The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its foundation. On this occasion, an anniversary ceremony was held at the Palace of the Republic in Chisinau. This involved officials, ambassadors, representatives of civil society and beneficiaries. An exhibition mounted in the hall shows the history of UNICEF starting with 1946, UNICEF goodwill ambassadors and the results obtained in Moldova starting with 1995, IPN reports.

“We are proud of the fact that alongside 190 states, the Republic of Moldova has also formed part of this organization for over 20 years already, based on an agreement signed when I held the post of President of the Republic of Moldova,” said Mircea Snegur, President in the period when UNICEF started work in Moldova. The ex-President noted that the UNICEF Representative Office in Moldova deserves the highest praise as this directly takes part in programs to ensure children’ rights to studies, health and development.

Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Brega said UNICEF during 70 years has promoted children’s rights in over 190 countries, while the progress made by Moldova in this regard is definitely due to the projects supported by UNICEF. “I’m proud to ascertain the success and sustainability of the partnership in the social area with UNICEF – in the social protection of children, ensuring of children’s rights, creation of paternal services and family policies, juvenile justice, programs to fight violence against children and many others,” he stated.

UNICEF Representative to Moldova Nune Mangasaryan said the Republic of Moldova made progress in ensuring the protection and rights of children, but there are yet many things to be done and, in this regard, UNICEF focuses on the negative aspects. According to her, the significant decrease in the death rate is among the accomplishments. Also, Moldova took important steps in the areas of juvenile justice and child protection.

On the occasion of the anniversary, UNICEF Moldova launched a play for the global campaign IMAGINE with the involvement of Moldovan artists. Pavel Stratan, Valentina Nafornita, Eva Timus, Xenia Chitoroaga, Nicusor Untila, Alexandru Manciu, Guz, Eugen Doga, Natalia Barbu, Pasha Parfeni and the choir “Lia Ciocarlia” sang the legendary song of John Lennon “Imagine”.

The mission of UNICEF is to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.