NITI AAYOG AND UNICEF SIGNED A STATEMENT OF INTENT  

Copyright infringement not intended

Context - To Priorities Child development, the NITI Aayog has teamed with UNICEF India.

Details

• The NITI Aayog and UNICEF India have signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to focus on child development in India.
• The main objective is to achieve the child development priorities set under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The aim is to formulate a comprehensive measure to promote the overall development of children across health and nutrition, education, water and sanitation and household living standards.
• The partnership will draw up the strategies and action planning with a focus on the multi-dimensional aspects of child development like health, education, nutrition, protection, and other relevant areas.

NITI Aayog

• Planning Commission Inspired by the USSR/Soviet Model, Prime Minister established a Planning Commission in 1950 to design the five-year Plans for India.
  • In 2015, it was replaced by a new organisation named National Institution for Transforming India (NITI)
• Promote Cooperative Federalism
  • Governing Council of NITI Aayog has Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories and State Chief Ministers.
  • NITI Aayog Constituted a Committee of State Chief Ministers to examine important issues.
• Promote Competitive Federalism
  • NITI Aayog has Prepared online dashboards to rank the States on various indicators of development such as:
    • Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index.
    • Health Index.
    • School Education Quality Index.
    • Digital Transformation Index.
  • Launched Aspirational District Programs for monitoring the Progress of backward districts.
• NITI Aayog has not been given the mandate or Powers to impose Policies on States.
  • NITI Aayog is basically a think-tank or an advisory body.
• The Powers for allocation of funds have not been given to the NITI Aayog. The Powers are with Finance Ministry.
• As a ‘think-tank’, Niti Aayog has helped the government In framing various Policies on;
  • Clean energy
  • Methanol based economy
  • Infrastructure human development etc.
  • The model acts on agricultural land leasing, livestock Selling etc.
• NITI Aayog regularly organizes Seminars, Workshops, and Conferences.
• NITI initiated Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to help Startups. NITI is developing National Program on Artificial Intelligence.
• NITI’s approach is modernised, forward-looking, and less bureaucratic; NITI Aayog is playing an important role as a think tank for Economic growth, Human development and Good governance in India.

UNICEF

• The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is an agency of the United Nations.
• It is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
• The agency is one of the most recognizable social welfare organizations in the world, with a presence in 192 countries and territories.
• UNICEF's actions include:
  • Providing immunizations and disease prevention.
  • Administering treatment for children and mothers with HIV.
  • Enhancing childhood and maternal nutrition.
  • Improving sanitation.
  • Promoting education.
  • Providing emergency relief in response to disasters.
• UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary contributions from governments and private donors.
• It is governed by a 36-member executive board that sets policies, approves programs, and oversees administrative and financial plans.
• UNICEF received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965, the Indira Gandhi Prize in 1989 and the Princess of Asturias Award in 2006.
• During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF with the World Health Organization and other agencies published the guidance about healthy lifestyle and parenting.

17 targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all at all stages.
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
9. Built resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostered innovation.
10. Reduce inequalities within and among countries.
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production pattern.
13. Take urgent actions to combat climate change and its impact.
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managed forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.

Copyright infringement not intended

https://www.financialexpress.com/education-2/niti-aayog-partners-with-unicef-india-to-attain-sdgs-focusing-on-children/2500025/#:~:text=Government%20think%2Dtank%20NITI%20Aayog,on%20children%20in%20the%20country

.