UN Organisations Working for Child Rights

UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

UNESCO 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 PARIS 07 SP, France, Tel: 33 145 6810 00, Fax: 33 145 6716 90, webmaster@unesco.org, Web: http://www.unesco.org

7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 PARIS 07 SP, France, Tel: 33 145 6810 00, Fax: 33 145 6716 90,
Email: webmaster@unesco.org, URL: http://www.unesco.org

UNESCO, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established on 16th of November 1945. It has its headquarters in Paris, France and field offices and units in different parts of the world. It currently has 189 Member States.

The main objective of UNESCO is to contribute to peace and security in the world by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science, culture and communication in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations.

Overview
» The post of Director-General is currently filled by KOICHIRO MATSUURA, who was elected in 1999 for a six-year term.
» 2,145 international civil servants, professionals and general staff, are members of the Secretariat. Nearly 645 work outside Headquarters in one of 55 UNESCO field offices and units around the world.
» 190 of these countries have set up a National Commission constituted of representatives of national educational, scientific and cultural communities.
» 343 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) maintain "official" relations with UNESCO. and many others co-operate on an occasional basis with the Sectors.
» 7,120 Associated Schools help young people form attitudes of tolerance and international understanding.
» 6,000 UNESCO Clubs, Association and Centres promote the Organization's ideals and action at grassroots level.
» 173 Member States have established permanent delegations to the Organization in Paris.

UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Case Postale 2500, CH-1211 Genève 2 Dépôt, Suisse, Tel: +41 22 739 8111, Web: http://www.unhcr.ch

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Case Postale 2500, CH-1211 Genève 2 Dépôt, Suisse, Tel: +41 22 739 8111, URL: http://www.unhcr.ch

The responsibility for refugees within the UN system lies with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which is mandated to co-ordinate the world body's response to refugees and their problems.

Within the UN, the agency fulfils its mandate through frequent co-operation with specialised agencies, including The World Food Programme, The UN Children's Fund, and The World Health Organisation. UNHCR also works closely with The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UN Development Programme, which includes the UN Volunteers, the UN Development Fund and the International Labour Organisation.

UNHCR delivers emergency and long-term rehabilitation assistance to nearly 20 million refugees and displaced persons in more than 120 countries. The agency's work around the world falls under these main sectors: Shelter & Domestic Needs, Health Care & Nutrition, Income Generation, Water Supply & Sanitation, Legal Assistance & Protection and Beneficiaries of UNHCR Programmes.

House 3, United Nations Plaza, New York, New York 10017, U.S.A.
Email: info@unicef.org URL: http://www.unicef.org

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.

UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress.

UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a "first call for children" and to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children and their families.

UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children - victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation and those with disabilities.

UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with United Nations partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique facilities for rapid response available to its partners to relieve the suffering of children and those who provide their care.

UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority.

UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social, and economic development of their communities.

UNICEF works with all its partners towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals adopted by the world community and the realization of the vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.