UN Marks Centenary Children's Day Anniversary
*Calls for protection of and support for children.
UN Celebrates Centenary Children Day The United Nations, UN, has celebrated global children, described as youngest members of the human family.
The development is contained in a statement issued by the Secretary-General, Antonio Gueterres, in New York, United States, on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
"One hundred years ago, the League of Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of the Child-the foundation of the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history."
It noted that though the moment calls for celebration, it is however, disturbing that the period also marks moments of enormous challenges in a world it described as "...deeply divided, tumultuous and often violent world."
"It is shocking that, in the 21st century, any child still goes hungry, uneducated, or without even the most basic health care."
It described as shocking the situation that any child still lacks basic necessities of life, including education, food and health care.
"It is a stain on humanity’s conscience when children’s lives are caught in the grinding wheels of poverty, or upended by disasters or violent conflicts that are killing and maiming children," the global body wrote in the statement.
Reminding the global community that the year's theme sends a strong reminder to all nations that the time to listen to children has come particularly as they fight for their rights and the future of humanity. It emphasized that the recently adopted Pact for the Future, which includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, "...contained strong commitments to protect and support children, invest in their rights, and expand opportunities to actively participate in the decisions affecting them."
"Every child has the right to live in peace, health and safety," the statement emphasized.
"Today and every day, let’s protect and support children as they meaningfully contribute to making our world a better, brighter, more peaceful place for all people."
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