Global funding cuts could force 6 million more children out of school in the coming year – UNICEF

Education funding faces US$3.2 billion decline by 2026, placing millions of children’s futures at risk DUBLIN/ NEW YORK, 3 September 2025 – As global education funding faces steep cuts, an estimated 6 million additional children could be out of school by the end of 2026, around one-third of them in humanitarian settings, UNICEF warned in … Continued

Ireland’s Teens Among Least Happy in Developed World – UNICEF report

Children’s wellbeing in world’s wealthiest countries took sharp turn for the worse in wake of COVID-19 pandemic. DUBLIN/FLORENCE/NEW YORK, 14 May 2025 – Irish teenagers are among the least happy in high-income countries, despite leading the world in academic skills, according to a new UNICEF report released today. Report Card 19: Child Wellbeing at Risk in … Continued

Businesses join UNICEF child mental health demand

Leading global businesses and organizations join UNICEF to demand increased investment and action on child and youth mental health An open letter, signed by more than 40 entities and published at the UN General Assembly, calls for a multi-sectoral approach to tackle the mental health funding gap. NEW YORK, September 24, 2024 – Today at … Continued

More than 1 in 5 children live in poverty in 40 of the world’s richest countries

France, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom saw sharp rises in child poverty between 2014–2021, while Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovenia achieved the largest reductions, according to UNICEF’s latest Report Card   FLORENCE/NEW YORK, 6 December 2023 – Some of the world’s richest countries experienced sharp rises in child poverty between 2014 and 2021, … Continued

UNICEF youth advocate meets Taoiseach to highlight growing online risks facing children

PRESS RELEASE UNICEF youth advocate meets Taoiseach to highlight growing online risks facing children 16-year-old Donnacha Lenehan calls for greater online protections for children and young people   Donnacha is available for media interview  Download photos and videos here DUBLIN 23 November 2022 – A UNICEF Ireland youth advocate today met the Taoiseach to highlight the … Continued

Irish teenager speaks out against LGBTQI+ discrimination during UN General Assembly week in New York

PRESS RELEASE Irish teenager speaks out against LGBTQI+ discrimination during UN General Assembly week in New York UNICEF Youth Advocate Ruairi Holohan (17) from Co. Louth promotes mental health in schools   Ruairi and UNICEF spokespersons in New York are available for interview  Photos available for download here DUBLIN / NEW YORK, 19 SEPTEMBER 2022 … Continued

Over-consumption in the world’s richest countries is destroying children’s environments globally, new report says

PRESS RELEASE     Over-consumption in the world’s richest countries is destroying children’s environments globally, new report says The world’s richest countries – including Ireland – are providing healthier environments for children within their borders, yet are disproportionately contributing to the destruction of the global environment, putting the present and future of all children globally at … Continued

“We have to go through this transition together“ 15-year-old farmer and climate activist tells Taoiseach

PRESS RELEASE “We have to go through this transition together,” 15-year-old farmer and climate activist tells Taoiseach #KidsTakeOver part of UNICEF’s World Children’s Day celebrations Images available for download here DUBLIN 10 November 2021 – A teenage farmer and climate activist took part in a #KidsTakeOver of the Taoiseach’s office today to highlight the importance of protecting … Continued

Teenage farmer and climate activist meets Taoiseach to call for positive climate future for every child

PRESS RELEASE Teenage farmer and climate activist meets Taoiseach to call for positive climate future for every child #KidsTakeOver part of UNICEF’s World Children’s Day celebrations Download photos of Liadh on her family’s farm here DUBLIN 10 November 2021 – A teenage farmer and climate activist will today bring the voices of farming families to the … Continued

UNICEF Ireland calls for the voices of young people to be heard ahead of crucial opening up decisions

PRESS RELEASE   UNICEF Ireland calls for the voices of young people to be heard ahead of crucial opening up decisions Call follows powerful address from Irish youth activist at EU launch of UNICEF report exposing breadth and depth of adolescent mental health issues in Europe   Youth Advocate and UNICEF spokespeople available for interview … Continued

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