Ranchi, Jharkhand | November |20, 2022 ::
Ranchi: World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s Global Day of Action for children, by children. Celebrated every year on the 20th of November to coincide with the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the day aims to raise awareness for the millions of children that are denied their rights, and to elevate young people’s voices as critical to any discussions about their future.
To mark World Children’s Day, UNICEF organized an adolescent summit, which was graced by Shri Ramesh Bais, Hon’ble Governor of Jharkhand as the chief guest today. Around 200 Adolescent Reporters from three districts – Ranchi, Giridih & West Singhbhum participated in the programme and shared their stories, voice for child rights, inclusion, sports, and diversity and performed a nukkad natak. Dr Kaninika Mitra, Chief, UNICEF Jharkhand, Ms Astha Alang, Communication Specialist, UNICEF Jharkhand also attended the programme.
Children’s participation is a cornerstone of World Children’s Day. The theme of this year’s World Children’s Day is non-discrimination and inclusion for every child, which demands equal opportunity and an enabling environment for all the children.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Governor of Jharkhand, Shri Ramesh Bais said, “Children are taking over and making their voices heard today in the adolescent summit. Every child should be taken seriously in decisions that affect them. Regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or other status, every child deserves to feel celebrated, and has the right to be included and protected against all forms of discrimination. We must work together as a responsible society to ensure these rights of children. I have faith that with everyone’s support and efforts we can build a more inclusive and sensitive society to children’s needs.”
Sharing her remarks, Dr. Kaninika Mitra, Chief, UNICEF Jharkhand said, “World Children’s Day is celebrated across the world to raise awareness about the rights, education, and welfare of children. It offers an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will create a better society and place for children. I urge all the stakeholders on this occasion to come together to identify children’s problems and challenges which they are facing today and address them in a time bound manner.”
She further said, “I thank Hon’ble Governor for giving his time and presence in this programme and celebrating this special day with our Adolescent Reporters. The support and solidarity, the Hon’ble Governor has shown today, will give children an assurance and support towards their rights and motivate them to achieve their goals by following their dreams and aspirations.”
Giving the welcome address, Astha Alang, Communication Specialist, UNICEF Jharkhand said, “Today’s adolescent summit was meaningful, consultative and impactful: a day for children, by children. Since 2010, UNICEF has been implementing the Adolescent Reporters Programme in Jharkhand as part of the Bal Sansad Program in collaboration with Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra. So far, it has trained over 40,000 children as Adolescent Reporters on issues ranging from health, nutrition, and education to child labour and child marriage. The programme is designed to educate children about their rights and help them express themselves. It is in line with the core principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, notably the Right to Development and the Right to Participation. Currently, it operates in 130 schools across 13 blocks in the Ranchi, Giridih, and West Singhbhum districts.
Raj Bhavan turned blue to mark World Children’s Day
To mark the World Children’s Day and to show solidarity with World Children’s Day, the Governor House (Raj Bhawan) in Ranchi turned blue and was illuminated in blue light to celebrate this special day on the 19-20th of November. Washed in blue light, the iconic Governor House will remind the thousands of visitors and residents about the shared commitment of addressing challenges for children through proposing best policies and practices that work for every child in Jharkhand. Every year, on World Children’s Day, buildings and offices of significance turn blue across the globe to remind everyone that child rights matter and to show solidarity with child rights.