The June 1 International Children’s Day

2.                  Children’s Day

3.                  A short touching speech delivered on June 1, 1993

 

1. The June 1 International Children’s Day

 

1.1 The June 1 International Children’s Day

 

Regarding the International Children's Day, it is widely celebrated on June 1. Children's Day had its origin in the World Conference for the Wellbeing of Children in Geneva in 1925. The June 1 date has a Chinese-USA origin - and nothing to do with Communism. In 1925, the Chinese consul-general in San Francisco gathered a number of Chinese orphans to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. This, of course, coincided with the conference mentioned above. June 1 somehow died out in the USA, only to be revived a couple of years ago. However, each country chooses its own day to commemorate it.

 

The date, June 1st, has been adopted in the US as the official day. More than 30 states actively participate in the June 1st observance. The flag has been adopted by dozens of states and is being manufactured.

 

1.2 International Children's Day flag

 

The green background symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility; We are surrounded by the ability to grow. All we have to do is reach out and embrace it. The red & yellow, black & white figures represent diversity and tolerance. Our children are the key to peace and tolerance of: race, religion, physical, mental, and social diversity. The star, which is made up of the figures' legs, represents light. We can be a light for the world, if we choose. The five points on the star represent the continents. We are all part of one true race, the human race. The earth figure, which is directly in the center, represents our earthly home and all the blessings on it, which God has given us all to share and respect. The large blue circle engulfing the figures symbolizes peace and God's universal love.  It also represents the unity that we can achieve if we reach out to one another in love. Blue symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. The blue figure at the top represents God, who is the author & finisher of all things. God loves all of us equally and we should be striving to imitate that love (which is represented by the figures reaching out to each other)

 

2. Children’s Day

 

2.1 Universal Children's Day

 

Observed on November 20th each year. In 1954, the UN General Assembly recommended that all countries should establish a Universal Children's Day on an "appropriate" day. We are not sure, but perhaps each country did.....at various different dates during the year. The resolution was adopted on November 20, 1954.

 

2.2 International Children's Day

 

The second Sunday in December. This is a joint initiative between UNICEF and the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. It's a day when broadcasters "tune in to kids".

 

The following paragraphs are a piece of news concering this International Children’s Day.

 

Let's Play! 11 December 2005

 

UNICEF and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences are asking broadcasters around the world to highlight sport as they celebrate this year’s International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) on 11 December 2005.

 

The power of sport as a tool for development and peace is the theme of this year’s ICDB, the day when broadcasters throw open their studio doors and the airwaves to young producers and presenters.

 

And, for the first time this year, the International Academy and UNICEF will offer eight regional awards to the broadcasters which best promote the principles, purpose and main themes of ICDB.

 

Each regional winner will be invited to the International Emmy Awards Gala in New York on 21 November 2005 and one will receive the prestigious International Children's Day of Broadcasting Award.

 

With more than 2,000 broadcasters scheduled to take part, the event will focus on how sport and games provide children and young people with opportunities to express themselves and to become agents for change in their own communities.

 

 “After 13 successful years, we continue to view ICDB as an innovative way to increase children’s participation in the broadcasting industry” said Dr. Sharad Sapra, UNICEF’s Director of Communication.  “We hope regional judging will strengthen the competition and lead to greater commitment from broadcasters towards children on the day itself and during the rest of the year.”

 

Television and radio broadcasters continue to mark the International Children's Day of Broadcasting with distinctive and dynamic programming produced in their own countries.

 

2.3 World Children's Day

 

This is a day McDonald's uses as a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities. We are not sure of the date each year or the origin of this day.

 

2.4 Children's Day in Japan

 

Children's Day ( こどもの日 , Kodomo no hi) is one of the holidays in Japan. It is celebrated on May 5 each year, when Japan celebrate their children's growth on that day. Before World War II, it was called as "Tangonosekku" ( 端午の節句 ) and it was a festival for boys. But in 1948, when the festival became an official holiday, it became a holiday for wishing all children's happiness and welfare.

