World Children’s Day 2025: My Day, My Rights.

Port Moresby: Jesus said in one of his teachings that little children have great value, emphasizing that they are a model for entering the kingdom of Heaven, and that each and every child should be protected and welcomed. In his teachings he is encouraging us to become like a child in humility and trust which are both a requirement for entering heaven, but also cautioning anyone who harms a child will face severe judgment.

On November 20th annually , we celebrate World Children's Day which is celebrated to promote international togetherness and awareness about children's rights and welfare.

Many children from poor and impoverished families struggle to have a decent life, mainly due to the circumstances and living conditions of the family that they are born into which makes life very unbearable for some.

And then we have children who are orphaned at a very young age or have been given up by their parents , and are not given the basic right to survival, development and protection which includes their right to life, health, education and a secure and safe environment.

We also have children who are refugees and have left their homes , their country and extended family because of war and terror . According to UNHCR, more than 2.3 million children were born as refugees from 2018 to 2024 alone, the equivalent of 337,800 children each year.

Many of these children have lived their entire life in war torn areas, have been displaced, resettled and have no permanent home life. Many have been orphaned and have lived their lives without experiencing love from parents.

Children celebrating World Children's Day 2025 with CBC PNG & SI staff at the OLSH Limana Vocational school hall today.

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him” Psalm 127:3.

Children are gifts from God and it is our responsibilities as parents, guardians, siblings, family members, teachers and responsible adults to take care off them in a loving and secure family unit.

As members of the Holy Catholic Church, we must emulate Jesus’s teachings and care, provide shelter , food and security to children in our local parishes , communities and families. Celebrating World Children's Day today , the Family Life Commission under the Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and Solomon Islands met with children from West Papua living at the Rainbow Refugee Camp and North Waigani Refugee Camp for a fun filled morning at the OLSH Limana Vocational School in Port Moresby.

Happy Children's Day to all Children and may God richly bless you and protect you all as you live a life without fear , with happiness and with Love all your days.