1979　International Year of the Child

In 1976, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 1979, the 20th anniversary of the 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child, as the International Year of the Child. A year in which UNICEF and other organizations would raise global awareness of children's rights and welfare, and encourage countries and peoples to work together to resolve various issues related to children.

UNICEF requested each country to establish a national committee, including both governmental and private organizations, to plan and implement events related to the International Year of the Child. In Japan, a Cabinet decision was made in 1978 to establish a Council for the Promotion of the International Year of the Child in the then Prime Minister's Office. In the same year, the Council decided to conduct educational activities on issues related to children, enhance related policies, and expand international cooperation to improve child welfare policies.

In 1979, which was also the International Year of the Child, deliberations began on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a draft of which was submitted by the Polish government.