DFID research: Universal Children鈥檚 Day: Time to listen
Today is Universal Children's Day: a chance to reflect on children's rights and their integration into development strategies.
Today in 1959 the UN assembly adopted the , and in 1989 the was adopted. That is why, today the 20th November, is , reminding the world of a point in history when global attitudes to childhood and human rights shifted.
This year has already witnessed the very first (11th October) aiming to raise awareness of the gender inequity still impacting upon children鈥檚 lives across the globe. Today, Universal Children鈥檚 Day gives space for thought and discussion around the rights of children and how they can be better represented in development; how children can be heard and how adults can listen.
With universal primary education outlined as one of the , attention is being given to effective ways of reaching children in some of the poorest and least empowered communities. Initiatives such as help to identify the obstacles at ground-level which still limit children and their families.
In a special article, Young Lives writes about the challenges still faced by children in developing countries; highlighting evidence from particular case studies, which demonstrate that childhood is still a concept defined by poverty and that more engagement is needed with the child鈥檚 context in order to achieve a better understanding of issues around work and education.
For more information on Young Lives and Universal Children鈥檚 Day, visit the Young Lives or check out their photo gallery .