UNICEF Germany Turns 50
June 30, 2003
Whether in Sudan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia or Nepal, the German arm of UNICEF has been bringing relief to millions of children in far-flung corners of the world ever since its inception.
The story began 50 years ago amid the ruins of World War II when the United Nations General Assembly created an aid group in 1946 to explicitly help children in post-war Europe. UNICEF aid workers took up work in the devastated city of Berlin and managed to distribute tons of cod liver oil capsules and milk powder to people in need.
By 1953 the small U.N. agency had provided some 2.5 million German children with antibiotics, clothes and milk.
Once the most pressing postwar problems had been tackled, UNICEF became a permanent part of the U.N. system and on June 30, 1953, the German branch of the international organization was founded with its headquarters in Cologne.
"UNICEF’s invaluable work in postwar Germany has left behind a feeling of gratefulness. That’s why UNICEF Germany was founded relatively early and has a fine tradition, which it’s based on," UNICEF Germany Chairman Reinhard Schlagintweit told Deutsche Welle.
UNICEF Germany in tune with the times
From its focus on postwar Europe, UNICEF turned to building development programs in Asia, Africa and Latin America in the 50s and 60s and today helps children in more than 160 countries worldwide. The emphasis is on providing children with medical care, primary education, access to clean drinking water as well as protecting them from abuse and exploitation.
In line with the growing internationalization of its parent organization’s profile, UNICEF Germany has also expanded to 40 national committees and a team of 8,000 voluntary workers in more than 120 German cities.
The primary aim of the group is to support UNICEF’s activities mainly by raising funds. UNICEF Germany workers organize Christmas bazaars, information events and sell the famous UNICEF greeting cards, created by international artists as well as children. The organization has raised more than €1.1 billion ($1.25 billion) over the last half century.
An important part of spreading the message is roping in celebrities, who can do much to help the cause with their support. Thus as with most UNICEF galas, the fiftieth anniversary celebrations in Berlin will be a star-studded event. German President Johannes Rau, popular television journalist Sabine Christiansen and former James Bond actor Roger Moore will join other celebrities in Berlin on Monday evening.
Schlagintweit says attracting prominent personalities is hardly a difficult task. "The wonderful thing is that UNICEF convinces through its work, so we actually don’t need to do much to win the support of actors, television personalities and politicians."
A new focus
For the past two decades, UNICEF has also been increasingly vocal on protecting children’s rights and has urged governments to do more to secure them. The declaration of the U.N. Children’s Right Conventions in 1989, that most countries except Somalia and the U.S. have signed on to marked a milestone in the organization's history.
"Everywhere there are problems where children are treated unfairly, minorities are discriminated against, children are isolated or enough is not done for handicapped children. That was a big step," Schlagintweit says.
Child trade in Europe a major concern
The chairman of UNICEF Germany also says that the battle against child exploitation, which includes child soldiers, indentured servants or sex slaves, has increasingly drawn UNICEF’s attention back to Europe and Germany.
Though UNICEF Germany is forbidden to develop aid programs in Germany, because it is a wealthy country, Schlagintweit says that doesn't preclude his organization from being politically active in the country.
"For instance, we are for outlawing landmines in Germany, and we’re also doing the same when it comes to small weapons -- we want a stricter regulation that restricts the export, dealing and production of small weapons. And we are also active in the area of foreign children in Germany, who should not face social discrimination."
But Schlagintweit says one of the biggest problems facing the organization is trading in children, which is not only an international problem, but one that’s particularly acute in Europe. "It’s right in front of our doorsteps – in south eastern Europe up to the German border and even within it. The German government must do everything to ease this child misery."