COVID, climate, and conflict have had a devastating effect on children and youth around the world. This is especially true for those living in under-resourced parts of the world where the confluence of challenges is undermining decades of progress to improve their well-being. At a time of great global challenges, the Children’s Policy and Funding Initiative seeks to prioritize the needs of children and youth globally, especially in government foreign assistance.
There is a fourth "C" - Children - whose critical needs and voices cannot be forgotten on the list of global priorities. Governments must act now to prioritize investments in the education, care, health, and safety of children and youth. To improve investments and ensure best outcomes, governments must adopt an intentional approach to policy, programming, and funding decisions that systematically considers the needs of children holistically through their life course, and they must solicit direct input and participation from young people and affected populations.
There is a fourth "C" - Children - whose critical needs and voices cannot be forgotten on the list of global priorities. Governments must act now to prioritize investments in the education, care, health, and safety of children and youth. To improve investments and ensure best outcomes, governments must adopt an intentional approach to policy, programming, and funding decisions that systematically considers the needs of children holistically through their life course, and they must solicit direct input and participation from young people and affected populations.
The Children’s Policy and Funding Initiative seeks to elevate critical issues affecting children and youth globally and make issues affecting them a top priority in our government's policy, programming and funding. Around the world, the hardships children and youth face have intensified and reversed years of progress. An entire generation at stake.
Research is clear. Children's exposure to such severe abuse, insecurity, isolation, and trauma can have longterm consequences on physical, psychological, and social well-being and lead to broader economic and security consequences for societies and nations. More than ever, investments in children and youth are critical for our future.
- The pandemic has dramatically increased violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, including online. Compounding the dangers, 1.8 billion children live in 104 countries where violence prevention and response services have been disrupted due to COVID-19; and 6,000 children under five could die a day – more than 4 per minute – due to direct impacts of COVID-19 (UNICEF).
- An estimated 10 million additional child marriages may occur as a consequence of COVID-19. (UNICEF)
- A minimum of 5 million children have lost a parent or caregiver due to the COVID-19 pandemic, dramatically increasing orphanhood and insecurity. (CDC) (Imperial College of London, October 2021)
- 1.5 billion children were affected by school closures and at least 1 in 3 of the world’s schoolchildren—463 million children globally—were unable to access remote learning when COVID-19 shuttered their schools. (UNESCO)
- 85% of the world’s children live in places most vulnerable to climate change’s worst impacts. (UNICEF)
- There are now 1.5 billion youth in the world, over half of the world's population and a majority demographic in many countries. (USAID)
- Identity factors often augment risks. Girls, boys, LGBTQ+, young people with disabilities, racial minorities, and others from marginalized communities face distinct and multiple threats.
Research is clear. Children's exposure to such severe abuse, insecurity, isolation, and trauma can have longterm consequences on physical, psychological, and social well-being and lead to broader economic and security consequences for societies and nations. More than ever, investments in children and youth are critical for our future.
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Letter to the United States President, view here
Letter with funding requests for the US Congress, view here Summary of a Cross Agency Priority, view here Summary of a Children's Impact Statement, view here For more information, also visit: agenerationatstake.org |
