International Albinism
Awareness Day
On 18 December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/69/170, designating 13 June as International Albinism Awareness Day, effective from 2015. Each year, the Global Albinism Alliance organizes a range of activities to celebrate this day and raise awareness about albinism around the world.
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THEME OF THE YEAR
Demanding our rights: Protect our skin, Preserve our lives
This theme highlights the urgent need for awareness, prevention, and access to essential healthcare for persons with albinism, emphasising the life-threatening impact of skin cancer and the importance of protection, early detection, and treatment. It also ties well with ongoing advocacy around the addition of sunscreen to the WHO EML.
June 17 – celebration in Geneva in collaboration with the United Nations Office in Geneva. Includes the opening of an exhibition "Je suis Albinos" by photographer Pierre-William Henry.
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THEME OF THE YEAR
Inclusion is strength
On June 2023, the Global Albinism Alliance, together with Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, UN Expert on the Rights of Persons with Albinism and Xueli Abbing, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and model with albinism, co-hosted an event in Geneva, Switzerland to celebrate IAAD.
On top of raising awareness about albinism and related daily challenges faced by persons and families with albinism around the world, one of the main goals of this event was to foster more support to the albinism community by engaging with new key stakeholders internationally.
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THEME OF THE YEAR
Strength beyond all odds
In 2021, the GAA produced an online celebration of IAAD. This event, hosted by Nadine Nourney, a young German actress with albinism, was designed as a year in review, featuring short videos provided by albinism organizations from all regions of the world. The recording of this online event is availably in four languages:
English I French I Portuguese I Spanish
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THEME OF THE YEAR
10 years of IAAD: A decade of collective progress
June 10-13 Albinism Awareness Series - webinar series organized in collaboration with GLODERM and ILDS. Features international experts covering the following topics: genetics, dermatology, ophthalmology and social impact.
June 12 IAAD Reception held at the World Congress on Rare Skin Disorders in collaboration with GlobalSkin and the WCRSD organizers
June 20 IAAD celebration in Geneva in collaboration with the United Nations Office in Geneva. Includes the opening of an exhibition of the Belgian photographer Patricia Willocq.
22
THEME OF THE YEAR
United in making our voice heard
In 2022, the GAA held a one-hour online celebration of IAAD. The event, hosted by Dr Oscar Duke, a British doctor and broadcaster with albinism, included a year in review with albinism organizations from around the world as well as a special focus on albinism at the paralympics.
The recording of this online celebration is available for viewing in four languages:
English I French I Portuguese I Spanish
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THEME OF THE YEAR
Made to shine
In 2020, the GAA together with the former UN Independent Expert on the Rights of Persons with Albinism, Ikpnowosa ‘I.K’ Ero, Open Society Foundations, Human Rights Watch, and other stakeholders.
Watch the recording of this event hosted by Puleng Molebatsi, a South African television producer, presenter and actress.