HISTORY OF UNIVERSAL CHILDREN’S DAY NOVEMBER 20
Children’s Day began on the second Sunday of June in 1857 by Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard, pastor of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Leonard held a special service dedicated to, and for the children. Leonard named the day Rose Day, though it was later named Flower Sunday, and then named Children’s Day.
Children’s Day was first officially declared a national holiday by the Republic of Turkey in 1920 with the set date of April 23. Children’s Day has been celebrated nationally since 1920 with the Turkish government and the newspapers of the time declaring it a day for the children. However, it was decided that an official confirmation was needed to clarify and justify this celebration and the official declaration was made nationally in 1929 by the founder and the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Though Universal Children’s Day was established by the United Nations in 1954, it wasn’t until November 20, 1959 that the UN General Assembly adopted an extended form of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Originally acquired in 1924 by the League of Nations, the UN adopted this document as its own statement of children’s rights.
The original text reads as follows:
- 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 its fellow men.
For the expanded version, the UN adopted 10 additional principles with an accompanying resolution, proposed by the delegation of Afghanistan, calling for governments to recognize these rights, strive for their acceptance, and publicize the document as widely as possible.
On November 20, 1989, The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The CRC is a human rights treaty setting out the civil, political, economic, social, health, and cultural rights of children. The document deals with child-specific needs and rights, requiring all nations that ratify it are bound to it by international law and must act within the best interests of the child.
In September 2012, the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the United Nations led the initiative for the education of children. He firstly wanted every child to be able to attend school, a goal by 2015. Secondly, to improve the skill set acquired in these schools. Finally, implementing policies regarding education to promote peace, respect, and environmental concern.
Universal Children’s Day is not just a day to celebrate children for who they are, but to bring awareness to children around the globe that have experienced violence in forms of abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. Children are used as laborers in some countries, immersed in armed conflict, living on the streets, suffering by differences be it religion, minority issues, or disabilities. Currently, there are about 153 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 who are forced into child labor.
World Children's Day 2021: From history, celebrations to theme, all you need to know
Every year, World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20 November to promote a feeling of togetherness among children and to create awareness around children’s welfare.
World Children’s Day also lays emphasis on the importance of child rights and building a better future for them as they are our leaders of tomorrow.
History of World Children's Day:
The Day was first observed in the year 1954 on 14 December by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The date of 20 November is deemed significant, as, on this day in 1959, the UNGA adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. On 20 November, 1989, UNGA also adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Hence, the UNGA urged other countries to observe this day globally on 20 November to promote the rights of children, international togetherness and support the well-being of children.
Significance:
World Children’s Day creates an understanding of how societies, communities and nations play an important part in creating a safe haven for children. This day advocates dialogue around child rights, child safety, exploitation and discrimination. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has also worked on campaigns to bridge the digital divide in education amongst children in view of the global coronavirus pandemic situation.
Many such issues with diverse goals that concern a child’s development are raised, such as promoting gender equality and raising awareness about the mental health of children. Campaigns are also carried out in order to safeguard and improve the well-being of children.
Celebrations this year:
UNICEF began a #GoBlue campaign as part of World Children’s Day in order to highlight the rights of children and to talk about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the lives of children. The global body will also hold a session on 20 November where the re-opening of schools will be discussed, along with talking about child rights.
Taking part in the #GoBlue campaign, India illuminated some of its iconic monuments with blue lights. The Qutub Minar and Rashtrapati Bhavan were lit up with blue lights on the eve of World Children’s Day.
Other parliament buildings like the North Block and South Block were also lit up in the capital city of India.
Theme:
The theme for World Children’s Day 2021 is ‘A Better Future for Every Child’. The theme is being observed in accordance to the global coronavirus pandemic which has affected the rights of every child. Climate change, educational divide and mental health issues have also taken a toll on children during the pandemic.
This year’s theme urges children and young people to raise their voices on issues that matter to their generation and also calls adults to understand and contribute towards creating a better future.
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