This is to invite you to participate in The Road to Pratolino, an online discussion forum and its companion, this blog, that will run from November 2011 to February 2012, and which will inform the strategies that will be formulated at the Pratolino IV Consultation, to be held on 21-24 February 2012 in Italy.
UNICEF has a long tradition of involving its staff and partners in influencing development agendas to advance children’s rights and equity. In recent years, UNICEF has devoted major efforts to mainstream children’s rights through child-focused development policy, advocacy and partnerships. The organization is currently engaged in social budgeting in 111 countries, social protection in 88 countries, child poverty/disparities analysis in 55 countries, and policy reforms in 44 countries. These initiatives have led to positive policy changes and outcomes for children and their families.
Today, as the world is confronted with a recession of unprecedented proportions, growing inequalities and the challenge of climate change, UNICEF needs to re-energize its strategy to respond in the best interest of children, especially those most disadvantaged. For this purpose, we seek and welcome the participation of a wide spectrum of UNICEF staff, partners and external experts in this important reflection and brainstorming in the coming months.
The forum will explore new themes for a forward looking agenda, building on key areas of our work. Below are brief synopses of the key themes and some suggested key issues for discussions:
Key themes
Suggested issues for discussion
- A recovery for all: Turning crisis into opportunity for children
- The world we want: Promoting equitable and sustainable development for children
- Refocusing on equity for children in middle-income countries
Suggested issues for discussion
Through its work on social policy, UNICEF has a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in promoting equitable outcomes for children in all countries, particularly in six core areas: situational analysis of children; building institutional capacity to safeguard children’s and women’s rights; support to periodic reporting process on treaties, notably the CRC; providing technical advice and advocacy, focusing on persistent inequalities; supporting pilot activities and innovations that inform national policy; and leveraging domestic resources to promote children’s rights. Enhancing our activities in these areas will be vital to realize gains at scale for some of the world’s most deprived children. Key questions for discussion may include:
- How to bring children’s priority needs front and centre into national development policies?
- How to engage in national fiscal and budget policymaking process to increase investments in children?
- How to ensure social protection initiatives are lasting and geared towards building systems?
- How to promote economic and financial policies that are socially inclusive and promote equitable outcomes?
- How to engage in strategic advocacy and partnerships that can promote sustainable, equitable and inclusive child and human development?
Participants are welcome to put forward other topics or emphasis that may be relevant for UNICEF’s future policy work, as comments on this blog or through network discussions.
How to post a comment:
1. Click on the comment link below
2. In the 'Comment as', choose 'Name/URL'
3. Include there your name and institution affiliation
4. In the URL you can put: http://roadtopratolino.blogspot.com/
Please note that comments are moderated (to avoid spam) and may take a while to appear.
View all the comments here
How to post a comment:
1. Click on the comment link below
2. In the 'Comment as', choose 'Name/URL'
3. Include there your name and institution affiliation
4. In the URL you can put: http://roadtopratolino.blogspot.com/
Please note that comments are moderated (to avoid spam) and may take a while to appear.
View all the comments here
