The NGO Committee on UNICEF was established in 1952. Today it is a world-wide network of over 60 international NGOs working on behalf of children. The purpose of the Committee is to work in consultation with UNICEF to ensure its advocacy programs are dedicated to "the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential."*
Our Work
- We facilitate a two-way exchange of information and experience between UNICEF and NGOs at international and national levels.
- We encourage cooperative efforts among NGOs and between NGOs and UNICEF.
- We encourage member organizations and their national affiliates to document and make known to UNICEF special unmet needs of children.
- We share with UNICEF and within our membership innovative and successful programs and lessons learned by NGOs at local, national and international levels.
- We provide input to UNICEF Executive Board Meetings.
Global Forum
The main office of the NGO Committee is located in New York. Its governing body, the Global Forum, is an elected Board consisting of six international NGO member organizations and seven regional representatives.
The international member organisations of the Global Forum are:
- Baha’i International Community
- International Movement ATD Fourth World
- Soroptomist International
- SOS Kinderdorf International
- Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund
- Zonta International
The NGO Committee on UNICEF is divided into the following 7 geographical regions, with each region having its own regional coordinator:
- South Asia
- East Asia and Pacific
- West and Central Africa
- Eastern and South Africa
- Middle East and North Africa
- Latin America and Caribbean
- CEE/CIS and Baltic States
Working Groups
The NGO Committee on UNICEF has five Working Groups that focus attention on special, often under-serviced areas of concern for children’s rights and well-being. They are:
- Working Group on Children without Parental Care
- Working Group on Disabilities
- Working Group on Education
- Working Group on Girls www.girlsrights.org
- Working Group on Violence Against Children
*UNICEF mission statement