draw! 🚴♀️

12^th: International Youth Day is an awareness day designated by the United Nations and is an opportunity to bring attention to global youth issues. Last year’s theme was “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health” 🧒🏽

19^th: World Humanitarian Day raises public awareness of humanitarian assistance worldwide. It’s dedicated to humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes 💁🏻

September

5^th: International Day of Charity was created with the goal of mobilising people around the globe to help others through volunteering and philanthropic activities. The date was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the passing of Mother Teresa 🤗

10^th: World Suicide Prevention Day provides worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides and started in 2003. It’s represented by a yellow ribbon and organisations such as Samaritans run campaigns to raise awareness 💛

19^th – 25^th: International Week of Happiness at Work is all about bringing happiness into the workplace. It invites organisations to put employee happiness at the top of their agenda and you can find some inspiration on their website 👩‍🏭

22^nd: World Car Free Day encourages motorists to give up their cars for a day, and some cities and towns around the world allow people to experience streets free of motor traffic ❌🚗

October

All Month: Black History Month (UK) aims to promote and celebrate the contributions of black people to British society. It’s observed in October, with the US and Canadian equivalent observed in February 👩🏿

10^th: World Mental Health Day is a day for global mental health awareness, education and advocacy against social stigma. It provides an opportunity for stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide 🧑⚕️

11^th: National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBT awareness day. It was first celebrated in the US in 1988 and honours the bravery of LGBTQ+ individuals who decide to come out and live openly🏳️🌈

23^rd: Wear it Pink Day is a day of awareness and fundraising for breast cancer research. You and your colleagues can don your pink outfits or shirts for an important cause on this day! 🎀

24^th: Diwali is the festival of lights and one the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs. The festival usually lasts five days and is observed across the world with fireworks, lighting, prayers, and gifts 🎆

November

All Month: Movember is an annual event which involves the growing of moustaches to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate and testicular cancer. There have been 1,200 men’s health projects funded across 20 countries since it was founded in 2003 👨

7^th – 11^th: International Leadership Week is delivered by The Institute of Leadership &Management to champion great leadership across the globe. The three topics being introduced this year focus on social mobility, wellbeing, and future readiness 👩🏽💼

11^th: Armistice Day was originally commemorated to mark the end of World War I in 1918 and remembers those who have died in the line of duty. The name of the day varies around the world (e.g., Veterans Day in US, Remembrance Day in UK) 🌷

24^th: Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the US, Canada and other countries. Its origins come from giving thanks for the harvest and for the preceding year. The dates differ between some countries: in Canada, it’s celebrated on the second Monday of October and in the US, it’s observed on the fourth Thursday of November 🦃

December

3^rd: International Day of People with Disabilities aims to promote the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society. It’s promoted by the UN and focuses on a different issue each year (last year’s theme was “Fighting for Rights in the Post-Covid Era”) ♿

9^th: Christmas Jumper Day is an annual charity event primarily organised in the UK, with the proceeds of fundraising events going towards Save the Children. It’s a popular activity for companies to get involved in! 🎄

18^th - 25^th: Hanukkah is a Jewish festival also known as the Festival of Lights. It’s observed for eight days and nights, and the festivities include the lighting of candles and singing songs 🕎

25^th: Christmas Day marks the birth of Jesus Christ for Christians, and is celebrated globally as a day of giving and spending time with family 🎅

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Feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions or feedback. We'd love to hear about any internal comms or events you're planning around these awareness days! 

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