The International Children’s Day is celebrated today, June 1, through a series of activities designed to bring joy to the children and emphasize the importance of protecting and supporting children’s rights. In Chisinau, the festivities started in the morning with music, dance, colorful accessories and sweets for the little visitors. In the messages sent on the occasion of the holiday, the authorities, both local and central, stressed the commitment to create a safe and friendly environment for all the children of the country, IPN reports.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean wished them a wonderful childhood. “Yesterday, in the Government Building, I saw many smiles and enthusiasm, where together with the children of colleagues from the Chancellery and the State Protection and Guard Service, we celebrated the International Children’s Day. I wished the students a beautiful holiday and I informed the children that a Children’s Room will be soon opened at the Government Building, where they will be able to spend their time, until their parents finish their work program,” stated the official.
In a message, the Ombudsman for Children’s Rights Vasile Coroi noted that every child has the right to a happy childhood, quality education, health, a safe and protective environment, laying emphasis on non-discrimination and supporting the most disadvantaged children. The Republic of Moldova, by ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, committed itself to protect the children from discrimination and to provide them with social security and optimal conditions for harmonious development. The 2023 study of the perceptions of human rights traditionally found that the population perceives children’s rights to be most respected ones. However, the rights of particular groups of children, such as the poor, disabled children, children left without parental care, the Roma children, are perceived as not being respected by a large part of the population.
Andrei Pavaloi, deputy head of the General Division of Education, Youth and Sports of Chisinau, noted that June 1 is a day full of magic and joy, dedicated to those who bring light and color to the world. “You are the ones who inspire us every day to be better and build a more beautiful future for all the children in Chisinau. Today we celebrate your innocence, curiosity and creativity, but also your rights to be protected, loved and encouraged in every step you take. On this special day, we wish you to enjoy every discovery you make, to daydream and walk the paths of your dreams with confidence and courage,” stated Andrei Pavaloi.
During the day, children will be involved in activities at the Botanical Garden of Chisinau, within the program “Celebrating childhood together”. Entrance is free of charge for everyone. The first 3,000 small visitors will receive sweet snacks. The program in the central park of Chisinau includes creative workshops, interactive games, face painting, asphalt drawing, amusement shows, quizzes, raffles and others. The children are expected to go to parks, but also to shopping centers in the capital city, where recreation activities with animators, sports, educational activities and concerts for children will take place.
The International Children’s Day celebrated on June 1 is a day dedicated to raising awareness of children’s rights. It was first proclaimed in Geneva in 1925 and formally instituted by the UN General Assembly in 1954.