UNICEF Aotearoa’s Post

"You're just a kid." UNICEF illustrates why it's time to STOP dismissing children & youth in shaping the world in this powerful video 📽️ https://lnkd.in/eDKai_4j. Canada must meaningfully include young voices in our global delegations starting with the #SummitOfTheFuture. After all, it's their future we're deciding. #cdnpoli Take action to let #YouthLead 👉 https://bit.ly/ResultsCTA1

"Gaza is the embodiment of hell on earth for its million children", says UNICEF's spokesperson JAMES ELDER.  What he didn’t say is that this is *made possible by the support and wilful blindness of people, especially in America, Germany & UK*.   UNICEF has long relied on celebrity ambassadors to spotlight the plight of children in crisis. Starting with Danny Kaye in the 1950s and followed by Audrey Hepburn, these stars have used their influence to raise awareness about vulnerable children worldwide, often portraying children as symbols of hope, resilience, and a better future. Gaza is different. The reality is that never ending military assaults combined with blocking food, water, and medical aid by Israel have created a dire situation, pushing children to the edge of survival. Even UNICEF, typically optimistic, has adopted a somber tone in the face of such devastation. Listen to UNICEF's James Elder who has courageously stayed in the region, embedded with humanitarian staffers, amidst shelling and bombings to record the harrowing stories of Palestinian children. Their futures are torn apart by a conflict worsened by the military, political and logistical support of countries of the “civilized world”.   UNICEF’s top leadership could make a world of difference. Between 1980 and 1995, James Grant led UNICEF and personally brokered historic humanitarian ceasefires for children in El Salvador, Sudan, Bosnia, Lebanon and other places. In all this, his message was "put children first"--and it enabled him to succeed where so many others had failed. Today, to save Gaza’s children from hell on earth, that message needs to go to Israel’s political and military allies - starting with the US, the no. 1 arms supplier. The good news is that the current executive director, Catherine Russell, is very well positioned to reinforce what James Elder is saying. She could do it directly and via her immediate network. Russell served as the director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office when Joe Biden assumed office and she is married to the former National Security Advisor under President Obama, who is currently the Chairman of Blackrock. But is she using that leadership position and speaking out forcefully and unequivocally for Gaza’s children? Are UNICEF staff and supporters calling for the leadership that's needed?   The same is true for the citizens of the US, UK, Germany, but also of other political allies of Israel including Australia, Austria, Canada, France, India, the Netherlands. Call out your governments and don't be a bystander to the horrible and endless suffering of Palestinian children.   Write to your ministers, elected representatives and the media. Speak up on social media & in your private conversations. Please see our website (links in comments) on how to do this in a responsible and knowledgeable manner.   https://lnkd.in/dNM9pRWX

To achieve the #GlobalGoals we must protect children's rights and invest in their futures. Together, we have the power – and the obligation – to shape a better world for all. This is what UNICEF is calling for from decision-makers at #UNGA. https://uni.cf/3Xv0zEQ

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👶 Happy World Children’s Day! 👧 Today, we celebrate the incredible joy, potential, and dreams of children everywhere! 🌍✨ World Children’s Day is a perfect reminder of why we must invest in our youngest generation and ensure they have the best opportunities to grow, learn, and thrive. 📚💪 Did you know? ➡️ Over 2.2 billion children around the world are under the age of 18, representing a significant part of our global population! 🌍 ➡️ UNICEF works in 190 countries to support children and their rights, focusing on areas like education, health, and child protection. 🌟 ➡️ Since 1990, global child mortality rates have decreased by more than 50% thanks to improved healthcare and education. 📉 At ZeroPact, we do our contribution by promoting carbon projects that unequivocally are not involved in child labor, and ultimately ensure their rights and well-being 💚 #WorldChildrensDay #UNICEF #ChildrensRights #FutureLeaders #MakeADifference