United Nations Children's Fund
(UNICEF)
Office in South Africa:
United Nations Childrens Fund
UN House, 351 Metro Park Bldg, cnr Schoeman &
Prinsloo Streets, Pretoria
HISTORY
UNICEF is the only United Nations agency devoted
exclusively to the needs of the worlds children.
UNICEF was created at the very first session of
the United Nations General Assembly, on 11 December
1946 as the United Nations International
Childrens Emergency Fund. The early resources
of UNICEF were directed to meeting the emergency
needs of children in post-war Europe. In 1953, the
General Assembly decided that UNICEF should remain
as a permanent arm of the UN system. The name was
changed to the United Nations Childrens Fund
but the well-known UNICEF acronym, was retained.
UNICEF started operating in Johannesburg in December
1992 under a Memorandum of Understanding with the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
In February 1995 UNICEF opened its offices in Pretoria.
Purpose
UNICEF reports to the General Assembly through
the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). UNICEF
is mandated to advocate for the protection of childrens
rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand
their opportunities to reach their full potential.
UNICEF actively encourages parties to cooperate
with the goals set out in instruments such as the
Convention on the Rights of the Child (ratified
by South Africa in 1995) and the Declaration of
the World Summit for Children.
South Africa's Involvement
UNICEF began to support child - related activities
in South Africa in 1992. Under the auspices of the
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), it provided
support to NGOs that were assisting women and children
among the thousands of South Africans returning
home after years in exile. Support was also provided
to consolidating a process of raising awareness
on childrens rights which had been taking
place inside and outside of the country in earlier
years, and thus contributing to paving the way for
ratification of the Convention on the Rights of
the Child.
On 3 May 1996 UNICEF and the South African Government
signed a Basic Co-operation Agreement, which was
ratified on 8 March 1999. The Agreement embodies
the general terms and conditions under which UNICEF
co-operates with the SA Government. Support for
and contributions to processes of change and social
transformation continued into the 1994-1996. During
this period UNICEFs greatest impact was in
the area of information, social analysis and policy
development.
Building on the groundwork already laid the 1997
2001 Country Programme of Cooperation supports
the efforts by South African fulfill the terms of
the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The challenge
is to increase public expenditure and quality and
effectiveness of services, particularly for the
most disadvantaged.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS
Office on the Rights of the Child in the Presidency
Department of Health
Department of Social Development
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
Department of Education
South African National Defence Force
South African Police Service
Department of Labour