World Children's Day 2023
Child Friendly Cities get mobilized worldwide to celebrate children's rights
World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20 November to mark the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This year again, hundreds of Child Friendly Cities worldwide organized events to promote and celebrate children's rights. Discover what happened in Italy, Korea, Greece, Poland, Portugal, France, Finland, Romania, United States of America, Andorra, United Kingdom, Canada, Paraguay, Spain and Georgia!
ITALY
311 cities participated in the Go Blue campaign with the National Association of Municipalities and more than 140 of them illuminated numerous landmarks in blue - see pictures here.
Numerous initiatives have been organized by several municipalities, including ones in the city councils and schools with children, in partnership with UNICEF volunteers. Those events generated hundreds of social media posts and press articles.
KOREA
The ‘UNICEF Blue in Busan’ event was held in Busan, one of the UNICEF Child Friendly cities in Korea. To raise interest in child’s right around the world, 8 major landmarks in Busan were illuminated in blue. During the official opening event, children from Busan Children's Volunteer Corps read the declaration 'Busan as Child Friendly City'. The heads of local governments from Busan Jin-gu, Suyeong-gu, Yeonje-gu, and Busan City, which all are UNICEF Child Friendly Cities, attended the event and pledged to make efforts to create child friendly cities. The mayor of Busan also sent his support for the CFCI through a video recording.
In addition, programs such as distributing child’s right education materials, operating a photo kiosk for children's participation, and a kite flying event were also operated. A total of 647 attendees participated in the UNICEF blue event.
GREECE
- As part of the celebrations for this year, town halls, institutions and central squares turned blue in the CFCI candidate cities of Athens, Komotini and Volvi.
- Larisa organized an event titled “Cycling for my rights”, whereby 200 high school students participated in a cycling race and a painting game, to raise awareness about their rights including the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
- Trikala organized events in 3 kindergartens and 2 Centres of Creative Activities for Children, with the participation of 50 children 5-12 years old. This year’s events focused on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and included recycling activities and the cleaning of a public square by children; group painting activities; the screening of a video; and the dramatization of a story about children’s rights.
- Eastern Samos organized a symbolic march for children’s rights in front of the Town Hall square, with the participation of primary school students, in order to raise awareness on children's rights and particularly the right to non-discrimination and the right to be heard.
- The youth volunteer centre of Komotini organized an interactive workshop in the municipal library, with the participation of adolescents and youths, to raise awareness on the ways to protect children again violence.
- In Katerini, the municipality organized a treasure hunt, whereby approximately 40 children 10-12 years old searched for the Convention on the Rights of the Child articles hidden in the central park and then engaged in an interactive discussion about their rights and the implementation of the Convention.
POLAND
UNICEF Poland invited all schools, kindergartens and CFCI municipalities to participate in the educational project, "World Children's Day with UNICEF", to build children's and young people's knowledge of children's rights & raise awareness among adults. More than 2,600 schools and kindergartens joined the project, conducting activities with students on children's rights until end 2023. The schools held lectures and various activities on World Children’s Day, focusing on the aspect of participation and using UNICEF materials.
In many cities, 'Blue Marches' took place, during which young people spoke out about their rights, for example by meeting with representatives of local authorities. Cities participating in the CFCI celebrated this special day by illuminating selected buildings, streets or important places in blue, by organizing meetings for children and young people with local authorities, and promoting educational activities in kindergartens and schools. Numerous additional educational and participatory activities devoted to children's rights were organised in Toruń, Gdynia, Sopot and Konin, including a campaign on the mental health of young people, youth-led conferences for adults, meetings for refugee children from Ukraine and meetings with the Children's Ombudsman.
PORTUGAL
UNICEF Portugal launched the results of Tenho Voto na Matéria 2023 (“I have a say in the matter”), a public consultation towards 11,834 children. 70% of respondent say that adults never or rarely ask them their opinion. The environment emerges as a priority for children and young people, with 42% indicating caring for the environment as the main aspect to improve in their communities.
