International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia
2026-05-17 00:00 - 23:59 (Europe/Dublin)
This international awareness day promotes dignity, equality, and respect for LGBTQ+ people, while challenging discrimination and stigma. In Ireland, organisations like LGBT Ireland and Belong To play a key role in providing support, education, and advocacy.

Workplaces can mark the day by reinforcing inclusive policies, promoting allyship, and fostering a culture where everyone feels safe and respected. Supporting diversity not only benefits individuals but also strengthens team wellbeing, engagement, and overall workplace culture.

National Volunteering Week
2026-05-18 00:00 - 2026-05-24 23:59
National Volunteering Week celebrates the vital contribution volunteers make to communities across Ireland. Led by Volunteer Ireland, the campaign encourages people to get involved and recognise the social value of volunteering.

Employers can support this initiative by promoting volunteering opportunities, offering volunteer days, or partnering with local charities. Encouraging staff to volunteer can boost morale, strengthen teamwork, and create meaningful connections between workplaces and their communities.

World IBD Day
2026-05-19 00:00 - 23:59
World IBD Day raises awareness of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which affect thousands of people in Ireland. Organisations such as Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland work to support those living with these chronic conditions and advocate for better care.

In the workplace, increasing awareness can help reduce stigma and support employees managing invisible illnesses. Promoting flexible work arrangements and understanding can make a significant difference to those living with IBD.

International Clinical Trials Day
2026-05-20 00:00 - 23:59
International Clinical Trials Day recognises the important role of clinical research in improving healthcare and developing new treatments. In Ireland, bodies like the Health Research Board and the Health Service Executive support and oversee clinical research activity.

Raising awareness in the workplace can help demystify clinical trials and highlight their role in advancing medicine. It also encourages informed discussions about participation and the benefits research brings to patients and society.

Haemochromatosis Awareness Week
2026-06-01 00:00 - 2026-06-07 23:59
Date for the diary! World Haemochromatosis Awareness Week will take place from 1-7th June 2026. This is a very important week for patient associations and organisations all over the world. It is an opportunity for our haemochromatosis community to come together and help raise awareness of haemochromatosis, advocate for patient care and treatment and support patients and their families.

We are looking for your help. If you can organise an information stand, or do an interview on local radio, we would love to hear from you! If you have new media contacts or if you know of entertainment or sports personalities who can endorse our campaign, let us know. Every year, we continue to promote early diagnosis of haemochromatosis and raise awareness of Ireland’s most common genetic disorder. Please send us your ideas for promotion or to help during this important week. Email miriam@haemochromatosis.ie

Cavernoma Awareness Month
2026-06-01 00:00 - 2026-06-30 23:59
The Cavernoma community around the World, throughout June.

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Raising awareness of cavernoma

(cavernous angioma, cavernous malformation) of the brain and spinal cord.

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Advocating for Research to find a Cure.

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Supporting those who are impacted by Cavernoma.

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We are stronger together.

#HopeForACure #StrongerTogether #StopCavernomas

World Environment Day UNEP
2026-06-05 00:00 - 23:59
World Environment Day 2026: A Global Call for Climate Action

The planet doesn’t argue. It doesn’t negotiate. It sends signals—rising seas, raging wildfires, heatwaves, melting glaciers.

We said 1.5°C was the limit. We are crossing it.

For decades, the world has heard the climate story—warnings, targets, distant deadlines. Too often, the response has been clouded by noise: delay, distraction, denial.

But listen closer now. Beneath the noise, another signal is rising. Solar panels stretch across rooftops. Wind turbines line the horizon. Cities are being redesigned for people. Forests are being replanted. Positive tipping points are taking root in every corner of the planet.

#WorldEnvironmentDay 2026 focuses on climate change—on the urgent signals the Earth is sending and the signals we choose to send back. UNEP’s global campaign calls on all of us to step in #NowForClimate, and steer a world already in motion. See how you can get involved.

