June 1, 2007: Children in the North Caucasus celebrate the International Children’s Day
The UN Children’s Fund - UNICEF together with the Republican Governments organised a series of events devoted to celebration of the International Children’s Day in four republics of the North Caucasus – Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Osetia and Dagestan. More than 1 000 children received opportunity to celebrate this day and demonstrate their solidarity with children who live in other parts of the world. “As a child centered organization, UNICEF supports any initiative directed to the promotion of the best interests of the child as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” - says Dr. Rashed Mustafa, the Head of UNICEF Office in the North Caucasus. “The International Children’s Day is the best opportunity to bring forward children’s agenda,” - he added.
Concerts, puppet performances and contests in drawing, dancing, singing, citing poems have been organised for children by UNICEF partners - Offices of Ombudsmen and nongovernmental organizations in each republic. Children also received presents and souvenirs from the organizers.
“Today I have learned that there is a special day which helps children to understand that they have rights,” - says a 12-year-old Amina Dzhantaeva from Chechnya, who attended the event.
Chechnya
On 25 May UNICEF, through its partner - the department of Mother and Child Protection at the Office of the Human rights Ombudsman of the Chechen Republic, organised an event “Peace to Children of the Earth” devoted to the International Children’s Day (ICD), with participation of more than 300 children, who enjoyed a concert, saw a puppet performance, applaud to a famous Chechen children’s dance ensemble “Nokhcho” and participated in competitions “The best song”, “The Best Drawing”, “The Best Dance”, “The Best Poem” and “The Best Free Microphone” – when anyone could come to the microphone, ask question and express opinion.
Ingushetia
“World without Tears” is a title of the event organised by “Genesis” – a partner of UNICEF on 31 May, in a boarding-school located in Sunzheskii region of Ingushetia with participation of Regional Administration. The event was devoted to ICD and organised with financial and technical support of UNICEF. 60 children most of whom vulnerable, watched a theatre performance and received presents.
North Osetia
On 1 June the event "My rights and responsibilities" was organised in North Osetia in the central park of the republic. There was a microphone set up in the central park. Child rights Ombudsman of North Osetia and volunteers – students of the Law Faculty answered questions about rights asked by children who visited the central park. There was also a contest "The Best Drawing" organised on the topic of child rights. Children drew on asphalt. The winners got prizes. The event covered 200 children.
Dagestan
On 5 June the Child rights Ombudsman of Dagestan will organize a Conference devoted to ICD with the support from UNICEF. The event will be titled "Dagestan is a territory where children’s rights are protected”. It will be attended by scientists, public organizations and representatives from prosecutors’ offices, ministries and departments working on children’s issues. The participants of the Conference will receive brochures and other printing materials containing information about child rights. Within the framework of celebration of ICD more than 500 children will receive presents and participate in “The Best Drawing” contest on the topic of the rights enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The best drawings will be published in 400 calendars which will be given to children.
For more information, please, contact Bela Tsugaeva, Communication Assistant, UNICEF North Caucasus, tel. (8928) 732 07 12, e-mail: btsugaeva@unicef.org
Additional information about UNICEF:
http://www.unicef.org
http://www.unicef.ru
