CRC@25 - Celebrating 25 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Knowledge Sharing
and Internal Communication
2015COMPENDIUM
2015

Acknowledgments
This Compendium is produced and edited by the Internal
Communication Section within the Division of Communication,
New York and is a collaborative effort among UNICEF Country
Offices, Regional Offices, the Headquarter Divisions and the
National Committees.

Disclaimer
This publication is not edited to official standards and is intended
exclusively for sharing within UNICEF. Statements do not imply or
constitute official opinions or policy positions of either the United
Nations or UNICEF.
It does not reflect a position by UNICEF on the legal status of any
country or territory or the delimitation of any frontiers.

INTRODUCTION
The far-reaching impact of the Convention
on the Rights of the Child (CRC) cannot be
underestimated. Since its adoption by the UN
General Assembly on 20 November 1989, it
has inspired millions in every region on earth to
promote the concerns of children, and 25 years
later, continues to stand as the ultimate benchmark
against which every nation can measure their
efforts in the advancement of children’s rights
across the globe.
The events and initiatives contained in this report
are meant to serve as a record of the initiatives by
the global UNICEF offices to commemorate the
25th anniversary of the CRC. It is our attempt to
bring together global perspectives, showcase the
efforts of our Headquarters, Regional and Country
Offices, and celebrate our achievements on behalf
of the world’s children over this past quarter
century. It is with great pride that we share with
you this testament to our shared goal – making the
dream of the Convention a reality for every child.

I’m honoured to speak on such a wonderful occasion, the
25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child.
Let me start with a question: What do the beloved author
of children’s books, Dr. Seuss, and the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, have in common?
Answer: They both believe that, as he wrote, “A person’s
a person no matter how small.”
That’s likely the first time that Dr. Seuss has been quoted
in the General Assembly. And almost certainly the last.
But his words are fitting today as we celebrate the
Convention’s 25th anniversary.
Why? Because the health, the soul and the intelligence
of a society are measured by how the human rights of its
youngest its “smallest” citizens are recognized and acted
upon. Everywhere.
That’s why the Convention, the most rapidly and widely
ratified human rights treaty in history, ― was such an
important milestone. It articulated, for the first time, the
principle that regardless of gender, ethnicity, economic
status, religious belief or disability, children all children,
everywhere ― possess innate rights. No less than
adults. Rights to health… education… protection… and
participation.
For all.
But a recognized right is not necessarily an executed
right. Children’s rights are brought to life not simply
through pronouncements… but through policies and
persistent commitment. A society’s strength is secured
not merely through good intentions… but through
strategic investments. And positive change is achieved
not only through powerful words… but through practical
actions. For without action, without results, the rights
enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child
amount to little more than words on a piece of paper.
For the last 25 years, governments, communities, NGOs,
UN agencies, businesses and children themselves
together, we have translated rights into results.
Millions more children are surviving through their fifth
birthdays… receiving vaccinations against preventable
diseases, such as polio… and enjoying improved access
to education, sanitation, water, nutrition and protection
from all manner of abuses.
But for millions of children, life is not better.
Life is not better for some 17,000 children under five who
will die today mostly of causes we can prevent.
Life is not better for the 250 million primary school age
children who cannot read, write or do their numbers,
even though more than half of them have spent at least
four years in school.
Life is not better for around 120 million girls under the
age of 20 or about one in ten who have been subjected
to sexual violence at some point in their lives. Think of it
one in every ten.
And life is not better for the nearly 570 million children
living in extreme poverty, deprived of their needs, their
dignity, their rights.
Remarks by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake
On the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Convention on the Rights of the Child
United Nations General Assembly
NewYork, NY
November 20, 2014

On this day of celebration, we must also ask ourselves
some hard questions. How could we let this happen?
How could we achieve progress for some, yet continue
to fail so many? How could we so betray the promise
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child betray the
children most denied the rights it enshrines?
Part of the answer is this. Too often, we measure
progress through national statistical averages. But
averages are exactly that averages. Averages don’t
capture every life. Averages don’t see the children
being left behind. The girl kept at home instead of
being allowed to go to school. The boy languishing in
an institution just because he lives with a disability. The
children recruited and brutalized by militias made to fight
for causes they can barely understand, seeing the worst
of humanity, forced to inflict it on others.
And in today’s turbulent times, the threat to children
increases. The children, made to flee far from their
homes, making the difficult, dangerous, heartbreaking
journey to a refugee camp. The children not only caught
in the cross-fire of brutal, protracted conflicts, but seeing
their schools deliberately, outrageously used and targeted
for military purposes. The children watching friends and
relatives and heroic aid workers ― fall to the scourge of
Ebola, wondering who will be next.
Little wonder that the Secretary General reflected
recently that it seems”... as if the world is falling apart.”
But while the humanitarian community may now be
losing ground to these escalating emergencies, we are
not losing heart.
Because the difference between reaching say, 80 percent
of all we need to do and 90 percent of our humanitarian
goals is not just a statistical 10 percent. That 10 percent
represents tens or hundreds of thousands of lives. More
children being fed, protected, immunized and educated.
An inch more solid ground from which a stronger root of
development can take hold.
The ground we do gain each child’s rights we protect…
each child’s life we do save or improve is a success that
must still be recognized, even celebrated. These small
but significant individual “wins” must be our primary
concern.
Because meeting the needs of a child is never a small
thing. It is, in fact, everything to that child and to her
family, her community, her country.
And ultimately, to all of us. Because when we invest in
children’s health, nutrition, education, participation and
protection, we invest in all our futures. In the teachers,
doctors, innovators and environmentalists of tomorrow.
In the next generation of parents and leaders, who will
guide future generations.
In doing so, we’re not only preparing their bodies and
minds we’re building their hearts and spirits.
It’s our job… our responsibility… our obligation under the
Convention on the Rights of the Child
to show every child the best of humanity.
Co-operation, not conflict. Humanity, not hatred.
Reconciliation, not revenge.
Children who grow up seeing these qualities around
them will be more likely to replicate them in their own
lives. More likely to extend them to their own children
and their fellow citizens. More able ― and more willing to
shape the world we leave them.
And that’s the central message and meaning of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child: the importance
of preparing today’s children to become tomorrow’s
adults… tomorrow’s leaders. And to do so by extending
the Convention’s promise to those millions of children
being left behind.
As we imagine a better future, let’s imagine the moment
in 2039 when today’s children celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the Convention. They’ll celebrate not only
promises made but promises kept. They’ll celebrate
results. Results reflected in the lives of their own
children children who also are prepared to meet their
responsibility to build a better world.

Headquarters
and Other Offices
CEE/CIS
EAPRO

ESARO

LACRO

MENA

ROSA

WCARO
NATIONAL COMMITTEES
• Azerbaijan
• Bosnia and
Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Georgia
• Angola
• Burundi
• Comores
• Ethiopia
• Kenya
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Congo
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Argentina
• Belize
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Algeria
• Djibouti
• New York
• Copenhagen
• Japan • Florence
• Cambodia
• China
• DPRK
• Malaysia
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Kosovo
• Macedonia
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• Romania
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mozambique
• Rwanda
• Somalia
• Gabon
• Ghana
• Guinea Bissau
• Mauritania
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Senegal
• The Gambia
• Togo
• India
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Suriname
• Austria
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Finland
• Germany
• Greece
• Egypt
• Morocco
• Pacific Islands
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Solomon Islands
- Vanuatu
- Kiribati
• Tajikistan
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Ukraine
• Uzbekistan
• South Africa
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• Zambia
• RO in South Asia
• Sri Lanka
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Jamaica
• Nicaragua
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Yemen
• Papua New Guinea
• Thailand
• Timor Leste
Content
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• The Netherlands
• Poland
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Swedish
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom

ESAROCEE-CIS EAPRO LACRO MENAHEADQUARTERS ROSA WCARO NATIONAL COMMITTEES
EVENT DESCRIPTION
High-level meeting of the General Assembly on the CRC@25,
20 November 2014: The morning opening session of the GA was held
at the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations building in New
York City. The high-level meeting featured statements from high-level
UN officials, including the President of the General Assembly, UNICEF
Executive Director Anthony Lake, the Special Representatives of the
Secretary-General on Violence Against Children and on Children and
Armed Conflict, OHCHR, the Chair of the Committee on the Rights
of the Child, the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography, and Ms. Teyise Dlamini, 15,
a youth
advocate
from
Swaziland.
Activate
Talks:
Following
the opening
session of
the GA, the
interactive
panel
discussion,
took stock
of the progress
that has been
achieved for
children since
1989, identified the
main challenges
in realizing the rights of all children, and considered new perspectives
as the international community looks ahead to the next 25 years of
the CRC. The interactive session was co-chaired by H.M. Queen Silvia
of Sweden, and Ms. Laura Vargas Carrillo, from Mexico’s National
System for Integral Family Development. Panelists included a child
representative from Lebanon, a youth representative from Bolivia, a
private sector representative from Uganda, a civil society representative
from India and a moderator from the Middle East.
New York HEADQUARTERS
The State of the World Children 2015: The official launch of The State
of the World’s Children report 2015, Reimagine the future: Innovation
for every child, brought together representatives of Member States,
civil society, the private sector and the media. The event included a
panel discussion on how innovation can accelerate progress for the most
disadvantaged children and advance the rights of every child.
#IMAGINE Events at UN General Assembly Hall and New Year’s Eve:
20 November 2014 - #IMAGINE is a UNICEF global public engagement
campaign, which was launched on 20 November 2014 in the UN
General Assembly Hall. UN-GA participants included UNICEF’s Executive
Director Anthony Lake, Yoko Ono, Hugh Jackman, UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassadors Angelique Kidjo, Daniela Mercury, Trey Lee and many
other influencers and celebrities. Children also had a prominent role
including: a boy and girl from Russia and the USA respectively; children
with learning disabilities; and, a children’s choir from the Professional
Performing Arts School (PPAS). International media interviews were
conducted after the launch event and UNICEF global, regional, and
National Committee social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter,
Google+ and LinkedIn,
featured #IMAGINE
activities at the UN-GA,
which were also live-
streamed by the UN. A
two-minute video of the
launch event was also
produced and shared on
UNICEF’s global social
media platforms which
have a social media
reach of +8 million,
including key media,
influencers and celebrities
who each have extensive
social media amplification
outreach.
31 December 2014 -
OVERVIEW
When the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted in 1989,
its message rang loud and clear: no longer could any nation dismiss the
needs of children with impunity or crush their hopes without condemnation.
The repercussions were immediate and continue to this day.
For 25 years, UNICEF has diligently stood as sentinel over the ideals
purveyed in the CRC. Our indefatigable efforts have made us the leading
advocate in the promotion of children’s rights across the globe. This is a
mission that all staff take on willingly, a privilege we hold close to our hearts,
and with the Convention as our guide, we will not stop fighting until the
future of every child, everywhere, has been permanently secured.
In New York Headquarters we celebrated not only the 25th anniversary of the
CRC, but our organizational dedication to the goals it presents.
#IMAGINE A BETTER FUTURE FOR CHILDREN
© UNICEF/Ben Hider/NYSE
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Yoka Brandt and Barron Segar, U.S. Fund for UNICEF Senior
Vice President of Development rings the Closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on
December 31, 2014 in New York City.
© UNICEF/NYHQ2014-3085/Markisz
UNICEF Division of Communication Director Paloma
Escudero announces the launch of ‘State of the World’s
Children – Reimagine the future: Innovation for every
child’, at the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting
on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, at UNHQ.
© UNICEF/NYHQ2014-3086/Berkwitz
Participants sing at the musical event held
at United Nations Headquarters. The UNICEF logo
is visible on the screen behind them.
1

