Tag Archives: united nations

Hasbro Celebrates International Day of Play 2026 this June 11 with Global Experiences That Invite Everyone to Play

Posted on by Leave a comment
Hasbro logo

Hasbro is celebrating the third annual International Day of Play (IDOP) on June 11, 2026 by inviting players everywhere to connect, learn, and play together.

Recognized by the United Nations as a global call to action, International Day of Play champions play as a fundamental human right; advocating for more time, space, and access to play for all.

This year, Hasbro is turning that call into action: expanding access to play through beginner-friendly experiences, community-driven events, and connected digital activations across Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering. Powered by a global network of more than 10,000 Wizards Play Network retail locations, Hasbro is bringing play to life at scale—meeting players wherever they are and inspiring a lifetime of play.

As part of its Playing to Win strategy, Hasbro is focused on expanding access to play and growing its communities around the world; bringing its “Everyone Plays” philosophy to life by lowering barriers and creating welcoming, social experiences for all.

Hasbro’s 2026 IDOP highlights:

Magic: The Gathering – Bring a Friend, Build a Community

Magic: The Gathering is transforming IDOP into a community-powered play moment, anchored by in-store events across the Wizards Play Network and amplified through MTG Arena, including:

  • Avengers Academy is a Magic: The Gathering | Marvel Super Heroes learn-to-play experience designed to help players introduce friends to Magic in a fun, low-pressure environment
  • Social formats like Commander and Two-Headed Giant, where players team up, play together, and build confidence
  • Welcome decks and in-store rewards for new players and those who bring a friend
  • A global MTG Arena activation, including a phantom event and limited-time digital rewards

Dungeons & Dragons – Start Your Story

Dungeons & Dragons invites players everywhere to step into a world of imagination and adventure with Borderlands Quest: Dagger Danger, a beginner-friendly experience available globally.

  • A guided adventure designed for first-time players and Dungeon Masters
  • Pre-made characters, simplified rules, and a clear narrative path to make getting started easy
  • Available digitally on D&D Beyond at no cost to DDB account holders, and brought to life at participating Wizards Play Network locations worldwide

Whether playing at home or in-store, D&D’s IDOP activation makes it easy for anyone, anywhere to start playing together.

Play Around the World

Across its global offices, Hasbro is bringing International Day of Play to life through employee engagement and community impact:

  • A global “Power Down to Play” moment encouraging employees to step away from work and connect through play;
  • Friendly Connect 4 tournaments across seven global hubs, complete with brackets and championship moments;
  • A “donate to play” model supporting local nonprofits that expand access to play;
  • Volunteer opportunities connecting employees directly with communities through play-based experiences that directly support local organizations around the world, including:
  • In Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Hasbro volunteers will host a CampOut Family Game Night for children and families from The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a year-round program that provides free, medically supported camp experiences for children with serious illnesses and their families;
  • In Boston, Massachusetts, Hasbro volunteers will join longstanding partner Playworks to host an IDOP activation bringing classic recess favorites to life alongside the City of Boston;
  • In Renton, Washington, volunteers from Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast will bring joy to hundreds of middle school students at Showalter Middle School during a Magic and D&D Game Day.

A Global Movement for Play

International Day of Play, adopted by the United Nations in 2024, is a global advocacy day dedicated to protecting and promoting every person’s right to play. Celebrated annually on June 11, it calls on governments, organizations, and communities to ensure all children have access to safe, inclusive, and meaningful play opportunities.

Ian Churchill’s Marineman returns in support of World Oceans Day!

Posted on by

First published over ten years ago, Ian Churchill’s Marineman returns to help spread the word about Prevented Ocean Plastic and encourage people to #ChooseRecycled as part of this year’s UN World Oceans Day.

With the theme of ‘Collective Action for the Ocean’, Marineman and his team are shown trying to stop the dreaded plastic monster before it reaches the sea in the style of a classic comic book cover. Prevented Ocean Plastic is responsible for stopping over 1,000 tons of plastic reaching the ocean every month – ensuring that it can be effectively and affordably recycled into new plastic for fresh usage.

Prevented Ocean Plastic is supplied by Bantam Materials, and is a high quality, certified and award-winning recycled plastic material that has been collected from coastal areas at risk of ocean plastic pollution. Used by supermarkets and brands around the world – including original adopters Lidl GB and Groupe Guillin – it meets regulatory health and safety standards, and can be identified on-pack by its distinctive triangular logo.

Marineman fans, and those who share his concerns about the impact of ocean plastic, are encouraged to share this new image and sign the pledge to #ChooseRecycled on this UN World Oceans Day (Wednesday 8 June). You can sign up and find out more.

Marineman

The United Nations is Looking for Creators to Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19

Posted on by
United Nations Talenthouse covid

The United Nations’ Talenthouse art works have put out a call to help create material to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

A submission system has been opened for creators to submit work that they may help in translating and getting “critical public health messages” out to the public. It should inform people across different cultures, languages, communities, and platforms.

