When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses.

In choosing global corporate partners UNICEF emphasises compatibility with our core values and looks to build alliances that advance our mission of ensuring the health, education, equality and protection for all the world's children.

For example, UNICEF works with governments to change legislation such as in India where a law was passed raising the age of compulsory school completion to keep children in school and away from the workplace for longer.

A century that began with children having virtually no rights is ending with children having the most powerful legal instrument that not only recognizes but protects their human rights.

When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses.

By ratifying the Convention, governments become legally bound to implement the rights therein.

UNICEF has repeatedly called on governments to ensure basic services for children and this includes providing food where the need exists.