Protect children’s rights - UNICEF Italy

ITALY: The Italian government must implement a concrete action plan to promote children’s rights in the country, said Vincenzo Spadafora, President of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Italy, on Thursday.

Friday marks the celebration of Universal Children’s Day and the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. More than 150 events are planned worldwide.

The Italian committee for UNICEF staged a commemorative event named “The Winds of UNICEF” on Thursday.

At the opening of the ceremony, Spadafora urged all countries, including Italy, to do more for children’s well-being and rights. “We are living a social emergency, often underestimated,” he said.

Spadafora criticized the fact that concrete laws, action plans and an infancy ombudsman are still missing from the Italian legislation.

“Even in Italy, there is a lack in basic children’s needs, and I appeal to the government to increase efforts and financial resources,” he said, adding that it is crucial to always keep the infancy issue at the top of both the national and global agenda, not only when there are commemorative events.

Spadafora also called for a major contribution from civil society, public opinion and even youths themselves in securing a better future for Italian and world children.

ROME, Friday, Xinhua