The rights of the child and the protection thereof look back on a history of several millennia and they are an organic part of the cultural and legal structure resting on Judeo-Christian values.  Already the Bible called attention to the importance of responsible parenting that takes the interests of the child into account (for example, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs, 22:6).

The World Children’s Day draws attention to that respecting children’s rights is an everyday task both on the individual and institutional levels. Enforcing the best interests of the child requires the consistent protection of rights, respecting parents’ responsibility, as well as ensuring a safe environment that supports development.

November 20 is the holiday of children’s rights and thus, children each year. The Convention on the Rights of the Child that was adopted on this day more than thirty-five years ago is one of the key cornerstones of international children’s rights protection, which profoundly shaped the Hungarian and international approach to the legal and social situation of children. It is proclaimed by the Convention that children are persons born with independent rights and inherent dignity, who deserve respect, care and appreciation. It is clearly pointed out in the Convention that every child has enforceable fundamental rights from birth and they cannot merely be regarded as objects of decisions. However, the enforcement of children’s rights shall not exclusively become a matter of principle: in order for children to become responsible and active adults in their community, it is vital to ensure their participation in all matters that affect their lives. Listening to children, meaningfully reckoning with their opinions, and creating safe conditions for them are fundamental pillars of the child rights approach, and at the same time, these impose responsibility on the legislators, legal practitioners and societies of the state parties, in creating and operating sophisticated legal regulations and an appropriate system of social institutions.
Since its foundation in 1995, it has been an outstanding value and solid tradition of the Hungarian ombudsman institution that it has been safeguarding the enforcement and protection of children’s rights in its general competence, and since 2012, as the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, with regard to its responsibilities.

The World Children’s Day creates an opportunity for strengthening our commitment to the protection of children’s rights and calling attention to that the enforcement of children’s rights is a common responsibility of society, which requires cooperation from all of us.