UNICEF Zambia marks 75 years with a major exhibition on child development at the Lusaka National Museum

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA, 14 December 2021 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is commemorating its 75^th anniversary with a new multimedia exhibition devoted to the history of child development in Zambia at the Lusaka National Museum.

The exhibition runs from 14-31 December and covers the history of childhood themes such as education, nutrition, health and water & sanitation, charting the considerable progress and continuing challenges over the past century.

“This anniversary gives us the chance to look back and reflect on how the lives of children have improved over the past 75 years, across the world and in Zambia. And also, it is an opportunity to consider the continuing challenges and how to re-imagine solutions so that unfinished work is completed,” said Ms Noala Skinner, UNICEF Representative. “The exhibition underlines the long-term support of UNICEF to the government and children of Zambia. As an all-weather partner, we are committed to ensuring that every child can fulfil his or her right to survive and grow up healthy, happy, well nourished, educated and protected.”

UNICEF has been active in Zambia since before independence, with an initial project in 1954 aimed at supporting ‘maternal and child health centres’ including nutritional support for children, and training for nurses, midwives and hygiene assistants.

“Since its founding 75 years ago in the aftermath of World War II, UNICEF has been working for every child, whoever they are and wherever they live,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director. “Today, the world is facing not one but a series of compounding crises, threatening to undermine decades of progress for children. This is a time for marking UNICEF’s history, but it is also a time for action by ensuring vaccines for all, revolutionising learning, investing in mental health, ending discrimination, and addressing the climate crisis.”

The exhibition also includes a mini-project recounting the childhoods of five Zambians who were also born in 1946. Other areas of the exhibition highlight toys from a previous generation, and use sound, video and photography.

UNICEF’s 75^th anniversary commemorations in Zambia began with the World Children’s Day event at Kazungula Bridge on 20 November 2021, involving the Heads of State of Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Botswana, with children from all four countries. On 26 November, UNICEF Zambia partnered with TEDxLusaka on a youth event with presentations from ten inspiring young Zambians.