2023 in Review
Available in: English Lettre DG Français Español العربية 中文 русский From conflicts to climate change, this year provided more proof that children increasingly live in a world hostile to their rights. Yet UNICEF continued to deliver for children and young people, with a staff of over 17,000 working across more than 190…, A new year and new hope for children, by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell With the new year fast approaching, I find myself thinking a lot about the concept of hope – both the power of having it and the despair that can consume us when it is gone. Hope can drive us forward in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. It can be all that stops us from giving in to…, Reflections from youth advocates on 2023, A portrait of UNICEF Youth Advocate Yasmina Yasmina, 20, Tajikistan, The year 2023 brought numerous conflicts and crises that resulted in the disruption of education for many children, particularly girls, and it is crucial for world leaders to recognize the impact of these events on the future of these children. As we move into 2024, it is essential for leaders to work towards preventing conflicts and providing…, A portrait of UNICEF Youth Advocate Mariam Khalid Mariam, 19, Yemen, What I ask of those in authority and leaders is to make peace. Enough wars and enough tampering with children’s lives. Leaders should seriously work to make the world safer, which children do not have to leave in fear and see their dreams burning in wars...Leaders must be open and willing to learn and adapt to emerging challenges in a rapidly…, A portrait of UNICEF Youth Advocate Emmanuel Cosmas Msoka Emmanuel, 20, Tanzania, We’ve seen a number of young people engaged this year. But we can still do more in 2024. We need to engage more young people – including children – in our areas of work. International institutions and local governments need to engage more young people and develop platforms for young people to come and share their perspectives...Peace is something…, A portrait of UNICEF Youth Advocate Makhtom Abdalla Makhtom, 20, Sudan, [In 2023] I am very happy that I could convey the voices of children and young people of Sudan during such difficult times at global events like the UN General Assembly...No matter how hard it gets we should not lose faith in ourselves and a peaceful future...World leaders should not forget that we are all humans and therefore we all have equal…
