UNICEF Iran and Book City Institute Partner to advocate for Children's Welfare and Rights

18 Nov 2024, Tehran - For the first time in Iran, UNICEF Iran and the Book City Institute have announced a partnership to advance the welfare and well-being of children across the country. This collaboration aims to leverage the unique strengths, networks, and expertise of both organizations to support the most vulnerable children in various provinces of the country.  As part of this partnership, the two partners will launch a series of advocacy and awareness-raising initiatives to foster a love for reading among children. Key activities will include organizing book-reading leagues and clubs for vulnerable children, instituting cultural awards to honor children’s book authors and publishers, and mobilizing resources to support UNICEF’s critical programmes in Iran. 

Book City and UNICEF Iran will work together to respect and support children's rights in the workplace, marketplace and community. Both organizations aim to set an example by integrating best practices to advance children's rights into their operations and outreach. 

“This partnership is a remarkable opportunity for UNICEF to leverage Book City’s vast capacity and reach to extend vital messages to children and the general public,” said UNICEF Representative a.i. in Iran, Dr. Monika Oledzka Nielsen. “In Iran, the private sector holds immense potential to contribute resources, expertise, and innovations to support UNICEF in achieving meaningful results for the most vulnerable children. Today, UNICEF and Book City join hands to help Iran’s children live their dreams, with smiles lighting up their faces.” 

Through this partnership, UNICEF aims to deepen its engagement with the private sector in Iran, strengthening corporate commitment to the communities in which they operate. In turn, UNICEF offers businesses opportunities to enhance their image, bolster brand trust, and inspire morale among staff and stakeholders. 

The three-year partnership agreement was co-signed by UNICEF Representative a.i. in Iran, Dr. Monika Oledzka Nielson, and CEO and President of the Board of the Book City Institute, Dr. Mehdi Firouzan, in a ceremony on 18 November 2024.

For his part, Dr. Mehdi Firouzan said, “I have devoted my entire life and career to the cultural advancement of children and adolescents, so this partnership is a great honor for me. UNICEF and Book City collaboration will strengthen the connections we have made with the universities and cultural centers over the past years and open new windows of opportunity for Book City.” 

Dr. Firouzan further added that referring to Dr. Nielsen’s speech, Book City intends to put a smile on the faces of children and adolescents and guide them towards their dreams via cultural platforms adopting aesthetic knowledge. 

About UNICEF: UNICEF has been supporting Government Ministries and partners in their work for Iran’s children since the early 1950s, initially assisting in the vaccination of children against tuberculosis and equipping the country's first pasteurized milk factory. Later UNICEF’s focus shifted to supporting children's health programmes in Iran, such as promoting breastfeeding, vaccination and preventing diarrhea. The current country programme between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and UNICEF, from 2023 to 2027, is focused on the following areas: Health and Nutrition, Education and Adolescent Empowerment, Child Protection, Social Policy, Emergency, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene as well as the climate change.

About Book City: Book City is an Iranian network of bookstores with over 100 active -branches and approximately 50 thousand square meters of quality bookshop spaces, where 1,500 employees introduce books and cultural products to their community. Book City Institute as a holding established Hermes Publishing House in 1996, Hermes Records in 1999 and Book City Trading company in 1996 which all are leading cultural companies in Iran. Book City is proud to hold over 6000 events inhouse/outhouse through its Cultural and International Center as well as its multiple chain stores.

UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, products or service.