Palestine question/Children – UNICEF Executive Board report – Proposals for UNICEF cooperation/review (excerpts)

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD ON THE WORK OF ITS SECOND

REGULAR SESSION OF 1994 (25-29 APRIL 1994)*

* The present document is a mimeographed version of the report of the Executive Board of the United Nations Children's Fund on its second regular session (25-29 April 1994).  The reports of the first regular session (23-25 February), annual session (2-6 May) and third regular session (21-23 September) will be issued as parts I, III and IV, respectively.  The reports will be combined and issued in final form as Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1994, Supplement No. 14 (E/1994/34/Rev.1-E/ICEF/1994/13/Rev.1).

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II.  DELIBERATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

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Proposals for UNICEF cooperation and programme reviews and regional reports

Overall programme issues

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Middle East and North Africa

62. The Executive Board had before it two full country programme recommendations, four recommendations for short-duration country programmes and two recommendations for additional general resources to fund already approved programmes, as summarized in document E/ICEF/1994/P/L.3 and Add.1.  The Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) presented the country programme recommendations, saying that because of emergency situations in the region, additional resources would be required, as would strengthening of the country programme process and increased collaboration between the public sector, NGOs, United Nations agencies and donors.  The UNICEF Representative in Egypt made an in-depth presentation on the proposed programme.

63. Several delegations expressed appreciation for the regional overview and the presentation on the proposed programme in Egypt.  Many delegations from the region stressed their commitment to implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Pan-Arab Plan for Children.  As the Convention has been ratified by most of the countries in the region, UNICEF should support advocacy efforts for its implementation.

64. A number of delegations expressed gratitude for UNICEF support to emergency situations, particularly its work to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian children.  Speakers commended the programmes for Palestinian women and children in Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the West Bank and Gaza for being broad-based and for their focus on capacity-building.  The short duration of the programmes proposed this year would allow for adjustments during the transition.  One delegation noted with approval the programmes' emphasis on empowerment and advocacy.  Some speakers said that the various programmes should be harmonized to reflect the changing political situation in the region.  A unified programme would produce more constructive results.  UNICEF was encouraged to liaise closely with the 800 NGOs active in the social sector so as to avoid duplication and to promote consensus-building.

65. The regional director said that negotiations on the programme for Palestinians were under way and that agreements on the nature of UNICEF cooperation would be in accordance with United Nations policies and procedures.

66. One delegation expressed concern about the small provisions made for psycho-social health and remedial education for youth affected by the intifadah.  The delegation cautioned UNICEF against investing heavily in basic education before school curricula had been formulated.  The importance of peace education and education on conflict resolution for communities was stressed by another delegation.  The regional director agreed about the need for more programmes for psycho-social trauma, saying that the region had considerable expertise and capabilities in this area.  In addition, stress management counselling was being provided not only to UNICEF staff but also to government staff and other partners.

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