World Children’s Day 2024

“Listen to the Future. Stand Up for Children’s Rights.” Is the theme of #WorldChildrensDay2024 and we love Celebrating it at the Museum of Childhood Ireland! 📣

November 20th is a special occasion where the world comes together to help celebrate and advocate for child rights, their well-being, and opportunities. Here, at the museum this day holds particular significance. We believe that childhood plays an integral role in both history and for shaping the future, as well as being important to respect and honour in the here and now. By reflecting on the past and capturing the views and experiences of contemporary childhoods, we promote the idea that childhood is as important then as it is now.  

What does World Children’s Day celebrate? This day celebrates the anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) which formed the basis for Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). This is a very special document as it sets out the rights of children everywhere and makes sure that every child is protected, provided for, and is able to participate fully in society, regardless of their backgrounds. 

The UK first implemented the UNCRC in 1991 followed by the Republic of Ireland a year later. This means that every child on the island of Ireland is entitled to the protections and provisions set out in the document. The Museum of Childhood is a rights-respecting organisation and believes in making sure that the voices of all our young members are heard and help to shape how our museum is run. 

How you can help? 

Children 

Join our Youth Advisory Panel: If you are a young person who is interested in history, contemporary life or museums, and having your voice heard, please get in touch with us:  

Adults 

Have Conversations: Chat to the children in your life about the things they think are important. This can be about their rights, climate change, history or anything else that is significant to them. 

From the Child Rights Team at the Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann:  

Gráinne Cumbers, Child Rights Team Lead Clare Daly, Child Protection and Law 

Dr Gabriela Martinez-Sainz, Children’s Rights Alliance liaison 

Dr Rowan Oberman, Child Rights and Citizenship 

Dr Harry Shier, Children’s Advisory Team Lead Hadjer Taibi, Team facilitator