World Day Celebrations and Interfaith Prayer in the Federal District

Since 2009, Pastoral da Crianca in Brazil has celebrated the World Day as a time for partners to organize activities for children; present a survey on children’s rights; learn from one another; and develop strategies or a common agenda for work throughout the year.

On November 23, leaders and coordinators, along with representatives of churches, congregations, and community groups are invited to participate in “expanded conversation circles” to develop solid strategies on how to meet the challenges presented by violations of the rights of childhood. Discussions will focus on two key questions:

1. What children’s rights are not being achieved in the parish or city?

2. What sort of support may be given by the coordinators, parishes, churches, congregations, religious traditions, and other groups so that children may achieve these rights?

To prepare for World Day 2013, organizers received from Pastoral a list of children’s rights to display as a poster. Outcomes from the consultations will be documented in the Registration Form to be used as reference points for joint actions to follow throughout the year. The outcomes and information received by Pastoral will then be used to disseminate the needs felt by the communities to a greater number of people, toward finding collaborative solutions.

In Sambambaia/ DF in Brasilia, 500 local families, adults and children participated in the event which included an interfaith prayer and day of activities at the Central Social Marista. Some of the organizations and communities in attendance included the Social Marist Centre, Pastoral / CNBB Baha’i community of Brazil, Temple of Good Will, LBV – Religion of God, World Vision, CONIC, the Unification Church for World Peace (Association of Women for World Peace) United Religions Initiative-URI, FEB – Brazilian Spiritist Federation, National Council of Christian Churches of Brazil, clai – Latin American Council of Churches, ACIB – Brasilia Israelite Cultural Association, School Nations. The event was covered by media journalists and Boa Vindade TV for a program called “Building Citizenship and Solidarity.”

Some of the different family and age appropriate activities included:

• Ages 04-06 years old – Toys and Play – Toys and play time, face painting and Balloon Mania
• Ages 09-12 years old- Graffiti Workshop and a Circuit Workshop  called “Play Arts” with games: hopscotch, hit the basket, hit the target , the Cheip-cheip dance, what object?, dancing, races, and making a biboque (an educational toy).
• Mothers, fathers and guardians of children and youth – Craft Workshop and Circle Dances
• Pastoral da Crianca also hosted and Open House and nutritional counseling session.