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Universal Children’s Day Date & History:

Universally, Children s Day is celebrated on 20th November, every year. This date was chosen as a day to celebrate childhood. Prior to 1959 Children s Day was universally celebrated in the month of October. This was first celebrated in the year 1954, as decided by the UN General Assembly. Basically this day was instituted with the sole aim of promoting communal exchange and understanding among children, as well as to bring about beneficiary action to promote the welfare of children, all over the globe. 🙂

The date 20th November, was chosen as it marks the anniversary of the day in 1959, when the Declaration of the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly adopted. In 1989 the Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed on the same date, which has been sanctioned by 191 states, ever since.

One of the objectives of Universal Children’s Day is to raise awareness about the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention sets out the basic human rights that every child should have to develop to their fullest human potential, regardless of where they live in the world. The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; promoting the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child. The Conventionalso protects children’s rights by setting standards that governments should provide in the areas of health care, education, and legal, civil and social services.
Few of the rights guaranteed by the Convention:

“A child means every human being below the age of 18 years.”

Children must be treated “ … without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of … race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.”

“In all actions concerning children … the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.”

State signatories must “… respect the … rights and duties of parents … [and recognize that] both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing … of the child.”
Children must be protected from “… injury or abuse … including sexual abuse, while in the care of parents … or any other person….”

“… a child who is seeking refugee status or who is … a refugee … [shall] receive appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance ….”

The State recognizes “… the right of the disabled child to special care” and the right to “… enjoy a full and decent life in conditions which ensure dignity ….”
All children have the right to “the highest attainable standard of health … [including access to] primary health care … nutritious foods and clean drinking-water.”

Every child has “the right to a standard of living adequate for [her/his] physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.”

State signatories must “recognize the right of a child to education…[that develops] the child’s personality, talents, mental and physical abilities.”

Children must be “protected from economic exploitation … and from [hazardous] work [and] all other forms of exploitation.

The day is marked with a lot of activities for children. But the fact remains that only a section of the country s children actually have an opportunity to celebrate their existence. Schools organize events and activities that their students thoroughly enjoy.Children day is an honour for the welfare of children.Everywhere around the globe, this day is celebrated by on and all for betterment of the children so they grow up into a well balanced citizen of the country.

Children are the valuable asset of our nation, the future of our land, and the hope of tomorrow. The day also invites us to acquire the fine qualities that characterise children such as, simplicity, purity of heart and mind, innocence a sense of affection and attachment, etc.

Children constitute the greatest asset of a nation. A nation prospers or progresses to the extent it is able to develop the hidden potential lying untapped in her children. In a country like India, where children constitute a good percentage of the population, we need to give much more attention to their all-round development. A day like Children’s Day is a right step in this direction. The day invites all of us to give children their due-love, affection and opportunities for development.