UNICEF: Eight trends that will impact children in 2023

The UN children’s agency (UNICEF) has released a report that takes into account the huge impact on children resulting from a series of interconnected crises. The ‘Prospects for Children in 2023: a global outlook’ report analyses the multiple, simultaneous shocks in which the world finds itself, along with eight trends that will shape child rights and well-being in the coming year.

The report explores eight trends:

-firstly the Covid-19 pandemic, that has required a strong effort in global health security and has left many countries at risk; however this crisis has spurred remarkable progress in vaccine development and reforms in the global health system.

-another shock is due to the soaring inflation, that represents a burden for families and children.

-food and nutrition insecurity is the third factor of crisis, due to extreme weather events; making the world’s food systems more resilient is one way to mitigate this issue.

-children are harmed also by the worsening energy crisis, although the focus on energy sustainability provides hope for a greener future.

-needs of developing countries arising from the multiple challenges have not met adequate financial support. Without reforms to unlock additional development finance urgent needs will be left unmet, with bad consequences for children.

-threats to democratic rights such as freedom of expression are expected to continue. Political instability can lead to positive social change, but it can also represent an opportunity for authoritarian leaders.

-multilateralism is under attack due to the increasing factionalism, however efforts to address children’s and young people’s concerns may offer opportunities to find common ground.

-fragmentation of the internet into isolated islands of connectivity and governance, putting at risk the children’s education and social interactions.

In conclusion the Global Outlook 2023 reminds that the trends analysed were highly interlinked, and that global events, shocks and trends would likely interact with each other in ways that could significantly alter global prospects for children.