On April 16th, a remarkable, and probably the first-of-its-kind meeting took place at UNICEF New York. Sixteen (no coincidence with the date) neuroscientists discussed and debated the influence of early experience on brain development and function. These scientists, who represent the super specialized fields of neuroscience, biology,… Read more →←
Topic: Experts speak
“Reform” is a word often heard in global governance debates. And it’s hardly surprising, as negotiations stall along issues as far ranging as climate change to trade rules, it’s almost universally recognized that we need to do things differently. Through UNICEF’s Conversations with Thought Leaders, we had an opportunity to… Read more →←
Children are not only at the heart of social accountability, but social accountability is also in the hearts of children. Children can be active participants, or perhaps better, players in the social accountability game, rather than just passive spectators and beneficiaries. But for this to work, certain ‘ingredients’ are important… Read more →←
In the first years of life neurons in our brains form new connections at the astounding rate of 700-1000 per second – a pace that is not repeated again. We have one chance to get it right. Yet there is so much that can threaten this process – all around the world young children are growing up in contexts of poverty, conflict,… Read more →←
Nearly anywhere you turn on the news lately, you will see headlines about inequality. However, perhaps inevitably, these issues are oversimplified in the headlines. The rich vs. poor, the 99% vs. the 1%, Wall Street vs. Main Street, etc. etc. If it was only about money—the ability to buy more cars, or more houses or more designer… Read more →←
Children bear the brunt of extreme poverty. This is not hyperbole; it’s statistical fact. The World Bank’s most recent poverty data show us that almost half of all the people living on less than $1.25 day, are 18 or younger. Yet, children under 18 represent only about 31% of the global population. And around 400 million children in… Read more →←
In 2015 the world will move into the “post MDG” era, with a new development agenda. Deliberations and preparations for this are already well underway, and for those of us working for the wellbeing of children, it is crucial that this new agenda can fulfil the rights that children have – faster and more evenly. One of the potential… Read more →←
In 2013, about 53 percent—or $2.1 billion—of UNICEF’s expenditures were invested in Africa to accelerate results for children. Remarkable progress has been made in the past decades: under-five mortality rates have decreased by 45 percent between 1990 and 2012, and primary school enrolment has improved, among other successes. But… Read more →←
Nepal’s developmental success is perhaps one that is not told nor known enough. The country has seen primary school enrollment rates rising with gender parity, while child mortality rates have been declining. In 2010 Nepal received the Millennium Development Goal Award for reducing its maternal mortality ratio. Social accountability… Read more →←