Why in the News?
UNICEF, created on December 11, 1946, originally provided emergency relief to children and mothers in war-affected regions after World War II. A recent quiz on UNICEF’s history highlights several facts important for UPSC Prelims.
UNICEF’s First Greeting Card (1949)
- A thank-you drawing from a young girl became UNICEF’s first fundraising greeting card.
- The artwork depicted children dancing around a maypole.
- This started UNICEF’s global tradition of greeting cards used to fund child-focused programs.
Transformation in 1953: Change of Name
- UNICEF became a permanent part of the UN system in 1953.
- Its original name: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
- Words International and Emergency were removed.
- New name: United Nations Children’s Fund, but acronym UNICEF retained for familiarity.
- India is the member.
Nobel Peace Prize
- UNICEF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965.
- Recognised for advancing “brotherhood among nations” through children’s welfare, development, and global health programs.
World’s Most Widely Used Hand Pump
- Severe droughts in rural India in the 1970s led to a major collaboration between the Government of India, WHO and UNICEF.
- Result: India Mark II hand pump, now among the most widely deployed rural water pumps in the world.
- Known for reliability, low maintenance and suitability for community use.
U.S. Withdrawal Controversy (Early 1980s)
- UNICEF faced indirect criticism when the US government announced withdrawal from UNESCO.
| With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, consider the following: (2010)
1. The Right to Development 2. The Right to Expression 3. The Right to Recreation Which of the above is/ are the Rights of the child? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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