World Children’s Day: UNICEF facilitates sand art exhibit in Odisha; wellbeing of children on focus

To commemorate World Children’s Day, UNICEF Odisha facilitated a sand art exhibit in Puri on Wednesday. 

The artwork on the 2024 theme ‘Listen to the Future’ underscored the importance of children’s voices in shaping the future. 

On the occasion, sand artist Manas Sahoo sculpted a 15-foot-wide, 5-foot-tall sand sculpture by reportedly using 12 tons of sand.

“Children today face unprecedented challenges, including climate change, disruptive technology and demographic shifts. This raises crucial questions about the kind of childhood we want to provide by 2050,” said William Hanlon Jr., Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Odisha. 

Through the sand art, UNICEF Odisha aimed to convey a positive message and reaffirm our commitment to rights and wellbeing of every child, said William.

UNICEF’s World Children’s Day 2024 initiative encouraged children to envision their future and engage in dialogue with adults. “By listening to children’s perspectives, we can work together to create a better world for them,” he added.

Importance of World Children’s Day

World Children’s Day, celebrated annually on November 20, marks the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. 

It serves as a platform to address pressing issues affecting children and empowers them to advocate for their rights.

The day also serves as an opportunity to strengthen the voices of children and address the issues they face like child labour, inequality in education and poor healthcare facilities.

However, in India, Children’s Day is celebrated on November 14, marking the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru- the first Prime Minister of the country.