iEARN Pakistan (A project of Society for International Education) in collaboration with UNICEF – Sindh and Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh organized an event to commemorate Universal Children’s Day and the 20^th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20^th November 2009 in Karachi. The event included an art exhibit by children on child rights, an oration competition and a workshop for children on child rights. About 300 art works by children were exhibited. Oration competition was composed of English and Urdu orations by children and the winners and runner ups were given awards. 50 children and 20 teachers participated in the workshop on child rights.

Honorable Minister for Social Welfare, Government of Sindh Mrs. Nargis N.D. Khan was the Chief Guest. She distributed the certificates among the young artists who submitted their art works for the art exhibition. In her speech she appreciated the efforts and encouraged the children for their participation in child rights activities. Mr. Andro Shilakadze, Chief Field Office, Unicef-Sindh also addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Mr. Shahid Gulzar Shaikh, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh and Dr. Iqbal Saeed Khan, Additional Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh also shared their views with the audience. Ms. Farah Shafi Kamal, Country Coordinator, iEARN Pakistan shared with the guests iEARN Pakistan’s efforts to bring awareness about child rights and providing opportunities to children to utilize their energy and potential for the betterment of society.

About 300 Children participated in the event including special children, children from orphanages set by Social Welfare Department and students from public and private schools. Representatives of different organizations working in the field of social welfare, members of Child Potection Unit, UNICEF-Sindh, staff members of Social Welfare Department, Government of Sindh and heads of schools  were also present and appreciated the joint efforts  to bring awareness about the child rights and engaging children in child rights activities.