UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham, singer, songwriter and actress P!nk, actress Millie Bobby Brown, singers, songwriters and musicians Chloe x Halle, are among the many stars who will join leaders and organisations to lend their voices to children for World Children’s Day.
“This World Children’s Day, we are handing over the reins to children, encouraging them to speak out for each other,” said David Beckham. “One important lesson from my travels with UNICEF is that we need to listen to children about the world they want to live in. On November 20th children will unite to discuss what matters most to them such as violence, bullying, education and demand a better future for every child.”
The day, set for November 20, marks the 28th anniversary when the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
World Children’s Day will see children from around the world ˜take over” key roles in media, politics, business, sport and entertainment to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and fulfil their potential. Here’s some of the day’s action and happenings with celebrities and leaders from around the globe on 20 November:
150 children together with Isabela Moner from Transformers: The Last Knight and Nickelodeon, Logan actress Dafne Keen, Jaden Michael, star of Wonderstruck; Zari, star of the local Afghan version of Sesame Street; and Sherrie Westin, Executive Vice President of Global Impact, Sesame Workshop will join UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in a take-over of United Nations Headquarters.
In Geneva, around 200 children and young people will “take over” the Palais des Nations, with the participation of the Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG) Mr. Michael Møller.
The French youth music group and UNICEF Ambassadors, Kids United, will perform their version of P!nk’s smash hit What About Us, in an event organized entirely by young people.
Singers, songwriters and musicians Chloe x Halle will debut a specially penned track to mark the day.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, David Beckham will release a short film in which he quizzes children about their views of the world.
Actors and philanthropists Debora-lee Furness and Hugh Jackman are supporting the fundraising efforts for World Children’s Day through #Workout for Water is taking place in gyms in over 100 countries. Instructors and gym goers can participate to help children and their families access safe water, healthcare and food in some of the world’s poorest nations. (18 Nov) Visit: https://www.workoutforwater.live/
In Spain, the mighty FC Barcelona football pitch, home of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Leo Messi, will be taken over by 24 children aged 9 and 10 years-old who will be put through their paces in a practice session with Coach Ernesto Valverde, before being joined by the players for the game handshake.
Spanish footballer and New York City FC captain David Villa will be put through his paces in a training session led by children from his New York DV7 Soccer Academy. (14 Nov)
All Blacks rugby stars Ryan Crotty, Kane Hames and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen will team up to hold a special one-off training session with children, sharing skills and practising game moves. (18 Nov)
Children will also storm the boardroom and take over the roles of President and Vice President at the FC Barcelona Club’s Board of Directors.
In India, 22 special child athletes aged 13-18 years-old will take over the cricket field and play with legendary cricketer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Justin Forsyth.
In Copenhagen, South Korean actor and long-serving national UNICEF Ambassador Ahn Sung-ki will help children take over the work of the world’s largest humanitarian supply warehouse.
Around the world, leaders across levels of government will support World Children’s Day, including Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Taoiseach of Ireland (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar, President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of Jordan Hani Al-Mulki, President of Chile Michelle Bachelet and with support from the United States Conference of Mayors, mayors from across the U.S. will participate.
More than 50 organizations globally will turn over roles to children including LEGO, Qantas and H&M Foundation.
In schools around the world, children will also take over classrooms and assemblies to raise their voices and fundraise in solidarity with the world’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable children.
In Malaysia, some 30 children will do a media #kidstakeover : speaking up about what matters most to them on radio and TV; appearing in TV and radio public service announcements; writing a column; or acting as social media managers.
“It’s a fun day with a serious point. A day for children by children to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfill their potential,” said Justin Forsyth, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director.
Meanwhile, 13-year-old British star of hit series Stranger Things 2 Millie Bobby Brown, said: “I am so excited for the first ever global celebration of World Children’s Day on November 20th with UNICEF. It’s our day, everyone! A day for us to raise our voices and unite. So let’s do it : in our schools, with our friends, with our families!”
#KidsTakeOver #WorldChildrensDay #ForEveryChild #Children4Change
