CHILDREN’S DAY

◆ United Nations Universal Children’s Day was established in 1954 and is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.

◆ November 20 is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. ◆ Since 1990, Universal Children’s Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the General Assembly adopted both the declaration and the convention on children’s rights.

◆ Universal Children’s Day offers each of us an inspirational entry point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.

◆ By Resolution 836(IX) of December 14, 1954, the General Assembly recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children’s Day, to be observed as a day of fraternity and understanding between children.

◆ The National Assembly suggested to governments that the day be observed on the date and in the way which each considers appropriate. The date November 20 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 1989.

◆ 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, not to be discriminated against, and to have their views heard. – Source: Unicef