The United Nations’ (UN) Universal Childrenrsquo;s Day, which was established in 1954, will be celebrated today (Tuesday) to promote international togetherness and awareness among children worldwide.
Universal children day 2012 theme is &lsquoTreasure Our Childrenrsquo;. The United Nations Childrenrsquo;s Fund (Unicef), promotes and coordinates this special day, which also works towards improving children’s welfare.
Many schools and other educational institutions make a special effort to inform children of their rights according to the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
To mark this day, Unicef holds events to draw particular attention to children’s rights.
History
On December 14, 1954, the UN General Assembly recommended that all countries should introduce an annual event from 1956 known as Universal Childrenrsquo;s Day to encourage fraternity and understanding between children all over the world and promoting the welfare of children. It was recommended that individual countries should choose an appropriate date for this occasion.
At the time, the UN General Assembly recommended that all countries should establish a Childrenrsquo;s Day on an “appropriate” date. Many of the countries respected this recommendation and the Universal Childrenrsquo;s Day has since been annually observed on November 20.
On November 20, 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and on November 20, 1989, it adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Since 1990, Universal Childrenrsquo;s Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the declaration and the convention on children’s rights.
Source: thenews.com.pk