The annual Universal Day of the Child was observed yesterday with a proclamation from the steps of Hamilton City Hall by Youth Minister Glenn Blakeney.

The announcement was followed with songs by students from nursery, pre-schools and primary schools. Students nominated for Young Citizen Awards were later honoured in a ceremony at the Hamilton Princess hotel.

At the awards ceremony Mr Blakeney said: "On this day we recognise the basic human rights and give youth under the age of 18 additional rights to protect them from harm. This day embraces the right to his or her own opinion and the right to education, health care, and economic opportunity."

The Universal Day of the Child was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954.

Mr Blakeney called upon Bermuda to celebrate young people as valued members of society, and commended the recipients of the Young Citizens Award.

"We are awarding young people whose deeds, in a very real way, represent Bermuda's youth at its best, at a time when we hear too much about self-interest and not enough about what each of us can do to advance the common good of all Bermudians."

The awards went to students from both public and private schools who had shown humanitarian qualities such as compassion and standing up for the rights of others.

"Today, approximately 35 young people here are being honoured, with their families, their educators, and their community," the Minister said.

"Let us be reminded that children need love and respect to grow to their full potential. It is a day to listen to children, to marvel at their uniqueness and all they have to offer."