UNICEF Australia Annual Report 2013 CONTENTS
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UNICEF Australia Annual Report 2013 CONTENTS ABOUT UNICEF 3 CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND PRESIDENT REPORTS 4 LISTENING TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE 5 CHILD RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA 6 CHILD RIGHTS: CRC ARTICLES 8 THERE IN AN EMERGENCY 10 THE BEST START IN LIFE 12 SAFE, HAPPY AND HEALTHY 16 TO LEARN AND DEVELOP 18 SUMMARISED FINANICAL REPORT 20 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT 22 COMMITTED TO BEST PRACTICE 23 OUR PEOPLE 24 OUR BOARD 26 OUR SUPPORTERS 27 Australian Committee for UNICEF Limited Front cover: These young boys were working to support ABN 35 060 581 437 their families but now enjoy an education, nutritious meals PO Box 488 Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230 and health care at a UNICEF-supported school in India. Registered Office: Level 4, 280 Pitt St, © UNICEF/INDA2014-00037/SANDEEP BISWA Sydney, NSW, 2000 Right: In Bangladesh, UNICEF supports children reach their For general enquiries and donations: full potential through education. Phone: 1300 884 233 © UNICEF/BANA2013-01244/SHAFIQUL ALAM KIRON Fax: 1300 780 522 Back cover: These four young women have been elected to Email: [email protected] their school’s health council to help their peers understand www.unicef.org.au the importance of basic hygiene and other life skills. © UNICEF/INDA2013-00380/MANPREET ROMANA UNICEF Australia Annual Report 2013 First Published April 2014 UNICEF Australia is a member of the Australian Council All graphs and data correct as at April 2014 for International Development (ACFID) and compiles with © UNICEF Australia the principles of the ACFID Code of Conduct for Non- Government Development Organisations. ABOUT UNICEF UNICEF’s vision for children is to focus on the most disadvantaged and excluded children, so that they may realise their right to survive and thrive. To advance the rights of every child, UNICEF Australia’s mission is to raise resources for UNICEF’s work and raise awareness of what UNICEF does. UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund. Worldwide, UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything it does. Together with our partners, UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. In Australia, UNICEF works with government and advocate bodies to defend children’s rights and support international development programs. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND PRESIDENT REPORTS UNICEF Australia Chief Executive Norman Gillespie, centre, meets children of a primary school in Sepon, Laos. © UNICEF Australia CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORT I pay tribute to UNICEF Australia’s donors and supporters UNICEF Australia is also a leader in listening to and With this annual report UNICEF reviews a year marked by and to our professional, committed and energetic team, responding to the views of the Australia’s children and the unprecedented situation of two emergencies: ongoing in particular to Michael Gill, who has served for 16 years young people and in 2013 we brought together more conflict in Syria and natural disaster in the Philippines. on our Board - six as President. Michael’s tireless effort in voices than ever before to ensure children understood overseeing the tremendous growth in UNICEF Australia’s their rights and the exercise of those rights. UNICEF These humanitarian emergencies, along with the looming capacity has resulted in greater results for children. Australia gives life to the United Nations Convention on needs of South Sudan and the Central African Republic, I applaud his efforts and the legacy he leaves in this the Rights of the Child, lifting it from those that are mere were examples of UNICEF’s readiness to respond and its coming anniversary year. signatories to the document and putting it squarely into ongoing work to realise children’s rights, no matter how the hands of the children it is intended to protect. difficult or complicated the circumstances. The focus and results of UNICEF Australia are the work In 2014 we move toward a milestone celebration of the of many people including a committed voluntary board awareness and protection of children’s rights, namely the led for the past six years by Michael Gill. Michael’s time 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the as a Director of UNICEF Australia has come to an end Child (CRC), it’s the work we’ve done in Syria and the Norman Gillespie after 16 years of service. surrounding region, the Philippines and in more than 200 UNICEF Australia Chief Executive emergencies over the course of 2013 that reminds us of Over those years, UNICEF Australia’s presence has grown our ability to innovate and respond, for all children. PRESIDENT’S REPORT immensely and we have become recognised for upholding Signing off on the year that was presents an opportunity and advocating children’s rights in Australia, working across The past year has called on us to challenge ourselves, to reflect and look forward to the year, and years, to the aid sector, across government and across the business our partners, and our supporters to find ways to respond come. In the 12 months of this reporting period UNICEF world to achieve our goals for children and young people. and meet the needs of the most disadvantaged and Australia has grown in its capacity to deliver for children, Michael has been a significant contributor to all of UNICEF marginalised children. reaching more deeply into the communities we serve Australia’s growth and development. In Australia, a natural empathy with those affected by to promote children’s rights. On behalf of the UNICEF Australia board, I’d like to disaster inspired a generous response to UNICEF’s work. Rights we often take for granted: the right to live a full thank Michael, my fellow board members, the UNICEF In the wake of typhoon Haiyan, early in November, the life, to survive and be healthy, the right to play, the right Australia team, our supporters and donors and remind speed of online donations accounted for a large portion of to feel safe, to speak freely, the right to an education and all that our connected global view of the world is nothing the response ensuring an efficient and effective response the right to a name and a nationality are but a few of the without connected, committed action. on the ground to save lives and alleviate suffering. rights outlined in the Convention on the Rights Our partners and supporters have the same vision for of the Child. realising children’s rights here at home, yet despite Our actions to realise these rights are to work for children Australia’s strong economic standing there is a growing through two extraordinary emergencies and to speak disparity for children in the wider community. An instance out for children, even when the view is unpopular. These John Stewart is UNICEF Australia’s great concern for adopted tough actions are testimony to UNICEF Australia being a leader UNICEF Australia President immigration measures, including the presence of children ‘in the field’ and within the corridors of power. in formal detention. In looking forward, the plight of children in immigration Regardless of the work still to do, there is much to be detention is an issue where we must be more effective celebrated: from the eradication of polio in India through to within government and within the broad Australian reduced rates of infant mortality and falling incidences of community. mother-to-baby HIV transmission. We also need to ensure Australia’s foreign aid In each case, UNICEF innovation has been at the forefront commitments are met because Australian aid is of these breakthroughs and will continue to be celebrated fundamental to the protection of the rights and the as we march toward this year’s 25th anniversary of the wellbeing of the children of our region. Convention of the Rights of the Child, in November. 4 UNICEF Australia LISTENING TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARTICLE Children can give an opinion and expect it to be heard. UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION 12 ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD Every child and young person under the age of 18 has a CHILD RIGHTS IN THE CLASSROOM: “Today, while all of us are at school, 57 million other right to voice their opinions and participate in decisions EDUCATION TOOLKITS children are not,” Year 4 student Karina, of Greenway affecting their life and community. This right is enshrined in For children to know about their rights, it’s important Park Public School, in Western Sydney, said. “UNICEF is Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights to teach them. In 2013, UNICEF Australia witnessed working tirelessly to change this and it needs all our help. of the Child, a convention to which Australia is a signatory. a growing demand for its educational resources and That is why today is such a special day. We are wearing toolkits designed for primary and secondary educators. blue today to raise awareness and help UNICEF make this Children and young people are at the centre of UNICEF world a better place,” she added. Australia’s work. UNICEF believes children and young For Kate Booth, of South Grafton Public School, the people are active citizens, community leaders and creators resources have aided her in teaching children’s rights + In 2013, Australian schools donated $45,710 to Schools of the future. UNICEF Australia actively listens to children and, with the aid of new technologies, Ms Booth for Asia through initiatives organised for UNICEF Day for and young people through social media, forums, direct brought UNICEF right into the classroom introducing Children on October 23.