UN Day In Brussels: Showcasing EU Support

Brussels, Belgium

Thousands of people came together at the Grand Place on Sunday, 20 October 2013, to celebrate the sixty-eighth anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations, officially marked on 24 October. The event saw the participation of the 26 UN agencies present in Brussels, united by the theme of peace. In a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, visitors at the Grand Place learned about the work of the UN teams on the ground around the world, and about what they do on a daily basis in Brussels. Visitors enjoyed games, crafts, music, poetry and sustainable foods.

On this occasion, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) showed to the public the successful partnership between UNRWA and the EU. Through fun and educational games, visitors learned about UNRWA efforts in human development, humanitarian aid and protection for some 5 million registered Palestine refugees in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The games highlighted the important contributions from the EU to UNRWA, which have been a crucial source of support to the Agency.