November 20 brings the World Day of Prayer and Action and Universal Children’s Day. The Presbyterian Office of Child Advocacy and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations invite you to join people around the world and celebrate on that day or on Sunday, November 18 or Sunday, November 25.
World Day of Prayer and Action
The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children is also celebrated annually on or around 20 November. The World Day is an opportunity for both prayer and action on behalf of children. It presents an occasion for diverse religious communities and people of faith everywhere, guided by their respective religious teachings and values, to express hope and determination through prayer, meditation and worship that the world be made fit for children.
Action and advocacy undertaken on the World Day is inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2010, the World Day was celebrated in 46 countries through 69 events with more than 33,000 participants from around the world. In 2011 a record number of 96 World Day activities took place in 72 countries worldwide under the new theme: Stop Violence against Children. The World Day was first celebrated in 2008 and in 2009; more than 9,000 people in 29 cities in 22 countries participated in the World Day.
Universal Children’s Day
Universal Children’s Day was established by the United Nations in 1954. For over 55 years, governments have celebrated Universal Children’s Day on the 20th of November to promote the well-being of children. This date also marks the day on which the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of the Child (1959) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). This global treaty has been ratified by 193 countries.
“We were all children once. And we all share the desire for the well-being of our children, which has always been and will continue to be the most universally cherished aspiration of humankind.”
- We the Children: End-decade review of the follow-up to the World Summit for Children
Report of the Secretary-General (2001)
Thanks to Sera Chung for working on this post.