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To promote children’s rights and eliminate violence against children, the World Council of Churches (WCC) invites its member churches to join an inter-religious call for prayer and action on 20 November.
The call is part of the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, an initiative launched by the Arigatou International Foundation in 2008.
The World Day connects people of faith and goodwill around the Universal Children’s Day on 20 November each year, for prayer and action on behalf of children.
“We invite our member churches from around the world to take a moment on 20 November to pray for children around the world,” said the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the WCC.
“No matter what the situation is, war, disaster, disease or poverty, children suffer the most injustice. They are the innocent ones and we must lift them up to God in prayer,” he said.
“While we pray, we must also work to end the injustice that brings so much tragedy and pain to children. Without providing our children with safe and healthy environments, it is not possible to achieve peace in the communities,” Tveit added.
The World Day’s current campaign “Stop Violence against Children” is focused on ending all forms of violence, including domestic violence, child abuse, violence in schools, in community centres and places where children work.
The World Day puts a special emphasis on positive parenting, ending child marriage and encouraging universal birth registration.
The World Day has brought together several religious and international organizations to be engaged for children’s rights and hold activities in their national contexts. To date around 189 World Day initiatives have been held in 82 countries.
The initiative is co-chaired by the Rev. Dr Hans Ucko, the WCC's former programme executive for inter-religious dialogue and cooperation.
Churches can also share prayers and plans via Facebook and Twitter.
More information on World Day of Prayer and Action for Children
Participate in World Day activities:
http://www.dayofprayerandaction.org/take-action
