Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 8 December (BelTA) – To protect rights and interests of children is an unconditional priority in Belarus’ national policy. The statement was made by Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alena Kupchyna during the event held at premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 8 December to mark the 70^th anniversary of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) foundation, BelTA has learned.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said: “Belarus and UNICEF have been together for 70 years already. We take immense pride in the fact. Certainly, this cooperation acquired a special impulse and special content after Belarus gained independence. Belarus was one of the first countries in the world to pass a law on children’s rights. Belarus and UNICEF have attained a very high level of mutual understanding and constructive cooperation. We will continue acting in this manner in the future. Because protecting rights and interests of children is an unconditional priority in the national policy of Belarus.”

The official stressed that a special course on children’s rights has been taught in Belarusian schools for nearly twenty years already. The course had been developed with UNICEF’s assistance.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs remarked that UNICEF’s third country program is being implemented in Belarus. The program’s priorities include children’s rights, youth and innovations, prevention of children diseases and obsessive habits, and the improvement of living standards of particularly vulnerable children. Plans have been made to raise about $8.5 million in UNICEF funding for these purposes by 2020.

“Our country programs on cooperation with UNICEF are implemented in very tight partnership with non-governmental organizations. It is a very important trait of our cooperation,” said the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In turn, UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States David Mcloughlin remarked that Belarus had proven to be a solid and active partner of the United Nations Children’s Fund. He underlined that Belarus had done a huge amount of work to minimize infant mortality rate and children mortality rate. He also drew attention to the efforts exercised to support children without parents.

David Mcloughlin also remarked that no cases of HIV/AIDS transmission from the mother to the child have been registered in Belarus this year. UNICEF’s global initiative Child Friendly City has been supported in many Belarusian towns and cities. Youth and children parliaments and councils are set up as well as special centers to help children and teenagers.

“Belarus has excellent practices in the field of protection of children’s and women’s rights. We believe it is time for Belarus to export its knowledge and spread the word about accomplishments in these fields all over the world,” said David Mcloughlin.

A post stamp was released in anticipation of the 70^th anniversary since the establishment of the United Nations Children’s Fund. A ceremony to cancel that stamp took place at premises of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 8 December. A themed exhibition about UNICEF and Belarus’ participation in UNICEF’s projects also opened.