UNICEF Canada NatCom AGM : Niloufar Pourzand

Message from Niloufar Pourzand to XUNICEF members in Canada

Dear XUNICEFers, greetings and hope you are well.

I was invited as a "Volunteer" to attend the UNICEF Canada NatCom today - having attended such meetings a few time now. I believe I was invited in my own capacity but also in some ways - representing our XUNICEF group.

It was really great to hear that they have done so well and broken all their records by fundraising to $88.5 million for UNICEF worldwide. It was $55.3 million last year. They have received their largest ever Family Foundation donation, substantial funds from Lululemon (for Youth Mental Health), from MasterCard (for Youth in Ethiopia) etc. The two Annual Galas they organize have also raised funds and been successful, in addition to their Monthly Donations.

In addition, they have successfully advocated for the National School Food Programme in Canada and a Youth Advocacy Summit which was held. Over the past decades, UNICEF Canada has successfully advocated for many good programmes for children in Canada, besides its international and fundraising work. That has been also due to the commitment and efforts of Lisa Wolff - one of their longterm staff - who has just retired - and is known as one of Canada's foremost child rights experts.

The Chair of the Board presented, as well as UNICEF Canada's CEO, Sevaun Palvetzian, who recently received an Order of Canada Medal as well.

Farida Deif, the former Canada Director for Human Rights Watch has joined them as Chief of Programme recently. They have a strong/good team.

The CEO referred to the history of the NatCom. Soon will be 70 years. After the US NatCom which was the first - the Canadian was the second to be established after UNICEF began its work (supported initially by the US as its first donor and Canada as its second). The CEO also referred to the seismic Geo-Political changes affecting children and the damage felt as a result of reduction in funds from the US and others. The support to children in Gaza and Ukraine was mentioned, of course, as well as support to Vaccination Campaigns, projects for Youth Empowerment etc.

UNICEF ranked 1/50 Organizations in terms of financial transparency, they said. And in Canada, it was recognized once again as an Employer of Choice, in addition to receiving the Imagine Canada Compliance label.

Warm regards, Niloufar