October 24, 2011 - The UN Day was established to highlight the aims and achievements of the United Nations. The day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. The annual day of recognition has occurred since 1948.

"The world has made remarkable progress since the United Nations was born 66 years ago today. We are living longer. More of our children survive. More and more of us live at peace, under democratic rule of law. As we have seen in this dramatic year, people everywhere are standing up for their rights and human freedoms. Never has the United Nations been so needed", the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon said in his message to mark the UN Day.

UNDOF celebrated on this occasion a joint festivity involving all contingents in order to prepare and display some of their cultural traditions and culinary specialties. The Austrian peacekeepers demonstrated both a popular ice stock sport demonstration, cultural folk music and a breath-taking acrobatic rescue rappelling performance. The Indian and Filipino contingents presented some of their folklore dances and traditional music. The colourfully-dressed dancers twirled round the dance floor in delightful harmony. This was followed by a humoristic Japanese Samurai sketch and a fascinating martial arts performance.

The final performance of the event was a spectacular combined effort, where performers and spectators alike all stood in a circle singing, "We are the World", as a suitable tribute to both UNDOF, and to the annual UN Day. Overall, it was an event to remember.

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