World Children’s Day

Maltese children can celebrate World Children's Day along with their peers around the world in a packed programme of activities that will be held at Ta’ Qali National Park.

World Children’s Day came into being on 20 November, 1959 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. The day is observed throughout the world on different dates – in August in Argentina, for instance, in October in Brazil and in November in India. Israel marks the day in April.

In Malta, the occasion is being celebrated on 23 November by the Education Ministry and the Social Policy Ministry at Ta’ Qali National Park.

Education Minister Dolores Cristina believes it is everyone’s duty to ensure an educational environment and health-promoting activities for children. “Exercising the mind is as important as exercising the body. The activities for the day should serve as a stimulant for the children to enjoy themselves safely, and continue being active not only on the day that is dedicated to them, but throughout their life. Exercise and activity keep them healthy,” she said.

“We want children to know they are very much in our mind and thus we are working towards an infrastructure that ensures their right to education, play and a caring environment,” said Social Policy Minister John Dalli. “We aim to give them the best, but on this day in particular we want them to enjoy themselves and adults to stop and think how best to respect children's needs.”

The theme is ‘Our right to have fun and learn’. The activities will combine education and recreation through arts and crafts, sports, music, drama and dance, animals and the environment, technology and fashion, health and safety, food and drink.

Activities for the day start at noon and last until 4.30pm.

Source: independent.com.mt