A BRIEF HISTORY CHILDREN'S WEEK & THE CHILDREN'S WEEK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA Inc. ABN 63 316 549 689



In 1954 the United Nations General Assembly recommended (Resolution 836 - IX) that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children and of activity promoting the welfare of the world's children.  That the observance of Universal Children's Day should be used for a concrete and effective expression of the support of Governments for the purposes of UNICEF.  The General Assembly suggested to Governments that the Day be observed on the date which each considers appropriate. 

Most countries celebrate Universal Children's Day on 20 November - the date of 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.  Australia celebrates Universal Children's Day on the fourth Wednesday in October.

Prior to 1977, Child Care Week was held in a number of States/Territories, and the emphasis was placed on children in care and in institutions.  Child Care Week was celebrated at different times of the year according to each State's preference.

Following the International Year of the Child in 1979, the Commonwealth Government was anxious that Universal Children's Day should be celebrated throughout Australia and in 1980/81 requested each State and Territory Committee agree to hold Child Care Week celebrations in conjunction with Universal Children's Day.

The Commonwealth Government offered each State and Territory Committee/Association  $2,000 to celebrate children during October and Universal Children's Day to be included within this celebration.

In 1977 the name was changed to Children's Week to take in a wider audience. In 1979 South Australia 's Children's Week was formed under the auspices of UNICEF. Queensland 's background was similar to that of Victoria and New South Wales with the celebration becoming known as Children's Week in approximately 1981.

In 1985 a proposal was made for the formation of a National body. It was suggested that each State/Territory Committee pay an annual fee in order to be linked to the National body and that there be regular meetings to keep each Committee aware of Australia-wide activities.

It was resolved that:

(a) a National Children's Week Coordinating Committee be formed.

(b) Children's Week be held on the same date in each State/Territory, from the Saturday before Universal Children's Day to the      Sunday following Universal Children's Day.

In 1986 State/Territory representatives met in Melbourne and in 1987 the First Annual General meeting and Conference was held in Melbourne .  Subsequently, Conferences/AGMs have been held in different States/Territories each year.

In 1994 the first National poster was produced by Queensland and distributed throughout Australia , replacing or supplementing State posters. This followed the decision to adopt the South Australian Poster as the National Poster, with South Australia 's agreement.  Since 1994 each State/Territory has been allocated the task of printing and distributing the National poster.

The Children's Week Council of Australia was incorporated in 1992 and in 1997 the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sir William Deane, became the Council's Patron.  All subsequent Governors General have continued this patronage.

E-mail: council@childrensweek.com.au