The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and ratified by the United Kingdom in 1991. The convention ensures all children can live there lives to their full potential.

Copy of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Mission Statement

The mission statement, adopted by the Executive Board in 1996, was intended to guide Unicef ’s work into the 21st century.[1] It is an expression of consensus on the organization’s purpose, the actions the organization undertakes to achieve its purpose, and the principles and values that guide its actions. It captures the essence of Unicef ’s work for all stakeholders associated with the organization, including the Executive Board, staff at all levels, partners, allies and donors. The identity of an institution is expressed through its values, goals, actions, achievements and brand. The mission statement was the foundation for Unicef ’s brand identity, since it describes the organization’s reason for being and what sets it apart from other organizations.  Read more at unicef.org

Principles 

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly 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 is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children’s rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children. UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress.

UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a “first call for children” and to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children and their families.

UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children – victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation and those with disabilities.

UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with United Nations partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique facilities for rapid response available to its partners to relieve the suffering of children and those who provide their care.

UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority.

UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social, and economic development of their communities.

UNICEF works with all its partners towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals adopted by the world community and the realization of the vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Information extracted from UNICEF’s Brand Toolkit

For further information visit:  www.unicef.org