This page is background information, last updated in May 2002 and still available for reference. For the latest on the Special Session on Children, please go to the Special Session index.

Press kit

Issues & Information
About UNICEF

UNICEF has worked to protect the lives of children around the world since it was established in 1946. From its beginnings as a relief agency for children in war-torn Europe, UNICEF today is the world’s leading advocate for children and a major partner in development. Working in 162 countries, areas and territories and guided by the standards and principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF aims to create conditions that enable children to live happy, healthy and dignified lives.

To gain the greatest leverage for children, UNICEF works with governments, local communities and civil society organizations, families and children. Broadening outreach further in 2001, UNICEF was one of the six founding partners of the Global Movement for Children*, a coalition of organizations and people of all ages from around the world dedicated to promoting the rights of children and to changing the world with children. The Movement has originated the ‘Say Yes’ campaign, which urges everyone, everywhere to do whatever is possible to support 10 critical actions to improve the lives of children and adolescents worldwide.

In 1990, UNICEF was the coordinating and support centre for the World Summit for Children, the historic event at which goals were set and commitments made on behalf of children. The General Assembly Special Session on Children at the United Nations (8 to 10 May 2001) is being held to review the world’s efforts and progress towards the World Summit goals, and UNICEF is once again the coordinating agent for this important meeting.

Over the years, UNICEF has had many reasons to be proud: During the 1980s and 1990s, UNICEF extended life-saving, simple and cost-effective measures to children in the developing world – a breakthrough called the Child Survival Revolution – which began lowering the terrible burden of preventable disease and death, saving millions of children’s lives. Now UNICEF is at the forefront of the global effort to eradicate polio, a campaign tantalizingly close to success. UNICEF is also the main supplier of vaccines to developing countries and as a member of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), is helping countries deliver routine immunization coverage and introduce new and underused vaccines for children. Another priority is tackling a major killer of children in Africa through Roll Back Malaria, a global campaign involving UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank that promotes the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets. Education remains a central concern and priority and the Global Girls’ Education Programme, a major focus for UNICEF, is helping achieve the goal of a quality education for all children.

UNICEF’s priorities over the next several years will build on the knowledge and experience gained. UNICEF will continue strengthening access to routine immunization and health care; ensure the best possible nutrition and a safe, healthful, loving and intellectually stimulating environment during children’s early years; improve the quality of and girls’ access to education; protect children from the ravages of HIV/AIDS; and buffer children from the worst effects of war and conflict and the various forms of abuse and exploitation, such as sexual exploitation, child labour and trafficking.

In 1965, UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its work on behalf of children.

* Other founding partners of the Global Movement for Children are: BRAC (Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee),
Netaid.org Foundation, PLAN International, Save the Children and World Vision.