Lighting up the Future for World Children's Day

Experts on children's development and UNICEF ambassador Chen Kun joined a discussion with children representatives on how to better secure their future. [For chinadaily.com.cn/Wang Zhuangfei]

Cities and communities in China joined hands with youngsters on Tuesday to celebrate World Children's Day by lighting up iconic monuments and buildings, and holding various online and offline events, vowing to create a brighter future for this and future generations of children.

World Children's Day, which falls on November 20, is the day when the most widely ratified human rights treaty — the Convention on the Rights of the Child — was adopted. It was drafted to celebrate the progress made for children, hold leaders to account on promises, and remind everyone of the work that remains to be done.

In joining the global message of "Go Blue" proposed by United Nations Children's Fund, Beijing lit up the bubbles of the National Aquatics Center, also known as the "Water Cube". Cities participating in similar action also include Guiyang, Guizhou Province; Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region; Jinan, Shandong Province; Jieyang and Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.

Zhang Chenxi, a 12-year-old student from Beijing Dongzhimen Junior School, said after lighting up one bubble the action symbolizes the lighting up of children's futures and the pursuit of creating a better environment for children's development, so every child can become their best self.

Rana Flowers, UNICEF representative to China, said World Children's Day is a global day of action "for children, by children".

Child and adult representatives light up the Water Cube together. [For chinadaily.com.cn/Wang Zhuangfei]

"And children here in China have raised their voices in solidarity with the world's most disadvantaged and vulnerable children appealing to the world to support children to grow to be the best they can be, respecting and protecting their rights regardless of their race, religion or where they are born."

Zhu Shenghe, one of the child representatives from Tianjin, said children should be treated equally regardless of their identity or background. He also translated the contents of the convention into Tianjin rhythmic clapper talk, a local folk art, and has performed in schools for classmates and teachers to advocate for children's rights.

Chen Kun, actor and also a UNICEF ambassador, praised the children's speaking up and encouraged everyone, young and old, to "do our part for a better future for children, and join forces to call on world leaders to commit to fulfilling the rights of every child now and in future generations, so they stay in school, are safe from harm and can fulfill their potential."

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn)