Children participate in a UNICEF awareness event as the organization celebrates its 79th Foundation Day in 2025 (Photo: File)
UNICEF Foundation Day 2025: December 11th was UNICEF Foundation Day, celebrated each year in honor of the United Nations Children's Fund. This year, the organization commemorates its 79th anniversary, proceeding with the mission to protect the rights and welfare of all children worldwide, from enhancing health care and promoting education to disaster relief as UNICEF remains a key factor in shaping the lives of millions of children.
UNICEF Foundation Day is observed on December 11 every year. The day realizes the responsibility of saving helpless children and standing for poor communities. This day, in the year 2025, will indicate the continuous commitment of the organization to the welfare and empowerment of a child.
UNICEF is a global humanitarian organization established in 1946 by the United Nations. It focuses its mission on providing emergency aid, education, health care and protection to children affected by poverty, conflict, and natural disasters. Currently, UNICEF is active in more than 190 countries on issues including but not limited to child health, education, nutrition, protection and disaster relief.
UNICEF stands for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, a name used until 1953. Later, the name was shortened to United Nations Children's Fund but retained the same abbreviation.
On December 11, 1946, UNICEF was established to supply food, clothing, and medical care to children in post-World War II Europe. During the following decades, in 1953 it became a permanent UN organization and later, in 1965, was given the Nobel Peace Prize owing to its child welfare efforts around the world. Since then, UNICEF has expanded partnerships with governments, NGOs and private institutions to further child-centered programs worldwide.
The main headquarters of UNICEF are situated in New York City, USA. Its global operations are supported by various offices:
Its official theme for UNICEF Foundation Day 2025 is “My Day, My Rights”, which highlights the importance of children’s rights, especially their empowerment and involvement in decisions that affect their lives.
The United Nations General Assembly instituted Universal Children's Day back in 1954 to develop universal awareness of children's rights and welfare. The inclusion of UNICEF is an addition to the mission in emphasizing global child protection issues.
UNICEF was founded in 1946 by Ludwik Rajchman, a physician and humanitarian, to meet the urgent needs of children who were suffering under the aftermath of World War II. The vision at that time laid the foundation for decades of global child advocacy and relief work.
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Disclaimer: This article provides informational content on UNICEF and its initiatives; refer to official UNICEF sources for program-specific updates and announcements.
