Universal Children’s Day: 200 World Renowned Writers Unite for Children’s Rights

Over 200 prominent writers, including novelists, playwrights and poets, have joined a global literary campaign this week, penning ‘tiny stories’ of around seven lines each to highlight Universal Children’s Day and the injustice so many of the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged children still face. The short story series kicks off UNICEF’s commemoration of its 70th year working to bring help and hope to every child.

The short stories will be shared by some of the world’s most celebrated writers with their own social media audiences. The First Lady of Finland, Jenni Haukio, introduced the concept, which gained global momentum with writers joining from Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.

The writers participating in the campaign from Georgia are: Paata Shamugia, Irakli Kakabadze, David Gabunia, Shota Iatashvili, Nestan Kvinikadze, George Lobzhanidze, Vasil Guleuri, Diana Anfimiadi, George Kekelidze, Rati Amaglobeli, Lia Likokeli, Lela Samniashvili, Gaga Nakhutsrishvili, Dato Kardava, Nino Sadgobelashvili, Lela Samniashvili, Lela Tsutskiridze, Mariam Tsiklauri, and Toreza Mosi.

“As writers, we are able to advocate through the simplicity of storytelling. With this worthy and necessary campaign, we advocate for the protection of the rights of precious children all over the world,” said celebrated Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie.

The group of writers, whose genres range from fairy tale to fiction, include one the world’s youngest published authors, seven-year-old South African, Michelle Nkamankeng. Written in over 10 languages and varying in style, all stories illustrate that the rights of many children are still neglected.

The campaign comes at a time when there are increasing threats to children’s rights. Over 50 million children have been uprooted from their homes due to conflict, poverty and climate change and millions more are facing unspeakable violence in their communities. Around 263 million children are out of school and last year nearly six million children under five died from mostly preventable diseases.

“It is shocking to see that the lives of many children are still so heavily impacted by the horror of conflict, inequality, poverty and discrimination. I hope these Tiny Stories can remind the world that we must sustain our commitment to all of these children whose lives and futures are at stake,” said Paloma Escudero, UNICEF Spokesperson.

Chimamanda Adichie used her ‘Tiny Story’ to launch the series today, which will run until November 20 - the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

A full list of authors and their Tiny Stories are available throughout the week here (they will also be shared on the author’s social media pages): www.unicef.org/tinystories

Chimamanda Ngozi

Adichie’s 'Tiny Story'

I want every child to go to sleep well-fed

And not worry about the next meal

Or the next.

I want every child to have primary healthcare.

I want every child to be protected by adults

And to take for granted the kindness of adults

And never to be treated like adults.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie grew up in Nigeria. She is the author of the novels Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, and the story collection The Thing around Your Neck, all of which received numerous accolades. Her latest novel, Americanah, won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and The Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize for Fiction; and was named one of The New York Times Ten Best Books of the Year. A recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, she divides her time between the United States and Nigeria.