Poland is a globally recognised advocate of shaping the idea of children’s rights. Our country sponsored and was actively engaged in the drafting of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 1979, the International Year of the Child, it was Poland that proposed the draft text and initiated the negotiations which led to the adoption of the Convention in 1989. For years, Poland was the driving force of this process. Among other things, Convention provisions reflect the innovative pedagogic ideas of Janusz Korczak. Another outstanding Pole, Dr Ludwik Rajchman, was the originator and founder of UNICEF, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, set up in 1946. In 1968, we launched the Order of the Smile — an international award given by children to adults who show exceptional dedication to children and their needs. In 1997, we established the Office of the Ombudsman for Children in Poland, equipped with a wide range of powers.

This year marks the end of Poland’s two-year membership of the UN Security Council (2018-2019). However, Polish diplomacy’s current efforts to promote respect for international human rights standards will also continue in the coming years as the United Nations General Assembly has elected Poland to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2020-2022 term. The choice of Poland is not only an acknowledgement but above all a commitment to continue the international advocacy of human rights.

For more information on this year’s Human Rights Day, visit the UN website by clicking here. 

MFA Press Office