UN World Children’s Day 2024 campaign

World Children’s Day, held annually on 20 November, marks the UN’s adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). On this day, UNICEF raises awareness about protecting children’s rights worldwide without discrimination.

On the occasion of UN World Children’s Day, the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform has launched a campaign with a series of video messages. In them, the First Ladies and Gentlemen discussed the challenges faced by modern children.

The digital campaign was opened with an address by the First Lady of Ukraine. Unfortunately, due to Russia’s full-scale aggression, Ukrainian children experienced the tragic impact of war on their lives. Olena Zelenska reported that due to Russia’s full-scale invasion, approximately 589 Ukrainian children were killed, 19,000 abducted, and many suffer from PTSD and anxiety. At the same time, Mrs Zelenzka emphasised that the sense of total insecurity among children is also a global issue.

In her turn, the First Lady of Guatemala, Dr Lucrecia Peinado, called for urgent action by parents, highlighting the problems of inaction and delaying decisions. Mrs Rossana Briceño, the Spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize, addressed the issue of bullying, stating, ‘Children are resilient… Let’s ask questions and get involved.’

Regarding cybersecurity, Tamara Vučić, the Spouse of the President of Serbia, discussed digital dangers, urging adults to protect children from online threats. First Lady of Suriname Mellisa Santokhi-Seenarcherry highlighted another big issue regarding technologies, particularly screen addiction.

‘Our children need us to act now. Together, we can protect their minds,’ – said Mellisa Santokhi-Seenarcherry.

Furthermore, Sirje Karis, First Lady of Estonia, stressed the importance of mental health support in building a brighter future for children. Mrs Karis also highlighted the role of international organisations in this aspect.