The submissions that work will be visible on a microsite and be made accessible to everyone who will be able to download and use the art across their platforms to support the cause.

UN key messages include:

  • Personal Hygiene
  • Physical Distancing
  • Know the symptoms
  • Kindness contagion
  • Myth busting
  • Do more, donate

You can find more information and make a submission at the Talenthouse website.

The UN Teams with The Smurfs for The International Day of Happiness

Posted on by

smurfs-startThe United Nations Foundation is teaming up with the Smurfs for a smurftastic program called “Small Smurfs Big Goals” to help promote The International Day of Happiness which takes place March 20.

The day of celebration began in 2013 as a “way to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of human beings around the world. The day is also a good opportunity to highlight the Sustainable Development Goals, a global plan of action that, if achieved, will lead to the well-being of all people. These 17 interlinked goals, adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations, protect our people and our planet so that everyone, no matter where they live, can live their happiest lives.”

The Smurfs will help promote the plan to protect all people and the environment through the 17 goals listed below:

  1. No Poverty – End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  2. Zero Hunger – End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
  3. Good Health and Well-Being – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
  4. Quality Education – Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning
  5. Gender Equality – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  6. Clean Water and Sanitation – Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
  7. Affordable and Clean Energy – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
  8. Decent Work and Economic Growth – Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
  9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
  10. Reduced Inequalities – Reduce inequality within and among countries
  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities – Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  12. Responsible Consumption and Production – Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
  13. Climate Action – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
  14. Life Below Water – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
  15. Life on Land – Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
  16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
  17. Partnership for the Goals – Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

The Smurfs is a Belgian comic franchise created in 1958 by the writer/artist Peyo.

This is the second comic book characters the United Nations has teamed up with in the last year to help promote a program of theirs. In October 2016 the United Nations designated Wonder Woman as an Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls. In March 2016, Red from Angry Birds was appointed Honorary Ambassador for Green for last year’s International Day of Happiness. The United Nations was criticized for the Wonder Woman appointment, but nary a mention from individuals about Red or the Smurfs…

You can click to watch the advertisement being run now to promote the team-up below.

Wonder Woman’s Job as UN Ambassador Wraps up this Friday

Posted on by

ww-un-key-art-englishApparently, women empowerment doesn’t apply to Themyscira.

In October Wonder Woman was designated an Honorary Ambassador for the United Nations. That decision was both praised and criticized. The move was partially to commemorate the iconic superheroes 75th Anniversary as well as “raise awareness of the U.N.’s campaign for gender equality (Sustainable Development Goal No. 5) and the empowerment of women and girls as a critical component for a peaceful and prosperous world.”

That job looks like it’s coming to an end this Friday according to The Guardian and some are pointing fingers at the criticism over the character’s appointment. According to The Guardian, plans were to use the character into 2017 as part of the awareness campaign, though that declaration isn’t found in any of the initial announcements. The Wonder Woman film starring Gal Gadot is due in theaters June 2017.

United Nations spokesman Jeffrey Brez said “campaigns using fictional characters often lasted no longer than a few months.” Again, no release by the United Nations or official statement has been found as to the abrupt ending. The United Nations has not elaborated on a reason. Angry Birds were announced as a UN climate change envoys in March and that lasted a single day, so this short period is not without precedent.

With Wonder Woman’s initial announcement an online petition was launched denouncing the decision. The petition proclaimed:

Although the original creators may have intended Wonder Woman to represent a strong and independent ‘warrior’ woman with a feminist message, the reality is that the character’s current iteration is that of a large breasted, white woman of impossible proportions, scantily clad in a shimmery, thigh-baring body suit.

We can debate whether the character is actually “white.” The petition created by “Concerned United Nations staff members” received 44,466 supporters as of this posting, shy of its 45,000 goal. Some of those supporters actually denounce the petition on its public wall, but still signed it (try to figure that one out).

A petition was launched today asking for the character to be reinstated in her position.

The ending of Wonder Woman’s role with the United Nations will not impact a planned comic book that was announced in October and being publishing in 2017.

We’ve reached out to the UN for further information and clarification.

Take part in Gal Gadot & Patty Jenkins Facebook Live Chat

Posted on by

Wonder Woman is designated as United Nations Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls in support of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 – to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The historic moment was live streamed and throughout the day there’s Q&As with individuals associated with the iconic character.

Currently, there’s a Facebook Live Q&A going on with director Patty Jenkins and actress Gal Gadot which you can participate in on the page or below.

Watch Live as Wonder Woman is Designated As United Nations Honorary Ambassador

Posted on by

To celebrate the historic moment when Wonder Woman is designated as the United Nations’ first Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls, the United Nations will live stream the event beginning at 12 p.m. ET/ 9 a.m. PT on Friday, October 21, a day that also commemorates the iconic Super Hero’s official 75th anniversary. The event will be followed by Facebook Live and Twitter Q&As with Lynda Carter, as well as Gal Gadot with director Patty Jenkins.

