Children not only have the right to safety and education, but also to free-time, play and adequate rest. This is laid down in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted 30 years ago, on November 20th, 1989.
Having a childhood is something many of us in the developed world take for granted. However, not all children on this planet have enough time and space to play. Nor do they have the safety and protection they are entitled to. A short glance at the Swiss history books shows that 200 years ago, many children had to slave away in factories from dawn to dusk until they collapsed. These children were unable to play and were denied an education. Their childhoods were stolen from them. Poverty and economic hardships were and still are the main reason for child labour.
Although many successes were celebrated at the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, there is still a long way to go. Worldwide conflicts, waves of refugees and poverty are all threats to a happy, healthy childhood. Furthermore, the tendency towards a shortage of play space and leisure time is also evident in today’s performance-oriented society.
Children are our future. We must allow children the time and space to play, as play lays the foundation for healthy development.
“Enfants du Monde” is a Swiss humanitarian organisation that has been working for 50 years to improve children’s rights, health, and education in countries with limited resources. As a toy manufacturer, we hold the health and welfare of children at heart. We support “Enfants du Monde” in order that help is provided exactly where it is needed.