At a glance: Iceland

UNICEF in Iceland

UNICEF Iceland started in March 2004 and is the newest member of UNICEF’s fundraising national committees.

Iceland, an island surrounded by the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, has just over 320,000 inhabitants who have truly welcomed UNICEF to their country. Since the national committee began its work, over 16,000 people have signed up as Global Parents who donate to UNICEF on a monthly basis - almost 7% of the adult population.

Global Parents have been the heart and soul of UNICEF Iceland since the beginning. The former President of Iceland, Vigdis Finnbogadottir, is the patron of the Global Parents program.

Many Icelanders are also regular buyers of UNICEF Holliday cards and gifts and have responded to emergency appeals with generosity.

Involving children in Iceland

As part of its emphasis on education for development, UNICEF Iceland has developed education material on the CRC for schools in collaboration with the National Centre for Education Materials.

In early 2007, web-based education material was launched. UNICEF Iceland used the great material that UNICEF internationally has developed through the years, updated it and adapted to the Icelandic market.

For the past four years UNICEF Iceland has raised awareness about children’s issues in Icelandic schools through an educational‚ sponsored run‘ project, where Icelandic children get the chance to be informed about the life of their peers in the developing world and raise funds for them.

In 2006, the Youth Council of UNICEF Iceland started. The Youth Council is comprised of youths (14-22 year old) who advise the National Committee on policy and practice through the eyes of children and youth. The council appoints one young person (18-25 year old) to be their representative on the board of UNICEF Iceland. Apart from its important role in helping to govern the National Committee, the council runs its own fundraising and advocacy projects.

Children’s needs come first

Helping UNICEF promote its global work with, and for, children in Iceland lies at the heart of UNICEF Iceland’s vision. So, too, is ensuring that the needs of children are considered as a first priority in domestic and international development social policy areas. The Convention on the Rights of the Child will be a guidance tool to work with local NGOs and lobby for the rights of children in Iceland.

The Icelandic Government has shown a great interest in UNICEF’s work has increased its contribution to UNICEF by 60 per cent every year for the past three years.