World Children’s Day 2024: Ensuring Rights, Happiness, and Equality

World Children’s Day is celebrated annually on November 20th. Its objectives are to raise awareness and foster unity among all children, support and celebrate children’s rights, and enhance child welfare globally. Initially launched in 1954, Universal Children’s Day has seen some milestone events in the field of child welfare. The purpose of the day is to commemorate the dates on which the United Nations General Assembly enacted the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, promotes and coordinates this special day, which also works towards improving children’s welfare.

In 2024, Universal Public School is excited to celebrate World Children’s Day, a day that honors the happiness, rights, and welfare of children everywhere. After an inspiring assembly, there will be participatory workshops, art projects, and games that encourage empathy, inclusivity, and self-expression. Students will have the opportunity to participate in discussions about their rights and dreams for the future, highlighting the importance of their voices in shaping a better world.

By celebrating World Children’s Day, Universe Public School (CBSE School & RBSE School) hopes to empower all children and develop a sense of global citizenship in them, creating a nurturing environment where each student feels appreciated and motivated to reach their full potential.

The Theme for World Children’s Day 2024 

The Theme for World Children’s Day 2024 is “For Every Child, Every Right,” which calls for efforts to ensure that all children receive their fundamental rights. This includes the right to food, education, sanitation, housing, and protection from harmful work.

What are Children’s Rights?

There are 54 children’s rights in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Some of these are:

  • The right to be alive (Article 6)
  • The right to clothing, food, a safe place to live, and to have their basic needs met (Article 27)
  • The right to give their opinion (Article 12)
  • The right to play and rest (Article 31)
  • The right to education (Article 28)
  • The right to protection from work that harms them, and is bad for their health and education (Article 32)

It is extremely crucial that children understand their rights on Universal Children’s Day. It’s also critical that they keep in mind that not all children worldwide have access to these rights.

History of World Children’s Day 

The Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard, pastor of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea, Massachusetts, established Children’s Day on the second Sunday of June in 1857. A special ceremony for the children was given by Leonard. The day was first called Flower Sunday, then Children’s Day, and then Leonard gave it the moniker Rose Day. Children’s Day was first declared a national holiday by the Republic of Turkey in 1920 with the set date of April 23. Since 1920, the Turkish government and publications have observed Children’s Day nationwide, announcing it as a day dedicated to children.

However, the founder and president of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, made the formal announcement nationwide in 1929 when it was determined that an official confirmation was required to explain and legitimize this celebration. The United Nations created Universal Children’s Day in 1954, but an expanded version of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child was not accepted by the UN General Assembly until November 20, 1959. Originally acquired in 1924 by the League of Nations, the UN adopted this document as its own statement of children’s rights.

World Children’s Day Timeline 

  • 1920 (Turkey Leads the Way): Children’s Day was first declared a national holiday in Turkey.
  • 1954 (United Nations gets Involved): Universal Children’s Day was formally created by the UN.
  • 1959 (An Offical Document): An expanded version of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child was accepted by the UN General Assembly.
  • 2012 (Ban Ki-Moon): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spearheaded the push to ensure all children could go to school by 2015.

How to Observe World Children’s Day 

  • Find an Event: Every year, the UN sponsors events that bring together children and adults to raise awareness. Some of the most well-known authors in the world came together in 2016 to create incredibly brief stories that shed attention on the issues that the world’s poorest children confront. You will have a lot of options because many UN affiliates also host their own activities.
  • Spend Some Time in the Community: You can organize your own gathering to encourage adults to interact with local children. This might be as straightforward as gathering in a neighborhood park, or it could involve a more lavish celebration planned by the local council. Either way, the point is to show the children how important it is to build a bond with the community.
  • Sponsor a Child: Donating or even sponsoring a child at a set monthly cost is now simpler than ever due to UNICEF and other organizations. A small donation can go a long way in changing the life of a child. Make this the day to donate to a global charity or sponsor a child if you’ve ever considered doing so.

Why World Children’s Day is Important 

  • Guarantees Rights to Children: The rights granted to individuals are typically interpreted as being for adults in official government documents. However, thanks to the UN, governments around the world have adopted treaties that guarantee children the right to life, education, health, family, play, and protection from violence, discrimination, and suppression.
  • They are the Future: Changes take time and by time, we means generations. We must start with today’s youth if we are to secure a stable, secure, and sustainable future for our world. Early education is therefore essential, and the UN is spearheading this effort.
  • Raises Awareness: It could be simple to ignore the issues that today’s kids face if they aren’t noticeable in their day-to-day activities. World Children’s Day seeks to spread the knowledge that there are millions of children around the world who don’t have access to healthcare, education, or opportunities.
FAQs

What is World Children’s Day?

Every year on November 20th, World Children’s Day is celebrated with the goals of fostering global harmony, increasing public awareness of children’s rights, and enhancing the welfare of children everywhere. Established by the United Nations, this day emphasizes the importance of providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for every child to thrive.

What is the Theme for World Children’s Day?

The Theme for World Children’s Day 2024 is “For every child, every right,” which calls for efforts to ensure that all children receive their fundamental rights. This includes the right to food, education, sanitation, housing, and protection from harmful work.

Why is World Children’s Day celebrated on November 20th?

The UN General Assembly established the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 and the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, two significant milestones for children’s rights that are commemorated on November 20th. Celebrating this day highlights the commitment to upholding and advancing children’s rights globally.

How can schools celebrate World Children’s Day?

Schools can celebrate World Children’s Day by organizing activities like interactive workshops, art projects, assemblies, and cultural programs that promote children’s welfare, and rights. Discussions on equality, empathy, and respect help students understand the importance of these values.

How can parents get involved in World Children’s Day?

On World Children’s Day, parents can participate by talking to their kids about their rights, aspirations, and the value of kindness and compassion. They can also take part in community outreach initiatives, attend local events, or even organize family projects that help underprivileged kids or include acts of kindness.