UNICEF Portugal went on national television with members of the advisory group to present this consultation, focusing on the importance of children having meaningful opportunities to participate and be considered in decisions that affect them and their communities.
MALAYSIA
In Kuching South City Council (MBKS), a tree planting activity with children below 12 years old was organized. The objective was to create awareness of World Children’s Day, and for children to cultivate the love for environment and patience to wait for the plants to grow, and to understand the basic needs of plants.
A poster competition on “What are child rights – in respect for children’s view” was also organised, with the objective to see the children’s perspective on child rights via art, and creating awareness on the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In Kuching North City Council (DBKU), in order to show children that they need to look after their environment, a car free day and a community walking event were organized.
FRANCE
2023 World Children’s day was dedicated to child rights’ implementation in the French overseas territories, aiming to highlight the alarming situation of children in these collectivities, with the publication of an advocacy report – see the child-friendly version. In Saint-Paul – La Réunion, elected representatives made speeches, child rights education activities were organized, the Youth Council's initiative of "friendship benches in schools" was launched and a giant mural promoting child rights was unveiled – see press article.
In other cities, the CFCI network organized “Child rights’ week” or other events to promote the Convention on the Rights of the Child for children and adults: film screenings, conferences with experts on children's rights, awareness-raising activities for children or projects highlighting the results of youth councils. More than 100 press articles were published in CFCI or other cities. In particular, Issy-les-Moulineaux organized exhibitions, family readings and engagement activities for children and teenagers. A visit of the Prime Minister was organized, as well as a conference on the "Voice of the child in the family", and a symposium on the hearing the voice of the child (particularly in legal proceedings).
FINLAND
Finland celebrates World Children’s Day (called Children’s Rights Day) since 1990s on the initiative of UNICEF Finland by raising Finnish flags everywhere in the country to celebrate children. In 2023 the theme of the day was the right to wellbeing, and the rights of the child were highlighted in many ways. Most cities organized events for children such as cultural events, parties and gatherings, and many organized dialogues between children and city council members giving a voice and attention to children’s views. In particular:
- The capital Helsinki celebrated the rights of children through a variety of free programme.
- Tampere organized events and asked people to wear the color yellow representing friendship and friendship skills.
- Hämeenlinna - in addition to several events - organized a writing competition for children asking children what makes them happy.
- Oulu created a news report from children to children - see video.
- Isokyrö started the day with a meeting between the children’s parliament and city mayor. Children studied the Convention on the Rights of the Child in schools and received healthy treats.
- Kauhajoki organized a big event for nearly 1600 children. The topic of the event was friendship skills - see picture on left.
- Sotkamo - in addition to several events - gave children in preschools the power to decide what they wanted to eat at snack time for the whole week.
ROMANIA
Child Friendly Cities organized several events to celebrate World Children’s Day:
- Bacau - Three members of the Local Children's Council shadowed the Mayor of Bacau as part of Kids Takeover Day. Bacau City Hall was illuminated in blue - see more.
- Brasov - Four children from the Brasov Children's Local Council organised a workshop on children's rights in partnership with Diakonia Foundation, attended by 34 Roma children from a compact community at the outskirts of the city. Mayor’s Office and the sign with the name of the city were illuminated in blue. See more.
- Colonesti - A workshop on children's rights was organized with members of the Children’s Local Council; 20 children made postcards and wrote on balloons messages on children's rights that they distributed in the Mayor’s office and in the community. This activity was conducted in collaboration with the Integrated Community Center in the commune.
- Corbasca - A workshop on children's rights was organized with members of the Children’s Local Council where 29 children made postcards and wrote on 200 balloons messages on children's rights that they distributed in the Mayor’s office and in the community. See more
- Moinesti – The Children's Local Council organised an event that included a play on children's rights, a concert, dance and a debate on respecting children's rights in the community. The event was attended by 134 children. Several buildings were illuminated in blue. See more.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
UNICEF USA staff, Child Friendly Cities Initiative partners and youth leaders across the United States celebrated World Children's Day in the following ways:
- UNICEF USA’s Municipal Partnerships team presented a Child Rights 101 workshop to over 100+ youth delegates who serve on their city’s youth councils at the National League of Cities Summit.
