The institute strengthens its cooperation with UNICEF
51 million children are unregistered at birth. 1 billion children are deprived of one or more services essential to survival and development. 215 million children are engaged in child labour. 101 million children are not attending primary school.
The numbers speak for themselves. There is an enormous need to join forces towards the realization of children’s rights impacted by business globally. That is the reason why The Danish Institute for Human Rights is signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the world's largest humanitarian organization for children, UNICEF.
Business and protection of children’s rights
Building on past collaborations on the tool ‘Children’s Rights in Impact Assessments’ and guidance on children’s rights in National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights, the two organisations will work together specifically on children’s rights and business, in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, specific industries and at the country-level. DIHR and UNICEF share a common commitment to the realisation of children’s rights globally in corporate policies and practices and wish to strengthen their relationship in pursuit of their respective missions and mandates to achieve greater results for children impacted by business.
The signing of this agreement marks the start of a collaboration where we join forces in addressing children’s rights impacted by businesses. By sharing research, tools and assessments at the industry- and country level we can set out steps that businesses can take to integrate child rights into their operations.
The future collaboration will among other principles be based on the ‘Children’s Rights and Business Principles ’, that are developed by Unicef, the UN Global Compact and Save the Children. The principles call on business everywhere to respect and support children’s rights throughout their activities and business relationships, including in the workplace, the marketplace, the community and the environment.
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF and its work visit UNICEF's website.