World Children’s Day overshadowed by conflict, says Children’s rights commissioner

This year’s World Children’s Day is overshadowed by 35 million children around the world who are forcibly displaced from their homes, instead of being able to grow up safely and enjoy the benefits of an education and quality health services, Children’s rights commissioner Despo Michaelidou said on Wednesday.

She added that in 21 areas of the world, war and conflict are harming children, particularly in Ukraine.

“We are all responsible for promoting a creating a safe environment for children, in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity,” Michaelidou said.

“In order to be able to properly celebrate World Children’s Day, we need to safeguard their basic rights, such as the right to an education and the right to play.

“Education in particular will shield them from racism, discrimination, cultural intolerance and xenophobia.”

Michaelidou finally added that peace is based on a culture where all individuals enjoy their rights, but also respect and promote the rights of others, where there is an equal distribution of resources and where present and future generations take part in decision-making processes.