Community groups, charities and — most importantly for the occasion — young people gathered yesterday to celebrate World Children’s Day.

It was November 20, 1959, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.

The UN website said that on the same date in 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Imagine Bermuda joined government and opposition representatives, as well as organisations such as Family Centre, the Human Rights Commission and Social Justice Bermuda in the foyer of City Hall to commemorate the event and advocate for the rights of children on the island and around the world.

A large group of prefects and head pupils from the Berkeley Institute attended the event, where they delivered powerful speeches.

Elias Baia, head boy of the school, said: “Now more than ever, children around us need our support.

“From food banks in Gaza, to hospitals in Iran, to the rubble of buildings ravaged by war in Kyiv, regrettably, children around the world have been facing the morbid consequences of war, poverty and violence.

“But the problems children face aren’t isolated to countries thousands of miles away. There are children here in Bermuda who don’t have it easy.

“Bermuda’s issues of relative poverty have left hundreds of children without adequate nutrition, proper housing and essential parental care. This has led to cycles of youth violence and antisocial behaviour.

“It is our responsibility to stay true to the origins of our day. It is our responsibility to fight so that every child has fundamental human rights that they deserve wherever they might be.

“From Beirut to Bermuda, we can do our part.”

Ra’eesah Robinson, the school’s head girl, added: “It is vital to nurture each child’s individuality and dreams regardless of their background or circumstances.

“Each child brings their own light into the world and it is our responsibility to ensure that they feel supported and cherished.

“Recognising their worth is essential and it shapes not only their futures but also the future of our world.”

The theme of this year’s observance is Every Child is Precious.

Sandy De Silva, Family Centre’s executive director, said the observance served as a powerful reminder of the collective commitment to protect and uphold the rights of children.

She noted: “Today’s theme resonates deeply. It is a reminder of the importance to stand together in times of need and honour our shared responsibility to ensure all children grow up in environments that nurture their potential and protect their dignity.

“Upholding children’s rights is a compass to a better world today, tomorrow and in our future.

“By listening to children, we can fulfil their rights to self-expression, understand their ideas for a better world and include their priorities in our actions today.”

Tinée Furbert, the Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, said it was important for young people to have a voice.

“We have some amazing youth in this island that we should celebrate,” she said.

“As parents, we want to be able to make the right decisions on behalf of our children but our children also have a voice.

“I am an advocate of making sure that we do hear our young people’s voices.”

She said that as part of the National Youth Policy, young people had shared concerns about antisocial behaviour and not feeling safe.

Robert King, the shadow minister, told the gathering: “You represent the future. We have a duty to provide for you so that you can reach you full potential.

“We need to be receptive and responsive to the needs of the youth.”

Mischa Fubler, of Social Justice Bermuda, added: “One of the things I try to do in my own life is to amplify and participate in initiatives that we see our young people doing, such as Bermuda Youth Connect and Bermuda Is Love, headed by young Bermudians, something that we at SJB wholeheartedly endorse.”

Glenn Fubler, of Imagine Bermuda, highlighted inhumane circumstances that faced hundreds of thousands of children including those experiencing the “exceptional devastation of Gaza”.

He said: “We have seen the results of saturation bombing and the implications of collective punishment involving blocking water, food and medicine supplies.

“Captured live by social media there are implications for collective mental health, especially for children, viewing this worldwide.”

Mr Fubler said that locally, violent crime and accidents on the roads were cause for concern.

He added: “While there are some factors beyond personal control, we all have agency to do our part.

“Challenged to be the change in our responsibilities as parents and relatives, we can also embrace our roles as members of the village, lending support in various ways through community networks, thus leveraging the potential of children.

“Aware that reflecting on the danger to the preciousness of children is no quick fix, we encourage island-wide conversations including in neighbourhoods, schools, churches, clubs and workplaces.

“Those conversations should be couched in a recognition that each of us is always learning.”