Azerbaijan will host the global observance, while a cascade of events, campaigns, and creative actions will unfold across continents—on screens, in streets, and in communities everywhere.

Mark 5 June 2026 for one of the world’s largest international days for the environment. Stay tuned for updates, resources and opportunities to join this global moment for action and hope.

Cancer Survivors Day Irish Cancer Society
2026-06-07 00:00 - 23:59
What You Should Know About National Cancer Survivors Day®

National Cancer Survivors Day: Celebrating Life. Raising Awareness. Inspiring Hope.

National Cancer Survivors Day® is an annual Celebration of Life honoring those with a history of cancer, bringing awareness to the continuous challenges faced by cancer survivors, and inspiring hope for the future. Led by the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, NCSD provides an opportunity for all people living with a history of cancer – including America’s more than 18 million cancer survivors – to connect with each other, celebrate milestones, and share their personal stories of facing cancer.

When is NCSD?

National Cancer Survivors Day® is celebrated each year on the first Sunday in June. In 2026, NCSD will take place on June 7.

Who is a cancer survivor?

Anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life – is a cancer survivor, as defined by the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation.

Do I have to be a cancer survivor to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day®?

No. NCSD is a day for everyone – whether you’re a cancer survivor, caregiver, healthcare professional, family member, or friend – to join in solidarity with cancer survivors around the world. Anyone can host or attend a National Cancer Survivors Day® Celebration of Life.

Is National Cancer Survivors Day® only celebrated in the U.S.?

No. NCSD started in the U.S. and is celebrated annually in hundreds of communities nationwide, and now is celebrated around the world. Official National Cancer Survivors Day® events have been held in at least 20 countries across 5 continents. International Survivors Day events have taken place in the Bahamas, Canada, Guyana, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Malawi, Malta, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, Spain, South Africa, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Zambia, among other nations.

Scoot to school week
2026-06-08 00:00 - 2026-06-12 23:59
Scoot to School Week is an annual event celebrating scooting as a sustainable and fun way to travel to school.

In 2026, it will take place from June 8th to June 12th. Schools are encouraged to choose one day to hold a Scoot to School Day (SOW).

This week promotes healthy living and physical exercise while addressing environmental awareness. Activities include scooter obstacle courses and community gatherings to encourage students to participate in scooting to school.

National Carers Week
2026-06-08 00:00 - 2026-06-14 23:59
Carers’ Week 2026

Carers Week 2026 is in full preparation mode.

This year marks the 20th year of National Carers Week in Ireland, with updates on ongoing discussions about the initiative’s future leadership and potential future expansion.

Partners were informed of outreach efforts for 2026, with some organisations unable to participate due to prior commitments, while others are considering involvement.

Plans for new merchandise were shared, receiving positive feedback, particularly with an emphasis on sustainability and reducing single-use plastics.

Updates also included enhancements to the website, such as a new location filter for events, and continued focus on social media engagement, including opportunities for family carers to share their experiences.

A proposed “Thank you for Caring” tagline was well received as a central theme for the campaign, and partners were encouraged to share ideas, initiatives, and feedback ahead of upcoming meetings.

Infant Mental Health Awareness Week
2026-06-08 00:00 - 2026-06-14 23:59
Infant Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 — Attunement

This Infant Mental Health Awareness Week (8th–14th June 2026) will focus on the theme of ‘Attunement’. During the week we will highlight how attuned early relationships support babies’ development.

Attunement is the ability to tune in and connect with others on an emotional level. It is important for everyone, but particularly for babies and their parents or carers.

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood describes attunement in the following way:

Emotional attunement involves noticing, understanding and responding to another person’s emotional state in a sensitive and appropriate way. When adults are emotionally attuned to babies and young children they notice cues, validate children’s emotions and appropriately respond to them.

Attunement helps babies to feel safe and loved. It helps babies learn to regulate their emotions, supporting good infant mental health.

