Colourful, joyful, and ever so lively was UNIFIL's celebration of the Universal Children's Day held at Chebaa's public school on Tuesday 20 November. A day to commemorate the date when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted on 20 November the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.

The General Assembly recommended, based on resolution 836, that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children.

The Universal Children's Day is to be observed also as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.

And so, around 190 children aged between 3 and 8 celebrated this day under the year's theme "Treasure our children" in an event organized by UNIFIL's Civil Affairs at Chebaa's public school.

It was a day of dancing, acting, singing, and competing in various games. A group of school children performed a brief song and an act of drama, whereas the Chinese medical company performed a series of beautiful traditional dances in costume and engaged the children in Tai Chi.

"We should protect the children's rights especially since somewhere in the world there are some children who are suffering. As UNIFIL peacekeepers you see us wearing helmets and military outfits, however our goal is to ensure the well being of everyone in the south" said UNIFIL's Sector East Civil Affairs officer Edward Tawil to the children.

The children were overjoyed by this event. They sang independence songs, danced to their own music, and sometimes shared the peacekeepers' floor. They looked happy on thisday dedicated to them, and thanked UNIFIL for such a fun day.

The head of Chebaa municipality Mr. Mohamed Saad thanked UNIFIL for being able to create such joy and happiness among kids on the Universal Children's Day. "UNIFIL has showed us through this initiative how much the peacekeepers really care for our children" he noted.

The school director Mr. Yahya Ali openly expressed his gratitude for UNIFIL's Civil Affairs. "You show us every day that you are men and women of peace, where you obviously care about our kids just as if they were yours" said Mr. Yehya.

The Malaysian peacekeepers performed some dances in traditional costume and played interactive games with the children, and so did the Nepalese. Winners of the games received prizes from UNIFIL.

UNIFIL marked the Universal Children's Day in an effort to promote the children's rights that stress on the child's right to survival, food and nutrition, health and shelter, an education, and to participation, equality and protection.

Mankind owes to the child the best it has to give, for helping children reach their full potential is also investing in the very progress of humanity.