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Children’s Day celebrated in many countries of the

26 February 2007 Media release

Children’s Day celebrated in many countries of the world

New Zealand is not the only country to celebrate a National Children’s Day. Some countries began celebrating their own Children’s Days as early as the 1940s.

New Zealand’s Children’s Day was established in the year 2000 with the vision of seeing children treasured, celebrated and nurtured by all. Events are organised all over the country to celebrate on the first Sunday in March and parents and caregivers are encouraged to spend special time with their children on this day.

Children’s Day is celebrated in many different ways around the world. In some countries, such as Brazil and South Korea, children receive presents on Children’s Day. However, New Zealand insists that the Day remain non-commercial.

“Our National Children’s Day is about families spending quality time together,” says National Children’s Day Project Manager Esther Wallace. “We don’t want it to become like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, where giving presents has become the main feature.”

In some countries, including Brazil, Nigeria, Paraguay, South Korea, and Turkey, Children’s Day is a public holiday.

In Turkey, children from all around Turkey gather in the capital city, Ankara, and they replace the selected members of the Grand National Assembly. They have an elected president and prime minister and they govern Turkey for one day in order to emphasise the importance of children in society.

In India, Children’s Day is about promoting communal exchange and understanding among children. More fortunate children are encouraged to do things for children less privileged than themselves, such as throwing parties for them, donating gifts or visiting homes for street children.

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In the People’s Republic of China, schools remain open, but children do not attend class or do homework. Students participate in a wide variety of activities to strengthen allegiances to their country.

In Mexico children go to school on Children’s Day, but there are no classes at all, students don’t have to wear uniform and the school has a big party for everybody.

Children’s Day in Japan has its own traditions. The day is set aside to celebrate the happiness of all children and to express gratitude towards mothers. On this day, families raise carp-shaped flags, one for each child. Mochi rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves are traditionally served on this day.

In the United States a non-profit agency called Campfire USA coordinates an Absolutely Incredible Kid Day. Nationally, its goal is for every child to receive a letter of love and support from the adults in their life.

There is also a Universal Children’s Day. Since December 14, 1954, United Nations and UNESCO have observed 20 November as the Universal Children's Day, as it is the anniversary of both the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).

The Day is intended as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It is also a Day to promote the ideals and objectives of the UN Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.

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More about New Zealand’s National Children’s Day

The initial idea for New Zealand’s National Children's Day came from a suggestion by the first Children's Commissioner, Ian Hassall, in 1991. His suggestion was developed and progressed by the Rotary Club of Wellington.

In conjunction with the following Children's Commissioner, Laurie O'Reilly, the idea was then mooted to Government.

The third Children's Commissioner and former Minister of Youth Affairs, Roger McClay, then endorsed the concept along with several other Ministers.

In 1999, the National Steering Group was established to progress the concept of Children's Day. Interested government and non-government agencies were represented on this group.

The inaugural Children's Day was held on Sunday 29 October 2000 with the intention that Children's Day would occur on the last Sunday of October every year. In 2006, the date was changed to the first Sunday in March, in order to avoid Labour weekend and the busy time of year prior to Christmas. No Children’s Day was held in that year, in order to allow time to raise awareness about the new date.

The National Steering Group established the vision, mission and objectives for National Children's Day as well as its five key messages of giving time; praise and encouragement; love and affection; listening and talking and new experiences.

Note to editor: To find out what Children’s Day events are happening in your area visit the ‘what’s on’ section of the website www.childrensday.org.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

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