Overview of regional issues
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© UNICEF/CEE/CIS/ 2004/00129/Pirozzi |
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Murod, student from a UNICEF-assisted school in Bokhtar, Tajikistan. |
We work with governments, international agencies, NGOs, communities, families and children to ensure all rights for all children in the CEE/CIS region. We focus on eight areas:
1. Building a protective environment for every child
We aim to prevent child exploitation, abuse and neglect and to help the victims. We work with our partners to build a protective environment around every child.
2. Fighting HIV/AIDS
Most of those infected in our region are under 30. We aim to ensure that at least 95% of 10-18 year olds have the information, education and services they need to protect themselves by 2010.
3. Giving young people a voice
We support projects that give young people a voice: Youth Parliaments, Youth Forums and the Young People’s Media Network. And we encourage young people to take part in our other programmes, particularly on HIV/AIDS.
4. Ensuring the best start in life for every child
We support programmes to tackle infant mortality, foster mental and emotional development, and strengthen bonds between parent and children.
5. Supporting Education
We maintain and enhance educational standards. We advocate for more investment in education and push for reform to adapt education to a rapidly changing world.
6. Reaching every child with life-saving vaccines
We work with our partners to reach every child with life-saving vaccines. And we lobby for sustainable government financing for immunization services.
7. Tackling Iodine Deficiency (ID)
We spread the word about the benefits of adding iodine to salt to prevent iodine deficiency. We advocate for mandatory legislation to ensure that all household salt is iodised. And we monitor progress towards the goal of universal salt iodisation.
8. Helping to build civil society
We support a region-wide network of NGOs focused on child rights: the Regional Network for Children (RNC). With national NGO networks in each country, the RNC gives NGOs a voice that can be heard by policy makers, media and others.
THE MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Our work for children is a direct contribution to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development
