Service in Action

By Claudia Urbano, Service and Engagement Senior Communications Specialist at Rotary International

World Children’s Day takes place each year on 20 November. It is UNICEF’S global day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The theme for 2022 is “Inclusion, for every child.” Kids will stand up for a more equal, inclusive world. UNICEF is calling on partners and supporters to share a positive message of equality and inclusion for every child. Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation are one of UNICEF’s largest partners for polio eradication since 1988. You and your club can help raise awareness about World Children’s Day. Here are some ideas:

1. Partner with one or more Interact clubs in your district to develop shared workshops and projects that raise awareness of the importance of child rights. In the past, Rotary members have organized these activities:
   • The Rotaract Club of St. Augustine in Trinidad in Tobago visited an early childhood education school to teach young children about World Children’s Day.
   • The Rotary Club of Kuliyapitiya in Sri Lanka organized a World Children’s Day celebration whose theme was Ethnic Peace.
2. Engage in Youth Service. As one of the five Avenues of Service, Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs. Learn more about each of Rotary’s Programs for Young Leaders: Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and Rotary Youth Exchange.
3. Turn the world blue. Show your support for child rights by wearing something blue or changing your profile picture online on World Children’s Day.
4. Help children know their rights.
   • Read and download the child-friendly text of The Convention on the Rights of the Child and share it with children in your community.
   • Download this memory game for children to help them learn about their rights.
5. Invest in Rotary’s young people. Review Rotary’s youth protection resources for clubs and districts that participate in youth programs to foster a safe and positive environment for young people.
6. Take this short course on child rights and why they matter to transform and/or refresh your understanding of child rights and a child rights approach, introduce you to UNICEF’s mandate as it relates to child rights, and inspire you to apply a child rights lens to our everyday work and life
7. Help children ‘take over’ high-visibility roles in media, politics, business, sport, and entertainment normally held by adults to shine a spotlight on issues that matter to them.

“The voices and perspectives of young people in the decision-making process are vital when creating innovative, strategic, and lasting change for Rotary International.”
Jennifer Jones, 2022-23 Rotary International President

Post your project on Rotary Showcase to inspire Rotary members around the world to take on similar initiatives. You can also share your project on social media using your club hashtag (#Rotary #Rotaract or #Interact) and #WorldChildrensDay.