Voices of First Ladies and Gentlemen across 3 continents unite to draw global attention to children on World Children’s Day

The Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform has launched a communication campaign for World Children’s Day, featuring the voices of nine First Ladies and Gentlemen from three continents united to draw global attention to children.

“Every child has the right to grow up in safety, dignity, and love.
Together, let us make World Children’s Day a global call to protect, educate, and empower every child — everywhere.”

On 20 November, the world traditionally marks World Children’s Day — the date on which, in 1989, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Since that moment, the international community has committed to safeguarding every child’s right to life, education, development, protection, and love. Today, as growing numbers of children face war, humanitarian crises, and instability, these principles carry renewed and urgent significance.

In 2025, the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform brought together First Ladies and Gentlemen, international organisations, and media partners in a large-scale communication campaign designed to reaffirm a simple but essential truth: creating safe and dignified conditions for children is a shared responsibility of adults in every country.

The initiative united First Ladies and Gentlemen from 9 countries — the Bahamas, Belize, Guatemala, Lithuania, Malta, Panama, Serbia, Slovenia, and Ukraine — each of whom presented national projects aimed at improving children’s lives through their video messages.

The campaign was opened by First Lady of Ukraine, Mrs Olena Zelenska, who emphasised that Ukraine is officially joining World Children’s Day together with the global community for the first time — despite the ongoing war and constant threats. She highlighted that even under these conditions, the country continues to ensure children’s access to education, psychological support, care, and development, and noted a series of initiatives that improve school infrastructure, nutrition, and safety.

“All opportunities for children are created by adults,” stated Mrs Olena Zelenska, First Lady of Ukraine. “And sometimes these opportunities must be physically protected. The most important thing is to act.”

In her video address, First Lady of Malta, Dr Lydia Abela, stressed the importance of accessible education and mental well-being programmes for children. She shared Malta’s national experience in involving children in decision-making processes of social significance, underscoring that children’s voices matter.

First Lady of Serbia, Mrs Tamara Vučić, spoke about family-oriented support initiatives and the work of the Institute for Early Childhood Development, which fosters a healthy and safe environment for young children.

First Gentleman of Slovenia, Dr Aleš Musar, together with Ms Ema Rendl, head of the Od Alje do Žana project, highlighted psychosocial support programmes implemented in both Slovenia and Ukraine. They emphasised the crucial role of teachers in providing stability and emotional well-being during times of crisis.

From the Bahamas, First Lady, Mrs Ann Marie Davis, presented the National School Breakfast Programme — an initiative that provides students with nutritious meals as a vital component of their physical and emotional development.

First Lady of Guatemala, Dr Lucrecia Peinado, introduced a national support system for children and adolescents who, for various reasons, cannot live at home. She stressed that governments must pay greater attention to protecting Children’s Rights, noting that “actions not taken today may already be too late tomorrow.”

In Belize, First Lady, Mrs Rossana Briceño, shared initiatives in special education and the prevention of gender-based violence. She highlighted that ensuring Children’s Rights requires both individual and collective efforts — within families, nations, and international coalitions.

First Lady of Panama, Mrs Maricel de Mulino, presented the initiative “Illuminando la infancia,” which creates safe and supportive spaces for children to grow and thrive. She stressed that it is our responsibility to ensure every child feels safe, heard, and supported.

Also joining the campaign was the First Lady of Lithuania, Mrs Diana Nausėdienė, who underscored the importance of ensuring children’s safety, support, and psychological well-being in times of uncertainty. She noted that every child should grow up in conditions that allow them to develop their potential, access quality education, and live without fear.

You can watch a compilation video with excerpts from all participants’ speeches at this link.

Partners and friends of the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform also contributed. UNICEF presented a special collection of children’s poetry about peace, first showcased at the Fifth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen.

One of the poems — by 12-year-old Alyona from the Kharkiv region — reads:

“The lilac has bloomed.
Father and mother at home.
In the kitchen, pies give off their scent.
My rainbow childhood in peace, happiness, without war.”

A touching reminder of how precious a safe and joyful childhood is for every child.

United24, United24 Media, and Bring Kids Back UA supported the campaign with a shared reminder that since 1989, the world has pledged to protect Children’s Rights — especially in moments of war, disaster, and instability.

The communication campaign of the Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform does more than share initiatives that improve children’s lives. It reinforces the understanding that childhood is a shared global value — and its protection is a shared global responsibility.

The campaign unites leaders, international organisations, and communities around a single goal: to create conditions in which every child can grow up in safety, dignity, and love, with equal opportunities for development.

It serves as a reminder that children shape not only our future — they shape our present. And what their tomorrow will look like depends on the decisions adults make today.

The Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen Global Platform will continue its work to ensure that every child — regardless of country or circumstance — has the opportunity to live a safe, protected, and fulfilling life.