UNICEF's strategic vision is to create a world where every child, including adolescents, can survive, thrive, and reach their full potential, even in the most challenging environments. This overarching ambition is detailed in its Strategic Plan 2022–2025, which outlines a comprehensive framework for action.
A World Where Every Child Flourishes
UNICEF envisions a global landscape where, across all contexts—including humanitarian crises and fragile settings—every child is afforded the fundamental rights and opportunities necessary for their development. This includes ensuring their physical well-being, access to education, protection from harm, a safe environment, and the ability to have their voice heard.
The core of UNICEF's vision rests on several interconnected pillars, designed to address the multifaceted needs of children and adolescents worldwide.
Core Pillars of UNICEF's Vision
The Strategic Plan articulates five key outcomes that collectively form UNICEF's vision for every child:
1. Survival and Thriving
Every child survives and thrives with access to nutritious diets, quality primary health care, nurturing practices, and essential supplies. This pillar emphasizes the foundational elements for a child's healthy start in life, ensuring they are free from preventable diseases and malnutrition.
- Examples:
- Providing life-saving vaccines and basic health services.
- Promoting breastfeeding and access to fortified foods.
- Ensuring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in communities.
2. Learning and Skill Development
Every child learns and acquires skills for the future, is digitally connected, and engaged in civic life. This focuses on holistic education that goes beyond basic literacy, preparing children for the modern world and active participation in their societies.
- Examples:
- Supporting access to quality early childhood education and primary schooling.
- Implementing digital learning initiatives and providing access to technology.
- Fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and vocational skills.
3. Protection from Harm
Every child is protected from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect. This pillar addresses the crucial need for safe environments where children can grow up free from physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
- Examples:
- Strengthening child protection systems and social services.
- Combating child marriage, child labour, and human trafficking.
- Providing psychosocial support for children affected by trauma.
4. Safe and Sustainable Environment
Every child lives in a safe and sustainable environment. Recognizing the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, this pillar ensures children are protected from environmental hazards and grow up in a healthy planet.
- Examples:
- Advocating for policies that reduce pollution and mitigate climate change.
- Promoting renewable energy and sustainable resource management.
- Ensuring children have access to green spaces and clean air.
5. Voice and Participation
Every child has their voice heard and participates in decision-making. This emphasizes child agency, recognizing children as active participants in matters that affect their lives, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment.
- Examples:
- Establishing platforms for children and adolescents to share their perspectives.
- Involving youth in policy development and community planning.
- Supporting youth leadership and advocacy initiatives.
Addressing All Contexts
A critical aspect of UNICEF's vision is its commitment to reach every child, regardless of their circumstances. This means prioritizing efforts in:
- Humanitarian Crises: Providing immediate relief and long-term support to children affected by conflicts, natural disasters, and other emergencies.
- Fragile Settings: Working in areas with weak governance, instability, and high vulnerability to ensure children's rights are upheld.
By focusing on these vulnerable populations, UNICEF aims to address inequalities and ensure that no child is left behind in the pursuit of its strategic vision.
Strategic Goals and Implementation
To realize this vision, UNICEF employs five integrated Goal Areas in its Strategic Plan:
- Every child survives and thrives.
- Every child learns.
- Every child is protected from violence and exploitation.
- Every child lives in a safe and clean environment.
- Every child has an equitable chance in life.
These goals guide UNICEF's global programming and partnerships, leveraging innovation, data, and advocacy to create lasting change for children. For more details, you can refer to the official UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022–2025.
Summary of UNICEF's Strategic Vision Pillars
| Pillar | Core Objective | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Survival and Thriving | Ensuring basic health and well-being for all children. | Nutritious diets, quality primary health care, nurturing practices, essential supplies. |
| Learning and Skill Development | Equipping children with knowledge and skills for future success and civic engagement. | Quality education, digital literacy, civic participation, future-ready skills. |
| Protection from Harm | Safeguarding children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect. | Child protection systems, combating trafficking, ending child marriage and labor, psychosocial support. |
| Safe and Sustainable Environment | Guaranteeing children live in a healthy and environmentally sound world. | Climate action, environmental protection, access to clean water and sanitation, disaster risk reduction. |
| Voice and Participation | Empowering children to express themselves and influence decisions that affect them. | Child agency, youth engagement, involvement in policy-making, advocacy for children's rights. |