IMHAW 2026 will explore how professionals and practitioners working with babies use the concept of attunement, and what more we can do to support families.

Keep an eye on this page and our other channels for further details.

What is Infant Mental Health Awareness Week?

Infant mental health is an often overlooked and misunderstood subject. Infant Mental Health Awareness Week provides an annual opportunity to discuss the importance of supporting babies’ mental health and wellbeing.

The Parent-Infant Foundation has set the theme and co-ordinated Infant Mental Health Awareness Week since 2017, during which time it has grown into a global event.

For information on previous IMHAW activity, see below.

World Blood Donor Day
2026-06-14 00:00 - 23:59
14 June is World Blood Donor Day

Every year countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.

A blood service that gives patients access to safe blood and blood products in sufficient quantity is a key component of an effective health system. The global theme of World Blood Donor Day changes each year in recognition of the selfless individuals who donate their blood for people unknown to them.

Men’s Health Awareness Week Men’s Health Forum in Ireland
2026-06-15 00:00 - 2026-06-21 23:59
International Men’s Health Week (MHW) always begins on the Monday before Father’s Day and ends on Father’s Day itself. During 2026, it will run from Monday 15th until Sunday 21st June.MHW is celebrated in many European countries, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and a number of other places worldwide. The overall aims of the week are to:

Heighten awareness of preventable health problems for males of all ages.

Support men and boys to engage in healthier lifestyle choices / activities.

Encourage the early detection and treatment of health difficulties in males.

In Ireland, MHW is celebrated on an all-island basis. Each year, there is a specific theme, and a Planning Group is, currently, determining the 2026 focus for the whole island of Ireland – as well as what the key messages should be and the range of resources needed.

MHW gives everyone (health professionals, service providers, sporting bodies, community groups, employers, policy makers, the media, churches, individuals …) an opportunity to encourage men and boys to take better care of their health and to seek help or treatment at an early stage.

The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland (MHFI) coordinates activity on the island of Ireland and cooperates with other Men’s Health Fora across Europe, and further afield, to mark this week.

The celebration of Men’s Health Week on the island of Ireland is funded by the Health Service Executive Health and Wellbeing and the Public Health Agency.

Find out about the plans for 2026 and the latest developments at: https://mhfi.org/mhw/mhw-2026.html

World Kidney Cancer Day
2026-06-18 00:00 - 23:59
World Kidney Cancer Day

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World Kidney Cancer Day is celebrated around the world every year on the third Thursday of June by patients, carers, healthcare professionals and local organisations. Since it was established in 2017, it is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the local and global impact of kidney cancer, educating people about the disease, and making a difference in the lives of people affected by kidney cancer.

World Kidney Cancer Day 2026

Save the date! This year, World Kidney Cancer Day (WKCD) will be on 18 June 2026, marking the 10th year of raising awareness for kidney cancer worldwide!

The 2026 theme is Kidney Cancer and Emotional Wellbeing. Results from findings of the 2025 Global Patient Survey on Kidney Cancer show that 85% of kidney cancer patients experience emotional challenges, yet many never raise these issues with their care team. The 2026 WKCD campaign will aim to raise awareness and also help empower patients to seek the support they need.

While the details are being finalised, the WKCD 2026 campaign will feature an ‘Emotional Wellbeing Check In’ PDF for patients to complete and start conversations with their health teams. Materials will be available in 13 languages to encourage worldwide participation.

Watch for more information about World Kidney Cancer Day in the coming weeks and months to learn more and get involved.

#WorldKidneyCancerDay

UN World Refugee Day
2026-06-20 00:00 - 23:59
Background

World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.

Every minute 20 people leave everything behind to escape war, persecution or terror. There are several types of forcibly displaced persons:

Refugees

A refugee is someone who fled his or her home and country owing to “a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion”, according to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention. Many refugees are in exile to escape the effects of natural or human-made disasters.

UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
2026-06-26 00:00 - 23:59
By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

Supported each year by individuals, communities, and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.

The evidence is clear: invest in prevention

The global drug problem presents a multifaceted challenge that touches the lives of millions worldwide. From individuals struggling with substance use disorders to communities grappling with the consequences of drug trafficking and organized crime, the impact of drugs is far-reaching and complex. Central to addressing this challenge is the imperative to adopt a scientific evidence-based approach that prioritizes prevention and treatment.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is marked on 26 June every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse. This year’s World Drug Day calls for investment in prevention, including justice, education, health care and alternative livelihoods — the building blocks of sustainable resilience.

This year’s campaign “Break the cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime” highlights the need for coordinated long-term action to break the cycle of organized crime and drug trafficking – by addressing root causes, investing in prevention and building stronger health, education and social systems.

#WorldDrugDay #InvestInPrevention #StopOrganizedCrime

Sarcoma Awareness Month
2026-07-01 00:00 - 2026-07-31 23:59
July 2026 is Sarcoma Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness for rare cancers arising in bone and soft tissues. Key initiatives include wearing yellow on July 8, 2026, to show support. The month focuses on early detection, educating on symptoms like unexplained lumps, and supporting research to improve survival rates.

UN World Population Day
2026-07-11 00:00 - 23:59
Empowering Youth to Build the Families They Want

Global fertility rates are falling, prompting warnings about “population collapse.” But the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s State of World Population report shows the real issue is a lack of reproductive agency—many people, especially youth, are unable to have the children they want.

World Population Day highlights this challenge, focusing on the largest-ever generation of young people. The theme, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” calls for ensuring youth have the rights, tools, and opportunities to shape their futures.

Young people are already driving change, but face major obstacles: economic insecurity, gender inequality, limited healthcare and education, climate disruption, and conflict. A UNFPA–YouGov survey of over 14,000 people in 14 countries found most wanted more children but were prevented by social, economic, or health barriers.

To respond to global population trends effectively, leaders must prioritize young people’s needs and voices. They need more than services—they need hope, stability, and a future worth planning for. As one youth activist told UNFPA, “Young people are not just thinking about their future children—they are thinking about the world those children will inherit.” Supporting their rights is key to sustainable development, peace, and human dignity.

World Head and Neck Cancer Day
2026-07-27 00:00 - 23:59
World Head and Neck Cancer Day is observed annually on July 27th to raise awareness about cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, nose, and salivary glands. It emphasizes early detection, prevention, and education, as over 500,000 cases are diagnosed globally each year. Common symptoms include persistent mouth sores, lumps, or swallowing difficulties.

Key Details and Awareness

Purpose: The International Federation of Head and Neck Oncology Societies (IFHNOS) initiated this day to promote education, diagnosis, and treatment.

Key Risks: Primary risks include smoking, alcohol consumption, and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Impact: These cancers are often diagnosed late, but many cases are preventable through awareness.

Symptoms to watch for: A sore in the mouth that does not heal, persistent throat pain, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or a lump in the neck.

Observance in IrelandAs detailed on the Trinity College Dublin website and by the Dental Health Foundation, Ireland recognizes this day to highlight that over 700 cases of mouth, head, and neck cancers occur in Ireland annually, with cases expected to rise

World Hepatitis Day
2026-07-28 00:00 - 23:59
Each year, more than a million people lose their lives to hepatitis – and the number of deaths is rising. But why?

We have fast and accurate tests, effective and affordable treatments, and a proven vaccine that could prevent 95% of newborns from getting hepatitis B.

Low awareness, misinformation, myths and stigma are stopping people from accessing hepatitis services and leading to a lack of action by decision makers.

Let’s break it down.

This World Hepatitis Day, let’s break down the barriers holding us back from a hepatitis-free world. The World Hepatitis Alliance, our partners, allies, and our 400 members in 120 countries are calling for action to end this entirely preventable disease.

