Publications

This Annual Review provides a brief outline of the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre's ongoing workin the areas of promoting advocacy and policy dialogue to support the implementation of international standards and the development of child friendly policies and in monitoring the impact of economic and social policies on children's rights. Efforts were focused on analyzing, documenting and disseminating information related to the implementation of international standards for all children, monitoring the impact of economic and social policies on children's rights, advocating the development of child-friendly policies and practices, and enhancing partnerships both within and outside the organization.

Since its creation in 1988, the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre (IRC) has made major contributions to socio-economic research highlighting the impact of economic policy on children and to improved understanding of children's rights. IRC contributes cutting-edge research to influence policy-making in favour of the world's poorest and most marginalized children and their famililes; informs policy formulation within UNICEF, strengthens the role of UNICEF as an advocate for children's rights; and supports programme development and capacity-building.

The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child guides every aspect of the work of the Centre and of UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) as a whole. The Centre has been the research engine for UNICEF’s shift to a rights-based approach over the last decade, measuring the reality for children against the standards required by the Convention. In 2000, as in previous years, the Centre worked in partnership with UNICEF offices and National Committees, with Governments, non-governmental organizations, universities, researchers and others to share expertise, ideas and experience. And, as always, it maintained its intellectual independence to focus on cutting-edge, action-oriented research.

Since its establishment in 1988, the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre has been a catalyst for the development of UNICEF’s leadership role for children in many key areas. Work carried out at the Centre in Florence, drawing on the resources and experience of a large network of experts and UNICEF field offices, has helped to shape the human rights agenda for children. It has also contributed to the intellectual foundation of UNICEF’s advocacy for shifts in economic and social policies in favour of the poorest children and families worldwide.