Conseil d'administration

Tuesday, 7 June 2005: Annual Session day 2 focuses on strategic plan

© UNICEF video

Loveleen Kacker, Joint Secretary for Child Welfare, Indian Government, at the first UNICEF Executive Board Annual Session 2005.

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By Rachel Bonham Carter

NEW YORK, 7 June 2005 – Discussions during the second day of the Annual Session of UNICEF’s Executive Board focused on the organization’s Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) for 2006 – 2009. Executive Director Ann M. Veneman has called the document, now in draft form, “UNICEF’s business plan to contribute to the Millennium Development Goals.”

Ongoing consultations with Board members and with other partners will assist in the preparation of the final version, which is due ahead of the next regular session of the Executive Board in September.

UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Rima Salah said that many staff from the organization’s headquarters and field offices have been involved in creating the current draft, as have members of non-governmental organizations.

“We will have a shorter version as soon as possible and most importantly will ensure that the focus areas really represent the needs of women and children and rights-based programming.”

Speaking during the afternoon session, Loveleen Kacker, the Joint Secretary for Child Welfare for the Government of India, said she is pleased with the document.

“I’m happy to find the MTSP has raised the issue of child protection and put a strong emphasis on it. I have been saying for a long time that UNICEF must focus on child protection.”

The Board will discuss child protection issues later this week. Ms. Kacker will speak about the findings of a regional consultation on child protection held in Islamabad 19-21 May.