Universal Children’s Day is celebrated on November 20 to bring awareness of children's rights and to create a better world for children.
Teachers: Visit the free MY HERO Lesson Plan for Universal Children's Day. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.
Watch the following films about children's rights activists.
"WE Charity carries the power of WE globally, empowering communities to lift themselves out of poverty through our holistic, sustainable international development model, Free The Children’s WE Villages."
Young Vivienne Harr was deeply affected by the story of children suffering from human trafficking. So she founded Make a Stand Lemon-aid to raise funds for organizations that fight child slavery.
These heroes, past and present, uplift the voices of their communities through action.
Emma González survived the Parkland High School shooting and successfully fought for improved gun legislation in Florida.
Vivienne Harr founded Make a Stand Lemon-aid to raise funds for organizations that fight child slavery.
On November 20, 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
Artists celebrate the activism and determination of children to lead society in the right direction.
Iqbal Masih was a Pakistani Christian boy who became a symbol of abusive child labour in the developing world.
Malala, the young activist who champions girls' education worldwide, is painted here by Marilyn Huerta.
Samantha Reed Smith was an American girl who became known as "America's Youngest Ambassador" in the United States and the "Goodwill Ambassador" in the Soviet Union during her short lifetime.
She wrote : "If we could be friends by just getting to know each other better, then what are our countries really arguing about? Nothing could be more important than not having a war if a war could kill everything."
Grade school student and peace activist, (1972 - 1985) Samantha was just 10 years old when she wrote the premier of the Soviet Union to ask him about his intentions for waging war. Yuri Andropov invited her to visit the Soviet Union and the success of her trip launched a 3 year odyssey of traveling the world, advocating for peace. Tragically, she and her father were killed in a plane wreck while returning home after one of their numerous peace missions.
Related Content
Stories from the Christian Science Monitor
External Links
Universal Children's Day | Official Website
Learn more about the history of Universal Children's Day on the United Nations website
Learn about a New Hero Every Day of the Year: Visit the MY HERO Calendar
Students: Share Your Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program
Outstanding essays submitted to MY HERO will be considered for a certificate/t-shirt prize or be featured on the Story Homepage.
Submit your artwork to be entered in the MY HERO art contest or to be exhibited on our Gallery Homepage.
Students can submit their films for free with a waiver to the MY HERO International Film Festival.
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Short films curated by MY HERO International Film Festival director Wendy Milette. |
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Hero Stories curated by MY HERO General Editors Deborah Neff and Abigail Richardson. |
Organizer created on 11/17/2012 11:19:09 AM by Becky Miller
Last edited 10/29/2023 1:57:13 PM by Abigail Richardson
