Young person, know your rights!
In November, we celebrate the rights of the child!
World Children’s Day is celebrated every year on 20 November. In Finland, we celebrate the rights of the child for an entire week from 18 to 24 November 2024. The objective of the themed week is to increase awareness of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, especially among children and young people.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees each child and young person the right to grow and live in safety. The four general principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are:
-No child must be discriminated against.
-The best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
-Children have the right to life, survival and development.
-Children have a right to have their views be given due weight.
-Children’s rights apply to all persons under the age of 18. It is important that children and young people understand their rights so that they are able to recognise mistreatment.
It is the responsibility of adults to ensure that children and young people are aware of their rights and that they are realised in the lives of all children and young people.
Click here to read more about the rights of children and young people (in Finnish).
Listen to podcasts to hear what children and young people think about the rights of the child and their realisation along with how children and young people think World Children’s Day should be celebrated.
Helsinki is a UNICEF Child Friendly City. We work daily towards realising your rights as a child or young person in your everyday life as well as possible.
Happy World Children’s week!