The United Nations has had offices in Bonn since 1951. Since 1996, Bonn has developed into an ever more important location. At that time the Federal Government made the “Haus Carstanjen” available to the UN as office space and further UN organisations came to Bonn, including the United Nations Volunteers Programme. The city marked this 20 year anniversary on Saturday with a public celebration.

Over 30 organisations were represented in nine tents in the Marktplatz, including non-government and development aid organisations that work together with the UN. They presented their work and offered hands-on activities.

The youth choir from Bonn International School opened the celebrations in the morning performing on a stage in front of the Old Town Hall. Various music groups appeared here all day, including the inter-cultural music group “You Shall Rise.”

“United Nations Day is always a special day,” said Jakob Rhyner, who had come to the celebrations on behalf of the United Nations. The vice-rector of the UN University said that Bonn was an important location for the implementation of the 17 “Sustainable Development Goals.” The agenda for these should ensure sustainable development at an economic, social and ecological level by 2030. The campaign will be steered from Bonn.

Elvira von den Hoff, who came across the celebrations by chance while wandering round the town, said: “I don’t have a lot to do with the UN, but the celebrations have aroused my interest.” She wanted to visit the tents and learn more about the work of the United Nations. Another visitor really liked the almost 90 metre long paper band stretched across the ground on the Marktplatz. People had written on it in blue pen their thoughts on the question “How we live?”

(Original text: Alexander Grantl. Translated by Kate Carey)