#IMAGINE New Year’s Eve events included UNICEF’s ringing of
the closing bell of 2014 at the New York Stock Exchange, with the
participation of UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Yoka Brandt and the
US Fund. The event was broadcast live on CNBC-TV and the ringing of
the bell was followed by the singing of Imagine by the PPAS children’s
choir on the trading floor, with the #IMAGINE music video broadcast
in the NYSE.
The event was
also covered by
social media and
live-streamed
by the NYSE. In
Rio de Janeiro,
Cape Town and
London, UNICEF
and action/2015
conducted live
performances of
Imagine by children
in public events
which were covered
by mainstream
and social media.
#IMAGINE supporter
and music producer/
DJ, David Guetta, (the
leading artist on Spotify) featured Imagine on his two-hour Spotify New
Year’s Eve play-list just before midnight. These various New Year’s Eve
events helped launch the ‘world version’ of the #IMAGINE music video
which now has +1.5 million views.
INNOVATION
Innovation is a key component of #IMAGINE, and includes the
development of a new, innovative app by TouchCast, a private company
which has previously won Apple’s Best App of the Year Awards.
The #IMAGINE app allows users to record their own version of John
Lennon’s song Imagine, visually and aurally, while singing alongside
John Lennon, Katy Perry, Daniela Mercury, Angelique Kidjo and other
celebrities. The app includes ‘auto-tune’ and allows for the uploading
of the recording through social media platforms such as Twitter and
Facebook. The app is available on both iOS and Android. Some 150,000
app downloads have be registered so far from 60 different countries. The
#IMAGINE has been featured on the Apple App Store’s ‘Best New Apps’
list, and through donated banner ads.
New York, HQ (story continues)
#IMAGINE A BETTER FUTURE FOR CHILDREN
(Centre) 7-year-old Anna Sabbe participates in the
musical event held at United Nations Headquarters.
Partially visible next to her is 4-year-old Alice Tucker.
Behind Anna, (centre) is 13-year-old Kiran Wijesekera.
Partially visible to Kiran’s left is 12-year-old Rami Abu Hashish.
Artist Yoko Ono raises her hand, giving a peace sign,
at the musical event held at United Nations Headquarters.
Actor and producer Hugh Jackman stands behind her.
Swedish singer-songwriter Laleh performs the song ‘Chiquitita’ by the
Swedish pop group ABBA, at the musical event held at United Nations
Headquarters. The United Nations logo is visible on the dais behind her.
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassador Angélique Kidjo performs at the musical event held at
United Nations Headquarters.
2

Supply Division, Copenhagen
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Supply Division hosted an Activate Talk on 20th November 2014. The panel
consisted of: Cansu Akarsu, who works in industrial design, and talked
about the inspiration from developing countries, and importance of end user
engagement that is essential in making life-saving products a reality; Michel
Zaffran, from the World Health Organization, the Coordinator of the Expanded
Programme on Immunization, who spoke about new vaccines, new devices,
and how these will impact the future of immunization programmes; Zachary
Katz, from the Clinton Health Access Initiative, is the Director of Diagnostic
Services, and who focused on innovations that will bring laboratory results and
decisions closer to the patient, and what this would mean in the treatment of
infectious diseases.
Supply Division is a global HQ office and the talk had an international focus, not
specific to Denmark. Supply Division supported UNICEF Denmark’s celebration
of CRC@25 by providing a speaker (SD’s Innovation chief) at its invitation-only
event.
The initial invitees were identified by Supply Division Centre Chiefs and their
teams, the panelists
themselves, and
recommendations
from UNICEF
Denmark. The
invitation was then
expanded to Supply
Division staff, and to
colleagues in other
UN agencies located
in Copenhagen.
The Supply Division
wanted to keep
in line with the
recommendation of
the moderator, to
keep the audience
to a size where the
feeling would be more
like a discussion amongst
peers.
INNOVATION
The selection of the expert panelists encouraged contrasting perspectives on
challenges around innovation, and raised the question of the importance of
transformational change of innovations that have a lasting impact on children’s
lives. Panelists agreed that without impact, good ideas cannot be classified
as innovation. Policy changes, the availability of financial backing and usability
are all factors that determine the impact of a good idea that can become an
innovation.
OVERVIEW
In the hour-long Activate Talk, hosted by the Copenhagen Supply Division on the
occasion of the CRC@25, three international expert panellists gave individual five-
minute presentations, and participated in a moderated discussion on the topic.
The experts came from diverse areas of work: vaccines, diagnostics, and industrial
design. In each of these domains, Innovation has been a common denominator
in making progress in children’s right to health, education, and protection in the
last 25 years. The discussion focused on the future of innovation: the distance we
still need to go, and the challenges that have to be overcome to ensure we reach
more children and save more lives.
“THE FUTURE OF PRODUCT INNOVATION FOR CHILDREN”
UNICEF/Maria Ieroianni/2014
Director of Supply Division, Shanelle Hall, introduces the expert panel presenting as
part of the SD hosted Activate Talk around product innovation.
Industrial designer, Cansu Akarsu, speaks with other panellists and
UNICEF staff about the importance of end user engagement in
making life-saving products a reality, following the Activate Talk
which was hosted by UNICEF Supply Division in
Copenhagen on the 20 November 2014.
Michel Zaffran from the World Health Organization speaks about new vaccines, new
devices, and how these will impact the future of immunization programmes at the
Activate Talk held in Copenhagen and hosted by UNICEF Supply Division on the 20
November 2014.
3

Office of Research, INNOCENTI
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The conference brought together over 300 academics and practitioners
from around the world to discuss more than 150 papers on issues
including, among many others, litigating the rights of the child, children’s
rights and ICT, child migrants, rights systems in Africa and Europe,
and cross-border child surrogacy. Research from the Office on the
Best Interests Principle (Nigel Cantwell) and on Independent Human
Rights Institutions for Children (Vanessa Sedletzki) was presented, and
Andrew Mawson, Chief of Child Protection and the Implementation
of International Standards at the Office, was among experts in a lively
“armchair” plenary discussion on the second day, debating “Children’s
rights in the future: Defining the Agenda.”
Issues highlighted included themes important to UNICEF such as:
addressing inequality and discrimination, poverty, children’s rights in the
digital age, and ensuring that children’s rights permeate the Sustainable
Development Goals.
Participants included founding fathers involved in the drafting of the
Convention. A fascinating “armchair” discussion related aspects of the
negotiations, discussions and relations between different States and
civil society, as articles were formulated and reviewed, the creative input
of multiple official and non-official players (and the extraordinary lack of
discussion around some articles now seen as pillars of the Convention,
such as article 3). But by far the majority of attendees were much
younger, some of them starting careers in academia and NGOs, excited
and inspired by children’s rights.
The substantive and geographical diversity of the papers presented
and debated pointed to the depth, reach and impact of the Convention,
especially in the context of legal regimes and the policy environment
surrounding children in virtually all countries and regions. It is now
virtually impossible to imagine a world without the Convention and
additional regional standards. However, the mood of the conference
was far from complacent. Professor Jaap Doek, former chairperson of
the Committee on the Rights of the Child, spoke passionately about
how child mortality remains unacceptably high, despite progress. It was
recognized, too, that there remain intellectually powerful disciplines and
international policy priorities, such as economics and poverty reduction,
where child rights do not have the profile or recognition that they ought.
Failure to make the case in these circles risks is a threat to sustained
impact of the CRC.
OVERVIEW
The Office of Research – Innocenti participated in Europe’s premier academic conference celebrating the 25th anniversary of the CRC, organized by
Leiden University, the City of Leiden, the Netherlands National Committee for UNICEF, and the Dutch NGO Coalition on Children’s Rights.
4

