Universal Children’s Day is celebrated by millions as “a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children.” Established in 1954, the annual celebrations aim to increase awareness and change global attitudes to children’s rights and welfare.
Many countries of the world observe this day on 20 November, which marks the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989 – one of the world’s most ratified human rights treaties.
For many years, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, has participated in the global celebrations, and each year events are organised over the week to commemorate and raise awareness for the Day.
This year, on Sunday 29 November 2015, the children of BAPS Swaminarayan Sunday School commemorated Universal Children’s Day at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London.
The programme was titled ‘The Power of Children’ and presented through a novel ‘talk show’ which explored a child’s power to inspire.
The hosts enlightened the audience on the aims and history of Universal Children’s Day and encouraged interactive participation during various discussions and fun activities.
The children saw a moving true story video account of a severely disabled child’s optimistic perspective of life, from which they drew motivation to value their friends, family and health.
The hosts also drew from prominent child-devotees in Hindu scriptures, such as Prahlad, Meerabai, Shravan and Savitri.
Throughout, the qualities of joy, warmth and hope that children bring to the world through their innate innocence and energy were especially highlighted.
The celebrations concluded with prayers for peace and happiness for all children around the world.
To learn more about Universal Children’s Day, please click here.
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