“The Smile of the Child” honors the 11th of December, International Day for Children

Today is the 11th of December and we celebrate around the world the anniversary of the founding of UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) created by the UN General Assembly in 1946.
 
The main aim was to protect the rights of all children, ensure the provision of humanitarian aid in the war-ravaged countries and promote the development of programmes in order to ensure the improvement of the living standards of the population and particularly for the millions of children worldwide.  

Today, on December 11th, International Day for Children, we honor the assumption of the collective responsibility of the world community, governments, civil society actors and all citizens in order to protect children who suffer in various parts of the planet and have no voice.

Despite the global efforts challenges remain for millions of children who fall victims of daily violence and abuse around the world and whose fundamental rights are violated. For millions of children who face discrimination, inequalities and social exclusion or children and families who escape war and conflicts and are left without food and access to medical care and education. Still today millions of children remain without true love and affection from their parents and the wider environment by depriving them of the opportunity to develop their abilities despite the coverage of material needs.

‘The Smile of the Child”, committed to the vision of its 10-year-old founder, Andreas Yannopoulos, for the protection of all children, serves the values and principles of the UN and stands by every child in need or at risk, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In the course of 23 years of action ‘The Smile of the Child’ has managed to support in a holistic and individualized manner more than 1.480.000 children and their families.  

On the occasion of this International Day for Children, “The Smile of the Child’ would like to remind once again that children are not the future of our societies, unless we ensure their present wellbeing. The struggle for the protection of all children requires a constant effort and dedication that will prioritize not only the necessary coverage of food and medical access, but also the true love, care and affection that all children deserve to have in this world.