UNICEF Canada, also known as the Canadian National Committee for UNICEF, is one of 36 UNICEF National Committees based in industrialized countries. UNICEF is a child-focused humanitarian organization, working in over 190 countries.[1][2]

UNICEF Canada
AbbreviationUNICEF Canada
Formation1955
TypeNational Committee
Legal statusactive
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario
President and CEO
Sevaun Palvetzian
Parent organization
UNICEF
Websitehttps://www.unicef.ca/

It was founded in 1955 by volunteers.[3] UNICEF Canada advises the Canadian Government on policies and legislation which support programs and commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It joined 10 other National Committees to assist children over 190 countries and territories.

UNICEF Canada Ambassadors

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UNICEF Canada has a long history of support from its Goodwill Ambassadors and high-profile supporters.[4] They have included Ambassadors such as Sharon, Lois and Bram, Solange Tuyishime, Bayan Yammout, Karina LeBlanc,[5] Veronica Tennant, Jan Lisiecki, Mariatu Kamara, John Nsabimana, and Elizabeth Dallaire.[6][7] UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors help the organization reach a wider audience, enabling it to highlight work undertaken to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children around the world.[8] They help raise awareness of the needs of children, and use their talent and fame to fundraise, advocate, and educate on behalf of UNICEF.[9]

Finances

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UNICEF Canada meets the guidelines and high standards of the Imagine Canada Standards Program. Out of every dollar, 70 per cent goes toward helping children, 23 per cent is spent on fundraising costs, and 7 per cent on administration.[10] In 2017 alone, UNICEF Canada helped respond to 337 humanitarian emergencies in 102 countries. UNICEF also improved sanitation for 22 million people, provided over 15.6 million children with micronutrient powder to prevent anemia and vitamin deficiencies and provided education to 8.8 million children.[11]

Convention of the Rights of the Child

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The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is a comprehensive human rights treaty which enshrines specific children's rights in international law. These rights define universal principles and standards for the status and treatment of children worldwide.[12]

UNICEF in Canada

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In Canada, UNICEF works to promote the rights of all children living in Canada, regardless of race, religion or nationality and is a member of the Children's Rights Alliance.[13][14] It advocates children's rights around the world, child-sensitive governance, children's rights and well-being, children in fragile and conflict states and other youth engagement programs.[15]

Operations and Leadership

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UNICEF Canada is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and maintains regional offices in Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. Sevaun Palvetzian is the President and CEO of the UNICEF Canada.[16] Current members of the National Board of Directors of the Executive Leadership are Linton Carter, Rowena Pinto and Dave Spedding.

Fundraising

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UNICEF is not funded by the UN. Instead, it relies on voluntary donations to fund its work for children worldwide.[17] UNICEF Canada organized the first Trick or Treat Campaign in 1955,[18] and continues to raise funds annually on Halloween (October 31), recognized for this long standing brand work now as National UNICEF Day.[19] UNICEF Canada raises funds primarily through donations, the sale of cards and gifts, partnerships with companies, emergency relief efforts and special events.[20][21]

Partners

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UNICEF Canada is supported entirely by voluntary contributions and the support from government partners and corporate and community partners makes a significant contribution to its work.[22][23] Some of the companies that currently have a corporate partnership with UNICEF Canada includes IKEA Foundation, Hallmark, H&M, Teck, Intact, International Graphics, Sherritt, Maple Leaf, Loblaw, and Fondation L’Occitane.[24]

References

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  1. ^ "UNICEF". yorku.campuslabs.ca. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  2. ^ "CANADIAN UNICEF COMMITTEE COMITE UNICEF CANADA | Benevity Causes". causes.benevity.org. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  3. ^ "UNICEF Canada". www.charityintelligence.ca. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  4. ^ "Ben Mulroney appointed national ambassador for UNICEF". Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  5. ^ "Thorns FC goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc named UNICEF Canada ambassador". 26 March 2016.
  6. ^ Davidson, Neil (2017-09-19). "UNICEF role has allowed Canada's Karina Leblanc to find her 'why' Sports". CBC. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  7. ^ "Ben Mulroney appointed national ambassador for UNICEF". Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  8. ^ News, Jenny Uechi in; January 30th 2017, Politics | (2017-01-30). "Canadian UNICEF Ambassador stunned by Trump's refugee ban". National Observer. Retrieved 2018-12-09. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "UNICEF Canada & Canada Soccer team up in partnership to save children and mothers | Canada Soccer". www.canadasoccer.com. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  10. ^ "REGISTERED Charity's Return - Quick View". apps.cra-arc.gc.ca. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  11. ^ "UNICEF Canada". www.charityintelligence.ca. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  12. ^ "Recommendations for Canada from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child | Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal". cwrp.ca. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  13. ^ president, Peter Baker Peter Baker is vice; Analytics, practice leader at Environics; Fundraising, Overseeing the; Government, Municipal; Advancement, University; Sectors, Library. "UNICEF Canada: Improving donor engagement with a new fundraising product". DM Magazine. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  14. ^ "UNICEF CANADA". www.canadahelps.org. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  15. ^ Ethiopia, Author UNICEF (2018-03-08). "Canada partners with UNICEF to improve reproductive health and nutrition among adolescent girls in Ethiopia". UNICEF Ethiopia. Retrieved 2018-12-09. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ "UNICEF Canada CEO's Letter to the Future Canada - GCNC". Global Compact Network Canada. 2016-11-30. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  17. ^ Kucharsky, Danny (2015-12-03). "UNICEF adopts virtual reality for fundraising campaign". Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  18. ^ "UNICEF Canada | PREVNet - Canada's authority on bullying". www.prevnet.ca. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  19. ^ "Canadian children celebrate national UNICEF day". CBC. 2006-10-31. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  20. ^ "UNICEF Canada Gala Raises $120K for Child Refugees – LUXE MAGAZINE – Real Estate I Design I Art de vivre". Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  21. ^ Pimentel, George. "In Good Company: Air Canada at a Unicef Fundraiser". enroute.aircanada.com. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  22. ^ Nestle, Marion (2010-10-26). "Happy Halloween: UNICEF Courts Food-Company Sponsors". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  23. ^ "UNICEF Canada and dozens of Canadian celebrities shine spotlight on challenges facing youth in Canada". ca.finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  24. ^ "UNICEF Canada and Teck partner to save the lives of children in India". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
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