ISLAMABAD: Children from across the country were invited to perform at Lok Virsa on Saturday night to celebrate World Children’s Day.

Organised by Unicef, the children were invited to perform their national and folk songs in local languages as part of an entertaining evening that also conveyed an important message. According to the organisers, the event would not contain any speeches by adults pledging to spread awareness about the rights of children.

“The idea was to let children take over the stage, let them be the chief guests, guest speakers, performers and announcers; bring out their potential and express themselves. This is their opportunity to tell us about the kind of world they want to live in,” said communications officer Ardesh Leghari.

He explained that the day was for children, by children all over the world, to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfil their potential.

“It is ‘Kids Take Over’. It is going to be a fun day, with a serious message. Everywhere else in the world, kids ‘take over’ high visibility roles in the media, politics, business, sport and entertainment to shine a light on the most pressing challenges faced by their generation,” he said.

World Children’s Day is celebrated on Nov 20 around the world. This year’s theme is ‘Kids Take Over’, which is dedicated to raising awareness about child rights and wellbeing.

Eight-year-old Nimra Aqeel, who was in the audience at Lok Virsa on Saturday, said she enjoyed all the songs that were performed, while Noman Ali, 11, said he particularly liked the an instrumental performance by young guitarists.

According to a parent who accompanied her daughter to the event, it was important to celebrate childhood and to get people talking about the problems children face, and how to find solutions. Another parent added that it was also important to ensure that a child’s right to information was guaranteed in the convention on child rights.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2017