World no.1 tennnis player Novak Djokovic took part in a symbolic march in Monte Carlo on Thursday evening, marking the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and supporting Universal Children’s Day.
The walk was organised by the “Peace and Sport” Foundation, under the impetus of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Novak, who is their ambassador and Champion for Peace, as well as other eminent Champions like Sergey Bubka, Pernilla Wiberg and Hicham Elguerrouj, also supported the noble cause.
As a sportsman and a founder of the Novak Djokovic Foundation, Novak wanted to contribute to the celebration of the anniversary.
“This was a symbolic, but an apposite and nice way to mark the November 20, and raise broad awareness of the need to protect the rights of the children. Not just today, not just now, but always. I am honored to have taken part in the grand symbolic walk in Monte Carlo. The Novak Djokovic Foundation’s mission and vision are focused on improving conditions in which children from disadvantaged communities – especially in Serbia – grow up, play and develop. So far we have invested about 2 million euros in projects, we are building preschool facilities, investing in a project to support families at risk, and we will soon open the largest facility that we have reconstructed after the May floods. Around 650,000 euros will be invested into the object that will meet all standards and become a safe place for children to play and learn. I know that other people also work hard in this field, and I am glad that the awareness about the rights of children is growing. “Mankind owes to the child the best it has to give“ is not just a phrase, but a reality, and we need to create conditions for children to progress, develop and realize their dreams. We are doing our best to improve their lives, and we invite all people of good will to join us in this mission,“ Djokovic said.
The Universal Children’s Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954, to encourage all countries to institute a day, to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the children worldwide. On November 20, 1959, the UN adopted the Declaration on the Rights of the Child, and 30 years later the International Convention on the Rights of the Child was ratified.
