Children across the globe were celebrated on Nov. 20, in commemoration of International Children’s Day.

It was on this day in 1954 that the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and in 1989 when that same assembly adopted the Convention of the Rights of the Child. Thirty years on, the world is being encouraged to continue to fight for the rights of children.

In Saint Lucia, Chief Education Officer, Fiona Mayer encouraged educational institutions to show appreciation for their children and to continue to work in their best interests.

“We want to ensure that our children have a voice, that they have access to quality education, that they live and go to school in safe environments, and that we continue to look toward their wellbeing and the importance of play and leisure,” Ms. Mayer said. “Childhood is important and we want to implore everyone to be role models so children can learn what proper social constructs, good manners, and how to deal with conflicts.”

Deputy Chief Education Officer, Dawson Ragunanan, said society should also be concerned with the spiritual wellbeing of children and how they relate to one another.