International Day for Street Children (April 12) History, Significance, and How to Observe It

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Learn about the history and significance of the International Day for Street Children, and find out how you can take action to support street-connected children worldwide.

Discover the importance of raising awareness, advocating for rights, and celebrating children, and get tips on organizing events, volunteering, donating, and more.

The International Day for Street Children is an annual global event observed on April 12th, aimed at raising awareness of the challenges faced by millions of street-connected children worldwide. The day is dedicated to promoting the rights of street children and advocating for their protection and well-being.

Street children are defined as children who live, work or spend a significant amount of time on the streets, without adequate adult supervision or care. These children often lack access to basic needs such as shelter, food, education, healthcare, and protection from violence and abuse.

The International Day for Street Children was first celebrated in 2012, and since then, it has been recognized by governments, NGOs, and other organizations worldwide. The day provides an opportunity to highlight the needs of street children, to promote their rights and to encourage governments, communities, and individuals to take action to protect and support them.

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International Day for Street Children (April 12)

History of International Day for Street Children

The International Day for Street Children was first launched on April 12, 2011, by the Consortium for Street Children (CSC), a global network of organizations working for the protection and promotion of the rights of street-connected children. The day was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2012 and has been observed annually since then.

The decision to establish the International Day for Street Children was made in response to the growing number of street-connected children worldwide and the need to raise awareness of their situation. The day is intended to draw attention to the needs and rights of street children and to advocate for their protection and well-being.

Since its inception, the International Day for Street Children has been marked by various events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the issue and advocating for the rights of street-connected children. These include marches, rallies, workshops, seminars, art exhibitions, and fundraising activities.

The day has helped to raise awareness of the plight of street children and has encouraged governments, NGOs, and other organizations to take action to address the issue. However, much more needs to be done to protect and support street children, and the International Day for Street Children continues to play an important role in raising awareness and promoting action.

International Day for Street Children Timeline

Here is a timeline of some significant events and milestones related to the International Day for Street Children:

  • 2011: The Consortium for Street Children launches the International Day for Street Children on April 12.
  • 2012: The United Nations officially recognizes the International Day for Street Children.
  • 2013: The first-ever Street Child Football World Cup is held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, coinciding with the International Day for Street Children.
  • 2014: Street Child World Cup expands to hold the tournament in three cities across Brazil, with the final coinciding with the World Cup.
  • 2015: Consortium for Street Children launches “8 Steps to a Better Future,” a campaign aimed at improving the lives of street children by providing education, healthcare, and other services.
  • 2016: Consortium for Street Children launches “I Am Somebody,” a campaign aimed at challenging negative perceptions of street-connected children and promoting their rights.
  • 2017: CSC launches the “Child-Friendly Toolkit for Safe Cities,” a resource for governments and organizations to improve the safety and well-being of street-connected children in urban areas.
  • 2018: Consortium for Street Children launches “Real Talk,” a campaign to raise awareness of the mental health needs of street-connected children and promote access to support and services.
  • 2019: CSC launches “10 Days of Action,” a global campaign to mobilize individuals and organizations to take action to support street-connected children.
  • 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many events marking the International Day for Street Children are held online, and focus on the impact of the pandemic on street-connected children.
  • 2021: Consortium for Street Children launches the “Aftershocks” campaign to raise awareness of the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on street-connected children and advocate for their needs to be addressed in recovery efforts.

How to Observe International Day for Street Children

There are many ways to observe the International Day for Street Children, including:

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  1. Raise awareness: Use social media, blogs, or other channels to raise awareness of the issues faced by street-connected children, and to promote their rights and the need for action.
  2. Organize an event: Plan and organize an event such as a rally, a march, a workshop, or an exhibition to draw attention to the plight of street-connected children and advocate for their protection and well-being.
  3. Donate: Make a donation to an organization working to support street-connected children, such as the Consortium for Street Children or other local NGOs.
  4. Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to organizations working with street-connected children in your community.
  5. Advocate: Contact your local government representatives, and advocate for policies and programs that support street-connected children, such as access to education, healthcare, and protection from violence and abuse.
  6. Learn more: Educate yourself and others about the issues faced by street-connected children, and the ways in which you can help support their rights and well-being.
  7. Spread the word: Share information about the International Day for Street Children and encourage others to get involved and take action to support street-connected children.

Why International Day for Street Children is Important

The International Day for Street Children is important for several reasons:

  1. Raises Awareness: It raises awareness of the challenges faced by street-connected children worldwide, including the lack of access to basic needs such as shelter, food, education, healthcare, and protection from violence and abuse.
  2. Advocates for Rights: It advocates for the rights of street-connected children and promotes their protection and well-being.
  3. Encourages Action: It encourages governments, communities, and individuals to take action to protect and support street-connected children.
  4. Celebrates Children: It celebrates street-connected children and their resilience, creativity, and potential, challenging negative perceptions and stereotypes.
  5. Unites the Global Community: It unites the global community around a common cause, highlighting the need for collective action to address the issue of street-connected children.

By promoting awareness and advocacy, encouraging action, celebrating children, and uniting the global community, the International Day for Street Children plays an important role in promoting the rights and well-being of street-connected children, and in creating a world where all children can thrive.

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