Iran (IMNA) -The collaboration between the Interior Ministry and UNICEF's Representative Office underscores the commitment of both organizations to ensure that children's rights are protected and promoted. By working together, they seek to create cities that are safe, inclusive, and child-friendly, where children can thrive and reach their full potential.
The Child-Friendly Cities National Initiative focuses on various aspects, including education, health, urban planning, and social services. It aims to improve access to quality education and healthcare for children, enhance their safety and protection, and provide opportunities for their active participation in decision-making processes.
Through this renewed partnership, the Interior Ministry and UNICEF's Representative Office will continue to collaborate closely with local authorities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to implement child-friendly policies and programs. They will also support capacity-building efforts to strengthen the skills and knowledge of professionals working in relevant sectors.
The collaboration between the Interior Ministry and UNICEF's Representative Office in Tehran is a significant step towards creating a more child-centered society in Iran. It reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to prioritize the rights and well-being of children, ensuring that they have a voice and are actively involved in shaping the future of their cities.
The implementation of the re-cooperation action project will take place in Isfahan, which is the first candidate city in Iran to be designated as child-friendly. Additionally, several other pilot cities, namely Evez, Bandar Abbas, Tabriz, Tehran, Rasht, Semnan, Shiraz, Kerman, Gorgan, Mashhad, Hameda, and Yazd, will also participate in this initiative. The primary focus of this project is to develop and implement child-centered guidelines for emergency preparedness and rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic at both national and provincial levels.
This new joint endeavor, scheduled to be implemented by the end of 2022, was signed by Rahim Saki, the former director of the Information and International Affairs Center of the Ministry of Interior, and Ms. Mandeep O'Brien, the chief secretary of UNICEF in Iran.
Isfahan was previously chosen as a member of the Supreme Court for Policy-Making of the inaugural symposium on the concept of a child-friendly city. The main objective of the symposium was to enhance the knowledge of local and national policymakers regarding child rights, enabling them to allocate child-friendly budgets and establish monitoring plans for children at the national level. The symposium provided a framework for developing and implementing policies that address the specific needs of children.
In 2018, Isfahan was selected as a pilot city for the UNICEF Child-Friendly City Initiative (CFCI) following a performance evaluation. During this period, the Isfahan Municipality conducted a comprehensive assessment of the situation of children and developed an action plan consisting of ten steps, involving various stakeholders. Consequently, Isfahan was awarded the UNICEF CFCI logo in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and UNICEF.
UNICEF, the world's leading advocate for children, is dedicated to enhancing the well-being and opportunities of children worldwide. With a strong focus on respect and empowerment, UNICEF aims to ensure that children's rights are upheld in global policy-making. One of its key initiatives is the establishment of child-friendly cities, where children's voices are heard and their needs are prioritized. Through these efforts, UNICEF strives to improve the quality of life for children and celebrate their achievements in all areas.
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