Japan, OTHER HQ
EVENT DESCRIPTION
UNICEF Tokyo held a 10-day panel exhibition: to show 25 years of the
CRC and UNICEF’s activities, in one of the tallest buildings in the political
district of Tokyo, which was available on a pro bono basis. In addition to
the CRC@25, UNICEF also displayed photos and panels related to other
significant events of 2014, such as: UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Ms.
Tetsuko Kuroyanagi’s 30th anniversary as GWA, and the 50th year since
Japan finished receiving UNICEF’s supports after WWII. UNICEF Tokyo
reached wide audiences through the exhibition, as the venue was a
public space on the lobby floor of
the building, where about 20,000
people visit every weekday.
Additionally, an ad was placed
about the event on digital signage
in nearby buildings, as well as
ad stickers on tables in the food
court.
The information about the
exhibition was also distributed
through the internal mailing list
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
as well as a leading mailing list of
development community. UNICEF
Tokyo received many positive
comments from the audience
about the panels.
On 26 November, UNICEF Tokyo held a
reception with UNICEF GWA, Tetsuko
Kuroyanagi, in the same building.
Parliamentarians from Parliamentary League for UNICEF, people from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, business partners and other stakeholders
came to the event, as well as visited the exhibition on the lobby floor to
commemorate CRC@25.
IMPACT
The exhibition showed key stakeholders and the general public, including
Government officials working in this area, how the world has changed
in 25 years since the adoption of the CRC, and what issues remain for
children, which serves as a solid knowledge base for Tokyo’s on-going
advocacy for the rights of children. Moreover, by having the events with
the GWA, PPD Tokyo was able to reaffirm the strong partnership with
the GWA, who has a powerful voice for our stakeholders, such as PLU
members and MoFA, which will lead to a stronger foundation for our
advocacy activities from 2015 onward.
INNOVATION
Since the exhibition and reception were held at the same building,
two events successfully created synergy where our key partners such
as parliamentarians and officers of MoFA, who participated in the
reception also visited the exhibition on the lobby floor on the way to/
from the reception venue. The exhibition was held in a public space
in a political district, which allowed UNICEF Tokyo to secure wide
audiences, and to make
it easy for bureaucrats
who work nearby the
Ministry buildings to
visit. Moreover, UNICEF
Tokyo arranged media
interviews on the day
of the reception, which
generated one particular
momentum for the 10-day
exhibition and contributed
to the increase of
coverage due to having the
GWA speak about both the
exhibition and the reception.
OVERVIEW
To celebrate the CRC@25 in Japan, the UNICEF Tokyo office held a 10-day
panel exhibition to show 25 years of the CRC and UNICEF’s activities. The
exhibition was held in a political district of metropolitan Tokyo, near the Diet
Building and the Ministry buildings. In partnership with Mitsui Fudosan, the
biggest real estate developer in Japan, panels were displayed in a lobby
floor of the Kasumitaseki Building, one of the tallest buildings in the district,
which was available on a pro bono basis. About 20,000 people visit this
building every weekday, which enabled UNICEF to reach wide audiences.
On 26 November, UNICEF Tokyo held a reception with UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassador, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, on the 35th floor of the same building,
inviting key figures from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, parliamentarians, and
other key partners, such as partners from the business sector and academia.
Speeches were given by the Secretary-General of the Parliamentary League for UNICEF, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the GWA. During the
reception, UNICEF Tokyo showed a video created by UNICEF South Sudan especially for this event. The video was a thank-you message for the People
of Japan and the GWA, because school constructions have started in South Sudan based on the GWA and Government of Japan’s contributions. The
media widely reported on the reception, and interviewed the GWA at the exhibition floor. Participants of the reception also visited the panel exhibition,
which created good synergy between the two events.
@ UNICEF / PPD Tokyo 2014
Secretary-General of Parliamentary League for
UNICEF and GWA Ms. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi raised their glasses at the reception.
Panels to celebrate 25 years of CRC and explain the
progress and issues about rights of children and
UNICEF’s innovation.
Entrance of Kasumigaseki, Building.
The entire lobby floor became a venue
for UNICEF’s panel exhibition to
commemorate CRC@25.
5

were joined by high-level government officials, including representatives
from the Office of the President, the Media, district authorities and civil
society.
The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the
Executive Committee of Gandja, and the International Eurasia Press
Fund with the support of UNICEF, to showcase the results of joint
projects conducted in the framework of the ‘Azerbaijani Youth Advocates
Programme.’ Through this initiative young people were supported by the
local executive committees to address the most salient youth issues in
their districts.
The conference was preceded by a two-day workshop in Baku - an
orientation session on youth participation, volunteerism and mentoring
for international participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Moldova, as well as young
leaders from Baku.
“Freedom for youth to participate in the development processes along
with the enabling environment for them to voluntarily serve society
are direct indicators for the country to be on the way to democratic
prosperity,” said Andro Shilakadze, UNICEF Azerbaijan Representative.
“UNICEF believes Azerbaijan is on the right path and we will continue
to provide necessary assistance, so the forum in Ganja indeed avails an
important opportunity to share and learn from others,” he added.
The Gandja youth conference commemorated a milestone -- 25 years
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and is also part of the
preparation efforts for the “Ganja European Youth Capital 2016.”
The initiatives presented not only the opportunity for celebration, but
also for advocacy and were part of the programmatic interventions on a
variety of issues.
OVERVIEW
The 25th anniversary of the CRC was highlighted during a number of public
events throughout the year, with a variety of special visibility items produced,
and having culminated in a major celebration during a special session in the
Parliament.
6
BAKU, 21 November 2014 – Today, during a special meeting in the Milli Mejlis, UNICEF
together with its partners from the Parliament, Government and civil society celebrated
the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
by the United Nations General Assembly.
©UNICEF Azerbaijan/Mammadov A./2014
The Parliament meeting dedicated to the 25th CRC anniversary.
Azerbaijan Republic, CEE/CIS
CONFERENCE ON THE 25th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRC, REALITIES AND PROSPECTS
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The Parliament meeting dedicated to the 25th CRC anniversary, was
opened by the Vice Chairman of the Parliament Bahar Muradova, and
then followed by the speeches of MPs, UNICEF Representative in
Azerbaijan, Andro Shilakadze, the Chairperson of the State Committee
on Family, Woman and Child Problems, Hijran Huseynova and the
Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Natig Mammadov.
“The Parliament has been doing its best to create the necessary legal
framework for the proper realization of child rights. Many conventions
that define the rights and liberties of children and women have been
ratified. The wellbeing of children is a top priority for the Government of
Azerbaijan, Ms.Muradova said.
UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan, Andro Shilakadze said, “The CRC
anniversary must also serve as an urgent reminder of the unfinished
agenda in the sphere of child rights. The President of the country has
set his vision for the future development of Azerbaijan in the Vision
2020 concept document – and UNICEF’s role is to help the country
to deal with disparities, improve social indicators and create a social
protection system for the most vulnerable.”
“Azerbaijan is gradually turning into a donor country - and our hope is,
that this is going to be not only by providing financial assistance, but
by setting an example. My plea to the Government and the Parliament
is to put equity and children’s rights at the centre of the agenda for all
children, including the most vulnerable,” he added.
Other initiatives celebrating the 25th anniversary of the CRC in the
country included such high-level events as the National Children’s Forum
and International Youth Meeting in Gandja, Azerbaijan.
The third All-republican Forum of Children was held in Baku, November
17th, with the joint organizational support of the State Committee for
Family, Women and Child Issues, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and
UNICEF. Some 350 children, including those with special talent, in need
of special care, and children from other nations, as well as refugees and
IDP families attended the forum.
During the forum, discussions were held, with participation of experts
representing relevant state bodies, on themes such as:
• Let us Love the Homeland and be Worthy of It;
• Equal Rights and Opportunities for Children;
• Application of New Standards in Education;
• Children and Internet Safety;
• Protection of Environment;
• Healthy Lifestyle;
• Efficient Organization and Appreciation of Leisure;
• Roles and Responsibilities of Family and Society in Formation
of Children as a Personality; and
• Let us convey the Truth about Garabagh to the World
Society.
In Gandja young people from eight countries met to exchange
experiences on youth participation in decision making. Young leaders
©UNICEF Azerbaijan/Mammadov A./2014

OVERVIEW
In marking 25 years of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child, UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) facilitated the
gathering of children from all parts of the country and adults
in the Parliamentary Assembly, allowing children to speak out
and be heard by decision makers and the media.
In addition, deans and representatives of four renowned
faculties in Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a Memorandum
of Understanding with the BiH Country Office in the
promotion of children’s rights, protection, development and
social inclusion of children. The initial meeting on Children’s
Rights in Higher Education and Scientific Research in Bosnia
and Herzegovina was held in the UN House in Sarajevo,
with the attendance of deans and professors of the Sarajevo
Law Faculty, the Sarajevo Faculty of Political Science, the
Sarajevo Faculty of Criminology and Security Studies and the
Banja Luka Faculty of Philosophy, as well as representatives
of UNICEF, non-governmental organisations and institutions
engaged in the promotion and protection of children’s rights,
as well as the students themselves.
7
© UNICEF Bosnia and Herzegovina/2014
Initial meeting on Children’s Rights in Higher Education
and Scientific Research, held at the UN House in Sarajevo.
that the school teaches us life skills for the 21st century, rather than the
sheep population of Finland.”
• “Why did you allow to be perceived as the bad guys by children
and everyone else? Why are children not on your priority list? Do not
allow that children of this country be worse off than their peers in other
countries, and why don’t you include us more in the decision making
process? Let us participate in the making of decisions affecting us!”
The group that presented problems in the healthcare sector staged a play
to show the obstacles with which children are faced. The play depicted
a scene in which a girl goes to the health center, where a nurse informs
her that her health insurance is invalid and sends her home.
The group’s message was: “we want free healthcare for children,
healthcare for everyone, child-friendly healthcare!”
Other groups reminded adults that they too had once been children and
highlighted the problems that currently most affect them in the country:
• “When you make decisions, remember how you also wanted
something when you were a child, and no one listened. Remember
how it felt. We want the Children’s Parliament to be able to inform you
of children’s needs and desires, so you will not be able to claim you did
not know something. If some of us grow up to be politicians, we will
remember what you have been doing.”
• “The flooding is over, but the effects remain. Politicians have done
almost nothing. As the water withdrew, so did the political pledges. The
laws are here, we as citizens abide by them. Why don’t the lawmakers
abide by them too?”
Bosnia and Herzegovina, CEE/CIS
CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT & COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITIES
EVENT DESCRIPTION
As a part of activities to mark 25 years of the Convention on the Rights
of the Child, UNICEF BiH strove to improve the understanding of
children’s rights and the social context enabling the observation of these
rights. In that context, UNICEF BiH organized the gathering of children
from all parts of the country and adults in the Parliamentary Assembly,
allowing the children to speak out and be heard by decision makers.
During the gathering with representatives from the political parties
in power, the children spoke about their opinions, presented and
commented on the results of the opinion poll conducted by UNICEF in
August and September of 2014. The findings of the opinion poll were
sent as an an open letter to all political parties whose representatives
were invited to take part in the discussion.
“Regardless of their age, the children are entitled to express their
opinions, desires and demands, and it is the obligation of us, the adults,
to listen to them. We are here today to hear your voice, to discuss the
results of the UNICEF led opinion poll “Take Us Seriously – Children’s
Voices to Politicians, Parties and Authorities,” together and to listen to
your new ideas and opinions. I hope that the parliamentarians will take
you seriously and work in your best interest,” said Ayman Abu Laban,
UNICEF Representative in BiH.
Children discussed the topics that are concerning them in several
groups. For example, the first group spoke about peer violence. This
group, as well as others, focused more on possible solutions, rather
than on the problem itself.
Among the comments and proposals made by youth were the following:
• “We want more pedagogists, psychologists and other professionals
in schools… We want smaller classes – this will enable us to show our
talents and knowledge more easily, education of teachers so that they
could cope better with the contemporary challenges and the issue of
peer violence… We want you to think about changing the curricula, so

8
COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITIES
Through years-long experience in cooperation with researchers and
university institutions, UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina strives to
systemically determine the directions of strategic cooperation with
universities in order to promote education and research in the field
of children’s rights and welfare of children. The initial meeting on
Children’s Rights in Higher Education and Scientific Research was the
first step in presenting some of the research, as well as the modalities
of cooperation in education of students and professionals on children’s
rights, in the context of different social sciences and humanities.
Some of the modalities of cooperation include as follows:
• Promotion of knowledge and understanding of children’s rights in
accordance with realistic possibilities of interested partner academic
institutions;
• Education of university staff on various aspects of children’s rights,
as well as the presentation of research results commissioned or
produced by UNICEF;
• Exchange of lecturers among partner institutions of higher education
in order to exchange knowledge about different aspects of children’s
rights;
• Joint planning and implementation of research projects;
• Competitions for students, the results of which can be awarded,
promoted or used;
• Opportunities for volunteering or internships for students in activities
supported by UNICEF;
• Joint development of projects and applications for funds to support
research in this area;
• Participation in workshops organised by UNICEF, and dealing with
various aspects of children’s rights;
• Other forms of mutually beneficial cooperation.
The goal of the initial meeting was to identify specific opportunities for
cooperation, and interested stakeholders who can assume responsibility
for improving the cooperation between UNICEF and academic
institutions.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, CEE/CIS (story continues)
CHILDREN’S PARLIAMENT & COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITIES
An adolescent girl speaking about her rights at the Children’s Parliament Assembly.
Children attending the Children’s Parliament Assembly.

9
OVERVIEW
In November 2014, the Country Office of UNICEF in Bulgaria organized
a number of events and initiatives dedicated to the 25th anniversary of
the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Combining efforts on a global,
national and local level, in cooperation with our partners: Government, state
institutions, municipalities, NGOs, civil society, business and the media,
allowed us to mark this milestone and make the voice of children be heard.
Among the various initiatives and events were the following: engaging
UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, and the Vice President of the
European Commission, Kristalina Georgieva, to support the global initiative
and write essays on child rights; communicating the State of the World’s
Children flagship report with a wide range of relevant stakeholders,
Government, NGOs, large-scale businesses, start-ups, and the media; launching
the #IMAGINE initiative; production of supporting materials dedicated to CRC;
an official meeting in the National Assembly and an address to the members
of Parliament; a solemn ceremony in the Presidency recognizing 25 prominent
advocates for child rights, including 24 individuals and only one organization -
UNICEF Bulgaria; participation in a conference hosted by the State Agency for Child Protection on the occasion of the CRC Anniversary; opening of a
photo exhibition dedicated to child rights in Bulgaria; engaging child-friendly cities throughout the country to promote child rights and put child wellbeing
high on their agenda; facilitating a training between football players of UK’s Liverpool and vulnerable children from Bulgaria to raise awareness; and a
concert of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Bulgaria – Vladimir Ampov-Grafa to advocate for a future free of violence.
© UNICEF Bulgaria
Ceremony in Bulgaria’s Presidency. 24 child rights advocates and
UNICEF Team in Bulgaria, were awarded for “exceptional contribution
to child rights protection in Bulgaria”. November 20th.
© UNICEF Bulgaria
Ceremony in Bulgaria’s Presidency. 24
child rights advocates and UNICEF Team
in Bulgaria, were awarded for “exceptional
contribution to child rights protection in
Bulgaria”. November 20th.
© UNICEF Bulgaria
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, singer
Vladimir Ampov-Grafa, performing during his
acoustic concert – to advocate for a future
free of violence for every child.
© UNICEF Bulgaria
Representatives of two Bulgarian football
teams holding a banner at the beginning
of a national championship match. The
Banner reads “Every child. Every right.
Everywhere”. November 19th.
© UNICEF Bulgaria
Children of Bulgaria – both girls and boys, children
from different ethnic origin, children with disabilities
– taking part in a training with FC Liverpool coaches.
The purpose was to foster inclusiveness and raise
awareness. November 26th.
Bulgaria, CEE/CIS
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Joining UNICEF’s global initiative after an invitation by UNICEF Bulgaria,
UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, wrote an essay on the Right to
Education, with a special focus on girls. Mrs. Kristalina Georgieva, Vice
President of the European Commission, also wrote an essay – putting an
emphasis on efforts to protect children in conflict zones outside the EU,
and safeguarding children’s wellbeing within the EU. The two articles
were included in a global Compendium of essays (by prominent decision-
makers and opinion-makers on the Rights of the Child), and got the
attention of local media, generating significant impact among civil society
and institutions.
Another global initiative strongly promoted in the country was UNICEF’s
first digital flagship report, State of the World’s Children 2015. A link
to the interactive website and map of world innovations was sent
to approximately 25,000 representatives of businesses, start-ups,
entrepreneurs, young people of creativity and talent, NGOs, media, and
state institutions.
The #IMAGINE Initiative was another opportunity to promote the rights
of the child by involving local celebrities, individuals, and children in the
global movement for envisioning a better world and a more promising
future for every child.
On a national level, on the morning of November 20th, a meeting was
held between the President of the National Assembly, Mrs. Tsetska
Tsacheva, UNICEF Representative to Bulgaria, Tanja Radocaj, the
member of National Children’s Council Hristiana Dineva, and partners
from civil society. Mrs. Tsacheva delivered a solemn speech to the
members of Parliament on the significance of the CRC at the beginning
of the plenary session. All MPs were provided with printed copies of the
CRC and the General Comments of the Committee on the Rights of the
Child.

© UNICEF Bulgaria
A meeting between the President of the National Assembly, Mrs.
Tsetska Tsacheva (right) and UNICEF Representative to Bulgaria, Mrs.
Tanja Radocaj (left), in the Bulgarian Parliament. November 20th.
© UNICEF Bulgaria
UNICEF Bulgaria hosting the annual meeting of the Network of
Child Friendly Cities in Bulgaria aimed at advancing child rights
across the country. Ceremony for the awarding of two
new municipalities. November 7th.
© UNICEF Bulgaria
UNICEF Representative to Bulgaria, Mrs. Tanja Radocaj, addressing the
participants of a high-level conference organized by the State Agency for
Child Protection. November 20th.
UNICEF Bulgaria as an organization, along with 24 other prominent
individuals, child rights advocates (teachers, doctors, social workers,
foster parents) were awarded by the President of Bulgaria with a Sign of
Honor for their “exceptional contribution to the protection of child rights
in Bulgaria.”
UNICEF Representative to Bulgaria, Mrs. Tanja Radocaj, was a leading
speaker on a high-level conference organized by the State Agency for
Child Protection to discuss and give a perspective on the country’s
achievements and challenges over the past 25 years since the
Convention was adopted.
The annual meeting of Child Friendly Cities, supported by UNICEF, was
also used to inspire and promote a wide range of initiatives related to
the CRC Anniversary on the local level. Two more cities were awarded
the recognition of being Child Friendly and joined the network. The CRC
Anniversary was systematically included as a topic in thematic meetings
and conferences on child protection, child participation and ECD
organized by UNICEF in October and November.
To engage children and adults, UNICEF Bulgaria organized a photo
initiative, “Child Rights have a Face and a Story,” inviting participants to
take pictures and share their perspectives on the state of child rights in
Bulgaria. Some 500 photos were submitted, both by children and adults,
professionals and amateurs. The exhibition was displayed in the National
Assembly as well as outdoors in the capital of Sofia and in 17 cities
across the country.
To support the promotion of child rights among children, UNICEF
designed a digital web-based platform containing a child-friendly
version of the CRC and other promotional materials, such as posters,
leaflets, videos, interactive games, etc. In partnership with the Ministry
of Education, additional materials were produced to assist teachers,
educational experts, social workers and other professionals in their work
to advance child rights in Bulgaria.
Two leading football teams of the Bulgarian national championship
joined the celebration and displayed a banner at the center of the
stadium field, reading “Every child. Every right. Everywhere.” To further
enhance the importance of inclusiveness, UNICEF Bulgaria, along with
the British Embassy in Sofia and the FC Liverpool Foundation, organized
an inclusive football demonstration match. Some 40 children, both girls
and boys, children of different ethnic backgrounds, and children with
disabilities, played with FC Liverpool coaches aiming to raise awareness
that every child has the right to reach their full potential.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Vladimir Ampov-Grafa joined the efforts
to promote the CRC by dedicating his biggest concert of 2014 to UNICEF
and the right of children to grow up without violence.
Bulgaria, CEE/CIS (story continues)
10

