27 December 2024

‘Not the new normal’ – 2024 ‘one of the worst years in UNICEF’s history’ for children in conflict

NEW YORK, 28 December 2024 – The impact of armed conflicts on children around the world reached devastating and likely record levels in 2024, according to a review by UNICEF of the latest available data and prevailing global trends. More children than ever are estimated to be either living in conflict zones or for...
05 December 2024

European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights Public Hearing on the Rights of the Child in the EU External Policy

Good afternoon, dear MEPs and colleagues. Firstly, thank you to DROI Committee chair Mounir Satouri, for hosting this important hearing on children’s rights in the EU external policies and to Vice President Kopacz for championing children’s rights at the Parliament and her words. We at UNICEF are very much encoura...
19 November 2024

Climate-proofing education

The world is grappling with twin crises in climate change and education – and each threatens to amplify the other. The planet is warming at an alarming rate: 2024 marked the first year the average global temperatures surpassed 1.5 degrees, the tipping point that scientists say will cause severe weather, rising sea...
12 September 2024

Guidance for EU decision-makers for 2024-2029

The decisions of the new European Union (EU) leadership – its legislation, policy, practices and funding – have an enormous impact on children’s lives inside and outside the European Union. The upcoming EU political cycle (2024-2029), following the European Elections in June 2024, presents a crucial opportunity to...
06 March 2024

Empowering Children to Empower the Future

While the Treaty on the European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights show a commitment to protecting and promoting children's rights, limited legal competencies restrict the EU's ability to create a more unified and comprehensive approach to these rights. The EU has adopted a case-by-case approach due to t...
06 March 2024

Ahead of the European elections, UNICEF and The Good Lobby urge EU to strengthen children’s rights governance

BRUSSELS, 7 March 2024 – A new report from UNICEF and The Good Lobby calls for the European Union (EU) to strengthen children’s rights governance in its institutions ahead of decisive elections which will usher in a new political cycle. ‘Empowering Children to Empower the Future: Re-thinking children's rights gove...
19 February 2024

Joint statement by OHCHR, UNDP, UNEP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNOPS on the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

Brussels, 20 February 2024 - The Brussels Offices of OHCHR, UNDP, UNEP, UNFPA, UNICEF and UNOPS welcome the European Union’s initiative to introduce the proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The adoption of the Directive would represent a significant advance in the global efforts to respect, protect, and fulfill children’s…
15 August 2023

European Parliament elections 2024

The decisions of the European Union (EU) – its legislation, policy, practices and funding - have an enormous impact on children’s lives inside and outside the European Union.  The June 2024 European Parliament elections, and the composition of the next European Commission, will be key for the adoption of new polic...
23 February 2021

Children speak up about the rights and the future they want

Brussels, 23rd February 2021 The opinions of children and young people might soon be playing a greater role in policymaking. A group of five Children’s Rights organisations launched an on-line survey and consultation with children, as well as the development of a report itself. The children’s voices will help inform the EU's Strategy on the Rights…
17 February 2021

Summary Report - "Our Europe, Our Rights, Our Future"

Summary Report The perspectives and priorities of more than 10,000 children and young people, from within and outside the European Union (EU), are expressed powerfully throughout the report "Our Europe, Our Rights, Our Future".  In preparing for the new EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child 2021 - 2024, the Europ...
17 February 2021

Report "Our Europe, Our Rights, Our Future"

The perspectives and priorities of more than 10,000 children and young people, from within and outside the European Union (EU), are expressed powerfully throughout this report. In preparing for the new EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child 2021 - 2024, the European Commission decided to set a new standard by invi...
21 January 2021

Participation, education, digital access and climate change are key concerns for children and young people in Africa and Europe, U-Report poll finds

ADDIS ABABA, BRUSSELS, NEW YORK, 22 January 2021 - Participation in decision-making, quality education, internet access and the climate crisis are among the main concerns for children and young people in Africa and Europe, according to U-Report polling data released today by UNICEF, the African Union (AU) and the ...