United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

UNICEF is the only United Nations agency devoted exclusively to the needs of the world’s children. UNICEF was created at the very first session of the United Nations General Assembly, on 11 December 1946 – as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. The early resources of UNICEF were directed to meeting the emergency needs of children in post-war Europe. In 1953, the General Assembly decided that UNICEF should remain as a permanent arm of the UN system. The name was changed to the United Nations Children’s Fund but the well-known UNICEF acronym, was retained.

UNICEF started operating in Johannesburg in December 1992 under a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In February 1995 UNICEF opened its offices in Pretoria.

Purpose

UNICEF reports to the General Assembly through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). UNICEF is mandated to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF actively encourages parties to cooperate with the goals set out in instruments such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (ratified by South Africa in 1995) and the Declaration of the World Summit for Children.

South Africa's Involvement

UNICEF began to support child - related activities in South Africa in 1992. Under the auspices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), it provided support to NGOs that were assisting women and children among the thousands of South Africans returning home after years in exile. Support was also provided to consolidating a process of raising awareness on children’s rights which had been taking place inside and outside of the country in earlier years, and thus contributing to paving the way for ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

On 3 May 1996 UNICEF and the South African Government signed a Basic Co-operation Agreement, which was ratified on 8 March 1999. The Agreement embodies the general terms and conditions under which UNICEF co-operates with the SA Government. Support for and contributions to processes of change and social transformation continued into the 1994-1996. During this period UNICEF’s greatest impact was in the area of information, social analysis and policy development.

Building on the groundwork already laid the 1997 – 2001 Country Programme of Cooperation supports the efforts by South African fulfill the terms of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The challenge is to increase public expenditure and quality and effectiveness of services, particularly for the most disadvantaged.