IAAD 2026!
The theme for IAAD 2026 is: “Proudly In My Skin: Celebrating All Skin Tones.“
The theme calls for a shift from seeing albinism mainly through appearance to recognizing the full humanity, rights, and lived experiences of persons with albinism. It highlights how color-based discrimination — rooted in myths, stigma, and social bias — affects their dignity, social inclusion, and, critically, their mental well-being.
The theme is closely linked to the forthcoming report to the United Nations General Assembly on the psychosocial impact of color-based discrimination on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism.
Through this theme, #IAAD 2026 aims to:
- Recognize that many violations against persons with albinism — such as stigma, social exclusion, violence, and barriers to services — constitute intersectional forms of discrimination, including color-based discrimination.
- Highlight the psychosocial impacts of such discrimination, including chronic fear, anxiety, depression, trauma, and internalized stigma.
- Centre the dignity and voices of persons with albinism, ensuring they are seen beyond their skin tone and as full rights-holders.
- Mobilize action by States, institutions, and society to address both the discriminatory root causes and the mental health consequences of color-based discrimination.
On 13 June, we invite governments, institutions, civil society, and communities to celebrate every skin tone — and challenge prejudice, amplify voices of persons with albinism, and promote environments where they can live with safety, equality, and well-being.
The albinism community is invited to participate by using the Global Albinism Alliance’s campaign toolkit and editable Canva mockup. The toolkit includes printable posters, social media posts with Proudly In My Skin and myth-busting messages, logos, and other visuals that you can use on your own channels.
The easiest way to join is to complete the sentence in our mockup and share it: I’m proud in my skin because…
Your participation will help us reach further, challenge more myths, and amplify a global community celebrating all skin tones.
Past themes:
2025: Demanding our rights: Protect our skin, Preserve our lives
2024: 10 years of IAAD: A decade of collective progress
2023: Inclusion is Strength
2022: United In Making Our Voice Heard
2021: Strength Beyond All Odds
2020: Made To Shine
2019: Still Standing Strong
2018: Shining our light to the world
2017: Advancing with renewed hope
2016: Protect our rights, celebrate diversity
2015: Persons with albinism, worthy of respect and dignity
History of IAAD ~ Learn More ~ IAAD Events
Local IAAD Proclamations ~ Share on Social Media! ~ Contact Us
History of International Albinism Awareness Day
On December 18, 2014, the United Nations’ General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing June 13th as International Albinism Awareness Day. This historic resolution confirmed the global focus on albinism advocacy. NOAH joins with the worldwide albinism community in encouraging everyone to celebrate and promote albinism awareness on June 13th each year.
The late Ambassador of the Mission of Somalia to the U.N., Geneva, Yusuf Mohamed Ismail Bari-Bari, led the effort to pass the resolution in cooperation with Under the Same Sun, an organization that promotes and protects the rights of people with albinism, particularly in Africa. Shortly thereafter, NOAH participated in a U.N. “side event” to celebrate the adoption of the resolution. The late Excellency Bari-Bari made opening and closing remarks at the event, which included sharing a story with Pope Francis in which he informed the Pontiff of the atrocities committed against people with albinism in Africa. Many other dignitaries also attended the event, and each made brief statements in support of the resolution. These attendees included representatives from the U.N. delegations from Italy, Israel, Canada and the United States, the U.N. Special Representative on Violence against Children, a representative from UNICEF, and several key individuals in the albinism community.
Learn More About IAAD & Albinism
To learn more about International Albinism Awareness Day, check out these online resources:
International Albinism Awareness Day Facebook Page
International Albinism Awareness Day
History of International Albinism Awareness Day
Meet the Champions of the Albinism Cause: (United Nations Human Rights’ Albinism website)
Video Poem by Gcina Vabaza (Viewer Advisory: This video contains serious content intended for mature audiences. Graphic images included may not be suitable for young viewers.)
IAAD Events!
Planning an event for IAAD? Let us know! Email info@albinism.org with all the details so we can help spread the word.
Saturday, June 6th
10am – 12pm
Butterfield Park
385 E VanBuren St.
Elmhurst, IL
Please join the Northern Illinois NOAH group to celebrate International Albinism Awareness Day!
Family Gathering in the Park ~ Face Painting ~ Bubbles ~ Donuts and Coffee ~ Fun at the Playground (great for all age groups!)
RSVP by June 3rd to acontant@albinism.org
Saturday, June 13th
3:00 – 6:30pm
Abigail Apartments
Community Room
1650 NW 13th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
Donations will be accepted to cover food & drink costs!
RSVP by June 7th to longs-barons.0q@icloud.com
Saturday, June 13th
3pm
Brinkley’s House – Raleigh, NC
Celebrate IAAD with us at a BBQ full of food, fun, and great company . All people with albinism and their families in the central NC area are welcome. We will have a bounce house with a waterslide set up in the backyard for the kids, so bring your swimsuits!
RSVP to Emma Brinkley at ebrinkley@albinism.org
IAAD Proclamations
Did you know that you can request an official proclamation in recognition of International Albinism Awareness Day from your local government?
Interested in requesting a proclamation from your state? Contact us at info@albinism.org for proclamation request language!
Learn more about proclamation request procedures in each state.
View proclamations requested by our community members:
Share on Social Media!
Looking for a simple way to spread the word about IAAD to your friends and family on social media? Click any image to view it fullscreen, then right click to download to your device for easy sharing!
Questions? Contact Us!
Email: IAAD@albinism.org
Don’t forget to check out – and follow! – NOAH on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram!