Cause of The Month
By Linda J

This Month I have chosen UNICEF to feature for our article and cause. We all know and hear the word and know it relates to humanitarian aid for the children of the world, It was not until I started researching this cause that I realised the full extent of the work done by UNICEF.

Check this page called, "What we Do?"
http://www.unicef.org/whatwedo/index.html

UNICEF is the driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized. We have the global authority to influence decision-makers, and the variety of partners at grassroots level to turn the most innovative ideas into reality. That makes us unique among world organizations, and unique among those working with the young.

We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a childs path. We believe that we can, together, advance the cause of humanity.

We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person's future.

UNICEF was established in 1946 and in 1953 became part of the United Nations Organization, In 1959 United Nations accepted the Declaration of The Rights of the Child and in 1965 UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the promotion of brotherhood between nations.

1981
Breastfeeding Code approved

The World Health Assembly adopts the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes in order to encourage breastfeeding, and in so doing diminish the threats to infant health.

1990
World Summit for Children

An unprecedented summit of Heads of State and Government at the United Nations in New York City sets 10-year goals for children's health, nutrition and education

1996
Children and conflict

Wars effect on children receives serious attention in the Machel Report: The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children, a study supported by UNICEF

2001
Say Yes for Children campaign launched

The Global Movement for Children begins mobilizing every citizen of every nation to change the world with children. The Say Yes for Children campaign builds on this momentum, with millions of children and adults around the world pledging their support for critical actions to improve childrens lives

2002
Special Session on Children

A landmark Special Session of the UN General Assembly was convened to review progress since the World Summit for Children in 1990 and re-energize global commitment to children's rights. It was the first such Session devoted exclusively to children and the first to include them as official delegates.

There are many ways we can be involved with UNICEF and support the Children of the World volunteer, become a Global Parent, support workplace giving, buy your cards and calendars etc. from UNICEF.

I hope this short article has given you some insight into the work done by UNICEF and encourage you to talk among your friends and promote the work of this humanitarian group knowledge is power.

The children of the world are our future and our hope and there is always something you can do no matter how small and it can and will make a difference. Have you made a difference today?

This is something I wrote in January.

Have you?

Have you made a difference today
As you struggled with your life?
Have you eased another's burden
Helped them in their strife?

Did you smile at a stranger
And offer him your hand?
Did you welcome your new neighbour
Who comes from a distant land?

Have you listened with your heart
To the story being told
Or did you seem disinterested,
Distant and so cold?

Did you walk beside a friend
Whose path was rough and steep?
Did you make a promise
That you intend to keep?

Have you made a difference
In a life so filled with pain?
Did you offer your umbrella
To shelter from the rain?

When you look into the mirror
Are you comfortable with the picture there?
Or do you see a stranger
Who has no time to care?

Do you rage at the injustice
And the agony that people bear?
Do you try to make a difference
Do you try to show you care?

When your time on earth is ended
And Heaven calls your name
May the fact you made a difference
Be your claim to fame.

Linda J. Vaughan
January 2006

Copyrighted to Linda J.Vaughan
email Linda for permission to use this poem.
linjoyan@bigpond.net.au