World Children's Day
- April Dykes
- 23 時間前
- 読了時間: 8分
Every day, there are wars, rumors of wars, and natural disasters happening around the world. It impacts more lives than we can imagine, and children often bear a weight that is too much for them to carry because of it. Today, we honor World Children’s Day, the promise behind the creation of the day, and the significance of the holiday.
Throughout history, due to societal limitations, lack of power, lack of influence, and even social status, women, children, and the elderly have felt the pangs of war with a crushing weight. As international bodies and conventions, such as the Hague Convention and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), emerged, the issues these vulnerable populations faced made their way to the table. After the end of World War I, it became clear that children needed better protection. Many lost parents and became orphans, and others had to work to help provide for their families. Laws needed to change. That change came in the form of a declaration that made it a spoken truth that children also have rights.
Declaration of the Rights of the Child
1919
The Save the Children Fund was founded in London by Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton to assist and protect children who experienced war.
1920
“...with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Save the Children Fund was organised and structured around the International Save the Children Union” (Humanium).
1923
On February 23rd, the International Save the Children Union approved the 1st version of “The Declaration of the Rights of the Child” during its fourth general assembly.
1924
The Declaration of the Rights of the Child was ratified on February 28th.
On September 26, the League of Nations adopted the Geneva Declaration, also known as the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. This declaration has 5 points that were meant to summarize the needs of children and the ways adults were meant to meet them.
“By the present Declaration of the Rights of the Child, commonly known as "Declaration of Geneva," men and women of all nations, recognizing that mankind owes to the Child the best that it has to give, declare and accept it as their duty that, beyond and above all considerations of race, nationality or creed:
The child must be given the means requisite for its normal development, both materially and spiritually;
The child that is hungry must be fed; the child that is sick must be nursed; the child that is backward must be helped; the delinquent child must be reclaimed; and the orphan and the waif must be sheltered and succored;
The child must be the first to receive relief in times of distress;
The child must be put in a position to earn a livelihood, and must be protected against every form of exploitation;
The child must be brought up in the consciousness that its talents must be devoted to the service of fellow men.
Though necessary, this declaration was not legally binding.
In 1939, WWII broke out, this one more deadly than the last. Again, children suffered at the hands of those who should protect them, and again, the importance of their protection became an important topic to the international community.
In 1946, the United Nations, the successor of the League of Nations, created the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to assist children around the world. Since 1946, the United Nations has made significant changes to the world through the creation of several acts, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict.
World Children’s Day
World Children’s Day began as a recommendation in 1954 by Resolution 836(IX). “By resolution 836(IX) of 14 December 1954, the General Assembly recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It recommended that the Day was to be observed also as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the UN Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.
The Assembly suggested to governments that the Day be observed on the date and in the way that each considers appropriate” (United Nations). In response, many countries like Japan, Mexico, and Turkey designated their own days to celebrate children, although many countries wouldn’t do so until more declarations called for it. Among those declarations was the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).
“The General Assembly Proclaims this Declaration of the Rights of the Child to the end that he may have a happy childhood and enjoy for his own good and for the good of society the rights and freedoms herein set forth, and calls upon parents, upon men and women as individuals, and upon voluntary organizations, local authorities and national Governments to recognize these rights and strive for their observance by legislative and other measures progressively taken in accordance with the following principles…” (Declaration of the Rights of the Child, G.A. res. 1386 (XIV), 1959, Preamble).
By the 1990s, many countries celebrated World Children’s Day on November 20th to honor the signing of the declarations that focused on children’s rights. 27 countries celebrate World Children’s Day on November 20th, while other countries have their own designated days with significance behind the chosen dates.
If you would like to see a more in-depth look at the history of child rights, please visit the official UNICEF website here.
My day, my rights
Every year, the United Nations chooses a theme for World Children’s Day to reflect the current issues that children are facing globally. This year’s theme is “My day, my rights”, reflects the UN’s desire for the world to listen to children’s voices as they tell their stories. We have the responsibility to listen and to teach children that they have the right to speak up. There are so many wars, genocides, and famines taking place all over the world, from Gaza to Sudan, and while it can be overwhelming to see and hear about the atrocities, we have to think of the children experiencing this firsthand.
Below, UNICEF talks about the importance of listening to children as well as the ways we can celebrate World Children’s Day. These tips aren’t only useful for the children in your lives but they can help you navigate ways to support charities and organizations that are working to support the children experiencing war and widespread destruction.
The importance of listening to children
Builds confidence and self-esteem: When children feel heard and understood, it boosts their confidence. It shows them that their thoughts and ideas are valued.
Encourages critical thinking: Listening to your children helps them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It encourages them to think deeply about the world and their place in it.
