“The visit demonstrated to me that UNICEF needs to help address the needs of the most vulnerable children who require a social safety net,” Niwa said.

“The role of UNICEF is to be a catalyst in engaging national and local governments, civil society, private sector and communities,” he added.

The Deputy Executive Director met children in conflict with the law and abused children in Cebu City. “It was an emotional experience for me,” Niwa related. “The devotion of the community was amazing, and children’s lives were turning around.”

“Still I worry about them,” he added. “Outside of the protective environment, what’s going to happen to them? Will they go back to the same thing? What about those who aren’t being cared for like that?”

Niwa stressed the importance of preventing – in addition to addressing – child abuse and exploitation.

UNICEF in the Philippines has been supporting the training of social workers, provision of psycho-social rehabilitation for abused and exploited children, and advocacy for a more child-sensitive judicial system for children in contact with the law, including the passage of the law on a Comprehensive Juvenile Justice System.

Niwa also made a stop in a child-friendly school in Payatas, a poverty-stricken community in Quezon City. Over 5,000 children are enrolled in the 21-classroom school.
“Despite modest facilities, it was very well-kept,” Niwa observed.

“What struck me was the teachers’ enthusiasm. I don’t know how she does it, managing a classroom with 60 pupils. It is an absolutely stunning project,” he said.

Niwa added, “despite the over-crowdedness, the children were enjoying their class, which is unusual. Other schools don’t have the same kind of spark.”

UNICEF supports the training of school heads, teachers and supervisors on the Child-Friendly School System (CFSS) philosophy and practices; the orientation of children, parents and community members on CFSS and child rights, as well as the provision of learning materials to the targetted public schools. The approach has been shown to enhance the nurturing role of schools and partnership with the community which could be the reason why there has been significant reduction in the number of drop-outs and longer staying power of children in the target areas.

Launched in 1999, CFSS started with 131 pilot schools in 25 focus provinces and cities. It has since grown to a network of over 3,000 schools in these areas.
In his brief visit, Deputy Executive Director Niwa also met the United Nations Country Team, donor community, and local government officials.

As UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Toshiyuki Niwa is responsible for the overall direction of several key areas within UNICEF operations, including inter-governmental work and UN relations.

A national of Japan, Niwa is an expert in economics and international relations.