- Kjersti & Victor (?)
- Thank you so much for inviting me to share some thoughts…. It is a true privilege.
- Norway is a very special friend of UNICEF
– It was one of the founding members 60 years ago
– It was one of the 1st donors – and now the highest per capita donor to UNICEF
- It has been an intellectual/policy leader in UNICEF’s history
– It is one of the most child-friendly countries that ranks #1 in the UN’s human development index
– It is a great supporter of UN, multi-lateralism and enlightened donor in international development
- I don’t say these to please you or flatter you… I will back them up with facts & figures and examples.
- One thing you may not know is that I personally feel a special affinity to Norway
- I was hired into UNICEF by a Norwegian, Mr. Martin Sandberg, Director of IPIG, 1973, my early mentor…
- In my home country Nepal – the first UNICEF Representative, the most legendary was a Norwegian named Hallvad Kuloy. (Ane Haaland – & “Communicating with Pictures”)
- I am so happy to learn that Nepal is one of the priority countries for dev. cooperation for Government of Norway
- and a focus for fund-raising and dev. education by Norwegian NatCom
- I learned that on your 50th anniversary, you organized a fundraising with Norwegian mid-wives association for kids in Nepal.
- and you organized internet auction of objects of art, culture, sports for celebrities
proceeds for programme in Nepal.
- Thank you both on behalf of UNICEF and as a Nepali friend.
—————————
- I said Norway has historically been a special friend of UNICEF – let me illustrate why
- It was a Norwegian – first Secretary-General of UN, Trygve Lia under whose leadership UNICEF was created.
- Trygve Lia appointed, Maurice Pate, as UNICEF First Executive Director on 8 January 1947
- What an inspired choice it was.
- Pate — American — had worked with UNRRA
- His condition for accepting job as Executive Director UNICEF to be allowed to help children in need everywhere – – – including “enemy states”
- Inspired by Egglynt Jebb….
- This principle has served us well.
——————–
- Along with his letter of appointment, Trygve Lia gave Pate a check of $550,000 leftover for UNRRA – UNICEF’s starting capital.
- Soon Pate prepared ambitious proposal to provide children in Europe and Asia, “a glass of milk & fat to spread on their bread” – for some 6 million children in Europe and China
- First donors to UNICEF in 1947 – USA $40m, Canada $5m, Australia $3m, France $0.9m & Norway -Cod liver oil- for a longtime staple of UNICEF aid
- Norway & Secretary-General Trygve Lia continued to take interest in funding for UNICEF
- In 1947, a Norwegian diplomat named Aake Anker Ording – once deputy to Trygve Lie came up with a brilliant idea to raise private voluntary contribution to UNICEF
- Proposed that UN endorse idea of asking all salaries people to contribute 1 day pay every year for programme for children.
- Idea first tried out in Norway as “UN Appeal for Children”.
- In 1948, appeal extended to & held in 45 countries and 30 territories – & raised astounding amount of $30m.
- ⅓ to UNICEF, rest SCF, Red Cross, etc..
- Beginning of PSFR that continues today.
- UNICEF Norway founded in 1954 offers opportunities for Norwegian citizens to participate
- A magnificent PPP – example – long before it became fashionable.
- Even in program terms largest public health campaign launched by UNICEF in 1950s – control of TB with Scandinavian Red Cross
- By 1955 the campaign had tested 155m. children & vaccinated 60m with BCG
——————
- Throughout 50s & 60s, Norway active in Board, as donor, in field…
- 1965 brought UNICEF to Norway in a big way
- Nobel Peace Prize
- Transformation of UNICEF in 60s & 70s
– from humanitarian to dev.
– planning for children, children & development
– education
– WES
– Nutrition
– Basic Services
– IYC
- Labouisse to Jim Grant
- 1980s – child survival rev. under JPG
- JPG the most charismatic/visionary leader
- Norway continued to be helpful
- 3 great Norwegian women contributed to UNICEF in 80s & 90s
– Liv Ullman, Karin Lokhaug, Torild Skard
- 1990 WSC/CRC Norway great partners – supporter
- Norway also emerged as the 2nd largest donor – ahead of Sweden – and highest per capita donor
- Norway – first ombudsman for children exemplary
- Brundtland Commission on Environment & Development with its famous statement – “Sustainable development – is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”. (a most child-friendly definition of sustainable development – to which we most grateful)
- As we are to Brundtland’s leadership of WHO & our close colla…(?)
- In the 1990s – Norway – Nordic U.N reform
- Even now Prime Minister Stoltenberg as leader of High Level Panel expecting report on 9 November.
- Will shape future of UN coherence in Development, human environment
- Norway
# 1 per capita donor
# 1 thematic donor, esp. girls education
# 1 on MDG4 & GAVI
- I believe Norway can be proud of its faith in and support to UNICEF
- UNICEF’s work producing measurable results
- UNICEF priorities mirror MDGs – in fact, inspired MDGs
- MTSP grouping
- YCSDI
- Basic Education / Gender Edu
- HIV/AIDS
- Child Protection
- Advocacy, Child Rights
- In each of these areas, Norway-UNICEF collaboration
- Oslo Conference on Child Labour
- Violence against Child Study
– Crown Prince Haakon attended
- MDG4/GAVI / PMNCH…
- Girl’s Education
- Humanitarian assistance – most generous
- Your child-friendly ODA policy
- MOPAN – multilateral organization’s performance – assem….? Network
- Report being presented –
- Areas of improvement – we love suggestions from supportive partner
- As we look ahead to Norway-UNICEF cooperation, our dream to secure for children in World future like – the situation of children in Norway today….
- If all countries of the world – if all peoples of the world – as supportive as Norway – – we could build a world truly fit for children.
******************