© UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1727/Asselin
Children attend a UNICEF-supported primary school in the town of Bazzama, Cameroon, which provides education for local children and refugee children from the Central African Republic.

By Pi James

NEW YORK, USA, 21 June 2010 – This year, World Refugee Day – which is commemorated each year on 20 June – had ‘Home’ as its theme, in recognition of the many millions of people around the world uprooted by conflict, persecution or natural disasters.

© UNICEF/NYHQ2010-0211/Shehzad NooraniA girl smiles in a UNICEF tent school on the first day of classes in Jacquot Merlin, Haiti. In-depth media coverage of issues such as education in times of crisis can ensure the rights of children are protected.

By Pi James

NEW YORK, 3 May 2010 – Every day, despite significant risks to their safety, journalists bring stories from disasters and conflict zones to people around the world. These stories can shape the international response to humanitarian emergencies, and ultimately impact the lives of children.

To commemorate World Press Freedom Day, 3 May, podcast moderator Amy Costello spoke with three journalism practitioners from three different continents, about the media’s role in reporting on education and children in times of crisis.

© UNICEF/NYHQ2010-0199/Shehzad NooraniChildren return to school for the first time since the earthquake in the remote village of Jacquot Merlin, Haiti. While investments in education can take longer to realize the results, the long term benefits are enormous.

By Pi James

The global economic downturn, escalating conflicts and widespread disasters threaten to reverse advances made in the last decade in increasing enrolment and reducing the gender gap in schools around the world.

©2009 Kur Achiek
Mr. Kur Achiek with an SPLA commander meeting about the demobilization of children in his force at Mapel Barrack.

NEW YORK, USA, 19 February 2009 – Abraham Kur Achiek served in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) as a teenager. Today, he’s in his 30’s and working as a child protection officer for UNICEF in his native Southern Sudan.

© UNICEF/NYHQ2004-0338/Mariella Furrer
Two girls at Ruthimitu Primary School in Nairobi, Kenya.

8 March 2010 – This year, International Women’s Day is focusing on the theme: “Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all.” Though significant progress has been made towards gender parity and equality in education, many challenges remain.

©2009, Stephen Shames / Polaris
L.E.A.D Uganda student Sanyu interviewed at the United Nations Radio.

NEW YORK, USA, 11 March 2010 – UNICEF figures estimate that at least 1.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Uganda due to droughts, flooding, internal displacement and the return of at least 300,000 Ugandans following the cessation of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) activities.

Other UNICEF statistics reveal that nearly half the estimated 2 million Ugandan orphans are orphaned due to AIDS, and the LRA has abducted more than 25,000 children since 1986.