Children are among the most vulnerable members of society, and it is the responsibility of adults to create an environment that supports their development, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini emphasized in a speech celebrating the 100th anniversary of children's rights. Speaking at Bratislava Castle on Wednesday, Pellegrini became the first to sign the Call for Better Relations in 2025, a document prepared by the Office of the Commissioner for Children (ÚKPD) and the Parliament of Children and Youth.
"It is a great honor for me to be the first signatory of this wonderful document and to gather here under the slogan that 2025 will be the year of better relations," said the president. He praised Commissioner Jozef Mikloško for introducing the initiative at a critical time, noting how division and hostility in society negatively impact children. "We must consider what it does to a young child's soul to grow up in such an environment and prepare for their future," Pellegrini added.
While international documents like the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1924, have laid foundations for children's rights, Pellegrini stressed that global issues like hunger, poverty, and war mean much work remains. He called for creating a cheerful and supportive world for children.
The event also featured a commemoration of the Geneva Declaration, marking a century of progress in children's legal status. The Call for Better Relations—handwritten by children—will be displayed in the Presidential Palace as a symbol of commitment to improving the future for younger generations.
