International Year of the Potato relationship that exists between poverty, food security, malnutrition and the potential contribution of the potato to defeating hunger." This was one of many international observances declared for specific days, months and years. The year 2008 was shared with the International Year of Sanitation. It was hoped that International Year designation will do for the potato what the International Year of Rice (2004) did for that food staple, namely, inspire exhibits, educational programs, films, publications and greater public awareness of multi-national efforts on behalf of our food resources. The year 2008 was also designated the National Year of the Potato in
International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition The United Nations General Assembly declared 2004 as the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (having welcomed the fact that UNESCO had proclaimed it as such earlier). The General Assembly resolution in its entirety (of which this declaration was a single paragraph) was voted against by the Israel, Palau and the United States, with Australia and Canada abstaining. The United Nations International Years, beginning with the World Refugee Year in 1959/1960, are designated in order to focus world attention on important issues. The proclamation