Universal Children’s Day 2024: History, Theme and Significance

Universal Children’s Day is observed every year on 20 November to promote international togetherness, and awareness among children worldwide, and to improve children’s welfare. Children are the most fragile element of society who are to be molded and shaped with extreme care. In case of minor changes, their life changes drastically and so does the shape of the society.  The day is observed to ensure every child is taken care of well.

In order to improve awareness in society, the UN observes numerous days which are primarily related to children’s welfare and their greater care. UN observes 4 June as “International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression”, 12 June as “World Day Against Child Labour”, 12 August as “International Youth Day” and 11 October as “International Day of the Girl Child.” The day is not consistently observed across the globe. Children’s Day is celebrated across India to raise and enhance awareness of the rights, care, and education of children. It is celebrated on 14 November every year as a tribute to the birthday of India’s First Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

History of Universal Children’s Day

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, and awareness among children worldwide, and to improve children’s welfare. November 20th 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 UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Since 1990, World Children’s Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on Children’s Rights. Mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, government leaders and civil society activists, religious and community elders, corporate moguls and media professionals, as well as young people and children themselves, can play an important part in making World Children’s Day relevant for their societies, communities, and nations. World 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.

The theme of Universal Children’s Day 2024

Universal Children’s Day is observed to enhance the awareness of the public to promote international togetherness, and awareness among children worldwide, and to improve children’s welfare.

The theme for Universal Children’s Day 2024 is “For every child, every right.” This theme emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all children have access to their fundamental rights, including education, healthcare, protection, and a safe environment. It calls for collective action to create a world where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.

The theme of Universal Children’s Day 2021 is “A Better Future for Every Child”.

Significance of Universal Children’s Day

Universal Children’s Day, observed annually on November 20, is a day dedicated to promoting the welfare and rights of children worldwide. Established by the United Nations in 1954, it serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of children and ensuring their well-being. Here are some key aspects of its significance:

• Raising Awareness: The day helps to raise global awareness about the rights of children as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted on November 20, 1989.

• Promoting Children’s Rights: It emphasizes the need for governments, communities, and individuals to uphold and protect children’s rights, including their right to education, healthcare, and protection from harm.

• Highlighting Progress and Challenges: Universal Children’s Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the progress made in improving the lives of children around the world while also highlighting the ongoing challenges and areas where more work is needed.

• Advocating for Vulnerable Children: The day draws attention to the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized children, advocating for their inclusion and equal opportunities.

• Inspiring Action: It encourages individuals, organizations, and governments to take action to improve the lives of children, ensuring that their rights are respected and their voices are heard.

Universal Children’s Day is a powerful reminder of the importance of creating a world where every child can thrive, be safe, and have their rights fully protected.

Perceptional poverty in the World of riches

Hard facts about child poverty and hunger

We are living in an imbalanced world where poverty exists with thriving indulgence. Here are some hard facts about child poverty and hunger:

• 356 million children are living in extreme poverty, forced to survive on less than $1.90 a day
• Children are more than twice as likely to live in poverty than adults.
• Children from the poorest households die at twice the rate of their better-off peers.
• 1 billion children worldwide are multi-dimensionally poor – without access to education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation, or water.
• Some 150 million additional children have been plunged into multidimensional poverty due to COVID-19.
• Approximately 3.1 million children die from undernutrition each year. Hunger and undernutrition contribute to more than half of global child deaths, as undernutrition can make children more vulnerable to illness and exacerbate disease.

Government Issues Guidelines For PM Cares For Children Scheme

How to celebrate Universal Children’s Day

An individual can spend some time in the community as a volunteer educating children and learning about them and their behaviour. Also, a person can educate parents about the well-being and well-being of their children.

• We may consider donating to an organization that works in the field of child life improvement, education, and various other similar causes. A small donation can go a long way in changing the life of a child. If you’ve ever thought about sponsoring a child or donating to an international organization, make today the day to do it
• Every year, the UN sponsors events that bring together children and adults to raise awareness.  You can be part of similar events to know more about such events and eventually learn and practice such knowledge.
• In case you are part of a school or college, you can initiate an event in the institution and celebrate the achievement of the member who works in line with the theme of the day. Also, the theme and value for the day can be shared among all.

Here are some wishes, messages, and quotes to send to your loved ones on the occasion of World Children’s Day:

• “Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.” – Rabindranath Tagore
• “There can be no keener the revelation of a society’s soul than how it treats its children.” – Nelson Mandela
• “Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
• This World Children’s Day, let us all celebrate the innocence and purity of our kids. Let them feel precious in every way that we can because they are our future.
• The sweetest period of anyone’s life is their childhood. A very Happy World Children’s Day to all the kids in the world. Spend this day with unlimited fun!
• Happy World Children’s Day! May you grow up to be a better human being than us. Best wishes to you on this day!
• Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write, or count. Childhood is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace that is right for each individual child.

Observation Dates Universal Children’s Day

Universal Children’s Day is observed every year on 20 November to promote international togetherness, and awareness among children worldwide, and to improve children’s welfare.

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