World Children's Day
2024 theme: Listen to the future!
World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20 November.
From conflict, climate change, and mental health, to ending racism and gender discrimination, children are raising their voices on the urgent issues that matter to them and sharing their visions for a better world.
This World Children’s Day, join us and listen to the future!
Only by fulfilling and protecting the rights of every child, everywhere — including children's social, economic, cultural, civil and political rights — can we ensure a better future for all.
Explore ways you can join in with #WorldChildrensDay:
- Young people: Join the U-Report community
- Parents: Help nurture children's voices
- Teachers: Access resources on child rights
#WorldChildrensDay
Learn more about child rights
Read the child-friendly version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Explore resources for parents and teachers on child rights.
About World Children's Day
World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children's Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.
November 20th is an important date as it is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Since 1990, World Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children's rights.
Mothers and fathers, teachers, nurses and doctors, government leaders and civil society activists, religious and community elders, corporate moguls and media professionals, as well as young people and children themselves, can play an important part in making World Children's Day relevant for their societies, communities and nations.
World Children's Day offers each of us an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children's rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.
Photo credit: Students at Hadew primary school in Jijiga, Ethiopia. Photo: UNICEF/UN043870/Lister