Our goals:

That everyone sees that hepatitis elimination is not only possible but achievable – if we all work together to make it happen.

That everyone has the knowledge and understanding they need to make informed choices about hepatitis testing, treatment and vaccination.

For decision makers to become advocates, providing the resources needed to improve the lives of affected communities.

An end to the stigma for people living with hepatitis, ensuring no one is left behind.

World Breastfeeding Week
2026-08-01 00:00 - 2026-08-07 23:59
The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2026 (August 1-7) is “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems”. Coordinated by WABA, this theme emphasizes building long-term, lasting support for families across workplaces, communities, and healthcare systems to improve breastfeeding rates and normalize nursing.

Key Focus Areas for 2026:

Health and Equity: Highlighting breastfeeding as a human right that reduces poverty and supports the health of mothers and babies.

Sustainable Support: Focusing on lasting infrastructure, such as workplace lactation rooms and community support groups, rather than just short-term awareness.

Actionable Goals: Encouraging policymakers, employers, and health systems to prioritize breastfeeding-friendly environments.

International Youth Day
2026-08-12 00:00 - 23:59
Youth Localizing the SDGs

The theme of International Youth Day (IYD) 2025, Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond, highlights the unique role of youth in translating global ambitions into community-driven realities. As development partners work to translate and implement the global goals within specific local contexts, aligning them with community needs while maintaining consistency with national and international commitments, young people are critical partners. They bring creativity, insight, and deep community ties that help bridge the gap between policy and practice. With over 65 per cent of SDG targets linked to local governance, youth engagement is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

This year’s IYD will also underscore the essential role of local and regional governments. Being the closest to the communities they serve, they are uniquely positioned to create inclusive policy environments, allocate resources, and establish mechanisms for youth participation in local planning and decision-making. By integrating youth priorities into local and regional strategies and fostering partnerships with youth organizations, authorities can collaborate with young people to transform their ideas into impactful solutions. When local governments provide spaces for innovation, mentorship, and civic engagement, they not only accelerate SDG implementation but also nurture future community leaders and changemakers.

This year’s IYD takes on added significance as it coincides with the upcoming 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth. It remains a guiding framework for recognizing youth as key actors in sustainable development and participatory governance—principles directly echoed in this year’s theme. Discussions related to the 2025 IYD theme will also inform preparations for the Second World Summit for Social Development to be held in Doha in November.

As the world embarks on the final stretch toward 2030, IYD 2025 calls for real investments in inclusive policies and programmes that leverage local youth actions for the SDGs.

World Humanitarian Day UN
2026-08-19 00:00 - 23:59
A Call to #ActForHumanity

On 19 August, we mark World Humanitarian Day — a time to honor those who step into crises to help others, and to stand with the millions of people whose lives hang in the balance.

This year the message is clear: the humanitarian system is stretched to its limits; underfunded, overwhelmed and under attack.

Where bombs fall and disasters strike, humanitarian workers are the ones holding the line keeping people alive, often at great personal risk. But more and more those who help are becoming targets themselves.

In 2024 alone over 380 humanitarian workers were killed. Some in the line of duty, others in their homes. Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped or detained, and there is reason to fear 2025 could be worse.

Too often the world looks away, even when these attacks violate international law. The laws meant to protect aid workers are ignored. Those responsible walk free. This silence and lack of accountability cannot continue.

The system is failing not just humanitarian workers, but the people they serve. We’re not at a crossroads anymore. We’re standing at the edge. Needs are rising. Funding is falling. Attacks on aid workers are breaking records.

International Overdose Awareness Day
2026-08-31 00:00 - 23:59
Our vision is a world without overdose

Every August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) brings a global community together to take action on overdose.

It is a global platform that provides tools, resources and a space for communities to connect and drive change.

Through events – both in person and online – communities honor lives lost, educate their families, friends and peers, and explore evidence-based overdose prevention solutions.
