UNICEF in the Russian Federation
UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund. The main goal of UNICEF activities in Russia is to protect and uphold the rights of every child to a safe, healthy, caring and happy childhood. UNICEF has been operating in Russia since 1997. The Russian Federation is experiencing rapid economic growth and change. The pace is so fast that some groups are being left behind. Children are particularly vulnerable and special efforts must be made to protect them. UNICEF - the United Nations Children's Fund - works with Russian counterparts to develop an environment where every child can realise his or her potential. UNICEF channels funds from individual, corporate and government donors located in other countries as well as, increasingly, individuals and companies in Russia. We work with governmental and non-governmental organizations, and we apply the high standards of UNICEF globally in assessing, managing, monitoring and evaluating projects and in ensuring that international standards of care are integrated into Russian practice. UNICEF also identifies innovative approaches, specific areas of expertise and good results achieved in Russia and shares this experience with other countries. UNICEF supports independent research into the situation of children and provides data and analysis, as well as bringing experience from other countries facing similar issues, to help policy makers make the right decisions. We promote the knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of the Child so that children know both their rights and responsibilities and so that teachers, parents, and other adults respect and protect those rights, encouraging more participation by children and young people in the decisions that affect them and in forming the society in which they grow up. An increasingly widespread and strong network of child rights ombudspersons in the regions of Russia is supported by UNICEF and will help ensure the sustainable protection of children’s rights in the country. These ombudspersons strive to be independent monitors of child rights and advocate, in their home towns and regions, for better protection, more investment by authorities, and more participation by children in a wide range of issues. UNICEF supports national efforts to help children and families and focuses on three strategic priorities: 1. Supporting the family, as the best environment for any child. UNICEF works to decrease the number of ‘social orphans’, protect street children, support children ‘graduating’ from institutional care, support disabled children with who don’t live with their families. 2. Preventive healthcare and promoting healthy lifestyles is more effective, and less costly, than medical treatment. UNICEF and our partners provide young people with information and skills in order to promote healthy lifestyle, prevent HIV/AIDS and other ‘social diseases’. 3. Inclusiveness: UNICEF fights against the stigma and discrimination in society that prevents children from enjoying the rights they all have, regardless of their abilities, health status or origins. Lastly, UNICEF has launched a new initiative in Russia to develop ‘Child Friendly Cities’. Cities joining the initiative develop long term plans that specify concrete results for children, promoting their rights and participation in areas affecting them, and improving policies, services and inter-sectoral coordination to protect families and the health of children and young people, and to promote a society in which every child can feel included. UNICEF activities in Russia
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