Day of Prayer and Action for Children

Universal Children’s Day was established by the United Nations in 1954. For over 55 years, governments have celebrated Universal Children’s Day on 20 November to promote the well-being of children. This date marks the day on which the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Children in 1989. Visit UNICEF’s website to read about this global treaty which is ratified by 192 countries.

In 2000, world leaders agreed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015. Though these goals are for all humankind, they are primarily about children. Click here to read more about the MDGs.