Executive Board looks towards stronger partnerships for child protection
By Anwulika Okafor NEW YORK, 31 January 2008 – Safeguarding the rights of children to health, education and a protective environment is at the heart of UNICEF’s work. It therefore came as no surprise that issues of child protection strategy dominated the second day of the UNICEF Executive Board’s first regular session of 2008, which is being held at UN headquarters this week. The board spent several hours yesterday discussing the proposed final draft of UNICEF’s comprehensive child-protection strategy, which was created in consultation with member states and integrates recommendations from the landmark UN Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children. Prevention and rehabilitation UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said the organisation was committed to strengthening its efforts to protect child rights. While prevention of abuse is the main goal of the proposed strategy, she noted, the rehabilitation of children affected by violence, exploitation and neglect will remain a significant part UNICEF’s work. The draft strategy emphasises the importance of partnerships as well as the integration of children themselves in the development of protection programs. The strategy also calls for the incorporation of child-protection strategies into national agendas, and support for increased efforts to change societal perceptions about the rights of children. Partnerships for development Executive Board President Anders Lidén, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN, opened the day’s session with comments on UNICEF’s budget and partnerships. To help support the work of 10,000 UNICEF staff members in more than 150 countries, the board unveiled plans to strengthen public and private partnerships – through which UNICEF will continue to address the development needs of children, families and communities worldwide. UNICEF relies on donations from governments and the private sector to maintain its programs. As UNICEF’s work continues to expand, so does the need for strengthened partnerships to ensure effectiveness. The Executive Board plans to build on existing partnership agreements – such as agreements with the World Bank and World Health Organisation – in addition to exploring new cooperative opportunities.
UNICEF Executive Board 2008 Newsline 18 September 2008: 4 June 2008: 13 February 2008: 4 February 2008: 31 January 2008: 30 January 2008: Say No to Violence Against Children |
