Press centre
Press releases and news notes
Western Europe
The Government of the Netherlands grants $13.5 million to support a programming approach to early childhood development
Den Haag, 18 April 2008 - The Government of the Netherlands has announced a grant of $13,5 million, via UNICEF, to support a programme on early childhood development in selected countries.
Myung-Whun Chung, appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
PARIS, 7 April 2008 – Myung-Whun Chung, director of Radio-France’s Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the world’s most renowned conductors...
6 in 10 Africans remain without access to proper toilet: poor sanitation threatens public health
GENEVA, 20 March 2008 – Sixty-two percent of Africans do not have access to an improved sanitation facility -- a proper toilet -- which separates human waste from human...
UNICEF says ‘Thank You’ to IKEA customers and co-workers
GENEVA, 25 February 2008 – Between 3 November and 24 December 2007, IKEA donated 1 Euro for every soft toy sold in all its stores globally...
UNICEF appeals for $856 million to aid children and women in emergencies
GENEVA, 12 February 2008 - UNICEF launched its Humanitarian Action Report (HAR) 2008 today, calling on donors to provide $856 million to assist...
New guidelines to improve psychological and social assistance in emergencies
GENEVA, 14 September 2007 - International humanitarian agencies have agreed on a new set of guidelines to address the mental health and psychosocial needs...
San Rossore 2007 Conference explores a new global vision for children and women
SAN ROSSORE PARK, Tuscany, Italy, 19 July 2007 – UNICEF joined forces with the Tuscany Region today at a conference in San Rossore under the theme: “Children and Women: Fulfilling their rights, developing their talents, advancing the Millennium Agenda.”
Irish Aid announces new Strategic Partnerships with United Nations’ development agencies
Dublin, 3 April 2007 – Conor Lenihan TD, Minister of State for Irish Aid and Human Rights, today announced new strategic partnerships with key UN development agencies. He was joined at the announcement by the Director of Emergency Programmes for UNICEF, Dan Toole.
Pledge! Fox Kids, UNICEF drive for girls' education
Friday, 4 April 2003 - Fox Kids Europe (FKE), the leading pan-European integrated children's entertainment company, today announced the launch of an online campaign to collect pledges in support of UNICEF's Go Girls! Education for Every Child campaign, a major part of UNICEF's '25 by 2005' initiative to get more girls into school in 25 priority countries by 2005. (Press release)
WHO and UNICEF tackle problem of missing essential medicines for children
GENEVA, 10 August 2006 — The first international Expert Consultation on Paediatric Essential Medicines, jointly held by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, today delivered a plan to revise existing essential medicine formulations to include the right dose and presentation for children.
Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director on death of WHO chief Dr. Lee Jong-wook
NEW YORK, 22 May 2006 - "Dr. Lee was truly a champion for children’s health. We mourn his loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and colleagues.
“Dr. Lee will be remembered for his intelligence, creativity and extraordinary commitment to improving health around the world.
“He was a great man, a brilliant leader and a wonderful friend. He will be greatly missed.”
UNICEF commends Fuji TV for award
LUCERNE, NEW YORK, 28 April 2006 – UNICEF applauded Fuji Television as the Japanese network was honoured at the Bal d’Or tonight and will officially receive the Rose d’Or Charity Award tomorrow night for corporate philanthropy in recognition of 33 years of fundraising on behalf of UNICEF.
Criminal charge in child soldier case a milestone in protecting children
Friday’s arrest of Thomas Lubanga by the International Criminal Court, on a charge of conscripting and enlisting children and actively using them in hostilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, sends an important message that the international community will not tolerate the use of children in armed conflict, UNICEF said. It shows the high priority that the international community gives to combating crimes against children.
15 Years After Innocenti Declaration, Breastfeeding Saving Six Million Lives Annually
GENEVA/FLORENCE, 22 November 2005 – Six million lives a year are being saved by exclusive breastfeeding, and global breastfeeding rates have risen by at least 15 per cent since 1990, says a report released on the 15th anniversary of the Innocenti Declaration on the Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding.
FAQ: “Smurfs: What’s it all about?”
In case you haven’t heard: UNICEF in Belgium has created a unique and attention-getting video message about the impact of war on children. The 30 second TV ad – to be run free by Belgian broadcasters in the late evening hours – is part of a campaign by UNICEF in Belgium to raise awareness about the many ways conflict destroys children’s lives.
UNICEF calls Pope John Paul "great friend of children"
MANILA / NEW YORK, 2 April 2005 - UNICEF said the world's children lost one of their greatest friends today as the organization mourned the passing of Pope John Paul II.
UNICEF applauds UK pledge of £1.4 billion to educate girls in developing countries
LONDON, 26 January 2005 - UNICEF today thanked the United Kingdom for its visionary commitment to the education of girls in developing countries with its strategy to advance the work that one day will give all children a basic education.
Elizabeth Gibbons delivers speech to House of Commons on child poverty report
"There are those who argue that poverty and its discontents have always been with us and always will be. Yet today, the persistence and global scale of poverty - and the grotesque inequality that underlies it – is widely recognised not only as a moral outrage, but a growing threat to world peace and stability...." (21 October)
UNICEF thanks Italian government for 1.8 million euro donation
NEW YORK, 18 June 2004 – UNICEF today thanked the Italian government for a 1.8 million euro donation aimed at putting an end to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), a procedure that is still performed on some 2 million girls each year.
Manchester United on UN Lawn to support UNICEF’s work to end child exploitation
NEW YORK, 29 July 2003 – Surrounded by aspiring young soccer stars, manager of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson and four players will lead a soccer clinic today on the UN Lawn. The event celebrates the United for UNICEF partnership, which raised more than £1 million to support UNICEF’s programmes around the globe since 1999.
UNICEF and H&M in partnership for girls' education and HIV/AIDS awareness
UNICEF today announced a new partnership and thanked the global fashion company H&M for its donation of $1.5 million toward UNICEF girls’ education programmes worldwide and HIV/AIDS prevention programmes in Cambodia. The donation will be given over a three-year period.
