37 young people earn 2012 Young Citizen Awards for Universal Day of the Child

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Bermuda has been celebrating Universal Day of the Child for two decades.

For many years, government and community organisations partnered to provide a day of fun and enrichment for children; and to promote community awareness about protecting and nurturing our children.

In 2004, Child & Family Services’ Steering Committee for Universal Day of the Child decided to change the focus of the day from fun activities and general community awareness to highlighting children who are good citizens.

The Committee recognised that in order to have a World Fit for Children we needed to start with the children and to promote the humanitarian qualities they need to be future leaders.

For the past nine years the Department of Child & Family Services has been hosting the Young Citizen Awards, this year h.

Each September at the start of new school year, Nomination Forms are sent to every school in the Island, public, private, primary, middle and senior.

The Nomination Form includes categories for kindness, sharing, helpfulness, acceptance of others, and standing up for the rights of others.

Some schools have teachers nominate the student, others ask the student body to submit nominations. Each school nominates one student and every child is allowed to bring two guests and a representative from the school to the Ceremony.

This year the entertainment will be provided by Sandys Middle School M3 Band and 2 violinists.

The 37 students who were nominated for Young Citizen Awards represent a diverse group; they are different genders and ages and come from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

They, however, share common characteristics, they are compassionate and helpful to teachers and peers; and to those who are less fortunate, particularly disabled students.

They stand up for the rights of others, including those who are being bullied or discriminated against and they respect diversity and differing views and opinions.

All these young people lead by example.

In addition, many of the nominees spend countless hours volunteering in the community.

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