Universal Children’s Day

November 20

Universal Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20th, annually.

 

A “Children’s Day”, as an event, is celebrated on various days in many places around the world, in particular to honor children. Major global variants include an International Children’s Day on June 1 as adopted in the former Communist bloc, and a Universal Children’s Day on November 20, by United Nations recommendation.

Many nations declare days for children on other dates.

 

First proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954, it was established to encourage all countries to institute a day, firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and secondly to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world’s children. It was also chosen as the day to celebrate childhood.

 

 

Universal Children’s Day is preceded by International Men’s Day on November 19 creating a 48 hour celebration of men and children respectively during which time the positive roles men play in children’s lives are recognized.

 

 

The holiday was first celebrated worldwide in October 1953, under the sponsorship of International Union for Child Welfare in Geneva. The idea of a Universal Children’s Day was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954.

November 20 is also the anniversary of the day when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959. The Convention on the Rights of the Child was then signed on the same day in 1989, which has since been ratified by 191 states.

 

 

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child addresses the rights of children and youth under the age of 18. It recognizes their basic human rights and gives them additional rights to protect them from harm. The Convention’s 54 articles cover everything from a child’s right to be free from exploitation, to the right to his or her own opinion and the right to education, health care, and economic opportunity.

The adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the creation of Universal Children’s Day reflects the growing recognition that children are important and valued members of society, now and in the future. Universal Children’s Day celebrates children just for being themselves. It reminds us that children need love and respect to grow to their full potential. It is a day to listen to children, to marvel at their uniqueness and all they have to offer.

A key objective of Universal Children’s Day is to increase awareness of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Since its adoption by the United Nations, the Convention has been signed or ratified by more countries than any other international treaty. Over the past decade, the Convention has proven to be a valuable tool for promoting the rights of children everywhere around the world.

 

In 2000 world leaders outlined Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015. UNICEF notes that six of the eight goals relate directly to children and meeting the last two will also make critical improvements in their lives.

 

 Though the Goals are for all humankind, they are primarily about children.

 

 

 

Celebrate the Innocence of a Child, then protect that with Your Life…. 

 

Take Action! 

 

 

 

 Further Information:  www.un.org  

 

 

 

A Celebration of Women

sends our blessings to all the Children of our World.

 

 

 

Celebrate & Protect the Innocence!