“My Rights to the Sky, My Hopes to the Future”

Bornova Municipality celebrated November 20 World Children’s Rights Day with a vibrant event featuring a children’s march, manifesto reading, songs, and creative workshops. While children expressed their rights with joy and confidence, parents attended a panel by Assoc. Prof. Türkan Yılmaz Irmak on children’s rights and child–adult relationships. Mayor Ömer Eşki emphasized that Bornova will become a city where children can freely express themselves.

Bornova Municipality marked World Children’s Rights Day with an energetic and meaningful program that placed children at the center of the celebration. Organized by the Municipality’s Directorate of Women and Family Services, the event brought together hundreds of children who both had fun and raised awareness about the importance of protecting their rights.

They marched to Büyükpark with banners

Gathering in front of the Bornova Municipality Main Service Building, children walked to the Uğur Mumcu Culture and Arts Center in Büyükpark holding colorful banners that described their rights. There, 10-year-old fourth-grade student Aşk Nefes Koca read a special manifesto prepared for World Children’s Rights Day.

After the manifesto, the children released balloons into the sky saying, “My rights to the sky, my hopes to the future.” They then sang the “Children’s Rights” song together, sharing their message with all of Bornova.

Outdoor workshops, games, and joyful moments

The program continued with a variety of outdoor workshops in Büyükpark, where children painted, played games, participated in face-painting activities, and enjoyed creative stations. A special photo tag installation allowed families to capture memorable moments, while the children’s artwork produced throughout the day was also displayed.

A panel for parents: “Today, children told us everything themselves”

While children enjoyed the park, parents attended a panel led by academician Assoc. Prof. Türkan Yılmaz Irmak. She explained the core principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and discussed how adults should approach communication, trust-building, and daily interactions with children.

“In fact, today the children expressed everything about their rights on their own,” Irmak said, highlighting that children hold unique, essential rights regarding education, development, and protection.

Mayor Eşki: “Bornova will be a city where children can freely speak”

Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki stated that these awareness-raising events will continue to grow each year:
“Today, our children not only had fun—they shared their rights, expectations, and dreams with Bornova. Creating a city where children can freely speak and express themselves is our most fundamental responsibility. No child in Bornova will feel alone or unheard.”