Who We Are

What is Universal Children's Day?

Universal Children’s Day was established by the United Nations in 1954. For over 55 years, governments have celebrated Universal Children’s Day on the 20th of November to promote the well-being of children. This date also marks the day on which the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of the Child (1959) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). Click here for more information on this global treaty which is ratified by 193 countries.

Global Planning Committee

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World Day of Prayer and Action for Children

The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children brings people together to pray and take action for the well-being of children on Universal Children’s Day (20 November) every year. Universal Children’s Day, established by the United Nations in 1954, also commemorates the 1989 adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children was first celebrated in 2008. In 2009, more than 9,000 people in 29 cities in 22 countries participated in the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children. In 2010, the World Day was celebrated in 47 countries through 69 events with more than 33,000 participants from around the world.

The logo for the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children features a stylized image of a child painting a rainbow in the sky. The rainbow in the design symbolizes the beautiful diversity of the human family; the many colors unite in a single rainbow to express the universal hope that all children will one day be able to grow to their full potential in a peaceful world. The child in the design is taking creative action to produce the rainbow, representing the inspired work of people of good will everywhere — especially the efforts of children and young people — to build a world fit for children. Our logo is meant to serve as a daily reminder of the spirit and vision of the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children.

Our Vision

The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children envisions a world in which all children have a joyous childhood: where they can play, learn and grow, where they are loved and cared for, where their health and safety are protected and where their gender is not a liability -- a world in which their human rights are protected and fulfilled.

Our Mission

Celebrated on Universal Children’s Day – 20 November of each year – the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children connects people and organizations to protect children. Improving the welfare of children is an urgent global challenge. By working with the world’s diverse faith communities, governments and non-governmental organizations can accelerate and magnify their efforts to help children worldwide.

Initiated by Arigatou International and guided by Global Execuvite and Advisory Councils, World Day of Prayer and Action projects are inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

History

Arigatou International introduced this initiative in 2008:

If every year, on a certain pre-designated day, all the world's religions were to agree that on that day there will be common prayers as well as some concrete visible actions to promote the well-being of children in all their places of worship, it would make an enormous difference in the lives of children, and would send a powerful signal to the whole world that religions can be a unifying force for human solidarity.

Arigatou International -- whose mission is to build partnerships to enrich children’s lives worldwide -- was founded in 1990 by the Japanese Buddhist organization, Myochikai. Myochikai members donate to the work of Arigatou International as part of their Buddhist spiritual practice. The Japanese word “Arigatou” means “thank you” and expresses the gratitude of Myochikai members for the opportunity to help children worldwide.

Arigatou International is an international faith-based NGO in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and consultative status with UNICEF. The organization has four major program areas: assistance for children in difficult circumstances; raising public awareness of children’s issues; art & culture and information provision; and interfaith cooperation.

Arigatou International also initiated the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) at its first global forum in Tokyo Japan in 2000. The Global Network of Religions for Children is a worldwide interfaith network of individuals and organizations dedicated to promoting the well-being of children everywhere. Most World Day of Prayer and Action events from 2008 through 2010 were planned and facilitated by GNRC members in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.