This October, United Nations (UN) in Libya celebrated UN Day with a number of activities taking place in the capital, including an African music concert aimed at educating migrants on the dangers of irregular migration, a reception for senior officials at UN House, a two day “UN Open House” and a diplomats versus UN staff football match.

This year’s theme for UN Day is “United Nations in Libya- Working together as one” and the events commemorated the 64th anniversary of the creation of the United Nations, as well as UN’s 59 years of developmental and humanitarian work in Libya.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Libya used the opportunity to launch the Human Development Report 2009, entitled “Overcoming Barriers: Human Mobility and Development.” The report challenges many misconceptions relating to migration and explores the issue from a development perspective. It argues that migration can have a positive impact on human development for those who move, for destination countries and for those who remain at home.

The first UN Week activity, a music concert jointly organized by IOM (the International Organisation for Migration) and CEN-SAD (Community of Sahel-Saharan States), and part funded by UN and UNDP, also focused on migration. Popular bands from Niger and Ghana were invited to play to an audience of around 1,000, and conveyed messages warning migrants of the dangers of irregular migration.

Judging by the audience’s dancing and applause, the evening’s entertainment was popular, however the event’s message was clear. As the banners above the stage declared, migrants should “make the right decision” and should fully inform themselves of the risks involved when deciding whether or not to emigrate irregularly.

Whilst the UN Reception, hosted at UN House on the 24th October, brought together members of government, the diplomatic community, the private sector and NGOs, the UN “Open House” held the following two days was open to all members of the public. Each agency displayed its publications and informational materials, and UN staff members were on hand to answer questions from visitors.

The UN celebrations came to a close with a football match held between UN and diplomatic staff, representing countries from all around the globe.