The Structural Determinants of Child Well - being

In 1988 the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) established a research centre to support its advocacy for children worldwide and to identify and research current and future areas of UNICEF's work. The prime objectives of the Office of Research are to improve international understanding of issues relating to children's rights and to help facilitate full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in developing, middle-income and industrialized countries. The Office aims to set out a comprehensive framework for research and knowledge within the organization in support of its global programmes and policies. Through strengthening research partnerships with leading academic institutions and development networks in both the North and South, the Office seeks to leverage additional resources and influence in support of efforts towards policy reform in favour of children. Publications produced by the Office are contributions to a global debate on children and child rights issues and include a wide range of opinions. For that reason, some publications may not necessarily reflect UNICEF policies or approaches on some topics. The views expressed are those of the authors and/or editors and are published in order to stimulate further dialogue on child rights. The Office collaborates with its host institution in Florence, the Istituto degli Innocenti, in selected areas of work. Core funding is provided by the Government of Italy, while financial support for specific projects is also provided by other governments, international institutions and private sources, including UNICEF National Committees. Extracts from this publication may be freely reproduced with due acknowledgement. Requests to translate the publication in its entirety should be addressed to: Communications Unit, [email protected]. For further information and to download or order this and other publications, please visit the website at www.unicef-irc.org. (see members page 63). A special thanks to Professor Robert Black whose insight and expert chairing contributed to a successful meeting. The consultation also benefited from the direction and contribution of Geeta Rao Gupta, whose expertise in this area helped shape the discussions. iii This paper describes the outcomes of an expert consultation on " The Structural Determinants of Child Well-being " hosted by the UNICEF Office of Research. The two-day meeting brought together twelve participants to discuss the underlying causes of child well-being and develop an initial framework to consider the impact of structural factors on children's lives and the inequalities that too often shape (and limit) their futures. Seven major conclusions emerged …