EVENT DESCRIPTION
During the five days of the
Children’s Rights Festival, more
than 32 films were featured in
inclusive screenings. Special guest
stars arrived from the neighboring
Bosnia and Herzegovina, as One
Minute Juniors and Kratkofil films
produced by children in Bosnia
and Herzegovina were featured
during the opening of the Festival
in the City of Split. The festival
was promoted through a campaign
called, “Let’s be children’s rights
heroes” that was broadcast on
National TV and radio stations.
Every year the festival narrows its
focus on one theme, and this year it
was End Violence. Throughout the
year, workshops on violence against
children were held with teachers and mentors of the children’s film
making groups, issues around violence were discussed and scripts for
films were developed. Four short films produced by children about peer
violence were featured during the Opening Ceremony in Zagreb, adding
a children’s voice to the global campaign raising awareness on the need
to protect children from violence and abuse.
OVERVIEW
To mark the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UNICEF Croatia
Country Office, in partnership with Ombudsperson for Children, the National Film Association,
and the national chain of Cinestar Cinemas, organised the 5th edition of the Children’s Rights
Festival, between November 17th and 22nd, 2014. More than 6,000 children participated in the
programme, as film makers or cinema visitors in ten cities across Croatia.
The festival offered fully inclusive programmes for children and adults, in which all screenings
contained standardized subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing and video descriptions for blind
persons.
The first Children’s Rights Festival was organised in 2009 to mark the 20th Anniversary of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child. The festival gathered school children, famous actresses from
Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, football and hockey club stars, Croatian film professionals,
NGOs for young persons with disabilities, children’s film making groups, and Croatia CO partners.
Croatia, CEE/CIS
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS FESTIVAL
Thanks to the festival and its promotion of
inclusive audiovisual content production,
many other Film festivals started organizing
inclusive screenings, and the City of Zagreb,
following the festival, has committed to
making its theaters and cinemas inclusive
and accessible to children and adults with
disabilities.
INNOVATION
The Children’s Rights Festival is the first
and the only film festival in Croatia that
is fully inclusive. For the first time, all
screenings and workshops are inclusive. In
four years, the festival has produced video
descriptions and standardized subtitles for
the hard of hearing for more than 120 films:
30 feature films produced by adults and
90 films produced by children and young
persons.
© UNICEF Croatia
Performers from the musical Heart on the Scene,
performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Children’s Rights
Festival in Split. Musical is peformed by a group of young
persons with cerebral palsy. 19 November 2014, Split
© UNICEF Croatia
Peforming crew of the Heart on the stage musical,
performed during the Opening Ceremony of the
Children’s Rights Festival in Split 19 November 2014
© UNICEF Croatia
Sign language interpreter
at the Opening Ceremony
of the Festival in Zagreb,
17 November 2014, Zagreb
© UNICEF Croatia
Performers from the musical Heart on the Scene,
performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Children’s Rights Festival in Split.
Musical is peformed by a group of young persons with cerebral palsy.
19 November 2014, Split
© UNICEF Croatia
Croatian Actors at the Opening Ceremony in Zagreb: Nataša Janjić,
Dejan Aćimović, Ana Maras Harmander
11

OVERVIEW
The 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Georgia aimed to draw the attention of decision-makers and the whole society to
the problems of the most vulnerable children in Georgia.
Within the framework the “Year of the Protection of the Rights of the Child,” the advocacy for the selected legislative initiatives have been underway
throughout the year. Parliamentary committee hearings, public debates and round-tables on important child rights’ issues with participation of civil
society, Public Defender’s Office and academia have been conducted.
The special session of Parliament dedicated to the CRC@25 was organized on November 19th, with children from different regions all across Georgia
participating and presenting their views on the issues that most concern them.
Panel Discussions with writers and literary workers on education were organized, and the essays of Georgian writers on child rights were developed
and released on the web and social media. The stories of 25 year olds, their views about major highlights in their lives, were disseminated through
different social media channels.
Georgia kicked off the UNICEF #IMAGINE campaign at a special event organized at the biggest mall of the capital Tbilisi on November 30th. Famous
Georgian singers, including a UNICEF Ambassador in Georgia, added their voices to ‘imagine a better world for children.’ Georgian journalists also joined
the campaign by dedicating special talk-shows and programmes to the initiative or by singing the song live on their programmes.
On November 9th – 12th, the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra on the world’s greatest soundtracks dedicated concerts to child rights.
In December, a Students’ Film Festival “We imagine - We change” was held. The students prepared advocacy films dedicated to the CRC@25 that will
be distributed through social media. Presentation of the films were organized on the 20th December in Tbilisi.
including their views about major highlights that have occurred in their
lives, which have been disseminated through various social media
channels.
#IMAGINE Campaign: Georgia kicked off the UNICEF #IMAGINE
campaign at a special event organized at the biggest mall of the
capital Tbilisi on the 30th of November. The event included special
entertainment for children, such as a magic show and face painting.
The child-friendly Convention was distributed to event participants, and
a famous Georgian musical group performed the song ‘Imagine’ live,
in which everyone joined along to sing. Georgian journalists also joined
the campaign by dedicating special talk-shows and programmes to this
initiative or by singing the song live on their programmes.
The most popular television company Rustavi 2’s Sunday analytical
programme, P.S, joined the UNICEF #IMAGINE Initiative and
performed the song live on their 9pm programme.
Public Discussions: Ten discussions on various child rights’ issues
were organized by the Frontline Media Club and Liberali magazine,
with support from UNICEF. The discussions aimed at informing
civil society representatives as well as the wider public about the
most acute child rights’ issues, such as children in institutions, pre-
school education, malnutrition, violence against children, children
in the streets, child poverty, social protection system, children with
disabilities, inclusive education, and child mortality.
The Public Defender’s Office’s new strategy on child rights’ monitoring
was presented at the advocacy meeting dedicated to the 25th
Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, organized
by the Office of the Public Defender of Georgia in partnership with
UNICEF on the 10th of December.
Georgia, CEE/CIS
CHILDREN SHOULD BECOME A PRIORITY
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Press Conference to Kick-Off the Campaign – 10th of November: On
the 10th of November, UNICEF Georgia kicked off the campaign to mark
the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The
specific issues relating to the most vulnerable children were highlighted
and the CRC@25 plan was presented at the press-conference.
Parliament Session – 19th of November: The progress achieved in
initiating specific laws developed within the “Year of the Protection
of the Rights of the Child” was reviewed at the special session
on November 19th, organized by the Parliament of Georgia, with
participation from the Government, civil society representatives, and
children. The session was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Musicians for Child Rights: Between November 9th and 12th, three
concerts of the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra on the world’s
greatest soundtracks were dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child. This way Georgian artists joined
the celebrations being conducted worldwide. Messages about child
rights were screened before the start of the concerts. The audience
also received information about the 25th anniversary by the conductor,
Nikoloz Rachveli during his speech at the end of the concert.
Essays on Child Rights: Eight Georgian writers produced essays and
stories on children’s rights that were shared on the popular online
magazine Liberali. The essays were dedicated to the CRC@25, and
have become very popular among readers. On the 5th of December, a
special discussion was organized with participation of writers – writers
for better education.
To mark the momentous anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of
the Child, 25 year olds born the year it was adopted shared their stories,
12

CHILDREN SHOULD BECOME A PRIORITY
Georgia kicked off the #IMAGINE campaign at a special event organized at the biggest mall of
the capital Tbilisi. The Tbilisi mall event included special entertainments for children like magic
tricks and face painting. The child-friendly Convention was distributed to the participants of the
event and the famous local pop group “Mgzarvrebi” performed ‘Imagine’ song live and invited
everybody to join in singing. The 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child in Georgia tried to draw attention of the decision-makers and the whole society to the
problems of the most vulnerable children in Georgia.
UNICEF/Geo-2014/Nino Natroshvili
UNICEF/Geo-2014/Nino Natroshvili
UNICEF/Geo-2014/Nino Natroshvili UNICEF/Geo-2014/Nino Natroshvili UNICEF/Geo-2014/Nino Natroshvili
Georgia, CEE/CIS (story continues)
Student Films: Advocacy films dedicated to the CRC@25 were produced
by journalism school students. The films focused on specific child rights’
issues and were distributed through social media. The final presentation
of the films was held on December 20th at the main cinema hall of
Tbilisi.
13

OVERVIEW
The 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child was
marked jointly with Save the Children in Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) with the
presence of 250 participants including children, keynote speakers from the
Prime Minister’s Office, UN Agencies in Kosovo, Civil Society Organizations,
Mayors of Municipalities, UNICEF partners and many others.
As two of the largest leading organizations of children’s right in Kosovo,
both UNICEF and Save the Children highlighted the progress achieved
for children in Kosovo, while reaffirming its continued relevance and the
importance of prioritizing children’s rights. In addition to the high level event,
three events were organized in a number of municipalities in the North of
Kosovo (UNSCR 1244), in schools and cultural centers with high levels of
children’s participation. These events offered children an avenue to express
themselves, and to remind stakeholders and duty bearers that they are
entitled to enjoy their full rights.
© UNICEF Kosovo
Children attending the CRC@25 high level event,
and enjoying seeing themselves on selfie videos
© UNICEF Kosovo
Little girls unfolding “see my rights through my eyes”
paper glasses – Save the Children Project
© UNICEF Kosovo
Xixëllonjat group receiving a standing ovation
after their child-rights themed performance
© UNICEF Kosovo Mayor of Gjakova municipality presenting at #UNICEFActivate
Kosovo, CEE/CIS
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Creative Self-Expression
Selfie Videos by children: Around 200 girls and boys of different ethnical
backgrounds, including children with disabilities expressed themselves
in an innovative way through 20-30 second selfie videos relating to
their rights. All 130 selfie videos were presented at the various events
marking the CRC@25 with over 250 children, parents, teachers and duty
bearers excited to hear the children’s perspective on their rights.
Performance by children: A group of boys and girls performed a number
of songs in front of the 250 member audience: one celebrating the
role of parents in the well-being of children, and another conveying the
message that they are children and all their rights should be fulfilled.
Child Rights Advocate Award for 2014
In partnership with Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Save the Children, Kosovo Coalition of NGO’s for Child Protection
(KOMF), and The Ombudsperson Institution in Kosovo, the Child Rights
Advocate was awarded to a journalist who consistently raised his voice
and advocated for several areas of child well-being, thus successfully
generating Government action around child-wellbeing. The nominations
for Child Rights Advocate (individuals, Organizations, Coalitions, etc.)
were open to the public through various channels of communication,
including newspapers and social media networks.
#UNICEF Activate Event
The UNICEF Innovations Lab in Kosovo hosted its first #UNICEFActivate
event bringing together youth, decision makers, and others stakeholders
to hear young social innovators’ vision for a Kosovo fit for children and
youth, and how they are moving their communities forward.
14

