Commemoration of A World Day of Prayer and Action for Children

NEWS BANJUL THE GAMBIA(MB)- UNICEF with its partners the Supreme Islamic Council and the Gambia Christian Council commemorates A World Day of Prayer and Action for Children at the Gambia College/University Main Hall; Brikama, West Coast Region last friday, 3 December 2010

Below is the full text of the media release; Why: For many years, UNICEF has worked with faith-based organizations around the world because, like many NGOs, they are often able to reach children in the most deprived communities where most government and secular services do not reach. Many faith-based organizations provide basic services to children and, through their actions, help create awareness and demand for essential services that governments, private sector, and NGOs provide for children.

UNICEF’s collaboration with faith-based organizations spans matters of nutrition, education, and health. Faith-based organization have especially been influential in campaigns to assist children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, to counter harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), to promote birth registration, to help street children, and to provide emergency relief support.

It is for this reason, and more, that UNICEF Global has proposed a World Day of Prayer and Action for Children., first commemorated on 20^th November 2009 on the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This special day, which will be celebrated every year, will encourage prayer sessions around the world by all existing religions in collaboration with governments, NGOs, and relevant international organizations such as UNICEF for the effective implementation of nationally agreed activities.

In this regard, UNICEF, in partnership with religious groups, will conduct several activities to mark this occasion, one of which is the National Launching scheduled to take place on 3^rd December 2010, which will include an Interfaith Prayer session. The prayer session aims to strengthen solidarity among religious groups united by their common aspiration and shared vision of a world in which all children will grow up to their full human potential, with their rights to safety, security, integrity, and dignity honoured in all societies. This day would also send a powerful message to the world that religions can be a unifying force for promoting the rights and well-being of children.

Vision of a WDPAC

The World Day of Prayer and Action for Children seeks to bring together people of religion and goodwill to safeguard the integrity, rights and dignity of children, and promote their survival, development, protection, and well-being.

Mission of a WDPAC

A world Day of Prayer and Action for Children is a movement involving people of religion and goodwill who are committed to working together to build a world fit for children. Inspired by the convention on the Rights of the Child, committed to helping achieve internally agrees goals for children such as the MDGs, and guided by our religious traditions, we commit ourselves to protecting the rights of our children to live in safety and security. In our prayers, meditation, worship, and action, we express our hope that the world can indeed be made fit for children. While prayer and action for children are certainly needed every day, we will celebrate Universal Children’s Day each year with the anniversary of the Convention on the rights of the Child on the 20th of November with special prayers and common actions in support of projects that enhance the lives of children and young people.