| Dear Mr. Campbell,
Thank you for your letter of concern regarding UNICEF's
attention to the issue of childhood disability. UNICEF's commitment to
this issue is well established and has in fact become stronger in recent
years.
I understand that your concern has been triggered by some proposed changes
in UNICEF's staffing structure. However, I want to assure you that the
proposed internal staffing changes will strengthen rather than weaken
our ability to address child protection, including attention to disability.
Among other changes, UNICEF has within the last year placed a Child Protection
Advisor in each of our seven regional offices. These colleagues provide
senior level guidance and support to all country offices within their
region to assist them in addressing these issues. Here in New York, responsibility
for disability issues has been placed with a Senior Advisor, and thus
at a more senior level than was previously the case. Ms. Alexandra Yuster,
Ayuster@unicef.org, phone number (212) 326 - 7232 is available to interact
with you and other interested individuals and organizations on all matters
pertaining to UNICEF programming in the area of childhood disabilities.
Non-discrimination is one of the guiding principles of the Convention
on the Rights of the Child, which guides us in our work. In addition,
both the Convention and UNICEF's mission statement make specific reference
to children with disabilities. The letter notes that we are committed
to "ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children
- victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and
exploitation and those with disabilities".
UNICEF's work with partners at local, national and global levels encompasses
efforts to prevent disability - through improvements in maternity and
child birth care, increased immunization coverage, and interventions to
protect children from violence and armed conflict. We are also dedicated
to preventing discrimination against those with disabilities, to ensure
all children have access to basic social services, are protected from
violence, abuse and exploitation, and grow up in an environment of acceptance,
understanding and inclusion.
In recent years, we have further strengthened our commitment to the issue
of child protection, an area which incorporates our efforts to prevent
and address deliberate violations of childrenís rights, including
those with disabilities. One way we have done this is by looking at how
we can address the full range of elements which are essential to ensure
protective environment for children, rather than focusing only on service
provision after preventive and protective efforts have failed. This brings
our work to a higher level on the policy agenda, and makes it increasingly
possible for us to emphasize the links between protecting children and
achieving national and international development goals. It also frequently
allows us to address several issues of concern within child protection
with broader, yet more effective and long
lasting interventions.
We value our relationship with your organization, and wish to assure you
that preventing disability and combating discrimination against children
with disabilities remain an important part of UNICEF's work.
Yours sincerely
Carol Bellamy
Executive Director
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