World Children’s Day Date in the current year: November 20, 2024

World Children’s Day focuses on promoting mutual understanding between children from around the world and initiating action to promote the welfare of children. The date of the observance was chosen to remind us about two important documents on the welfare of children adopted by the UN General Assembly.

On November 20, 1959, the UN adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Child, that included ten stipulations for child’s rights. On the same day thirty years later, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Currently, 195 countries are parties to the Convention (all UN member states except the United States and Somalia).

World Children’s Day is not simply a celebration of childhood. It is meant to raise awareness of the challenges children around the world have to face, including (but not limited to) discrimination, abuse and exploitation. Events and activities held on the occasion are dedicated to the promotion of children’s rights to survive and thrive, to be heard and respected, to get a decent education and reach their full potential.