In her new position, Wonder Woman will move beyond battling Super-Villains to raise awareness of the U.N.’s campaign for gender equality (Sustainable Development Goal No. 5) and the empowerment of women and girls as a critical component for a peaceful and prosperous world.

Leading up to the event, both the U.N. and DC Entertainment have launched websites that will provide regular updates and information about the campaign. Visit the U.N. site and DC’s site.

More details about the year-long campaign will be unveiled during the ceremony by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson. Lynda Carter, who played Wonder Woman in the beloved 1970s television series and now appears as president on The CW’s Supergirl, and Gal Gadot, who will star in next year’s Wonder Woman feature film, will also be part of the designation ceremony.

The livestream event is slated to run from approximately 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET on October 21.

The event will be followed by Facebook Live and Twitter Fan Q&As with Gal Gadot and director Patty Jenkins, as well as a Facebook Live Q&A with Lynda Carter. Fans are invited to watch a Facebook Live conversation with Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins at 1pm ET/10am PT at Facebook.com/WonderWomanFilm, then at 1:20pm ET/10:20am PT follow @GalGadot and @PattyJenks for a live Twitter Q&A. At 1:30pm ET/10:30am PT fans can watch Facebook.com/TheCWSupergirl for a Facebook Live conversation with Lynda Carter.

ww-un-key-art-english

Around the Tubes

Posted on by

Check out some geeky news from around the web in our morning roundup of news and reviews from around the web!

Around the Tubes

Newsarama – Nora Fries Cast For Gotham – I guess we’ll see a lot of Mr. Freeze’s story. Will it tie into Bruce Wayne?

Comics Alliance – ‘The Walking Dead’ Renewed for Season 7, Water Wet, Fire Hot, Etc. – Shocker.

CBLDF – UN Envoy Recommends Japanese Ban on Some Manga and Anime – Sigh.

Kotaku – Batman: Arkham Knight PC Refunds Offered Through 2015. Get One. – Absolutely get one.

The Daily Beast – ‘Captain America’ Writer Slams Fox News for Sympathizing With His Xenophobic Villains – Good!

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Talking Comics – Batgirl #45

Batman News – The Batman Adventures #1

Every Day E-Book – Nimona

Around the Tubes

Posted on by

It’s new comic book day tomorrow. We’ll have previews and some reviews up before and our picks in a few hours, but what’s everyone excited for? While you decide on that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

CBR – Man allegedly kills ‘zombie’ friend, blames ‘The Walking Dead’ – Calls to ban the show in 3…2…1…

Engadget – SXSW cancels online harassment panel, because of harassment – Sigh.

South China Morning Post – UN envoy calls on Japan to ban extreme child manga porn – Well ok then.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

CBR – Astro City #28

CBR – Clean Room #1

CBR – Cognetic #1

CBR – Karnak #1

The Outhousers – Two Brothers

Nate Powell speaks at the United Nations

Posted on by

Official Press Release

Top Shelf ProductsNate Powell speaks at the United Nations

Nate Powell, the multi-award-winning graphic novelist behind Swallow Me Whole andAny Empire, appeared last week at the United Nations with an all-star team of teen-fiction writers to raise funds for young refugees from Darfur. Powell joins R. L. Stine (Goosebumps, Fear Street), Ann M. Martin (The Baby-Sitters Club), and over a dozen other top authors in the new anthology What You Wish For, published by Putnam.

Last Monday, nine of the book’s contributors shared the stage with children’s-book expert Leonard S. Marcus for a special presentation at the United Nations building in New York.

Following speeches from UN officials and Darfur experts, the authors shared insights into their creative contributions, their motives for contributing, and their hopes for the book’s success. Joining moderator Marcus were Nate Powell, Ann M. Martin, R. L. Stine, Jeanne Duprau (The Books of Ember), Karen Hesse (Out of the Dust), Marilyn Nelson (award-winning poet), Sofia Quintero (Efrain’s Secret), and via satellite, Meg Cabot (The Princess Diaries) and Cornelia Funke (Inkheart). Both halves of the session are viewable on the UN’s web site.

After the UN presentation, the authors held a signing at legendary children’s bookstore Books of Wonder, taking questions from a packed house and selling out every copy of What You Wish For in the store. Books of Wonder has a recap of the event (with photos) here.

What You Wish For is a project of The Book Wish Foundation, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) public charity. 100% of proceeds from the book’s sales are donated to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, to build libraries for refugee camps in Chad, populated by hundreds of thousands fleeing horrific violence in neighboring Darfur. For more information, visit www.bookwish.org.

Nate Powell, the only author to contribute his piece in comics form, is the Eisner- and Ignatz-Award-winning author/artist of Swallow Me Whole (Top Shelf). His newest graphic novel, Any Empire (also Top Shelf), exploring the lasting consequences of childhood war games, earned a starred review from Booklist magazine naming him “the most prodigiously talented graphic novelist of his [generation].” He can be found online at www.seemybrotherdance.org.

Photo: (L-R) R. L. Stine, Nate Powell, and Ann M. Martin speaking at the UN.

« Older Entries