World Children’s Day: A Day to Honor and Celebrate Children’s Rights
World Children’s Day is a global observance that aims to honor and celebrate the children of the world and their rights. It is observed on November 20 in many countries, including the United States, to coincide with the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly.
The History of World Children’s Day
The origin of World Children’s Day can be traced back to 1856, when Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea, Massachusetts, initiated a special service dedicated to baptizing children. He called it Rose Day, which later became Flower Sunday, and then Children’s Day1.
In 1925, the World Conference on Child Welfare in Geneva proclaimed June 1 as International Children’s Day, which was later adopted by many communist and post-communist countries2. However, in 1954, the United Nations recommended that each country should choose a day to celebrate children, preferably on the date and in the way that each considers appropriate2.
The date 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 19892. The Convention, which is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, sets out a number of children’s rights including the right to life, to health, to education and to play, as well as the right to family life, to be protected from violence, to not be discriminated, and to have their views heard1.
The Theme of World Children’s Day 2023
The theme for World Children’s Day 2023 is, “Inclusion, for every child”. This theme means that every child belonging to any society, community or nationality is entitled to equal rights. It also emphasizes on the eradication of discrimination among children of various civilizations3.
The theme urges the public to advocate, celebrate and promote children’s rights by including every child in a strive for a secure future. It also encourages children and young people to raise their voices on the issues that matter to them, such as peace, climate change, and participation1.
The Events and Activities of World Children’s Day 2023
Around the globe, myriad events and activities will mark World Children’s Day 2023. Some of them are:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, will organize various events and campaigns to highlight the importance of children’s rights and to support their work for children in need. UNICEF will also invite people to show their support by turning blue on 20 November, the color of children’s rights1.
The Changing Childhood Project, a research initiative by UNICEF and the University of Oxford, will compare experiences across generations to explore how childhood is changing. The project will use surveys, interviews, and creative methods to understand the perspectives of children and young people on their lives, challenges, and aspirations1.
Children’s Day 2023, a global movement launched by a group of parents and organizations, will invite parents, guardians and organizations to give children “their all” with one surprising moment on Children’s Day. The movement will also ask people to pledge one hour of income to uplift all children4.
The Sustainable Development Goals Resource Centre, a platform that provides resources and information on the 17 goals set by the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all, will host various activities and initiatives to raise awareness and action for World Children’s Day 2023. The platform will also showcase the achievements and challenges of children and young people in relation to the goals5.
The Importance of World Children’s Day
World Children’s Day is an important occasion to recognize and celebrate the rights and well-being of children, who are the future of our world. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness and mobilize action for the challenges and threats that children face, such as poverty, violence, exploitation, discrimination, and environmental degradation.
By celebrating World Children’s Day, we can help to build a better world for all children, where they can enjoy their rights, express their views, and fulfill their potential. We can also learn from their insights, creativity, and resilience, and support their participation and leadership in shaping the world they want.
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