 

Children's Day is commemorated in Japan by flying flags in the shape of carp against the wind, symbolizing a child's determination to thrive against adversities.

 

2.5 Children’s Day in South Korea

 

South Korean Children's Day ( ????  ; Eorininal) was created in 1975 as a change from Boy's Day. It is an official holiday throughout the Republic of Korea. This is celebrated on May 5. Families usually make outings to children's parks, amusement parks, zoos, or other child friendly locations.

 

2.6 Children’s Day in Germany

 

During the Cold War, the Children's Day (Kindertag) was handled quite differently in the two states. So, the date was different (GDR: Juni 1st, FRG: September, 20th), the name was slightly different (GDR: "International Children's Day" ("internationaler Kindertag"), FRG: "World Children's Day" ("Weltkindertag"), and most notably: the customs were different.

 

In the GDR, the holiday was intruduced in 1950, and was from then on a yearly highlight for the children. On this day of the year, one typically received congratulations and presents from one's parents and did special activities in school, such as field trips and the like. In the FRG, Children's Day did not have such meaning to the children, and was even mostly unknown to many people.

 

Since the affiliation in 1990, the date and name used in the FRG have become the official ones for the former GDR as well. This however was not accepted by large parts of the former GDR population, so that still many parents celebrate with their kids on the former date, June 1st, and even Children's Day public events take place on the old date.

 

2.7 Children’s Day in India

 

In India, the birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru is celebrated as Children's Day every year, on November 14.

 

2.8 Chilaren’s Day in Turkey

 

April 23 is the "National Sovereignity and Children's Day" in Turkey. The date commemorates the opening of Turkish National Assembly in 1920 during the Turkish Independence War. The designation of Children's Day came in 1929 upon the recommendation of the Institution of Children's Protection. Since 1986 the Turkish government organizes an international children's festival on April 23.

 

2.9. Children’s Day in Thailand

 

The second Saturday of January is Children's Day in Thailand.

 

3. A short touching speech delivered on June 1, 1993

 

ANC WOMEN'S LEAGUE ON JUNE 1 - INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S DAY

1 June 1993

"Where is the New South Africa you all talk about? Show us because we do not see it...!"

 

This was the cry of participants at the International Summit on The Rights of Children in South Africa, held in 1992, Somerset West, Cape Town.

 

There is nothing South African children of would like more than to see the dawn of a new South Africa, where their rights will be protected, and where their childhood restored.

 

As we mark June 1, International Children's Day, we are reminded of how South African children, especially black children, have been denied basic human rights for decades. They have suffered horribly under the brutal apartheid system.

 

The ANC Women's League, on this particular day, would like to thank all organisations working towards promoting awareness, engagement and mobilisation of South African citizens in denouncing violations of children's rights. Equally important are welfare organisations working hard to give shelter, food and clothing to the more deprived children, whose family lives have been broken down by violence, unemployment and other societal evils.

 

The ANC Women's League supports the call for a human rights movement which will make specific provision for the protection and development of children.

 

At the same time, the League would like to bring to attention the plight of young girls whose special needs are threatened by the gender discrimination suffered by their mothers and themselves. Our society needs to end gender discrimination from the earliest years if girls are to be given the opportunity to reach their full potential. Furthermore, girl needs to be protected from all forms of harmful traditional practices that confine them to certain roles which do not allow them to develop to their full potential.

 

Little girls as young as two years have become victims of rape in south Africa. Others are forced into abusive relationships and marriages. Many old men claim that a 13-year-old girl is "old enough" to agree to a relationship with a 60-year-old man.

 

We should also bear in mind that the Organisation of African Unity recently declared June 16 the Day of the African Child.

 

This is a tribute to the millions of South African children traumatised by the effects of apartheid repression, and also the thousands of children who have been active in drawing international and national awareness to their plights.

 

Issued by ANC Women's League, Media Section