Vaccine hesitancy – this immediate issue is a salient challenge for UNICEF’s role in establishing reliable social media that is widely revered and consulted. If UNICEF can succeed in offsetting the widespread disinformation around vaccines, not only Covid, but now spreading to childhood immunization, that will set the stage for a wider credibility around many more complex issues affecting children the world over.
Loss of democracy in countries around the world - political democracy is a critical element needed to assure the Rights of the Child. Freedom of thought and speech, freedom to learn and the rule of law are all essential for children to realise their rights.
Appreciation for the key elements of democracy must be instilled in the very young if they are to defend these rights for all personas as they reach adulthood. UNICEF must not shy away from actively promoting and defending the full range of Rights of the Child that lie at the foundation of a democratic polity.
Education – earliest pre-school to post graduate – all levels – relevance to changing world - education in all levels is critical to maximizing the full potential of each child. From a nurturing environment from birth onwards, to eliminating physical and psychological abuse to early socialization and schooling, education opportunities need to be extended to every child and those who care for them. Far greater use of modern communication technologies must be extended to make educational opportunities not only more widely available but also more flexible in order to embrace new knowledge and opportunities.
Refugees and those displaced for any reason – while prevention of the many conditions leading to displacement must be prioritized, it is likely that demographic, climatologic, and economic pressures leading to dislocation will continue or increase.
Refugees and those displaced for any reason – while prevention of the many conditions leading to displacement must be prioritized, it is likely that demographic, climatologic, and economic pressures leading to dislocation will continue or increase.
UNICEF needs to encourage both international agencies and national bodies to prepare in advance, both to prevent and to respond to such situations. This applies to all the world, for as we have seen in recent years, both poor countries and wealthy ones are substantially affected and the plight of children caught in displacement and migration is profound. Early intervention to assure the essentials of life are provided including psycho-social support and continuing education that facilitates healthy childhood reaction to trauma needs to be prepared in advance.
Climate and its myriad consequences – obviously this issue is of global concern and responsibility of entire societies and economies. Children from the earliest age must understand the implications of climate change and the individual choices that can lead to an active role in offsetting or preventing the worst elements of this progressive disaster. A universal appreciation and acceptance of responsibility of each individual to take measures to minimize climate change and to adapt to it must start early in life and extend to the entire society.
Inequities – economic, educational, opportunity- Amartya Sen’s Development as Freedom spells out the logic behind the concept that the pillars of development, especially education and health, are the essential elements of true freedom. While inequity throughout society is largely a challenge to public policy, UNICEF should set the example by defying inequity in all sectors of development and reaching out, at whatever cost, to those left behind – in health, nutrition, education and opportunities to fully participate in society on a fair basis. While UNICEF cannot cure inequity, it can demonstrate attention to redressing inequity in all its program areas.
War and conflict – War and violent conflict have their greatest impact on children, and as UNICEF demonstrated in the time of James Grant, warring parties can be brought together under the banner of children to take action for the benefit of all children, even in the face of war. Such actions should be initiated at the first sign of conflict and UNICEF should support such initiatives long before children are affected – the UN Peace Force, unarmed and trained observers have been shown to have a calming effect and reduce atrocities. UNICEF should work with other agencies to have Peace Staff ready to respond at very short notice to appear on the ground and mediate peace. When war does occur, UNICEF should be in the forefront of advocacy for peace, especially for children.
Poverty mitigation – While UNICEF cannot realistically eliminate poverty, constant advocacy and public recognition of effective poverty alleviation measures should be a constant theme of UNICEF advocacy and publication. Inappropriate economic policies that differentially affect children should be loudly opposed (Children on the Front Lines is a good example) and proactive programs such as Basic Income Grants and monetary incentives for girls in school should be lauded and encouraged. Poverty of opportunity is everywhere a threat to children, even as their parents face intergenerational poverty and inequity.
This article is part of the XUNICEF News and Views Quarterly Newsletter, December 2021.
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