Prospects for Children: Global Outlook

What is happening in the world that will impact the lives and futures of children? What are the prospects for child rights and well-being? How do we act now to protect and promote children’s rights in the coming year?

These are the broad questions that UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight tackles in its Global Outlook series – annual reports that outline Prospects for Children.

Published at the start of each year, these timely reports examine emerging global trends using strategic foresight to challenge assumptions and present scenarios that paint a picture of the possible futures for children. The goal is to provide global and local decision makers – and UNICEF staff – with scenarios that allow them to anticipate challenges and identify actions that will make the world a better place for children – and us all.

Recent trends highlighted in the Prospects for Children reports have included:

• Efforts to tame inflation that presented the potential for unintended negative effects on child poverty and well-being
• The worsening energy crisis that stood to create harmful economic conditions for children
• Continued fragmentation of the internet with the possibility of creating disparities for openness, fairness and inclusion

A critical component of the Prospects for Children reports is the work and insights of the UNICEF Innocenti Youth Foresight Fellows. Their participation in outlining what is next for children builds a strong intergenerational dialogue around foresight.