International Day of Play 2027

The International Day of Play is observed each year on June 11. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024, this day recognizes the essential role of play in human development. It aims to raise awareness, promote policy change, and support efforts to make play accessible for all, especially children, regardless of background or circumstance.

International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2027

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed annually on May 29. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002, the day honors the dedication, service, and sacrifice of the military, police, and civilian personnel who serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations. It also remembers those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of peace and highlights the continuing need for collective action in addressing global peace and security.

International Day for Biological Diversity 2026

The International Day for Biological Diversity is observed each year on May 22. Proclaimed by the United Nations to raise awareness of the value of life on Earth, this day serves as a global reminder of the need to safeguard biodiversity and protect the ecosystems that support human well-being. The observance is coordinated by the Convention on Biological Diversity, the international legal instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources.

International Day of Families 2027

The International Day of Families is observed each year on May 15. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, this day serves as a platform to recognize the value of families in society and to encourage policies that support family well-being, equality, and development. It brings attention to the ways families shape communities and influence progress across education, health, employment, and social inclusion.

International Day of Plant Health 2026

The International Day of Plant Health is observed each year on May 12. Established by the United Nations and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the day raises awareness about the role of plant health in protecting food security, environmental balance, and economic stability. This observance encourages action to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases, which threaten crops, livelihoods, and the planet’s ecosystems.

Parents’ associations try to improve the fate of their children. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) was established by parents of children with cystic fibrosis when their children’s life expectancy was only a few years. They invested money they had collected in for-profit pharmaceutical companies that they assumed had good chances to develop effective therapies. They had breakthrough success with it, were able to sell the shares of these companies at a great profit, and have now more resources to further promote cystic fibrosis research and care.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is perceived as a valuable practice by business organizations to demonstrate their commitment towards social, economic, and environmental causes, and it actively contributes towards the well-being of the community at large. CSR as an ethical practice has gained considerable attention in the last decades as it contributes to sustainable development and maximizing organizations business performance. It reflects the top management’s vision and values and thereby also allows the firm to differentiate itself from its competitors.

Engaging in philanthropic activities is being pursued by many well-established supply chains. Donations are a form of charitable activities that not only promote the social responsibility of a corporation but also enhance its public image, which in turn creates more benefits for the supply chain. Prosocial preferences of customers are considered the primary drivers that persuade supply chains to donate. In this chapter, various donation programs within supply chains are introduced, and the challenges associated with them are briefly discussed.

Philanthropic giving has a long history in libraries and remains a source of critical funding. Cultivating giving from individuals through fundraising expands the reputation of libraries and can relieve some of the strain from the decline in funding from traditional funding sources such as from government and, in the case of academic libraries, higher education institutions.