| United
Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Several children stand next to one another in
an informal settlement, in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. Photograph
by Sara, 9, a Syrian refugee, who lives in the settlement and
wanted to show the conditions in which residents live.
“The next steps of our journey will depend on
our willingness to adapt to the changing world around us... to
infuse equity throughout our programmes... and to find new ways
to realize the rights – and brighten the futures – of the most
disadvantaged children around the world”. Anthony Lake, Executive
Director, UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every
child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work
in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment
into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the
most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children,
everywhere.
In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle
based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early
childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus
on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in
fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected
by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation.
UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in
mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty,
violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path.
We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life,
because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation
for a person’s future.
We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they
complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits
all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow
up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents
to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized
against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no
child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work
to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it
is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others.
We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their
lives with dignity.
We involve everyone in creating protective environments
for children. We are present to relieve suffering during emergencies,
and wherever children are threatened, because no child should
be exposed to violence, abuse or exploitation.
UNICEF upholds the Convention on the Rights of
the Child. We work to assure equality for those who are discriminated
against, girls and women in particular. We work for the Millennium
Development Goals and for the progress promised in the United
Nations Charter. We strive for peace and security. We work to
hold everyone accountable to the promises made for children.
We are part of the Global Movement for Children
– a broad coalition dedicated to improving the life of every child.
Through this movement, and events such as the United Nations Special
Session on Children, we encourage young people to speak out and
participate in the decisions that affect their lives.
We are active in more than 190 countries and
territories through country programmes and National Committees.
We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.
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