World Children’s Day 2024: A Call to Invest in Children and Shape Our Future Together

By: Lerato Brown, Communications and Marketing Manager, Lesotho 

As we approach the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), we are confronted with a stark reality: children today are facing challenges unlike any before them. Climate change, El Niño-induced droughts, hunger, child protection crises, and educational disparities are all affecting children in ways that are preventable, but only if we act now. The World Vision theme for World Children’s Day this year – “Prioritizing Children Now: Shaping Our Future” – aligns with the call from UNICEF to “Listen to the Future. Stand Up for Children’s Rights.” It is a clarion call to all of us to place children at the heart of our global agenda and recognize that their well-being today shapes the world we inherit tomorrow.

This World Children’s Day, we must come together to amplify children’s voices, address the systemic issues impacting their lives, and invest in their future. By prioritizing children now, we are ensuring a sustainable, peaceful, and thriving future for everyone.

The Need for Urgent Action: A Global Crisis

The Convention on the Rights of the Child was a landmark achievement, signed by almost 200 countries to commit to protecting the rights and well-being of children. Yet, 35 years later, millions of children across the globe are still facing grave challenges, from hunger and exploitation to violence and inadequate education. Many of these issues are preventable, but the lack of urgent action on the global stage means that children continue to suffer.

Girls, in particular, remain disproportionately affected by these crises. Without urgent action to protect them, the progress made towards gender equality is in jeopardy. The recent UN Pact for the Future largely overlooked the needs of children, reinforcing the point that societies and economies can only thrive if we invest in the well-being of children now.

Why It’s Crucial to Invest in Children

Investing in children is not just a moral imperative, but an economic one. Countries that prioritize children’s rights and well-being see significant returns on investment, from healthier populations to stronger economies. Failing to address children’s needs today undermines the potential for a sustainable, thriving future. The best way to secure the future is to listen to children today. Their voices hold valuable insights into the challenges they face and the solutions they envision. By actively engaging children in decision-making processes, we create more inclusive, relevant, and effective solutions. Child participation ensures that policies and actions are responsive to their unique needs.

Children's Voices Matter: Addressing the Burning Issues

Climate Change and El Niño Droughts:

Children are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. From severe droughts and floods to rising temperatures, climate change threatens children’s access to food, clean water, education, and a safe environment. The ongoing El Niño-induced drought has already left millions of children at risk of malnutrition and hunger.

"No child should go to bed with an empty stomach, help us to end child hunger," says 10-year-old Kananelo speaking about the impacts of the El Nino induced drought on her community.

Child Protection and Exploitation:

Child protection remains a critical issue. Millions of children around the world are subjected to exploitation, abuse, and violence. Child labour, trafficking, and sexual exploitation are still rampant in many countries including Lesotho, and these children are denied their basic rights to safety, education, and care. The urgent need for stronger child protection laws and enforcement cannot be overstated.

"Listen to us, we deserve to feel safe everywhere we go," shares 11-year-old Rebone, a child advocate against child labor, highlighting the need for more protective measures.

Education and Inclusivity:

Access to education is another significant challenge, particularly for children with disabilities. Inclusive education—where children of all abilities can learn together in supportive environments remains out of reach for too many. We must ensure that every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

"All children no matter their disability deserve to be included" says 15-year-old Letsema, calling for greater inclusivity in education.

A Call to Action: Prioritize, Listen, Act

This World Children’s Day, the message from World Vision and UNICEF is clear: we must prioritize children now to secure a better future. By listening to children and acting on their needs, we can ensure that their rights are upheld and that they are empowered to become the leaders of tomorrow. Governments, communities, and adults must recognize their responsibility to children. It is not enough to merely acknowledge their needs; we must actively work to meet them. Children’s voices must be heard and acted upon, and their rights must be enshrined in every decision we make.

As we reflect on the many challenges children face, we must not forget that they are the key to a better future. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the changemakers of today.

Key Messages: Prioritize, Invest, and Listen

World Vision’s key messages this World Children’s Day are rooted in the urgent need to prioritize children and their needs:

• Prioritize Children Now: Failing to address children’s needs today undermines a sustainable, peaceful, and thriving future. We must prioritize comprehensive, child-centered policies and strategies.

• Make a Smart Investment: Investing in children yields the highest returns. A society that protects and nurtures its children is one that thrives in the long term.

• Prioritize Children’s Voices: Children must be active participants in decision-making processes. Their insights, experiences, and dreams are vital to shaping the future we want to create.

Join World Vision and partners around the world as we commemorate World Children’s Day and stand up for children’s rights. Let’s amplify their voices and advocate for a future where children’s rights are upheld, their needs are met, and their potential is realized.

Children’s Voices: Shaping the Future

Across the world, children are already speaking up and calling for change. These voices must be heard and acted upon. It is time to listen to what children are saying about their future and take decisive action to make that future a reality.

"Every child has a right to grow up without a fear or violence," says 11-year-old Relebohile, speaking about his desire for a world free from violence and conflict.

The message is clear: we must act now to protect children, to listen to their voices, and to create a world where their rights are respected. This World Children’s Day, let us take a stand for children’s rights, because the future belongs to them.

Prioritizing Children Now to Shape Our Future

By prioritizing children now, we are investing in a brighter, more sustainable future for all. As we mark this World Children’s Day, let us remember that children are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are the change agents of today. We must listen to their voices, act on their needs, and ensure that they can shape the future they deserve.

Join the conversation this World Children’s Day by using the hashtag #All4Children, #Listentothefuture and advocating for a future where children’s voices are not only heard but acted upon. Together, we can create a world where every child’s rights are fulfilled, their potential realized, and their future secured.