2026 Diversity and Inclusion Observance Calendar

The United Nations (UN) designates international observances to raise awareness of global issues that align with its mission and areas of commitment. Similarly, the Government of Canada recognizes specific days of significance to promote cultural understanding, commemorate historic events, and encourage civic engagement in meaningful causes.

We invite you to learn more and participate in events that celebrate these important observances and help foster inclusion.

Month	Key Dates of Awareness and Commemoration		Description/Objective(s)
January	04	World Braille Day	Raises awareness of the importance of Braille as a vital communication and literacy tool among blind and visually impaired individuals.
	27	International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust	Honours Holocaust victims and encourages reflection, education, and action to prevent future acts of genocide.
	28	International Day of Peaceful Coexistence	Promotes harmony and mutual respect among diverse cultures and religions.
February		Black History Month	Honours the achievements and contributions of the Black community throughout history and acknowledges the efforts of Black Canadians in enriching Canada’s cultural diversity and prosperity.
	01-07	World Interfaith Harmony Week	Promotes mutual understanding, respect, and peaceful coexistence among people of all faiths and beliefs.
	20	World Day of Social Justice	Promotes social justice, addressing issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, and human rights.
	21	International Mother Language Day	Celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The day encourages appreciation for the presence of multiple languages and promotes ethnic variety.
March	08	International Women’s Day	Honours the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and serves as a call to action for accelerating gender equality.
	17-23	Neurodiversity Celebration Week	A global initiative founded in the UK in 2018 that promotes awareness, acceptance, and inclusion of neurodivergent individuals by challenging stereotypes and highlighting their strengths.
	20	International Day of Happiness	Recognizes happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world. The day encourages people to realize the significance of happiness in their lives and promotes joy and well-being as key components of a healthy society.
	21	World Down Syndrome Day	A global awareness day that promotes understanding, respect, and support for individuals with Down syndrome. The day encourages advocacy, inclusivity, and the protection of the rights of people with this condition.
	21-27	Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination	Raises awareness about racism and racial discrimination and emphasizes the global importance of advancing racial equality. The week calls for the elimination of discriminatory laws and practices and encourages mutual understanding, respect, and solidarity among people.
April	07	World Health Day	Commemorates the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 and promotes global awareness of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The day encourages individuals and communities to prioritize health and highlights key health issues needing attention.
	17	Equality Day	In Canada, this day marks the enactment of the equality provisions in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which safeguard individuals from discrimination based on gender and other grounds.
	28	World Day for Safety and Health at Work	Promotes safe, healthy, and dignified working environments, recognizing occupational health and safety as a fundamental human right. The day underscores the importance of proactive measures, education, and policies that protect workers across all sectors.
May		National Accessibility Week (last full week of May, starting on a Sunday)	Promotes accessibility and inclusion across Canada while celebrating the achievements and contributions of Canadians with disabilities.
	15	International Day of Families	Highlights the importance and diversity of families, raising awareness of social, economic, and demographic factors that affect family well-being.
	21	World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development	Celebrates the value of cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue in fostering peace, prosperity, and sustainable development worldwide.
June		National Indigenous History Month	Honours the stories, achievements, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island, offering all Canadians an opportunity to learn about the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
		Pride Month	Pride Month, celebrated nationally in Canada, marks the start of Pride Season - a series of events from June to September that advocate for equal rights, visibility, and protections for LGBTQ2S+ communities.
	12	World Day against Child Labor	Raises awareness of the plight of child labourers and supports global efforts to eliminate child labour and protect children’s rights.
	15	World Elder Abuse Awareness Day	An international day to raise awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons, encouraging communities to recognize signs, support victims, and advocate for elder justice.
	21	National Indigenous Peoples Day	Celebrates the traditions, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis.
	27	Canadian Multiculturalism Day	Recognizes the contributions of diverse cultural groups in Canada and promotes values of equity, inclusion, and mutual respect.
July	01	Canada Day	Celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation (1867) and what it means to be Canadian.
	12	International Day of Hope	Highlights hope as a powerful force for transforming lives and communities, promoting mental well-being, and fostering resilience against challenges like violence and addiction.
	18	Nelson Mandela International Day	Calls for a democratic and free society in which everyone lives in harmony and with equitable opportunities.
	30	International Day of Friendship	Celebrates the power of friendship to foster peace and bridge divides between cultures, countries, and individuals.
August	01	Emancipation Day	Commemorates the Slavery Abolition Act of 1834, which ended slavery across the British Empire. This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the history of the enslavement of Black and Indigenous Peoples on the land now known as Canada.
	09	International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples	Celebrates the diverse cultures and resilience and raises awareness of the rights and needs of Indigenous populations worldwide.
	22	International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief	Honours victims of religious persecution and calls for global solidarity and support.
September	08	International Literacy Day	Highlights the vital role of literacy as a human right and a foundation for a peaceful and sustainable society. Recognized as a fundamental human right, literacy empowers individuals to access other rights, embrace global citizenship, and contribute to a culture of peace rooted in equality, justice, and respect for diversity.
	21	International Day of Peace	A globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace.
	30	National Day for Truth and Reconciliation	A solemn reminder of the children who never returned home from residential schools, and honours the residential school survivors, their families, and communities. This day ensures that remembrance remains a part of the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.
October		Global Diversity Awareness Month	Celebrates and promotes the cultural diversity and perspectives that enrich our world and promotes inclusion and mutual respect.
		Healthy Workplace Month	Encourages organizations in Canada to foster healthy, inclusive, safe, and thriving work environments.
		Women’s History Month	Recognizes the achievements and contributions of women and girls throughout Canadian history.
	01	International Day of Older Persons	Amplifies the voices and needs of older people, celebrating their contributions and calling for their rights to be protected.
	10	World Mental Health Day	Raises awareness and mobilizes support for mental health issues and well-being.
	29	International Day of Care and Support	Advocates for investment in the care economy and the development of strong, resilient systems that are gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and age-sensitive. This day emphasizes full respect for human rights and aims to recognize, reduce, value, and fairly redistribute unpaid care and domestic work.
November		National Bullying Awareness Week (3^rd week in November)	Raises awareness in Canada about the impacts of bullying and promotes the development of safe, respectful environments in schools, colleges, workplaces, and communities.
	20	World Children’s Day	Promotes international togetherness, raises awareness of children’s rights and well-being, and encourages actions to improve the lives of children around the world.
	25	International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women	Highlights the need to recognize violence against women as a violation of fundamental human rights. This day calls for collective action to prevent, address, and ultimately eliminate gender-based violence through education, advocacy, and policy change.
December	02	International Day for the Abolition of Slavery	Focuses on ending modern slavery, including trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.
	03	International Day of Persons with Disabilities	Promotes the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all areas of society and raises awareness of their experiences and contributions across political, social, economic, and cultural life and calls for greater inclusion and accessibility.
	10	Human Rights Day	Recognizes that every individual is entitled to fundamental human rights, including equality, and the right to life, liberty, and personal security. This day also upholds freedoms such as religion and expression, and the right to participate fully in the cultural life of one’s community. These principles form the foundation of a just, inclusive, and respectful society.
	27	International Day of Epidemic Preparedness	Underscores the urgent need to invest in health systems that can effectively prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. This day calls for building resilient, inclusive public health infrastructures that prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations and ensure global readiness for future health emergencies.