UNICEF: Moscow Signs on to Become a Child-friendly City

Moscow has declared the Year of the Child … and last week representatives of 26 countries and 71 Russian regions gathered in the capital to learn more about how municipal entities can enhance the lives of even the youngest populations. The International Cities for Children conference was held on the eve of Moscow’s 860th anniversary - and its tenth year working with UNICEF. It was a chance for UNICEF to emphasize the responsibility of the city towards the estimated 2,000 street children and 5,000 institutionalized youngsters in its care. But it was also an opportunity to celebrate Moscow's recent strides in that direction. Last month, the city government joined European capitals Paris, London and Rome in agreeing to work with UNICEF to make Moscow a child-friendly city. The city has committed $1.6 billion dollars to improving child services in this city - home to 1.6 million children. By year end it will launch a ten year strategic plan … a model for the country in protecting and advancing the rights of Russian children.