“The International Children’s Rights Protection”, an exhibition timed to the Universal Children’s Day, runs in the documents of international organizations room (207g), from November 14 to December 6.
This Day was established in 1954 by the decision of the UN General Assembly (resolution 836 (IX)) and is celebrated annually on November 20.
On this day in 1959, the General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. The convention’s 54 articles set forth the fundamental rights of children: the right to protection from arbitrariness, non-interference in family life, and free expression of views. The Convention guarantees children equality regardless of origin, race and nationality, freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and legal protection from all forms of physical violence.
The main goal of the Universal Children's Day is to inform society about the need for dialogue and action aimed at ensuring the rights of children and protecting them from violence, hunger and disease.
Children are a significant part of the world's population. According to official statistics, they make up 20–25% of population in each country. At the same time, children and adolescents are the most vulnerable members of any society. In the modern world, their interests and rights are often ignored and violated. According to the United Nations, every year millions of children are victims of abuse. In 2015, more than 6 million children died from diseases around the world. At least 50 million have lost their homes as a result of hostilities, and 236 million children have no access to primary education. In all countries of the world, children are subjected to violence and exploitation. In some regions, physical violence against a child and medieval methods of dealing with children's health have not yet been eradicated.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was created under the auspices of the UN, in 1946. The leading international organization protects the rights of children throughout the world and carries out programs aimed at preserving health and full development of each child, combating discrimination, conducting charity events and information campaigns, helping children and families who are victims of emergency situations and natural disasters.
In May 2002, the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children was convened. At this session, for the first time, children were included in the official delegations. The main outcome of the forum was the official adoption by 180 states of the final document, the Declaration and Action Plan “A World Fit for Children”. The document included 21 specific goals, focusing on four main priorities: promoting a healthy lifestyle, quality education, protecting children from abuse, exploitation and violence, and combating HIV / AIDS.
In the Republic of Belarus, the protection of childhood, the protection of the rights and interests of the child is one of the priorities of the state. The implementation of a social policy aimed at ensuring a decent childhood is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of our state both at the upcoming stage and in the long term.
The rights and legal interests of children are enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Marriage and the Family, the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On the Rights of the Child” and other legislative and regulatory legal acts. These documents are available at the offered exhibition.
The exhibition presents more than 100 publications in Russian and English: books, periodicals, UN mimeographed materials, brochures and booklets.
The exhibition includes the sections as follow:
- The international children’s rights protection. UNICEF’s activities
- Parents and children: family relations psychology and family education
- Protection of the rights and interests of children in the Republic of Belarus
- Promoting a healthy lifestyle for children
- Providing quality education for every child
- Protecting children from abuse and exploitation
The exhibition is intended for teachers, lawyers, sociologists, workers in the sphere of education, healthcare and culture, as well as all who are concerned with the future of our children.
The opening hours of the exhibition correspond to the library’s opening hours.
Admission is by library card or by ticket of the library's social and cultural center. Information and tickets may be obtained at the registration desk.
