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Children of the World

Girl in India

"To look into some aspects of the future, we do not need projections by supercomputers. Much of the next millennium can be seen in how we care for our children today. Tomorrow's world may be influenced by science and technology, but more than anything, it is already taking shape in the bodies and minds of our children." Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the human rights of children everywhere. The treaty is the most ratified human rights document in the world. And much has been achieved in the area of children’s rights since the Convention was signed in 1989.

Yet in many countries, children's lives remain plagued by armed conflicts, child labor, sexual exploitation and other human rights violations.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is working throughout the developing world to help these children. Together with national partners and other U.N. agencies, the Fund is addressing the problems affecting the realization of children's rights.

In a special series produced in co-operation with UNICEF, reporters from DW-RADIO look at UNICEF’s work in different countries and how it is changing the lives of children.

DW.DE

Germany: Inventive Fundraising

UNICEF projects to help children’s needs are financed in part by donations from the U.S. and Europe. In Germany, volunteers all across the country are promoting UNICEF’s work with imaginative campaigns. 

Indonesia: Battling AIDS

The majority of HIV infections in Indonesia seems to be concentrated in high-risk groups, such as drug users and sex workers. UNICEF has joined other aid organizations to help counter this problem. 

Brazil: Getting Children Back to School

The World Bank estimates that 250 million children worldwide work. But in the poor Brazilian state of Sergipe, government initiatives, in partnership with UNICEF and NGOs, are winning the fight against child labor. 

Azerbaijan: Helping Street Children

In Azerbaijan, poor living standards have forced many children onto the streets. But UNICEF has piloted a project there to protect these children, and encourage them to return to their families and schools. 

Georgia: The Forgotten Children

Georgia’s children living in orphanages and boarding schools are unlikely to see an improvement in their lives any time soon. UNICEF workers are trying to ease the lives of these forgotten children. 

Burundi: Protecting the Vulnerable

Burundi has been in a bitter civil war for over a decade. As so often in conflict, children are the most defenseless part of society. In Burundi, local NGO’s and UNICEF are struggling to protect as many as they can. 

Thailand: Fighting Child Trafficking

East Asia is an area of economic expansion. But along with the growing trade in goods and services comes trade of another kind -- the trafficking of young children. 

South Africa: A Muppet for AIDS Awareness

The rate of HIV infection among teenagers in South Africa has stabilized. This is mainly a result of greater HIV/AIDS awareness and access to condoms. But maybe a furry yellow Muppet named Kami also played a role. 

Sri Lanka: Creating Awareness about Landmines

After two decades of civil war in Sri Lanka, armed forces and the separatist Tamil Tigers signed a ceasefire agreement in February 2002. Yet, landmines laid during the war continue to be a threat. 

India: Freeing the Small Hands of the Silk Industry

Silk production is big business in India. But there’s a dark side to this prosperous trade: child labor. Through UNICEF and a group of NGOs, though, these children are getting out of the factories and into school. 

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