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"You hear some strong policymakers telling us our children are our future. They are not your future. You are the past; they are the present and they are their own future.”

A pediatrician by training, Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid has always been dedicated to rescuing children from suffering. Now United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, she works tirelessly to protect young people around the world. “What I learned in my life, it's the eyes. […] When you are speaking with children, when you have light in their eyes, it's still possible. When the light switches off, it’s too late.”

Half of the world’s children are exposed to violence every year, often leaving devastating, lasting impacts on their mental health. In this episode, Najat Maalla M'jid reflects on the importance of rapid intervention in cases of violence against children and the extraordinary courage and resilience of youth.

Photo credit: ©World Organization of the Scout Movement

's presents Jonathan's Miracle Feet through The Health for All Film Festival which is an initiative to connect people joining the movement for health promotion through films. 

Observed on 12 June, World Day Against Child Labour serves as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour. For this year’s observance, the (ILO) seeks to reinvigorate international action to achieve social justice and the elimination of child labour. ILO also calls for the universal ratification of the . Towards this end, a high-level event takes place today. Follow the live event on and take action to #EndChildLabour!

Nearly two weeks after Cyclone Mocha, a grim certainty looms as the coastal areas of and enters monsoon season. The cyclone has sent food prices soaring and wiped-out people’s slender food stocks. But now Mocha’s devastation has only deepened hunger already sharpened by the country’s conflict and political and economic crises. has distributed hot meals and emergency food assistance to thousands of people in the immediate aftermath of the storm. A funding shortfall is threatening WFP's response in both countries.

A red alert for children’s health: Routine immunization coverage dropped sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest edition of  report launched today explores the causes and the steps we must take to make sure that no child is left behind. As the flagship publication of the , the report was first published in 1980, focusing each year on a key issue affecting children. These have ranged from children with disabilities, conflict and war, child labour, urbanization, and early childhood development. 

The number of children without access to social protection is increasing year-on-year, leaving them at risk of poverty, hunger and discrimination, according to a new by the  and .

One year into the Ukraine war, an estimated 1.5 million children are at risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental conditions. Not many are lucky as Kateryna who left Kyiv with her children at the beginning of the war. Once again, children are paying the price of a war not of their own making. has been working with national and local authorities, as well as civil society organizations in Ukraine and neighboring countries to deliver emergency assistance, access to education, health and mental health support, and life-saving information to children and their families.

Leaders across the globe will come together at the  to ensure every child, everywhere, is offered a quality education.

Globally, 40 per cent of the population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand. A multilingual education starts based on the mother tongue and gradually introduces other languages. This approach bridges the gap between home and school for those whose mother tongue is different from the language of instruction. recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion and the SDG focus of leaving no one behind. This year’s observance will explore and debate the potential of multilingualism to transform education.

reports on children’s chances of survival in 2021 - an estimated 5 million children died before their fifth birthday and another 2.1 million children and youth aged 5–24 years lost their lives.

Logic, as the investigation on the principles of reasoning, has been studied by many civilizations throughout history. Since its earliest formulations, logic has played an important role in the development of philosophy and the sciences. aims at fostering international cooperation, promoting the development of logic, in both research and teaching, supporting the activities of associations, universities and other institutions involved with logic, and enhancing the understanding of logic and its implications for science, technology and innovation.

“Now as a father with two girls, I just can't imagine the anguish that my mother went through … I wonder how many sleepless nights she had.”

Alfred Orono’s childhood came to an abrupt end when he was recruited as a soldier in Uganda, when he was just 11 years old. Now Chief of Child Protection at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), he draws on his own experience as a child soldier to help young people find a peaceful way forward.

“I work with children who, when I look at them, I know exactly what's going on in their minds. I know how they feel. And I'm part of the solution to their problems.”

Every year, thousands of children are recruited by warring parties around the world. Yet their troubles rarely end after the conflict is over. Having suffered violence, abuse, and exploitation, many struggle to rebuild their lives. In this episode of Awake at Night, Alfred Orono reflects on his own experience, the hope it gives to former child soldiers, and on living life without regrets.

New UNICEF shows the extent to which racism and discrimination impact children’s education, health, and access to a fair and equal justice system.

From climate change, education and mental health, to ending racism and discrimination, children and young people are raising their voices on the issues that matter to their generation and calling for adults to create a better future. This World Children’s Day (20 November), kids are standing up for a more equal, inclusive world. What will you do? on World Children’s Day!

After millennia of living with poliovirus and the suffering the paralysis it causes, today nearly everyone lives in a polio-free country. However, cases of polio have been recently reemerging worldwide, including in Malawi. There are several factors behind those outbreaks, including conflict and displacement, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccine hesitancy. With support from , a nationwide immunization campaign was launched in Malawi in March 2022 and its impact has been profound.  Since the vaccination drive began, about 9 million children in Malawi have received a polio vaccination. Find out more about the campaign .