As the world gathers to mark World Children’s Day, it is important to note that the day is aimed at promoting international togetherness, awareness among children and improving children’s welfare.
According to UNICEF, it marks the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and serves as a call to action for schools, communities, and institutions to engage with and support children.
World Children’s Day is also a chance to amplify the voices of children everywhere, allowing them to share their concerns and dreams for a better future and drive real change.
The 2024 theme for World Children’s Day is “Listen to the Future”.
How did it come to be?
The day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day, and on November 20, 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
On November 20, 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Since 1990, World Children's Day marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on Children's Rights.
The treaty recognises child rights as human rights, and they are non-negotiable and universal.
But in too many places today children’s rights are being misunderstood, disregarded, or even denied and attacked.
The 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.
“We're encouraging the world to actively listen to children’s hopes, dreams, and visions for the future, promoting children’s right to participation,” UNICEF said, recognising the weight of World Children’s Day.
“Children should be empowered to voice their opinions about the world they want to live in, and it’s all of our responsibility to listen and support their visions”
UNICEF has urged parents and caregivers to nurture their children's voices.
“You are their first support system, and they look to you for guidance and encouragement,” the UN agency said.
It stated that by creating an environment where a child feels safe and heard when expressing their thoughts, parents and guardians are helping shape the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and doers.
What does the Convention on the Rights of the Child say?
- Children are entitled to education.
- Children must be treated with decency and respect. They
must be cared for, given opportunities to grow, and included in their
communities.
- Children have the right to have their voices heard and
to participate in choices that impact them.
- Children have the right to be safe from violence and
prejudice, regardless of where they live or their ethnic or social
origins, abilities, birthplace, or other status.
How to get involved in the 2024 anniversary
UNICEF urged the community to listen as they give their children space to express their ideas, even if they seem too ambitious.
It stated that parents, guardians, teachers, and the community should ask questions and engage with what children are saying.
They should also take time to reflect on what their child is sharing.
UNICEF further said the community should support and engage their children as they pursue their dreams and vision, whether through creative activities and conversations.
Other ways include treating every child with dignity and respect, teaching children about their rights on this special day, engaging in fun activities and games together, and asking about their challenges in school and daily life.
