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12 December: what is celebrated today
12 December brings together four very different, yet deeply human, observances: defending universal health, pursuing peace through neutrality, protecting a unique species — the Iberian lynx — and raising awareness of a little-known illness: dysphagia. Four ways of caring for life from different angles: the body, politics, nature and vulnerability.
International Universal Health Coverage Day
Proclaimed by the UN in 2017, this day promotes an essential principle: every person, wherever they live, has the right to receive quality medical care without being ruined by it. Universal health coverage means that every human being should be able to access a nearby health centre, with doctors available and affordable medicines.
The 2024 slogan, “Health, the government pays”, reminds us that health is neither a privilege nor a business: it is a public responsibility. Investing in hospitals, prevention and healthcare professionals is the best way to ensure healthy communities and strong economies.
Since the pandemic, humanity has learned an urgent lesson: one person’s health depends on everyone’s. A robust health system is the most effective shield against any global crisis.
International Day of Neutrality
On the same 12 December, the UN celebrates the International Day of Neutrality, a date promoted by Turkmenistan to underline the importance of staying out of armed conflicts. Neutrality does not mean indifference: it means choosing diplomacy, mediation and dialogue over weapons.
In times of war and polarisation, remembering this principle is vital. Neutrality gives countries the opportunity to serve as bridges, as territories of negotiation and hope. Being neutral does not mean having no opinion: it means believing that peace is worth more than victory.
International Iberian Lynx Day
Since 2015, Spain has dedicated 12 December to the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), one of the planet’s most emblematic and threatened felines. The initiative began in Andalusia, when the species was on the brink of extinction—with barely a hundred specimens. Thanks to programmes such as Life+Iberlince, it now exceeds 1,000 individuals.
This small, agile and silent feline lives in the Mediterranean forests of Spain and Portugal. Its golden gaze and stealthy gait symbolise nature’s resistance to human destruction. But its survival still depends on us: on protecting its habitat, preventing poaching and preserving ecological balance.
The Iberian lynx is not only an ecological victory: it is a reminder that every species saved is a hope for the planet.
World Dysphagia Day
Every 12 December, World Dysphagia Day is also observed, a day that seeks to raise the visibility of a little-known disorder that affects millions of people: difficulty swallowing food or liquids due to neurological or mechanical alterations.
Dysphagia can cause pain, weight loss, malnutrition and social isolation. It is common in older people or people with neurological illnesses, but can occur at any age. Specialists recommend an adapted diet, swallowing exercises and psychological support.
The message of this day is simple but powerful: eating should always be an act of life, not of fear. Talking about dysphagia means talking about empathy and inclusion, giving a voice to those who live with this silent condition.