The United Nations Universal Children‚Äôs Day is celebrated globally on the 20th of November every year. Various countries choose to celebrate the day at other times of the year, however the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be set on the 20th of November in 1954. The UN decreed that the Day was to be observed also as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter (a UNICEF summary of which can be seen here) and the welfare of the children of the world. UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund works hard to coordinate and promote this day as well as striving to improve the welfare of children.
Universal Children’s Day is an occasion to celebrate and consider the needs of children globally. It aims to draw attention to and set goals towards resolving issues with children’s welfare around the world whilst promoting global unity amongst children. The current United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated that
The one thing all children have in common is their rights. Every child has the right to survive and thrive, to be educated, to be free from violence and abuse, to participate and to be heard.
Universal Children’s Day presents an opportunity for the promotion of global understanding and equality among children and various events are held around the world to achieve this goal. The United Nations and UNICEF, along with many other organisations strive to help children who are suffering from inequality, discrimination, exploitation, poverty, and the terrors of war and armed conflict. They facilitate and promote ways in which these issues can be overcome and that health, welfare, education, and equality can be achieved so that every child has the opportunity to grow up and be a part of the global community.
-Molly Gibb
Junior Girl
Girl Museum Inc.