International Children's Day 2021
As mentioned when celebrating and thinking about NAIDOC Week, we have several special times in our calendar already. Those special days remind us that there is much to celebrate, or sometimes remember with sadness. There is always lots to think about; whether it be dates of national, cultural, historical, religious significance or dates decided on by respected organisations. These dates are important to communities and what they stand for is part of lives for more than one day or week each year. Having special traditions and or activities at these times helps us reflect on what we have been doing and what else we could do about things important to us.
In Australia we have two important Children’s Days
November 20 International Children's Day, Universal Children’s Day or World Children’s Day.
August 4 National Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander Children’s Day
International Children's Day is celebrated in many countries and helps children and people of all ages think about children and how they can live in safety and be the person each can be. Just like other special days, this is not the only day we think about children living their rights, but it reminds us all to think and act, regardless of size, age, where and how you and they live, all children should have the freedom, safety, education and care to live the lives they/you are entitled to, as the human beings, global citizens each person is.
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. ... A time to celebrate and a time to demand action for child rights.
November 20th is an important date 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 Convention on the Rights of the Child is very much based on the work and actions of Janusz Korczak.
Since 1990, World 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.
It’s a fun day with a serious message, with 20 November marking the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, and the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The most widely ratified international human rights treaty in history, the Convention sets out the rights of children, such as the right to healthcare, education, clean water, protection from violence – and the right to have their say in decisions that affect them.
The day is marked with a range of events worldwide – in schools, communities, businesses and governments.
National Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander Children’s Day is celebrated on 4 August and together with NAIDOC, highlights the uniqueness and importance of the knowledge and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, starting in childhood. Hearing children's voices today plays a crucial role in their development towards being influential Elders and leaders of the future.
Every single day is important in your life. Special dates in our calendars remind us to celebrate what is important to us. The theme for the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child was Children as Defenders of Human Rights. Whatever age you are, you can make people more aware of the rights that say that all people have the rights to live safe lives as themselves.
You have your own ideas about celebrating and The Activities page has some ideas too.