EVENT DESCRIPTION
18 November - Three views on “Is the world a better place:”
CRC@25 essays were developed by Macedonian nationals - the President
of the country, President of the 62nd session of the UN General
Assembly and Ombudsperson for Children highlighting the need for
the state to provide support to families, put children at the heart of the
development agenda, and renew efforts to reach the most marginalized.
19 November – Advocating for inclusion of children with disabilities:
As part of a collaboration with the office of the President of the country,
UNICEF Macedonia Representative, Bertrand Desmoulins joined the
President Dr. Gjorgi Ivanov, who marked the 20th Anniversary by visiting
a special school for children with disabilities. The visit was part of
advocacy efforts to ensure children with disabilities attend mainstream
schools.
20 November – CRC@25 and beyond – call for more innovation to
advance child rights: Together with the Minister of Education and
Science, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policy, the Ombudsman
for Children, and most importantly children, the office marked the day of
the anniversary by launching three digital platforms: the global #IMAGINE
Initiative, State of the World’s Children report, and the biggest hit for
children was a new interactive online game developed by the Macedonia
CO to engage children themselves in learning and promoting child rights.
“Child Rights have not fallen from Mars,” the game is available in
both Macedonian and Albanian, and puts children in an active role of
helping others “aliens” learn about child rights. After completing the
journey, game players become Child Rights Ambassadors and are given
new activities to carry out in order to promote child rights within their
communities.
27 November - Giving voice to youth and children: The country office
brought together six inspiring change makers at an Activate Talks event
on the topic of Youth and Child Participation. Focusing on inclusion of
children with disabilities, girls in ITC, youth in policy making, and more,
the activists presented their unique ways on how young people are
actively engaging to bring about change in their own lives and their
communities.
OVERVIEW
Throughout November and December the country office hosted a series of activities and events to
bring attention to and advocate for new ways to prevent children missing out on the progress achieved
over the last two and a half decades. Using both global (CRC@25 essays, Imagine Initiative, SOWC
report, Activate Talks) and local platforms (new online game developed by the CO to engage children
themselves in learning and promoting child rights www.detskiprava.mk, a new study on children with
disabilities), the initiatives fostered new dialogue and new commitments to advance the rights of all
children. They triggered a new collaboration with the President of the country, a renewed partnership
with the Ombudspersons Office, leveraged existing corporate partners, and were used to kick off a
new important intersectoral agenda for action on children with disabilities. At the centre of everything
were children themselves - either moderating or engaging at events, sharing their own stories, or
reminding decision makers that their voice counts.
Macedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of), CEE/CIS
RETHINKING NEW WAYS TO ADVANCE THE RIGHTS OF THOSE BEING LEFT BEHIND
© UNICEF Macedonia
Seven year old Jovana make sure the voice
of children with disabilities is heard at the National
Disability Consultation in Skopje
© UNICEF Macedonia
Director of the Health Center Skopje,
UNICEF Deputy Representative and Minister of Education
and Science at the National Consultation on Children with Disabilities.
4 December – New approach and platform for action for inclusion
of children with disabilities: Together with the Ministry of Health,
Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and Ministry of Education and
Science, UNICEF convened a national consultation on children with
disabilities, bringing together high level government officials and
partners, disability person’s organizations, parents and practitioners,
and children themselves. The consultation was a major milestone in
establishing common understanding and commitment to renewed
cross-sectorial efforts to advance the rights of children with disabilities.
The child perspective was emphasized with the participation of children
themselves – who engaged in a parallel session where they discussed
the situation in the school, community and the society. Their conclusions
were presented in a creative way through drawings and songs in the
plenary of the national consultation.
20 November – 31 December #IMAGINE: In addition to reaching out
through social media, an interactive booth travelled to the various
CRC@25 events calling on participants to engage in the #IMAGINE
initiative.
15

EVENT DESCRIPTION
A friendly youth soccer match, organized by UNICEF and the Football
Federation on 1 October 2014, kicked off the campaign celebrating 25
years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Moldova.
The football match brought together 30 players – girls and boys
between the ages of 12 and 14. Three hundred children, mostly from
vulnerable families, residential institutions, children with disabilities, and
children from the Association of Special Olympics, watched the game
and cheered the players on. The main message of the event was that all
children, regardless of their gender, age, ethnicity, health condition, or
social background, have equal rights, and the CRC is the legally binding
document, guaranteeing fundamental human rights for all children.
16
“I could never imagine that soccer is played both by girls and boys. I
thought this was a boy’s game,” said a girl from a rural area who came
to the capital Chisinau to watch the game and was impressed. The
Football Federation appreciated the launching of the CRC@25 campaign
through a sporting event, and granted UNICEF a recognition diploma for
the contribution towards the realization of child rights in the country.
The first President of the Republic of Moldova, President of the
Parliament, First Lady, Deputy Speaker, diplomats, representatives
of civil society, children and parents attended the special ceremony
organized by UNICEF on the 20th of November to celebrate 25 years of
the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
OVERVIEW
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child (CRC), UNICEF in Moldova organized an awareness
raising campaign to celebrate this unprecedented global commitment to
Child Rights, to recognize Moldova’s achievements since the adoption of
the Convention, and to highlight further needs for the full realization of child
rights. The campaign included a series of public events involving children,
parents, decision makers, civil society, opinion leaders, and media in a public
dialogue around child rights.
The campaign kicked off with a friendly soccer game played equally by
boys and girls, promoting the message of equal rights for all children, as
stipulated in the CRC. It continued with the national broadcasting of a
special Public Service Announcement, in which preschool children voiced
their rights to: family, education, name, and play, calling for a happy
childhood. The campaign culminated with a special ceremony organized on
the 20th of November, to celebrate 25 years of progress for children in
Moldova, and honor the Child Rights Champions who made significant
contributions towards promoting and protecting children’s rights.
At the opening of the celebration ceremony attended by high-level guests, public officials, diplomats, children, and parents, UNICEF launched the
#IMAGINE project. The media and social media push throughout the campaign helped raise awareness on the provisions of the CRC, progress achieved
and further efforts needed for the full realization of all children’s rights.
©UNICEF Moldova/2014
A soccer friendly game kicked off the campaign dedicated to the
25th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Moldova.
First Lady of Moldova (centre-left) together with
UNICEF Representative (centre-right) and Child Rights Champions.
Around 300 children from vulnerable families, residential institutions, children with
disabilities, watched the game and cheered the players on
Republic of Moldova, CEE/CIS

“Thank you for joining us today to celebrate this remarkable day in the
history of the World. On this day, 25 years ago, the world came together
to adopt the Convention that changed the way children are viewed and
treated – children are not any more passive objects of charity and care.
They possess a distinct set of rights, which should be realized,” said
Nune Mangasaryan, UNICEF Representative in Moldova.
The event held at the Organ Hall in Chisinau was moderated by
children. At the opening of the celebration ceremony UNICEF Moldova
launched the #IMAGINE project. The ‘Imagine’ song was performed
by children from the
Serghei Rachmaninoff
High School musical
orchestra of Chisinau.
During the ceremony,
eight individuals and
non-governmental
organizations, who
had made major
contributions to the
realization of child
rights in Moldova were
honored.
The NGOs included
were: the Child
Rights Information
and Documentation
Centre; the Institute
of Penal Reforms;
the Youth Media
Centre; the National
Centre for Child Abuse
Prevention; and Key Stone
Human Services Moldova. The
individuals honored were: Losif
Moldovanu, an active promoter
of children’s right to opinion
and participation, and Silvia Zaharia, a Moldovan established in Italy, who
carries out social projects and helps Moldovan children with disabilities.
UNICEF Moldova awarded a special prize to the principal of an inclusive
high school for her efforts to include children with special needs in her
school.
17
Nune Mangasaryan, UNICEF Representative
in Moldova, welcoming the audience at the special
CRC@25 celebration event.
Republic of Moldova, CEE/CIS (story continues)

