Photo: UNICEF
On this year's World Children's Day, we reiterate UNICEF's message as it "calls upon adults and policymakers to reimagine a better post-COVID world for every child." The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences have exacerbated existing inequality gaps and social, economic, and health conditions of countless worldwide. And while we talk of going 'back-to-normal' or phasing into a 'new normal,' it remains a grave concern that for many children living in vulnerable situations ‘normal’ was not good enough.
On this day, UNICEF proposes five measures through which adults and global policymakers can make a difference in building a better future for children. Among them, we especially note the emphasis on education and mental health: the call for quality education for every child to support their skill development and address youth mental health to lay down sturdy foundations for cognitive, socio-emotional learning, and resilience to stress.
Alongside our partners, UNODC continuously supports children and youth's safe and healthy development through the 'Listen First' initiative. The new series: 'Super Skills: The Science of Skills' focuses on social and emotional skill development as a foundation for drug use prevention in children and youth. The materials are available for educators, health professionals, prevention workers, policymakers, and the general public. Are you interested in using these materials to support evidence-based substance use prevention in children and youth? Please reach out to us through our newly developed Online Tool.
Made possible with the generous support of France.
