Development of children requires global partnership: Renuka
Chowdhury
By Pratima Tigga
New Delhi, Aug 21 : Minister of State for Women and Child Development Renuka
Chowdhury said here today that India's children might soon be making a global impact if
they are developed to their full potential.
Chowdhury was speaking at the launch of Government of India and United Nations
International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) India Country Programme Action Plan
2008-2012.
" Women and children below 18 years of age constitute 71 per cent of India's population
and by 2015, we might become the host country for the most productive citizens in the
world, said Chowdhury, and added, "For that, the complete development of our children is
essential".
Chowdhury added, "Partnership with the UNICEF and other such international
organisations thus becomes desirable".
Besides Chowdhury, UNICEF Representative Karin Hulshof, UN Resident Coordinator, Dr.
Maxine Olson and Secretary, Women and Child Development Anil Kumar were present during the
occasion.
Chowdhury and Karin Hulshof jointly launched the Government of India - UNICEF Programme
of Cooperation, 2008-2012.
During the launch, Hulshof talked about the relevance of UNICEF in India, its strategy
and its special partnership with India.
While specifying the relevance of UNICEF in India, Hulshof said, "Basic needs like,
reducing child mortality and morbidity, tackling severe malnutrition, promoting safe and
clean environment, reducing gender disparities in classrooms and educating the youth on
HIV/AIDS, still has to be met."
"Our mandate from the United Nations General Assembly is to advocate for the protection
of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to
reach their full potential," said Hulshof.
"In the course of the five-years partnership, UNICEF will make a substantial financial
contribution of around 700 million dollars to India," Hulshof added.
The joint initiative is designed to help India achieve its national development goals
as well as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) while ensuring that no child is left
behind as India moves forward.
The states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and
Chattisgarh are the focus of intensive programming, innovation, and social mobilisation to
accelerate progress in child survival and development.
Besides, focused interventions in Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala would be supported with advocacy and policy
development.
--ANI