18
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Convention in the packed
Royal Theatre of the historic capital of Cetinje started with a movie
about the key achievements of the cooperation between UNICEF, the
Government and other partners in Montenegro during the last year.
School parliamentarians, in the role of moderators welcomed everyone
and invited young people to speak first about their view on the situation
of children in Montenegro. School parliamentarian, David Pantovic talked
about the progress made in the last 25 years and the challenges ahead,
while his peer, Iva Vujisic, a disabled girl, focused on the rights and
needs of the most vulnerable children, and in particular on young people
with disabilities in Montenegro. Both of them, but especially Iva was
greeted with thunderous applause from the audience.
UNICEF Representative in Montenegro, Benjamin Perks and the
President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanovic spoke about the situation of
children in the country, promising to continue with their commitment
and work to ensure that all children enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
They received great applause and were quoted in all print and electronic
media after the event.
In the end, students from the ballet school, together with their peers
with disabilities from a special school danced to the UNICEF anthem
made for the UN CRC anniversary. Many were in tears after the
inclusive dance, which was met with intense applause.
After the performance, everyone attended the cocktail party organized
in the theatre hall, where people talked to the President, UNICEF
Montenegro Representative, and young people with and without
disabilities, about child rights issues in the country, congratulating them
on the great event and the results achieved so far.
UNICEF Montenegro published a web story, a video story and a photo
album on its website and social media after the event.
INNOVATION
According to feedback from the audience provided during the cocktail
event, to the UNICEF Representative and staff, this multimedia event
was innovative above all for the meaningful engagement of young
people with and without disabilities as its leaders, who showed their
abilities in different roles – as moderators, spokespersons and dancers.
Additionally, UNICEF events in Montenegro have been recognized as a
good practice
model, not
only for
the active
participation
of young
people, but
also for being
inclusive,
original,
interesting,
dynamic, and
for provoking
positive
emotions.
OVERVIEW
The President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanović, and UNICEF Montenegro
Representative, Benjamin Perks, together with young people, celebrated the
25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child at the Royal
Theatre “Zetski Dom” in the old royal capital of Montenegro, Cetinje.
In line with the UN CRC guiding principles on non-discrimination and
meaningful engagement of children and youth, young people with and
without disabilities actively participated as moderators, spokespersons and
dancers at the event.
More than 200 people, representatives of the international community,
government, civil and private sector, media, school parliaments and parents,
packed the theatre. All print and electronic media reported about the event.
Montenegro, CEE/CIS
© UNICEF Montenegro Iva Vujisic speaking about the situation of marginalized
children in Montenegro today
© UNICEF Montenegro
Students of the Ballet School Vasa Pavic and Resource centre for children and youth
“Podgorica” performed a dance on UNICEF’s anthem made for the UN CRC anniversary.
The piece was choreographed by the ballet pedagogue Viktorija Strugar.
© UNICEF Montenegro
UNICEF Montenegro Representative Benjamin Perks
speaking at the CRC@25 celebration.

19
EVENT DESCRIPTION
On November 20th, UNICEF Romania and the Chamber of Deputies
co-hosted a Child Rights Awareness and Fund Raising Gala. This Gala
was attended by parliamentarians, ministers and deputy-ministers,
young people, the media and the corporate sector, along will all UNICEF
Romania Ambassadors. It was a unique event in Romania that received
wide media coverage and brought together high level decision-makers,
and included the honored participation of Maxim Vengerov, UNICEF
Goodwill Ambassador. The Gala raised about $100,000 for child rights.
On November 21st, Maxim Vengerov visited a UNICEF pilot project on
inclusive education. The visit was covered in the national media and
raised awareness to issues relating to the right to education and equity in
education at the national level.
On December 10th, the Chamber of Deputies, the National Authority for
Children and UNICEF Romania co-hosted a Child Rights Debate with the
participation of key ministries, parliamentarians and civil society.
In addition to reviewing progress in the area of child rights for the past
25 years, the discussion focused on current and future challenges
and priorities, key policy documents that need to be developed or
implemented, and the leveraging of national, local and European
resources for the realisation of child rights.
The Child Rights Debate will generate a specific call for action to develop
integrated social services for vulnerable children and their families
at the community level. In 2013, the call for action to prohibit the
institutionalization of children under 3, led to the successful revision of
the law led by the Chamber of Deputies within a few months. Therefore,
a similar process and results are expected with the new call for action.
OVERVIEW
UNICEF Romania celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Convention on
the Rights of the Child with a series of communication and advocacy
events, which not only created awareness of the CRC anniversary and child
rights, but also strengthened UNICEF Romania’s key partnerships with
the Government, the parliament, civil society, the media and the corporate
sector.
Romania, CEE/CIS
THE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES GALA, AWARENESS RAISING AND FUNDRAISING
@ UNICEF Romania_Radu Sandovici
Radu Badoiu_Maxim Vengherov,
UNICEF GWA performing at UNICEF Chamber of Deputies Gala
Radu Badoiu_Sandie Blanchet,
UNICEF Romania Representative with all 3 National GWAs
GWA Maxim Vengerov with family in Filipestii de Targ Prahova County
UNICEF GWA Maxim Vengerov teaching a boy the violin

20
EVENT DESCRIPTION
UNICEF Tajikistan initiated celebrations of the 25th anniversary of
the CRC a year ago, when it marked its 20th birthday in Tajikistan.
At the celebration “UNICEF@20 in Tajikistan,” UNICEF Tajikistan and
partners reviewed achievements for child rights in Tajikistan since its
Independence, took stock of remaining challenges and discussed new
aspirations for the children of the country. Throughout 2014, child rights
stayed high on the agenda. A series of radio spots, featuring UNICEF
staff and partners aired throughout the second half of the year, drawing
attention to all aspects of the Convention.
On 20 November 2014, UNICEF and partners marked the anniversary of
the Convention
with the local
launch of
the State of
the World’s
Children (SOWC)
report and the
introduction of a
local innovation
– the Mother
and Child Health
booklet. The
highlight of that
day was the
performance of an
inclusive children’s
choir, singing and
signing as part of
the #IMAGINE project. UNICEF Tajikistan continued its celebrations of
the CRC@25 well into December, when a jointly organised gala dinner
was the space to launch the EU/UNICEF Child Rights Toolkit, advocate
for child rights, and mobilise funds for the Associations of Parents of
Children with Disabilities. Tajikistan also had a visit from the ‘Flying High
for Kids’ balloon project, which highlighted child rights messages as
well. Finally, the office co-organised an inclusive winter handicrafts fair.
Singing and Signing #IMAGINE: The highlight of the CRC@25
celebration in Tajikistan was the performance of the famous John
Lennon song ‘Imagine’ by an inclusive children’s choir. The choir
brought together children with and without hearing impairments
to perform the song. The initial idea was that children with hearing
impairments would sign the song and children without hearing
impairments would sing. But in the course of rehearsals, all children
took an interest in sign language and began to initiate new ways to
communicate. The final performance saw all children signing and
participating fully in the song. The children sang the song partly in
darkness, signing with white gloves lit up by black light. The resulting
mixture of sights, sounds, and emotions made an unforgettable
impression on all who attended.
Innovating for Mother and Child Health: The 25th anniversary of the
CRC also saw the launch of a new Mother and Child Health booklet
for Tajikistan, which from now on will be made available to all pregnant
women as they visit ante-natal care centres. The booklet contains
critical information for parents and caregivers, and can be used to
store critical health-related information for the child, such as growth
monitoring data and immunisations received. While not an innovation
on a global scale, this initiative is new for Tajikistan and great care was
taken to ensure that the booklet and its contents were adapted to local
needs, priorities and culture.
OVERVIEW
UNICEF Tajikistan marked the 25th anniversary of the CRC in various ways:
• A series of radio talks on all aspects of the Convention, aired from 1 June
(Child Protection Day, which is marked in the region) until 20 November 2014.
• A celebratory gathering with Government and Non-Governmental partners on
the 20th of November, to launch the State of the World’s Children report, the local
innovation of the Mother and Child Health booklet and the #IMAGINE project,
with a performance of an inclusive children’s choir.
• The ‘Flying High for Kids’ balloon project, which attracted wide attention
to child rights with the inflation of a hot air balloon in the capital Dushanbe
on UNICEF’s birthday, December 11th, and in Qurghonteppa, a city located
100 km south west of the capital on December 16th.
• A gala dinner jointly organized with the European Union (EU) and others to launch the Child Rights Toolkit, mobilise funding for the Associations of
Parents of Children with Disabilities and to draw attention to child rights, also on December 11th.
• An inclusive winter handicraft fair, co-organised with a host of organisations and drawing attention to child rights issues, with a special focus on the
rights of children with disabilities.
Tajikistan, CEE/CIS
CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS AND SETTING ASPIRATIONS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR CHILDREN
UNICEF/Tajikistan/Khamza Abdurakimov/2014
The members of the inclusive children’s choir
after the performance at the CRC@25 Event in Tajikistan.
UNICEF/Tajikistan/Khamza Abdurakimov/2014
UNICEF Tajikistan team and members
of the Inclusive Child Choir #IMAGINE inspired
with the CRC@25 Event in Tajikistan.

