World Children’s Day
Listen to children, stand up for the rights of every child, every day.
World Children’s Day on 20 November is UNICEF’s global day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Around the world, children are standing up and talking about their lives, their hopes, and their rights.
my day my rights
From the moment the sun rises, children wake up to a world shaped by choices they didn't make. But every child, everywhere, also wakes with rights. Including the right to be protected, to learn, and to have their voice heard.
It’s time to listen to children. To understand what their lives are like and how their rights are present, missing, or pursued every day.
Join us! Let’s amplify children’s voices and stand up for the rights of every child.
my day
my right to an education
my day
my right to a healthy future
my day
my right to a childhood
Listen to children
Children and young people are powerful agents of change, bringing new ideas and perspectives that can help shape a better world for all of us.
Explore messages and profiles from children and young people speaking out for children's rights, and access resources to hold your own conversations.
- Meet our Youth advocates
- Explore the poll on child rights or join the U-Report community
- Meet our Volunteers
- Access our Parenting toolkit: Listen to children
- Read the child-friendly version of The Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Explore resources for parents and teachers on child rights
Join the conversation
How are you living child rights every day? If you had the whole world's attention, what would you tell them about your days and rights? Join the #WorldChildrensDay conversation and share your hopes #ForEveryChild.
Keep exploring our child rights resources
Learn more about World Children's Day
What is World Children’s Day?
World Children’s Day is a global day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
On this day, UNICEF advocates and raises awareness to protect and fulfill the rights of every child, without discrimination.
When is World Children’s Day?
World Children’s Day takes place each year on 20 November. The day marks the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989.
What happens on World Children’s Day?
From children taking over to the world turning blue, World Children's Day is marked through a variety of events and activities focused on elevating children's voices and priorities.
On 20 November, UNICEF, partners, governments, businesses, parents, teachers and children around the world shine a light on children’s rights and call on world leaders to accelerate the actions needed to protect and fulfill the rights of every child, without discrimination.
What are kid takeovers?
On 20 November, UNICEF helps to organize kid's takeovers around the world. Children ‘take over’ high-visibility roles in media, politics, business, sport and entertainment to shine a spotlight on issues that matter to them and to have their voices heard.
Providing platforms for children to express their ideas and actions can inspire action towards a future where child rights are protected and fulfilled. Even the smallest voice can create the loudest echo of change.
Why are buildings turning blue?
Schools and landmark buildings around the world light up or are painted blue on 20 November to show support for child rights.
In the past, famous landmarks from around the world have joined the campaign including the Eiffel Tower in France, Chichen Itza in Mexico and hundreds of historic buildings in India.
Why is World Children’s Day important?
Child rights are human rights. They are non-negotiable. But in too many places today children’s rights are being misunderstood, disregarded, or even denied and attacked. World leaders must uphold their obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and respect, protect and fulfill the rights of every child, everywhere.
Investing in children today secures a better future for them, and us all.
World Children’s Day provides an opportunity to focus on the issues that matter most to children.