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UNICEF is the UN organization mandated to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged, and is the only organization specifically named in the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a source of expert assistance and advice.

"UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children."

Thanks to a presence in nearly every country in the world, UNICEF is able to reach places others cannot, and thus is uniquely positioned to make a difference in the lives of children.

We have more than 70 years' experience working for children and translating the principles of child rights into real results for children around the world.

Our working relationship with States Parties, our global credibility, and our considerable technical and financial support to States and civil society, place UNICEF in a privileged position to advance children's rights by strengthening the monitoring and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

By promoting the ratification and supporting the implementation of the Convention and its Optional Protocols, UNICEF helps strengthen laws and policies and improves understanding of the Convention at all levels of society, including:

Supporting governments to implement the Convention through laws and policies, including providing institutional and professional capacity development.

Participating in different stages of the monitoring process. For example, UNICEF country offices assist governments in organizing major consultations prior to drafting their reports.

Supporting the Committee on the Rights of the Child. For example, by participating in the Committee's review of submitted reports.

Working with governments to identify implementation strategies in response to the Committee's recommendations.

Helping to ensure that voices that too often go unheard are reflected in the information presented to the Committee. For example, by facilitating wide-reaching consultations at all levels of society, submitting written reports on the situation of women and children, and encouraging non-governmental organizations to submit their own reports to the Committee as a supplement to government reports.

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UNICEF's role in promoting and supporting the Convention on the Rights of the Child

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UNICEF is the UN organization mandated to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged, and is the only organization specifically named in the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a source of expert assistance and advice.

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Bringing people together to end poverty for good.

We give children in poverty the tools they need to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities. With the support of our donors and sponsors, children and youth gain the skills and confidence they need to create promising futures free from poverty.

Safe havens for support

Children in poverty often lack access to spaces like playgrounds or recreation centers. They're also more likely to be exposed to the dangers of violence, gangs and drugs at an early age. Your support allows them to take refuge in one of our 67+ community centers: safe, clean and uplifting spaces where children can learn and grow away from outside stressors.

Good that grows

When you sponsor a child, you change their future, helping them see beyond the daily struggles of poverty. Your support gives children the chance to create a better future not just for themselves, but for their families and communities too. Sponsorship starts a powerful multiplier effect that improves lives, communities and economies around the world.

Customized programs

Your sponsorship encompasses health, social and educational programs and resources, designed to address the specific issues each child faces in their community. This proven, long-term approach helps children and youth tackle challenges that might otherwise hold them back for a lifetime-empowering them to become healthy, educated and productive young adults.

1 million+ children helped

80+ years of service

67 community centers

10 countries

Will you change a child's life today?

When you sponsor a child, your monthly gift of $36 provides access to life-changing benefits, including medical and dental care, educational support, life-skills training and job-placement assistance after graduation from our program. As a sponsor, you'll see your impact firsthand through letters and photos from your child.
SPONSOR A CHILD

Community centers: A long-term investment in vulnerable areas

Our community centers show residents that we are there to help - and to stay. And, while sponsorship contributions provide children with access to dynamic services and programs available at our centers, we cover the costs of community center construction and operational support through separate fundraising campaigns.
LEARN MORE

Contact us

We love hearing from you, and there are lots of ways you can get in touch. If you have questions, please reach out to our Care Team.

Toll-free in the U.S.: 800-888-3089
In Kansas City or outside the U.S.: 816-942-2000
Email: children@children.org
Hours: Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. (CT)

Some commonly asked questions:

Where can I sponsor a child?

How much of my $36 monthly gift actually goes to my sponsored child?

How long will my sponsorship last?

What if I need to make a change to my sponsorship?

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Learn More About Children International | Humanitarian Charity Organization | Secular Non-Profit | Child Sponsorship in Africa, India, South America, & USA

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We give children in poverty the tools they need to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities. With the support of our donors and sponsors, children and youth gain the skills and confidence they need to create promising futures free from poverty.

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Global trade - The World Trade Organization (WTO) deals with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that global trade flows smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.

Global trade - The World Trade Organization (WTO) deals with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that global trade flows smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.

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Global trade - The World Trade Organization (WTO) deals with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.

