New Delhi (NVI): India will join the world in celebrating the World Children’s Day, 30 years since the convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
Leading India’s celebrations will be a flagship National summit for every child in India at the Parliament here, a statement said.
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, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare.
Child Parliamentarians and child rights advocates from across the country will join Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu who will be the chief guest alongwith Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Minister for Communication, Information Technology, Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad besides Rajya Sabha MP Vandana Chavan and convener, Parliamentarians’ Group for Children, along with UNICEF.
The Child Parliamentarians and children rights defenders are part of a national child rights campaign, “Nine is Mine”. Children will share their testimonies as defenders and champions of child rights in their communities and perform an original rap song advocating for child rights, composed for the occasion.
Across India, UNICEF together with state government partners, civil society, community leaders, and especially children and young people are participating in this global day of action for children, by children.
Across the country landmark buildings and monuments will ‘Go Blue’ to signal support for child rights for every child.
“World Children’s Day is a fun day with a serious message. In India, and around the world, children are demanding their rights. On World Children’s Day, they ask us, ‘What will you do?” Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF India Country Representative, said.
“I am excited to know that the national leaders of Parliament, and distinguished Ministers, will gather at this historic event to demonstrate India’s commitment to all rights for every child,” he said.
“India is fighting and winning hard battles such as improving child survival rates, lifting millions out of poverty and ensuring more children are now in school than ever before,” Dr Haque added.
“These achievements are proof that where there is political will, public support and collective determination, children’s lives improve. As we celebrate these major victories for children, we must also reflect that much remains to be done,” he said.
This year, World Children’s Day is particularly special since it marks 30 years since world leaders united around a common cause for children and adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), an international agreement on childhood, that has helped transform children’s lives.
India ratified the CRC in 1992 committing to a range of measures and has made major strides in helping children realise their rights.
UNICEF in India works with government at all levels, civil society and communities besides young people and children themselves to tackle the persistent challenges to children’s rights, especially among the poorest and most vulnerable. Millions of children still lack adequate healthcare, nutrition, education and protection from violence.
