Overview
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© UNICEF/2009 |
Social policies are essential ingredients in a successful transition process. The UNICEF Social Policy, Monitoring & Evaluation programme is critical to the country’s efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the World Fit for Children (WFFC) agenda.
Ongoing European Union integration and decentralization processes present a unique opportunity for UNICEF to open a social policy dialogue with the Government. UNICEF lobbies for increased public budget allocation to the social sector, supports data collection and analysis to fill information gaps and to inform advocacy, policy and programme development for children, assists in social policy dialogue and development, advocates for children’s rights, and supports the creation of a protective environment for all children.
Success in this programme area is not only essential for the well-being of the most vulnerable and excluded children, but also crucial for the country’s successful integration into the European Union. UNICEF aims to achieve four key results:
Social Policy Dialogue and Development
This includes advocacy for juvenile justice reform, support to the reform of the health and education sectors and the social welfare system for children.
Monitoring state budget resources, UNICEF advocates for a greater share of public budget allocation for social development in general, and for children in particular.
Data collection, Analysis and Use
UNICEF will support thematic studies and evaluations to improve the understanding of the situation of children and women. In 2005, a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) will be carried out by the State Statistical Office. Upcoming projects on data collection, analysis and use will be linked with MICS.
Responding to the national decentralization process, UNICEF will work with the central and local authorities to strengthen local capacity on data collection, planning, policy discussion and service delivery to local communities.
Advocacy and Communication
Information dissemination, mass media campaigns and advocacy with policy makers, children and families will boost awareness and understanding of child rights. Children and young people will be encouraged to participate in the national media and to become credible conveyers of information and influential shapers of opinion on issues affecting their lives.
Partnerships
UNICEF will help enhance public commitment to the realization of child rights in the process of decentralization through intensified partnerships with local communities and mayors. Special attention will be paid to participation of children and youth in decision-making processes, forming the basis for an expanded partnership. Alliance and partnership building with the Government, civil society and other UN agencies will consolidate and strengthen existing working relations. Public figures and celebrities will participate in public events to advocate for child rights.
EXPECTED IMPACT
Social Policy Dialogue and Development
The combination and collection of disaggregated and internationally comparable data, and the dialogue for social sector reforms ensure that the most vulnerable children are identified and that the services reach out to those pockets of children and families that have been previously left out.
Data collection, Analysis and Use
Data collection provides the base-lines that allow policy makers to make results-based decisions on interventions and reforms that can be evaluated. The impact of programmes and policies becomes measurable.
Advocacy and awareness raising
UNICEF advocacy and awareness raising on children’s rights with the general public and policy makers strengthens their commitment to the Convention of the Rights of the Child and the Millennium Development Goals.
Partnerships
In partnership with the Government, NGOs, public figures, civil society leaders and other UN agencies, UNICEF contributes to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
