CHILDREN IN THE WORLD today are suffering enormously from poverty, ill health and violence. Yet the opportunity for improving the well-being of children is greater today than ever before. More gains have been made in the last 50 years to improve the lives of children than in previous centuries.
We need a global movement of solidarity and action for children to build on this progress. Arigatou International and a number of faith based and secular organizations have launched the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children. This initiative seeks to mobilize people of goodwill in partnership with civil society organizations, local government and UN agencies.
While everyday, of course, should be a day of prayer and action for children, the Universal Children’s Day—celebrated each year on 20 November—offers a unique opportunity to harness global solidarity and build a brighter future for children.
Kul Chandra Gautam is Convening Chair of the International Planning Committee of the Day of Prayear and Action for Children. Mr. Gautam is a former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF. As a senior UN official, he worked closely with leaders of governments in developing countries as well as with donors, UN agencies and civil society organizations.
