United Nations Children's Fund

Founded in 1946, UNICEF became a permanent member of the United Nations in 1953. UNICEF's Executive Director is Ann M. Veneman. UNICEF advocates for the rights of children and women and and contributes to their well-being through programmes that help them survive and thrive to adulthood, and that provide essential medicines, vaccines, educational, health and emergency supplies. UNICEF's flagship publications include the State of the World's Children, the Progress for Children and the Annual Report. UNICEF's Annual Report, issued mid-year, spotlights the significant results achieved by UNICEF and its partners on behalf of children around the world. The Innocenti Research Centre (http://www.unicef-icdc.org/.) undertakes original research to improve international understanding of issues relating to children's rights.