EVENT DESCRIPTION
International Conference on Children’s Rights in the Digital Future -
16-17 October 2014: UNICEF CEE/CIS Regional Office and UNICEF
Turkey Country Office organized an international conference entitled
“Institutionalization of Child Rights in the Digital Future,” in collaboration
with 14 Turkish universities in Istanbul on October 16-17, 2014. The
conference was organized as part of the celebrations for the 25th
anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
The aim was to present the progress achieved so far in terms of
the rights of children and young people, and to highlight both new
and overdue challenges that children and their families have been
experiencing in the digital age. The conference also witnessed the
launching of a new UNICEF report on Children’s Rights in the Digital Age
by Paloma Escudero, Director of the Division of Communication.
21
OVERVIEW
UNICEF Turkey put CRC@25 at the center of its public events and communications in the closing months of 2014, targeting and mobilizing the support
of a wide range of stakeholders, including government, civil society, the private sector, the media, young people and children themselves. These
activities will continue during 2015 as Turkey signed the convention in 1990. Already, UNICEF Turkey has succeeded in reaching millions of media
users and making them aware of the twenty-fifth anniversary, together with the State of the World’s Children 2015 report, and the importance of child
participation. These activities are expected to increase UNICEF’s visibility in Turkey, to raise the knowledge level of its existing followers, to underline
the child rights agenda, promote respect for child rights and increase the effectiveness of UNICEF advocacy and fund-raising efforts.
Turkey, CEE/CIS
MY RIGHTS, MY CONVENTION, OUR PROMISE!
The Istanbul Conference looked at both the opportunities and
the challenges which children and young people encounter in
communication and digital platforms. Among the items on the agenda
were children’s rights and the media, online security and privacy risks,
relevant skills and new media literacy. Issues like open source journalism
and other opportunities for participation were also addressed. Attention
was drawn to unequal access to information technologies, the problems
faced by girls, disadvantaged, and vulnerable populations, such as
children with disabilities, children from ethnic minorities, and children
from poor and rural families, in accessing and making effective use of
the Internet.
The conference underlined the importance of developing interactive
training content to ensure that children and young people benefit from
online systems, while being actively protected against online risks. The
conference also found that the transparency of all actors involved in
policy-making must be ensured, and that a life-long learning policy for
securing the inclusion of all citizens in the new social eco-system must
be produced. Participants pointed to a need for more macro and micro-
scale interdisciplinary field studies that adopt a comparative approach to
the disparities among generations, genders and regions in Turkey, and
in other countries. They underlined that the roles of different cultural
and political structures in the techno-policies to be developed must be
determined in accordance with the CRC, universal human rights, and
other international conventions.
XV. Children’s Forum - 18-20 November 2014: Children from Soma,
the scene of a major mining disaster in May 2014, and Syrian refugee
children living in Turkey participated in Turkey’s 15th Children’s Forum in
Ankara, between November 18-20, 2014, alongside a boy and a girl from
the child rights committees active in each of Turkey’s 81 provinces. The
forum, an annual event, was organized with UNICEF’s support by the
Ministry of Family and Social Policies and the Grand National Assembly
of Turkey (TGNA – the national parliament).
© UNICEF/Turkey/2014/Ergen
Paloma Escudero, Director of the Division of Communication
launching the UNICEF global report entitled Children’s Rights in a Digital Age.
© UNICEF/Turkey/2014/Ergen
Participants of The International Conference on Institutionalization of Child Rights in the Digital Future on children, youth, and digital media which was co-hosted by UNICEF and 12 Turkish universities.

This year’s
theme,
appropriately,
was the Rights
and Roles of
Children in
Emergencies.
There
was much
discussion of the
increasing number
of Syrian children
living in Turkey,
as well as of the impact of events like the Soma disaster on children’s
rights. In the outcome document of the Forum, presented at the TGNA,
children emphasized that the biggest contribution to advocacy on
children’s rights can only be made by children themselves, and that their
contribution and participation should be sought in emergency situations.
The 200 participants of the Forum also came together to sing
“Imagine,” and in part contribute to the global goal of reaching 1
million voices within the first hour of the campaign. Two prominent
figures, however, missed the event: the two National Coordinators of
the Provincial Child Rights Committees were in New York to represent
the Committees at the global November 20th event in the UN General
Assembly.
My Rights, My Convention, Our Promise! - 3 December 2014:
Children themselves were the guests of honour at a party held in Ankara
as part of the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Convention
on the Rights of the Child. Balloons, lollipops, karaoke and a cookiing
class were among the attractions at the event, which was organized
jointly by the UNICEF Turkey Country Office and the Turkish National
Committee for UNICEF. Also present were UNICEF staff, goodwill
ambassadors, and colleagues from other UN agencies and partners
from the public sector and civil society. About 200 children and adults
sang #IMAGINE together, and two young people the same age as the
Convention, shared their life-time experiences of child rights in Turkey.
Before leaving, guests were invited to write down their promises for
children and hang them on the “promise tree.” UNICEF Turkey also
renewed its commitment to children by making a promise to bring the
children and young people in the room together again in 2039, to mark
the Convention’s 50th anniversary and celebrate the promises kept.
Turkey, CEE/CIS (story continues)
MY RIGHTS, MY CONVENTION, OUR PROMISE!
22
© UNICEF/Turkey/2014/Yurtsever
Children are singing IMAGINE song
during the CRC@25 Reception.

EVENT DESCRIPTION
CRC@25 Briefing for Media Representatives: The CRC@25 celebrations
commenced in October with a briefing for media representatives to get
insights into the role of the CRC, in transforming children’s lives. Media
outlets from the capital city and regions of Turkmenistan were exposed
to recent developments on children’s rights and UNICEF Turkmenistan’s
initiatives to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CRC.
Art contest on CRC among school children: School children
celebrated the CRC@25 by participating at the UNICEF-Ministry of
Education announced art contest. Children were asked to reflect their
understanding of the CRC articles through creative drawings. The best
children’s drawings were exhibited at the high-level meeting held on the
25th anniversary of the CRC.
International Conference on Inclusive Education: The Government
and UNICEF Turkmenistan held a conference on November 12th and
13th, in which experts from ten countries, as well as government
officials, public organizations, international development agencies and
media participated. The conference, organized in the framework of the
CRC@25, intended to discuss and share good practices in inclusive
education: appropriate legal framework, suitable policies, practices,
and financing. UNICEF Turkmenistan encouraged the Government,
and governments in the region to work towards “schools for all,”
which include everyone, celebrate differences, support learning, and
respond to individual needs. The Ministry of Education talked about the
development of a Child Friendly Schools Certification package that will
include a comprehensive set of standards, indicators, and tools for the
school-based assessments, and how inclusive child friendly standards
will be extended into pre-school education, which will offer children with
disabilities a vital space for optimal development at early ages.
Introductory Workshop on ICF-CY: The CRC’s 25th anniversary presented
a good opportunity to advocate for social inclusion of children with
disabilities. Transition from a currently practiced medical model to a
social, and rights based model of defining disability, was a major topic
of discussion for Turkmen childcare professionals at the workshop held
on November 14th. The workshop, led by UNICEF international experts
on disability issues, aimed at introducing participants to the International
Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth
(ICF-CY), as an international standard to describe and measure health
and disability. If Turkmenistan adopts the ICF-CY, it will further promote
and facilitate the rights of children to health, education, and protection,
through a classification system sensitive to the physical, social, and
psychological characteristics unique to children and youth.
High Level Meeting on CRC@25: The meeting on November 20th,
hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with support of UNICEF,
highlighted the progress since the country ratified the CRC. It also called
attention to the unfinished business in advancing the child rights agenda.
The meeting reaffirmed the relevance of the CRC, and pointed the way
forward in realizing rights for the most excluded children in the context
of the post-2015 development agenda. High level government officials,
including deputy ministers, national partners, UN and other development
agencies, civil society, the media, diplomatic missions, and children
OVERVIEW
The CRC’s 25th anniversary coincided with the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s adoption of
this Convention. These two anniversaries created an opportune moment for Turkmenistan to
highlight the importance of the CRC and progress of implementation of the Convention in the
country. UNICEF supported the Government of Turkmenistan in celebrating the anniversary by
carrying out a series of initiatives targeted at various stakeholders from the government, civil
society, children, academia and the media
Turkmenistan, CEE/CIS
CELEBRATING CHILD RIGHTS AND REINFORCING COMMITTMENTS
themselves attended the meeting. UNICEF Turkmenistan launched
the 2015 State of the World’s Children Report, “Reimagine the Future:
Innovation for every child,” at the meeting. The report reflects on new
ideas and creative solutions for solving key challenges to fully realize the
rights of the children.
Born on the CRC Day Initiative: “Born on the CRC Day” was one of
the most emotional initiatives touching hearts, and acknowledging the
basic right of the child to life and survival. The Ministry of Health and
the Medical Industry, jointly with UNICEF Turkmenistan, extended a
congratulatory letter to all children born on 20 November 2014. Around
550 babies, girls and boys, born in rural and urban areas of Turkmenistan
symbolically marked the first day of their lives with recognition of
their rights to survival, growth, development and protection. UNICEF
Turkmenistan Representative, Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov with her team,
visited the Perinatal Centre in Ashgabat. The UNICEF team extended
a hearty welcome to a mother and her baby girl, mentioning that the
well-being of children is guaranteed by the CRC. The mother expressed
her thanks to the personnel of the Centre, who ensured the safe and
healthy arrival of her daughter to the world.
Adoption of the Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health
Strategy: On the eve of the CRC’s 25th anniversary, the Government
of Turkmenistan adopted the National Maternal, Newborn, Child and
Adolescent Health (MNCAH) Strategy and Action Plan for 2015-2019,
developed with technical support from UNICEF, UNFPA, and WHO. The
Strategy and Action Plan will contribute to strengthening Turkmenistan’s
health system and its ability to effectively deliver mother and child
health care services with an equity focus. The strategy proposes long-
term goals in maternal and newborn health, nutrition, communicable
diseases, and pediatric services, which include integrated management
of childhood illnesses, chronic diseases, and disabilities. It also aims to
reduce injuries and violence, improve physical environment, promote
healthy life styles among adolescents, and ensure optimal early
childhood and psychosocial development.
CRC@25 Public Lecture for Academia: Students and professors from
Turkmenistan’s universities joined hands with UNICEF in celebrating
the 25th anniversary of the CRC. Through presentations, interactive
discussions, a quiz, and a video demonstration, students and faculty
learned about the guiding principles of the Convention and gained
deeper understanding of child rights issues worldwide, and in
Turkmenistan. The event, hosted by the International University for
the Humanities and Development, gathered around 500 students
and professors from the host University, the Institute of International
Relations (under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and Turkmen State
University. Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov, UNICEF Representative in
Turkmenistan, encouraged students to become young advocates for
child rights in Turkmenistan. The event culminated with students sharing
twenty-five global achievements reached in ensuring child rights since
CRC’s adoption.
23
UNICEF Turkmenistan/2014.
UNICEF Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov (in the middle) addresses participants of
the high-level meeting on CRC@25 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the right side - Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Vepa Hajiyev.

CRC@25 - Celebrating 25 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

CRC@25 - Celebrating 25 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

CRC@25 - Celebrating 25 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Recomendados

Más contenido relacionado

Was ist angesagt?

Was ist angesagt?(20)

Destacado

Destacado(7)

Similar a CRC@25 - Celebrating 25 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Similar a CRC@25 - Celebrating 25 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child(20)

Más de UNICEF Europe & Central Asia

Más de UNICEF Europe & Central Asia(20)

Último

Último(20)

CRC@25 - Celebrating 25 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child