- the city of Houston launched a youth-led podcast "Another Step for Youth” to increase awareness and understanding of children’s rights. As the first UNICEF-recognized Child-Friendly City in the United States, Houston continues to spearhead initiatives prioritizing the well-being of its youth. “Another Step for Youth” stands as a testament to this commitment, showcasing the voices of Houston’s youth through compelling conversations on children’s rights.
- the City of Minneapolis infused messaging on World Children’s Day into their CFCI community convening. The event educated about 50 participants on the history of child rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and CFCI. The Lt. Governor of Minnesota participated and shared her passion for youth participation.
- Denver City Council adopted a World Children’s Day Proclamation and presented it to UNICEF USA and the Office of Children’s Affairs at the Denver City Council meeting.
- The City of Boulder, a Child Friendly City partner, promoted World Children's Day on social media
- In addition, UNICEF USA’s National Youth Council Member Aryan published a Blog on Youth Leadership; One of UNICEF USA’s youth leaders, Maria, visited CBS for a successful panel; Youth leaders, Maria and Faatiha participated in youth panel with Paramount (Nickelodeon), encouraging youth to do social media takeovers and other activities; and UNICEF USA’s National Youth Council took over UNICEF USA Executive Leadership accounts.
ANDORRA
UNICEF Andorra made a video to invite all Andorran stakeholders (companies, schools, shops, communes, ministries, associations and federations, sports clubs) to join the World Children’s Day celebration. All collaborators were invited to made a video or photographs around the Child Rights icons and post it on their social networks, and to light up the buildings in blue and choose a piece to wear in the same color.
World Children's Day served to raise awareness of the critical need to defend children's rights and the transformative power of children participation in creating a better world for all.
World Children's Day concluded with a creative proposal for families from the Carmen Thyssen Andorra Museum: the children were invited to choose one right of the Child to create their work inside a balloon. The workshop will end up setting up a mural in the hall, in which all the balloons will be placed, representing a sky that contains their rights.A Council of Children was held in Sant Julia de Loria and dedicated to World Children's Day.
UNITED KINGDOM
Candidate UNICEF Child Friendly Cities and Communities from UNICEF UK’s Child Friendly Cities & Communities programme marked World Children’s Day in the following ways:
- In Nottingham, the council and its partners launched their UNICEF Child Friendly City Action Plan – detailing how they will put children’s rights into practice across the city over the next two-to-three years. The council hosted an event for local primary school children, with activities such as asking children to create their vision for a Child Friendly Nottingham using play bricks. It was attended by senior council staff and elected members and covered by local and sector media. The day culminated in the city buildings being lit up in blue.
- In the London Borough of Redbridge, the council used the day as an opportunity to involve children in local decision making. Discussions were held with policy makers hearing young people’s thoughts on mental health services in the borough, and special educational needs provision locally. Children’s views on climate change were gathered through panel discussions and hands-on activities. Children’s views on the importance of decision-makers listening to and involving children and young people were highlighted through videos from school children, group discussions with children in care, and from Redbridge’s youth ambassadors. Redbridge’s first ever Youth Climate and Sustainability Forum also saw eco-minded students from around the borough team up for a day of activities, interactive workshops and panel discussions promoting greener living in the borough.
Ten local schools came together to take part in the networking event aimed at students interested in tackling climate change, or who were already leading advocates for greener living. This was promoted heavily through the council’s social media platforms.
- The London Borough of Lambeth launched their Action Plan. The council has been visiting local schools and community centres, sharing their child-friendly version of the Action Plan, which is in the form of a comic book which has been co-created with children and young people in the borough.
- In Liverpool, the city council lit prominent city buildings, including the town hall, in blue. The council also used the opportunity to promote a song created by local children.
