To mark the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the European
Union and the United Nations are marking the day together through a series of joint events. The aim is to highlight the utmost importance of this legally binding
international convention that affirms human rights for all children.
20 November is celebrated internationally as the international day for children.
The United Nations General Assembly recommended in 1954 that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of understanding between children and of activity promoting the welfare of the world's children.
The date of 20 November
marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.
2009 is the 20th
anniversary of Universal Children's Day. The Convention on the Rights
of the Child (CRC) is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in
the world. Today, 193 states have ratified the CRC. In fact, only two
countries in the world — Somalia and the United States — have not yet
given the CRC legal force, although both have signed it.
In Brussels
Monday, 16 to 27 November
20th
Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Photo
exhibition -
(all day)
To mark this important anniversary, in cooperation with UNICEF, the European
Commission is organising a photo exhibition on children’s rights, under the
patronage of Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner. Portraits of children from
across the world illustrating the various articles of the Convention along with
short descriptions will be shown in the Charlemagne building. The photos were
selected from “UNICEF Photo Essays” and were provided by UNICEF. The aim of the
exhibition is to highlight the huge importance of this legally binding
international convention that affirms human rights for all children.
Tuesday 17 November
Cine-ONU
(18:30)
A special screening of films by and about children from all around the world at the Residence Palace as part of UNRIC's monthly Cine-ONU event.
Friday, 20 November
AIDCO InfoPoint Video screening
A number of videos on children’s rights will be screened in French and in English at 10.00-12.30 and 14.00-16.00. The screening will be open with several 1-minute videos recorded by children and youth in the framework of UNICEF’s 2009 video contest.