The Commission joins individuals and institutions in countries across the globe in celebrating the United Nations’ Universal Children’s Day 2017 on 20th November. Established in 1954, Universal Children’s Day seeks “to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and [improve] children’s welfare”.[1] This year’s theme; ‘Stop Violence Against Children!’ was chosen to lend support to the UN’s aim of “eliminating child labour and violence against children, and helping children who are feeling the psychological effects of war or armed conflict.”[2]
20th November is a landmark day for the UN “as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (the “CRC”). Since 1990, Universal Children’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.”[3]
Click here to read the full HRC Statement on Universal Children's Day 2017 and here to access the Education Packet.
