Resource List

February 2023

  • Feb 1: Black History Month
    • Description: Black History month is a time to honour and participate in events and festivities in the legacy of Black people and their communities. Beginning in 1915 in response to the lack of information on the accomplishments of black people available to the public, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History was founded. Throughout history, other countries have joined the United States in the observation of Black History month including Canada, the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. Participation now in Black History month includes venturing to museum exhibits and film screenings, and more.
    • Source: Boatner, K. (2023, January 27). Black history month. History. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/black-history-month 
    • For more information:
  • Feb. 5–Feb. 11: International Development Week
    • Description: This is a strictly Canadian beginning in 1991 by the Canadian International Development Week to help promote global peace. This week works to shine a spotlight on Canadians contributions to eradicating poverty and to a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world. Follows of the idea of Canada coming-together that involves civil society, the public and private sectors, community organizations, and the general public
    • Source: Canada, G. A. (2023, January 26). Government of Canada. GAC. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/idw-sdi.aspx?lang=eng 
    • For more information:
  • Feb. 7: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 
    • Description: First observed in 1999, to recognize how HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects Black people. Issues like racial discrimination and mistrust in the healthcare system reduce the number of black people who engage in HIV treatment and care. This day works to increase HIV testing, education, community involvement, and treatment within black communities
    • Source: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #NBHAAD. HIV.gov. (2023, January 27). Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.hiv.gov/events/awareness-days/black
    • For more information:
      • https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/nbhaad.html
  • Feb. 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
    • Description: This day recognizes the significant gender gap within all levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics all over the world. Women are still incredibly underrepresented in all of this fields. The Commission on the Status of Women agrees that in regard to access and participation of women and girls in education, training and science and technology and the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work is necessary for achieving gender equality and true empowerment of women and girls
    • Source: United Nations. (n.d.). International Day of Women and girls in science. United Nations. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day 
    • For more information:
  • Feb 20: World Day of Social Justice
    • Description: This day recognizes that much of the world’s population is deprived from basic human needs including homes, jobs, healthcare, education, proper nutrition and more. The UN General Assembly declared in 2007, after the success Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, that the World Day of Social Justice would be recognized annually. Strategies to observe the Day of Social Justice: advocate and research a social cause, organize a social justice event. Why is this day important? It works towards creating a fair world, allows each individual to live life with dignity, allows for the highlighting of social justice issues in our world
  • Feb. 25: Shine A Light On Slavery Day
    • Description: This day was created by the coalition for the End It Movement which is a group of world leaders that are fighting for the freedom of modern day slaves. It is important to recognize that now there are more slaves in the world today than there has ever been before in history, affecting around 40.3 million men, women, and children world wide. This day works to recognize and bring awareness, prevention and freedom to put an end to world slavery and human trafficking. Participation in this movement is encouraged greatly online, and is a mainly internet based day of observance and awareness.
    • Source: End It Movement. (2021, February 25). Red X’s take over social media during end it movement’s annual ‘Shine a light on Slavery Day’ to raise awareness for modern-day slavery. Red X’s Take Over Social Media During END It Movement’s Annual ‘Shine A Light On Slavery Day’ To Raise Awareness For Modern-Day Slavery. Retrieved February 4, 2023, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/red-xs-take-over-social-media-during-end-it-movements-annual-shine-a-light-on-slavery-day-to-raise-awareness-for-modern-day-slavery-301235433.html 
    • For more information: