Today, Ukraine marks Children’s Day on November 20 for the first time – on World Children’s Day. On this occasion, the “Family for Every Child. Better Care Awards” ceremony was held in Kyiv. First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska took part in the event.
Through this award, Ukraine recognizes individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses that create spaces of safety, care, and support for children, as well as ensure every child’s right to grow up in a family.
“This date – the day the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted – should remind humanity of the importance of protecting children. Ukraine, however, knows this without reminders. We must protect children on all fronts at once: to save them physically from Russian attacks and their consequences, to rescue them from enemy captivity, and to help them recover from what they have endured, witnessed, and felt,” Olena Zelenska said.
This year, there were 367 nominees for the award. Among them were foster families, adoptive parents, social care professionals, communities, businesses, and initiatives whose efforts are changing children’s lives for the better.
“These people give children what matters most – the chance to grow up in love and care. And love and care are stronger than any war or aggression. They are what will stay with a child long after the hardships have passed. When you look at such people, you believe that every day can become a Children’s Day – safe and good for them, and for us by their side,” the First Lady noted.
The “Family for Every Child. Better Care Awards” campaign is implemented by the Coordination Center for Family Upbringing and Child Care Development, the Olena Zelenska Foundation, the Center for Social Change and Behavioral Economics, together with UNICEF in Ukraine, with financial support from the European Union, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany through the KfW Development Bank, as well as the governments of Canada, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.