Nurtures creativity: By giving children the freedom to express their vision for the future, you’re helping them to think creatively about the challenges and opportunities they may face.
Strengthens your bond: Open dialogue fosters trust between parents and children. It ensures that children feel comfortable coming to you with their dreams, concerns, and ideas.
How to get involved this World Children's Day
Here are some practical ways to engage your children around World Children’s Day.
Listen: Give your children space to express their ideas, even if they seem too ambitious. Ask questions and engage with what they’re saying.
Reflect: Take time to reflect on what your child is sharing. How can their ideas shape your family, your community, or even the world?
Support and engage: Help your child pursue their dreams and visions, whether through creative activities and conversations.
World Children’s Day Events
Every year, the United Nations hosts these two events listed below, but I encourage you to search for local events held near you.
This is a day for children, by children, all over the world to help save children's lives, fight for their rights, and help them fulfil their potential. It's a #KidsTakeOver. It's going to be a fun day, with a serious message, when kids take over' high-visibility roles in media, politics, business, sport, and entertainment to shine a light on the most pressing challenges faced by their generation.
Turn the world blue
Schools and landmark buildings around the world light up or are painted blue on 20 November to show support for children's rights.
Organizations that support children’s rights
Every child has the right to these things and more:
Relax and play (Article 31)
Freedom of expression (Article 13)
Be safe from violence (Article 19)
An education (Article 28)
Protection of identity (Article 8)
Sufficient standard of living (Article 27)
Know their rights (Article 42)
Health and health services (Article 24)
The following nonprofits protect the rights of children and fight to ensure those rights are recognized.
ChildFund Japan is an international cooperation NGO that works to promote the healthy development of children living in poverty and to help families and communities become independent.
Since 1975, ChildFund Japan has been working to promote the healthy development of children living in poverty, primarily in Asia, and to help families and communities become independent.
Through these activities, we believe it is important to bring people together, deepen mutual understanding, and build connections.
ChildFund Japan is a member of the ChildFund Alliance, an international network of organizations that supports children in developing countries. The alliance as a whole supports approximately 23 million people, including emergency assistance in Ukraine.
Vision: Building an international community that promises an open future for all children.
Mission: Protecting children's rights through effective international cooperation.
We hope that all children will grow up to be happy and responsible adults, and we work based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Mission: Free The Children Japan stands alongside children—members of society whose voices are too often unheard—respecting their perspectives and advocating for the protection of their rights. Guided by two core principles of Free (freedom), we strive to build a global society where children’s well-being is fully realized.
We are working toward building an international society where children’s well-being is fully realized. Our activities include school-based lessons on children’s rights and social issues, overseas study tours for junior and senior high school students, and educational support for children living in impoverished communities around the world. Our work is carried out through five key pillars, all aimed at promoting a world where children’s well-being can truly thrive.
Global Citizenship Education
International Cooperation and Domestic Child Support
Youth Leadership Development
Empowering Youth-Led Social Action
Advocacy and Partnership Building
We at the Japan Children's Support Association
aim to create a society where love circulates between children and parents by creating an environment where foster parents can devote themselves to raising their children.
Mission: Protecting children through the foster care system and foster parent support
Foster parents are needed to provide emotional care for children affected by violence and poverty. The foster care system helps prevent abuse in the next generation.However, foster parents have many worries and are unable to talk about them.The Japan Children's Support Association will stand by all foster parents.
The Nippon Foundation is a private organization that uses revenue from boat races hosted by local governments to provide funding to NPOs working to solve social issues both in Japan and overseas. It is a unique foundation in the world that not only provides funding for activities, but also has the function of researching and implementing solutions to identify new social issues and create models for solving them. Under the motto "Let's all do good things together," the foundation is also promoting a culture of donations and volunteerism.
6 areas of focus:
Ocean (2) International (3) Children (4) Disaster (5) Hindrance (6) Society
We are active in a wide range of fields, including solving marine and shipping-related problems, improving welfare and education, disaster relief, and contributing internationally through humanitarian aid and human resource development.
A call to action
The state of the world leaves us with heavy hearts as we see the tragedies taking place around us. It can be overwhelming, and you could become desensitized over time. Don’t let human suffering become numb to you. Don’t harden your hearts to it. I know that it is easier said than done, as feeling powerless isn’t uncommon right now.
But we each have a voice and the means to make a difference, no matter how small. Today, I implore you not to look away. Don’t close your ears. Look. Listen. See what you can do, and do what you can. Keep your hearts soft and your humanity intact.
IMAGE 3 https://hrightsstudies.sis.gov.eg/en/agreements/declarations/declaration-of-the-rights-of-the-child/
IMAGE 9 https://www.childfund.or.jp/
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