Different communities celebrate Children's Day in different ways. In the case of the world's religious communities, Universal Children's Day is celebrated as: "World Day of Prayers and Action for Children" (WDPAC).
Initiated by the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), an initiative of Arigatou International (a Japanese Buddhist interfaith organization) in partnership with UNICEF in 2008, WDPAC is celebrated around the world with various activities. Representatives of UNICEF serve on the Advisory Board of Arigatou International (currently chaired by Kul Gautam). The current Director of AI New York office is a former UNICEF staff member, Rebeca Rios Kohn, and her predecessor was another UNICEF-USA staff member Meg Gardinier.
The highlight of the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children this year is an interesting Award ceremony in Dubai as described in the Press release below.
The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children is an annual event initiated by Arigatou International to engage diverse faith communities to raise the status of children’s rights on the 20th of November, World Children's Day.
This year, together with UNICEF, and around 18 faith-based organizations (including the World Council of Churches, World Vision, Religions for Peace and the International Network of Engaged Buddhists) joined forces to draw global attention to the urgency of getting children back to school.
The aim is to mobilize children and adults - including religious leaders, policymakers, parents/caregivers, and educators - to take immediate action for students’ return to school and to prioritize the grave impact of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Register using the button below, and join us in the celebration of the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children 2021 on November 19.
This Saturday, November 20 is World Children’s Day, UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children.
Going into its fifth year, World Children’s Day is a truly global mobilization moment where the whole UNICEF family and partners in countries, regions and headquarters comes together to advocate for children’s rights. We are pleased to share some important updates ahead of World Children’s Day.
Don’t Give Up on Adults – World Children’s Day Hero Video
The World Children’s Day signature video, “Don’t Give Up on Adults”, is now available to support digital activations ahead of and on WCD. Narrated by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown, the video points out how children are often given instruction from adults, and now calls for adults to listen to children. The video, media release, and social media pack are now available. Please share it widely with your networks.
This year, WCD continues to take place during the global COVID pandemic and offices will be activating both online and in-person to promote young people and children's participation and engagement. It will be a major moment within UNICEF’s 75th anniversary year. The concepts of the Kids Takeover and Turning the World Blue will connect activities around the world and ensuring a cohesive global movement.
Some of the highlights happening this year, include: the landmark Changing Childhood Project poll, the Dubai EXPO including the appointment of TIME Kid of the Year Gitanjali Rao as a UNICEF Youth Advocate, Child Rights Week in India, the TikTok #OlderSelfTalk initiative, the launch of “Youth Voices of the Sahel” initiative, the Eiffel Tower lighting cyan for the first time in UNICEF’s history, a landmark meeting between four heads of state in Southern Africa, a special new WCD song by one of our Chinese young Ambassadors, and so much more.
In Germany, the soccer champion FC Bayern München, highlighted the day by illuminating its stadium in blue (- although the team's colors are red, to the consternation of some fans). One comment also wonders about children's day having been celebrated two months ago. I think there are national variations, but it's great that the 19th/20th are recognized as the official days.
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