XUNICEF News and Views

The new year is associated with many things: resolutions, parties, fireworks... and forecasts for the year to come. Whether it’s The Economist or the IMF, everyone has a view and those views tend to converge. But missing from these analyses is consideration of the implications for children. That’s where we come in. Today we publish Prospects for Children 2022 – the latest in our global outlook series. Our report is organized around 10 key trends that are expected to shape the year ahead. For each, we interpret how those trends will shape children’s lives. Our goal is to help all of those working to support children survive and thrive to better understand where we are, where we are going and what we need to do. As in the past two years, prospects for children will continue to hinge foremost on the pandemic and how it is managed.  The question is not when will the virus be eradicated, but when can we mitigate its effects sufficiently that it will no longer disrupt lives? As we enter the

Agop Kayayan Here is the trailer of a new film about the Days of Tranquility. This was the first time in the history of Humanity a war stopped for the sake of children. Will UNICEF of today listen? For COVID in armed conflict situations.  Agop Kayayan The Day Love Stopped a War Trailer. Directed by Richard Wolf Featuring Agop Kayayan. For the first time in history, a war was stopped to vaccinate children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2CiTpMeLzs&t=98s

I am writing this with a heavy heart because it is not something I have been used to. Parting forever cannot be sweet sorrow. I experienced this with the loss of the love of my life, my wife Joyce, in September 2015. I met Stan when I first joined UNICEF in September 1983. I was a “rookie” in the UN system in general, and UNICEF in particular. I was recruited into UNICEF straight from my home country in Tanzania. I was filled with trepidation and a lot of anxiety. However, meeting Stan, one of only two existing Blacks in the office then, gave me much needed comfort and hope. To be brief, Stan gave me the unofficial in depth and invaluable orientation in the office ; the do’s and don'ts, the who is who and how to steer through the totally foreign working environment . As I had traveled alone to join the office, settling down wasn’t easy. Stan introduced me to his lovely wife Maureen, and she became my anchor and reference point on the domestic front. When Joyce and the children a

Another version of the UNICEF anthem. Yes, dear Children, you are the World, Most beautiful, most endearing and bold This comes out whenever we are polled. We really need not be told UNICEF has made us in its mold Towards good deeds we unfold. In climes of heat and those of cold Your virtues cannot be sold These truths we will forever hold Our mission for you is one of GOLD.... Fouad

  The world needs ‘an avalanche’ of climate action in 2022 As the international community looks to build on the momentum from COP26 and take forward pledges for decisive action agreed in the  Glasgow Climate Pact , the New Year began with two stark reminders about the consequences of the progressive warming of our planet.  On 7 January, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)  revealed  that 2021 marked the 25th consecutive year in which the key Greenland ice sheet lost more mass during the melting season than it gained during winter.  Twelve days later, the UN weather agency also  confirmed  that last year joined the list of the seven warmest years on record.  Since the 1980s, each succeeding decade has been warmer than the previous one, a trend scientists expect to continue. Calling for action, the UN Secretary-General declared that countries have no choice but to go into  “emergency mode”  to tackle the climate crisis.  “Global emissions must be reduced by 45 per cent by the end

Yes.  They are called *Contronyms* —words that are their own antonyms, depending on usage. Here are a few examples "Dust" : can mean ‘to add fine particles’ or ‘to remove fine particles’. "Left" : can mean both ‘remaining’ and ‘departed’. "Off" : can mean both ‘activated’ and ‘deactivated’. Eg:- “Set off” - Activated “ Switch off - Deactivated "Oversight" : means both ‘watchful care’ and ‘an inadvertent error’. "Screen" : can mean both ‘to show’ and ‘to hide’. "Sanction" can mean both ‘a penalty for disobeying a law’ and ‘official permission or approval for an action. That's Amazing English! (To all English- Lovers) Doreen Lobo Sent from my iPhone

  Maria Luisa Fornara Storm Ana: Deadly Africa storm shows climate crisis reality Storm Ana made tens of thousands homeless across Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique ©AFP The deadly storm that hit southern African countries this week has shown the reality of the climate crisis, a UN official has said. The death toll from the destruction caused by Storm Ana has risen to 86. Rescue workers are trying to reach tens of thousands who have been cut off as roads and bridges have been washed away in Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi. Authorities are now watching to see if a second storm - Batsirai - will hit the continent next week. In Mozambique, where 18 people have been killed and 120,000 people affected, Maria Luisa Fornara, from the UN children's fund Unicef, described Storm Ana as a "blunt reminder" of the impact that climate change is having. UN Secretary General António Guterres said more investment was needed to "protect and save lives". Image In one neighbourho