Universal Children's Day was established by the United Nations in 1954 to encourage understanding between children and promote children's welfare around the world. It is held on 20 November, the same day the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.
Countries around the world celebrate the day in different ways - in some countries children receive presents, in others they take part in events and activities or are allowed a holiday from school.
Resources
- Human Rights Education Associates - Universal Children's Day
Learning materials and useful links to support using Universal Children's Day as a context for learning.
- British Red Cross - Child soldier
This lesson plan looks at the way some armies and militias "press gang" children and young people into fighting
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