Ellie Stiffler, left, and Logan Opitz, right, put the finishing touches on plans for the Universal Children's Day celebration set for Thursday, Nov. 16 at Penn State York. The program, from 5-6:30 p.m., is free and open to the public, but all children must be accompanied by an adult. The event, sponsored by students in the the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) Club and those taking HDFS 311 Interventions, takes place in the Precision Custom Components (PCC) Community Room in the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center.
YORK, Pa. — Universal Children's Day will be held at Penn State York on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Precision Custom Components (PCC) Community Room in the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center on campus. This free event is open to the public, but all children attending must be accompanied by an adult.
"Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future," said the late former U.S. president John Fitzgerald Kennedy. “Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation,” said the late Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa. These quotes by Kennedy and Mandela have inspired students in the human development and family studies (HDFS) program at Penn State York to organize Universal Children’s Day at the campus for several years.
“Universal Children's Day 2023 is a global observance that celebrates and promotes the rights and well-being of children worldwide,” said Logan Opitz, a Penn State York student, president of the Human Development and Family Studies Club, and an organizer of the event. “It serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. The celebration includes children's games, book readings, crafts, and free food.”
The event is sponsored by the HDFS Club and students in the HDFS 311 interventions course taught by Sukdeep Gill, professor of human development and family studies at Penn State York.
The group hopes to draw a large crowd with a variety of hands-on craft stations, interactive readings of children’s books, special activities to encourage cognitive growth, informational posters for parents about the rights of children, and information about how Universal Children’s Day is celebrated around the world. The group will also share facts about Universal Children’s Day. Pizza and drinks will be provided.
The United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child on Nov. 20, 1959, and on Nov. 20, 1989, 30 years later, it adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Since 1990, Universal Children's Day also marks the anniversary of the date that the U.N. General Assembly adopted both the declaration and the convention on children's rights.
Every year on Nov. 20, Universal Children’s Day is observed across the world to promote the rights and welfare of children. The purpose of the observance is to bring awareness of children’s exploitation and discrimination based on religion, minority status, or disabilities and exposure to violence, war and armed conflict throughout the world.
This HDFS major at Penn State York is a multidisciplinary program that examines the development of individuals and families across the life span. It enables students to prepare for professional, managerial, or scientific roles in health and human services professions, in public and nonprofit agencies, and in business and industry, as well as for advanced professional or graduate study. Students obtain a broad background in individual and family development across the life span. To learn more about the bachelor of science or associate degree in Human Development and Family Studies visit the website.
