The UN has announced that June 11 will be the official International Day of Play, after a campaign by organisations including the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation.
In 1989, the United Nations declared play a fundamental birth right that helps children to develop life-long skills. The LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation have been part of a group of organisations campaigning for an International Day of Play to serve as a reminder that children have the right to play.
The UN has adopted the International Day of Play, with the inaugural day to be held on June 11 this year.
‘We believe that all children should benefit from the power of play. For more than 90 years we have championed children’s right to play, as we know that it can change lives,’ says LEGO Group CEO Niels B. Christiansen. ‘It strengthens family bonds and helps children develop essential skills and reach their full potential.
‘We have hosted our own World Play Day the past two years to celebrate the importance of play. Now, we are excited to turn it into a global movement to engage and impact even more children together with our partners. The adoption of an International Day of Play by the UN is a true testament to the power of play and the need to collectively champion and protect all children’s right to play.’
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‘At the LEGO Foundation, our aspiration is for children to become creative, lifelong learners who thrive in a constantly changing world,’ adds LEGO Foundation CEO Sidsel Marie Kristensen. ‘We know that play fuels curiosity, sparks creativity, unlocks essential skills, boosts wellbeing and inspires a lifelong journey of learning. Play is the superpower of children, but not all children experience the benefits of learning through play. The challenge for all of us is to make play a part of every child’s reality. An International Day of Play is an important recognition of a child’s right to play. Let’s work together to ensure every child has the space and time to play and be the superheroes they are.’
The LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation worked with ADEA, ARUP, BRAC, Change X, Concerned for Working Children, Eurochild, Hasbro, INGKA, International Play Association, IRC, KidZania, NIKE inc., PEDAL, Plan International, Right To Play International, Save the Children, Sesame Workshop and The Mattel Children’s Foundation to advocate for this new awareness day.
Research commissioned by the campaign group has found that, on average, three in five children would like to play more than they do now and four in five children would like to play more with their parents or carer.
The LEGO Foundation is non-profit organisation funded through the LEGO Group’s profits. The charity’s mission is to ‘build a future where learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, life-long learners.’