302010 – Give me the Right to Smile
20 November 2019
Student volunteers of “The Smile of the Child” celebrated in Athens the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
20 November 2019
With student volunteers being the protagonists, the “302010 campaign –give me the Right to Smile’ was kicked off in an event held this Universal Children’s Day in Athens at the premises of the Hellenic Ministry of Education & Religious Affairs.
The event was organized on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and more than 400 students, parents, teachers, state representatives, members of foreign diplomatic missions and institutional actors were present.
In a venue flooded with young students, the volunteers of the European Student Volunteer Network of “YouSmile” and Children’s Rights Team shared their concerns and presented their proposals for the protection of children in a number of thematic areas, including child sexual abuse, social exclusion, bullying, environmental crisis, domestic violence, gender equality and equality on the basis of sexual orientation, children in migration. In this context, they asked the general public and all relevant actors to support their proposals in Greece and beyond through the 302010 campaign and a digital petition.
“Today it is a symbolic day and we are very pleased to host you at the premises of the Ministry of Education. You are a source of inspiration for us and we would like you to know that we will stand by and support you in this effort”, said Maria Zacharaki, Deputy Minister of Education, whereas Anastasia Gkika, General Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education highlighted the importance of volunteerism, the work of “The Smile of the Child” for the protection of children and its contribution to the promotion of child participation.
“Today’s effort represents a true initiative of children who expressed their concerns and showed us the way they want their rights to be protected. 24 years ago, little Andreas gave the best example on how children can inspire the entire society. By following this example, today we give the floor to children in order to be heard, express freely what they believe and act in their own unique and spontaneous way without adults to impose their views. On the contrary what we must do is to listen to children”, said Costas Yannopoulos, President of the Board of Directors of “The Smile of the Child”, who thanked the Ministry of Education for embracing this effort.
During the event H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos, the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Kostas Bakoyannis expressed through video messages their support to the 302010 campaign.
In addition, students, who were present in the event, showed their support and passed their own messages for the importance of child participation in the decision making process, the meaning of volunteerism and the need to ensure the rights of all children, especially for the most vulnerable ones, among them migrant children and children with disabilities.
Watch here the TV spot of the 302010 campaign.
For more information about the press release please contact our Press Team at press@hamogelo.gr or at +30 210 33 06140.
About YouSmile
YouSmile is the European Student Volunteer Network of "The Smile of the Child". YouSmile is comprised of students and volunteers whose goal is to defend the rights of every child. Volunteer children are involved in a range of activities to help children in need. At the same time, they are carrying out awareness campaigns across the world while promoting the fundamental right of all children to have their voices heard and their views taken seriously by adults.
About Children’s Rights Team
The Children’s Rights Team of “YouSmile” is comprised of student volunteers of the organization "The Smile of the Child" and the “YouSmile” network. Children are trained on their rights and they take action to promote them. In addition, they represent the Organization at national, European and international levels with main mission the implementation and promotion of the fundamental right of child participation.
