Universal Children’s Day

Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Article 12 ‘ States shall assure the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child…’ Article 13 “The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, …’

Universal Children’s Day

“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace.” – Kofi Annan

Universal Children’s Day takes place on November 20 annually. In 1954 the United Nations’ (UN) General Assembly proclaimed November 20th as Universal Children’s Day. Each year the day set to promote international awareness for children’s rights and issues across the globe. The date of 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989. The Convention on the Rights of the Child was then signed on the same day in 1989, since its adoption the Convention has been signed or ratified by more countries than any other international treaty, and has since been ratified by 191 states.