(Forbes)
Four years to the day after Minneapolis joined forces with UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), the city is being recognized as an official UNICEF Child Friendly City.
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In 2023, Minneapolis expanded its popular Reach Out and Read Minnesota initiative, distributing free books to children and their parents via hospitals and health clinics in Hennepin County. Research shows that participating families read more often to their children; the program also builds trust between parents and caregivers and their children’s health care provider and increases attendance rates for well-child visits. Some of the books introduce the concept of children’s rights as outlined in the CRC: every child, no matter where they are born or where they live, has the right to food, water and shelter, to go to school, to be free from violence, to breathe clean air and more.
Being recognized as a UNICEF Child Friendly City “does not mean everything is perfect for children” in Minneapolis, said Michael Nyenhuis, UNICEF USA’s president and CEO. “But it does say that the city has a commitment to continue the work.” By signing on to a global network that values children, the City of Minneapolis has affirmed its intention to prioritize the needs of children and young people and create a better future for everyone.
Read the full story here.
Also: Minneapolis gets nod as child friendly (Star Tribune); Minneapolis declared Child Friendly City, solidifies future of centering youth (The Minnesota Daily)
(Image credit: Forbes)