CANADA
Municipalités amies des enfants hosted an event to recognize the newest Child Friendly Municipalities (MAE). Nine cities and municipalities were granted recognition (6 new recognitions and 3 renewals). In addition, the two regional municipalities involved in a pilot project had their recognition renewed. In total, 37 municipal communities are members in the Child-Friendly Municipality recognition program this fall.
A flag-raising event across Quebec marked World Children’s Day and kick-off events for the Grande Semaine des Tout Petits (Great Week of Toddlers) were organized. Espace MUNI hosted the flagship flag-raising event in Varennes, with UNICEF Canada speaking at the event along with government dignitaries. A number of monuments across Quebec were also lighted up blue.
A MAE recognition and launch day of the Child-Friendly Municipality Community of Practice was organized in Beloeil/Montérégie. This day also allowed guests from all over Quebec to participate in interactive workshops, attend presentations of inspiring MAE initiatives and exchange best practices and various issues related to children in a municipal setting.
PARAGUAY
UNICEF Paraguay held an event to award the Child and Adolescent Friendly Municipality recognition to five cities that participated in the initiative by drawing up plans and developing actions in favor of these populations. The five recognized municipalities are Ciudad del Este, Fernando de la Mora, Mariscal Estigarribia, San Juan Nepomuceno and Santa Rosa del Aguaray.
UNICEF Paraguay produced a video in Spanish (English version) presenting a summary of the results achieved by the cities through the voices of local actors involved .
SPAIN
UNICEF Spain proposed an educational activity to the local children’s councils, el Mural de los derechos (the wall of the rights). The activity toolkit was downloaded more than 550 times, and more than 50 councils already sent feedback and photos of the activity. Among other, local media reported on the local event in Pamplona, Ávila and Soria.
UNICEF Spain also proposed a plenary motion to be adopted by the Child Friendly Cities’ councils: more than 100 local and regional governments joined the initiative and organised plenary sessions of the Children and Youth Councils, as for example in Pamplona, Calatayud, Zaragoza, Castilla La Mancha, Baleares, Cartagena and Palencia.
In parallel, UNICEF Spain met with the Ombudsman and children from UNICEF Spain advisory group, who are also members of local participation councils.
GEORGIA
- 30 years of UNICEF in Georgia and Introduction of the National Ambassadors: UNICEF marked its 30th anniversary in Georgia by emphasizing the importance of accelerating the implementation of the Code of the Rights of the Child of Georgia and the need for building a truly inclusive society. During the event attended by government partners, parliamentarians, civil society, international organizations, children and young people, UNICEF summarized the results achieved for children so far and drew attention to the challenges still faced by many children and families in Georgia. UNICEF also presented a new National Ambassador, World Champion fencer Irma Khetsuriani and stated about renewing collaboration with the National Ambassador, Conductor and Composer Nikoloz Rachveli. High-level guests including the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lasha Darsalia, UN Resident Coordinator Sabine Mahl, and Members of Parliament.
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#KidsTakeOver School - 150 Public School in Tbilisi joined UNICEF’s #KidsTakeOver campaign and for one day, senior students of the school took places of the principal and teachers, took over the management of the school and delivered lessons to the younger students.
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UNICEF Georgia introduced Digital Activists – the main topic digital activists focused on for the World Children's Day was youth participation. Four youths aged 16 to 21 (Anastasia, Nina, Vakho and Ilia) shared their thoughts on why it's important to listen to what young people have to say. UNICEF published two of their opinions on its channels (here and here). UNICEF Georgia intends to keep working with digital activists, bring in more young voices, and include them in other projects, especially on platforms where young people are often concentrated.
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Child Rights Centers at 5 state universities in Georgia (Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Akaki Tsereteli State University in Kutaisi, Samtskhe-Javakheti State University, Telavi State University, Sokhumi State University) joined the World Children’s Day dedicating it to children and young people. Meetings with school and university students were held, where children and young people talked about the role of the child rights center in the academic space, its development opportunities, and future steps. Representative of UNICEF in Georgia, Jesper Moller attended one of these meeting in Kutaisi. Opinions expressed by the young people will be included in the long-term development strategy of the Child Rights Centers.
