World Children’s Day 2021: History, Theme, and Significance

The United Nations has marked November 20 as World Children’s Day, to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improve children’s welfare.

It started back in the year 1954 and has been continuing since then.

In 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child on the same date – November 20. It is also the date when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

“Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.” – Rabindranath Tagore.

Significance of World Children’s Day:

The future of the world depends on the shoulders of the children. Today’s kids are tomorrow’s world leaders, health care providers, inventors, and more.

Ensuring a safe and positive future for the world starts with educating and caring for the kids of the present, which is the goal of Universal Children’s Day.

This day is marked as an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.

Theme of World Children’s Day:

This year’s theme is – “Investing in our future means investing in our children” – and the aim is to help children to recover from interruptions and learning losses experienced through the pandemic in the last two years.

According to UNICEF, “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how inequality affects the rights of every child. From climate change, education, and mental health, to ending racism and discrimination, children and young people are raising their voices on the issues that matter to their generation and calling for adults to create a better future. This World Children’s Day, it’s more important than ever that the world listens to their ideas and demands.”

On this World Children’s Day, tell your kids why they matter so much and enlighten them about their rights. Share a piece of the story with them, that impacted your childhood.

Donate something to the underprivileged kids in the neighborhood. Your little gestures would mean much to them!