Day of Prayer and Action for Children

The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children is an initiative of Arigatou International, and guided by an International Planning Committee. It has a small Secretariat in New York to coordinate the work in the field.

Arigatou International was established in 1990 by Myochikai, a Japanese Buddhist organization whose members donate as part of their Buddhist spiritual practice.

The Japanese word “Arigatou” means thank you and expresses the gratitude of the Myochikai for the opportunity to help children worldwide.

The Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC)  is the leading interfaith initiative of Arigatou International. Established in May 2000 at its first global forum in Tokyo, Japan, the GNRC is the only global interfaith network exclusively dedicated to promoting the well-being of children worldwide.

The Day of Prayer and Action for Children initiative was celebrated as a pilot year in 2008. GNRC member organizations around the world not only celebrated the Day with a variety of events for prayer, worship, and meditation, but also practical action that reached out throughout nations and regions. Children and young people were important participants in all regions. There were interfaith events involving many different religions, as well as events celebrated by individual faith communities. Celebrations were held on 20 November 2008 in countries such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belgium, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Israel, Jordan, Nepal, Panama, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Tanzania, and Zanzibar.

The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children commemorative events are planned in many parts of the world in 2009.

The Logo

The design of the Arigatou/ GNRC logo is based on the character for “heart” in the Japanese language. A heart of compassion for children is the essential spirit of Arigatou International — the same heart of compassion for every child, everywhere.  The Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC), an initiative of Arigatou International, is a reflection of the solidarity of heart shared by people of faith. Like nothing else, the pure hearts of children awaken us to great inspiration and profound joy.


Arigatou International

Global Network of Religions for Children