Improving the Welfare of the World's Children
Universal Children’s Day is held annually on November 20 as a time to celebrate children, improve their welfare and advocate for their rights globally.
Universal Children’s Day was established by a United Nations resolution in 1954. The UN encouraged each country to choose its own date and way of celebrating. While not every nation observes it on November 20, and some mark International Children’s Day in June, the day has been recognized globally on November 20 since 1956.
The date took on even greater meaning in 1959 when the United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. The declaration outlined 10 principles to protect children and called on the world to care for them from the very beginning of life.
Children’s Rights are Human Rights
On Nov. 20, 1989, 30 years after adopting the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history.
The convention helped change how children are viewed and treated. No longer are they seen as the property of their parents, as helpless or as objects of charity. A child is a human being and must be treated as one.
“Children’s rights are not special rights, but rather the fundamental rights inherent to the human dignity of all people.” — UNICEF
The convention outlines specific rights for children, including:
The right to life.
The right to health and health services.
The right to a family.
The right to education and play.
The right not to be tortured or subjected to inhuman treatment or punishment.
The right to be protected from exploitation [https://www.compassion.com/how-we-work/commitment-child-protection.htm], violence and abuse. violence and abuse
The right to have a voice and be heard.
The right not to be discriminated against.
The right to freedom of expression, thought, conscience and religion.
By clearly defining these rights, the convention helps create a world where every child can grow, learn and thrive.
How Compassion Helps Children Thrive
At Compassion, we believe every child deserves to be known, loved and protected. Through our Christ-centered, church-driven, child-focused sponsorship program, children receive consistent care that helps them overcome the many barriers poverty creates.
Our commitment to holistic child development is unique among child sponsorship organizations [https://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/best-child-sponsorship-organizations.htm]. While many focus on community development, Compassion is child-focused. In partnership with more than 8,000 local churches worldwide, we work to develop each child’s whole well-being: healthy bodies, strong minds and confident voices.
A local church partner is always the one carrying out child development work through Compassion. This reflects our belief in the church’s biblical mandate to be salt and light in its community and our desire to equip the church to live out that role. No matter how many NGOs come and go, the church will always remain.
Each partner church runs a child development center that offers weekly programming nearly year-round. At these centers, children receive:
Health care: Yearly medical check-ups, nutrition monitoring and support when needed, dental care, hygiene supplies and preventative health care.
Education: Tuition support, tutoring, vocational skills and learning materials.
Safety: Trained church staff who protect children from exploitation, violence and abuse.
Spiritual encouragement: Opportunities to hear the good news of Jesus and grow in their faith.
Community and relationships: A safe place to belong, with mentors and friends who know each child by name.
