World Children’s Day, annually celebrated on the 20th of November, promotes children’s welfare and upholdment of child rights. In many parts of the world, minors’ rights are considered to be trivial, and can be disregarded, ignored, and more. This day advocates for the protection and acknowledgement of the voices of the generation of the future: children.
According to the United Nations article on this day, on the 14th of December in 1954, the United Nations General Assembly encouraged all countries to establish a Universal Children’s Day as a day to honor children and as a day of activities calling attention to the objectives of the UN charter by resolution 836(IX).
Importance of the Day
Children around the world have unfortunately had to experience abuse, discrimination, and exploitation. In some countries, child labor is exceedingly prevalent, and in other countries, children are forcefully recruited to participate in armed conflicts. Children racially or religiously diverse along with children with disabilities can face violence and be victims of child homelessness. Attacks on hospitals and schools have also become more common, endangering children who can then suffer from trauma as a result. Slavery, trafficking, prostitution, and more are other issues that can attack children.
The day strives to honor the agreements made in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)— both adopted by the UN General Assembly on the 20th of November. The Convention, classified as “the most widely ratified international human rights treaty,” declares the right of children to education, life/family life, health, play, protection from violence, protection from discrimination, and more.
UNESCO BMW’s Involvement
UNESCO BMW has always sought to recognize children, their rights, and their role in society. Our organization specifically has been involved in children’s literature, which we believe can help nurture young minds in terms of emotional intelligence, perseverance, empathy, and more. We also believe that literature can play a part in creating peace, both inside and outside. We have created books, such as If I Could, Memories of a Leaf, and more available to buy on Amazon. We also offer youth engagement opportunities, and have acknowledged youth on our website for being a generation compassionate and willing to help others. Our vision mission focuses around the idea of creating a harmonious and just society by offering meditation/wellness workshops, and our ReWind program— aimed to cultivate a collective, balanced mental health state for the betterment of our communities.
By: Vallerie Kalekar