If you want to improve the world, start by making people feel safer. "Those who feel love at home come to school to learn. Those who don't, come to school to be loved. You cannot learn if you don't feel loved because, for a child to be unloved is to be unsafe." Benjamin Perks

Globally, 6 in 10 children under 5 face psychological aggression or physical punishment at home. Many children are also deprived of play with their parents and caregivers. On the first #InternationalDayofPlay, this is UNICEF’s ask from governments. 👇 uni.cf/3x92vd2

Tuesday’s first-ever #InternationalDayofPlay is a reminder that playtime isn’t just fun – it’s essential for children’s development & wellbeing. From the science behind play to ideas for games, UNICEF shares tips to unlock children’s full potential: unicef.org/parenting/day-…

I loved the David Whitebread Memorial Lecture today. Such a pleasure to chair the panel with Zoe Dibb Benjamin Perks Dr Stephen Bayley & Erum Mariam for a rich, broad and deep discussion about play. The lecture & discussion was recorded - link from PEDAL Cam soon.

"When mothers see their children playing, they develop more confidence in the recovery of their children." - Teacher in Port Lok, Sierra Leone. On this first #InternationalDayofPlay, learn how a UNICEF innovation is helping children recover from severe acute malnutrition.

In case you missed it, today is the first ever #InternationalDayOfPlay. Turn the volume up loud and enjoy!

A great initiative by care experienced people in the UK. Please support

We’re calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN & NGO personnel held in #Yemen. These detentions are unprecedented & impede our ability to reach Yemen's most vulnerable, including 18.2M people in need of aid. Joint statement👇 unicef.org/press-releases…

We have closed, mothballed and hollowed out children's centres sitting in many of our schools and disadvantaged communities all over the country. We need to get them open and back providing the support that our children & families so desperately need.

A strong parental attachment is to child development and protection, what a vaccine is to child survival. We are the first generation in history to make that a reality for every child. Let's make #ParentingProgrammes #ParentalLeave & #AffordableChildcare universal

Massive respect to #Slovakia . That was the #GreatEscape for #England. Glad we are through to the #EURo2024 quarters. #ComeOnEngland

R.I.P Ismail Kadare “Dictatorship and authentic literature are incompatible... The writer is the natural enemy of dictatorship.” - Ismail Kadare

UNICEF and WHO Representatives to Ukraine Munir Mammadzade and Jarno Habicht report from the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in #Kyiv in the aftermath of today's attacks, which damaged the health facility. UN Ukraine WHO Ukraine

Is it Time to stop calling it “domestic abuse” or “violence against women & girls”? It’s MALE VIOLENCE When we identify the perpetrator rather than just the victim, we have a chance of eliminating it because we focus on the cause & not only it’s effect

Making politics mature again!

🔵 Universal parenting support to prevent abuse and neglect. 🔵 Access to safe school environments for all. 🔵 Accessible response and support services for children at risk. These are key to ending violence against children. We urge governments to prioritise them. #InOurHands

1 billion child victims. 100 days. 1 chance to end violence against children. World Leaders: Make the Global Ministerial Conference count. Urge your Minister to attend and act boldly: globalgoals.org/endchildviolen… #InOurHands #EveryChildProtected

The debilitating complexity of childhood trauma

Yet another brutal attack in Kharkiv today where children are among the reported casualties. In the last week, at least 43 children were reportedly killed or injured in attacks across Ukraine. Children in Ukraine have endured too much already. Attacks must stop!