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By an Order dated 15 December 2023 in the advisory proceedings on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change, the President of the Court extended to 22 March 2024 and 24 June 2024, respectively, the time-limits for the submission of written statements and written comments.

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By an Order dated 15 December 2023 in the advisory proceedings on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change, the President of the Court extended to 22 March 2024 and 24 June 2024, respectively, the time-limits for the submission of written statements and written comments.

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The United Nations agency working to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.

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There are currently 30 members

Sort alphabetically or

Albania (2009)

Belgium (1949)

Bulgaria (2004)

Canada (1949)

Croatia (2009)

Czechia (1999)

Denmark (1949)

Estonia (2004)

France (1949)

Germany (1955)

Greece (1952)

Hungary (1999)

Iceland (1949)

Italy (1949)

Latvia (2004)

Lithuania (2004)

Luxembourg (1949)

Montenegro (2017)

Netherlands (1949)

North Macedonia (2020)

Norway (1949)

Poland (1999)

Portugal (1949)

Romania (2004)

Slovakia (2004)

Slovenia (2004)

Spain (1982)

Türkiye (1952)

The United Kingdom (1949)

The United States (1949)

NATO enlargement

NATO membership is open to "any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area."

NATO also has what it calls the Membership Action Plan. It helps aspiring members prepare for membership and meet key requirements by providing practical advice and targeted assistance.

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2.1 A political and military Alliance

Security in our daily lives is key to our well-being. NATO's purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.

POLITICAL - NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict.

MILITARY - NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis-management operations. These are carried out under the collective defence clause of NATO's founding treaty - Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or under a United Nations mandate, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international organisations.

2.2 Collective defence

NATO is committed to the principle that an attack against one or several of its members is considered as an attack against all. This is the principle of collective defence, which is enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.

So far, Article 5 has been invoked once - in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001.

2.3 The Transatlantic link

NATO is an alliance of countries from Europe and North America. It provides a unique link between these two continents, enabling them to consult and cooperate in the field of defence and security, and conduct multinational crisis-management operations together.

2.4 The 2022 strategic concept

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3.1 Decisions and consultations

Every day, member countries consult and take decisions on security issues at all levels and in a variety of fields.

A "NATO decision" is the expression of the collective will of all 30 member countries since all decisions are taken by consensus.

Hundreds of officials, as well as civilian and military experts, come to NATO Headquarters each day to exchange information, share ideas and help prepare decisions when needed, in cooperation with national delegations and the staff at NATO Headquarters.

3.2 Operations and missions

Kosovo

Securing the Mediterranean

Supporting the African Union

NATO takes an active role in a broad range of crisis-management operations and missions, including civil emergency operations.

NATO's crisis-management operations are carried out under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or under a United Nations mandate.

3.3 Partnerships

40 non-member countries work with NATO on a wide range of political and security-related issues. These countries pursue dialogue and practical cooperation with the Alliance and many contribute to NATO-led operations and missions. NATO is also cooperating with a wide network of international organisations.

Partner countries do not have the same decision-making authority as member countries.

Learn more
about NATO's partnerships

3.4 Developing the means to respond to threats

NATO has always innovated and adapted itself to ensure its policies, capabilities and structures meet current and future threats, including the collective defence of its members.

NATO develops partnerships with former adversaries after the break-up of
the Soviet Union

Large-scale terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C.

NATO invokes Article 5 for the first time ever and adopts a broader approach to security

Go to NATO Declassified

Member countries

International Military Staff

Integrated Military Command Structure

View organigram

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There are currently 30 members Sort alphabetically or Albania (2009) Belgium (1949) Bulgaria (2004) Canada (1949) Croatia (2009) Czechia (1999) Denmark (1949) Estonia (2004) France (1949) Germany (1955) Greece (1952) Hungary (1999) Iceland (1949) Italy (1949) Latvia (2004) Lithuania (2004) Luxembourg (1949) Montenegro (2017) Netherlands (1949) North Macedonia (2020) Norway

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Helping To Strengthen Resiliency - Canadian Red Cross

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Learn about the Canadian Red Cross Society including who we are, where we work, what we do, volunteering and donating.