AWARENESS DAY CALENDAR - May 2023

World Laughter Day is a global celebration aiming to unite us all with the universal language of laughter (the best language), spreading joy and positivity. Celebrated on the first Sunday of May, use the #WorldLaughterDay hashtag and share your jokes!

On this day, Jewish people celebrate the life of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a teacher and author of the Zohar. This also marks the end of the plague that raged between Passover and Shavuot, continuing the theme of love and celebration.

An initiative led by Campaign for learning, the aim of this week is to help build learning cultures at work. Shining a spotlight on the importance of continual learning and development, this week is a must-have for HR professionals!

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual campaign that sees the whole of the UK come together to raise awareness and tackle the stigma around mental health. The theme for 2023 is Anxiety, one of the most common mental health conditions.

In Christian belief, this day marks the ascent of Jesus Christ into Heaven, 40 days after his resurrection. The celebration is about the return of Christ to God the Father. The theme is love and exaltation.

An annual celebration of global diversity, with UNESCO leading the charge. This day aims to highlight the importance of intercultural dialogue in an effort to achieve sustainable peace and meaningful change.

Shavuot marks the end of a 7-week Omer between Passover and Shavuot, symbolising the giving of the Torah from God to the Jewish people. This celebration is seen as a pledge between God and the Jewish people - a pledge of devotion and loyalty to each other.

Vesak (aka Wesak or Buddha Day) is a celebration of Buddha's birthday. For some Buddhists it also marks the day of his enlightenment. The holiday is an opportunity for families to come together, perform good deeds and cleanse themselves of negative energy.

This is a Holiday celebrated on the 7th Sunday after Easter. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit onto the Apostles and the followers of Jesus Christ. This is a time for feast and togetherness.