Meloni, Italy will be one of the main Unicef houses in the world

"It is a story, that of the "Spedale degli Innocenti di Firenze" that makes us proud and which for 40 years has been inextricably linked to another equally important story, that of Unicef, which chose the Institute as the headquarters of its global research and documentation centre. A reality of excellence, in which the studies and analyzes that guide the policies for children of many nations take shape. Today we are preparing to take another step forward together. With the headquarters agreement that we are about to sign, Italy is preparing to become one of the main Unicef homes in the world. It is an honor that recognizes the contribution of our Nation to your mission; it is a responsibility that we assume with conviction".

Thus the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, in a message sent to the celebrations for the 40 years of the Unicef ​​office at the Innocenti in Florence and for the 80 years of Unicef ​​in the world.

Catherine Russell, director general of Unicef, reported at the event that "conflicts and climate shocks have reached record levels while global budgets are shrinking. Children's needs are far exceeding the resources available to meet them. It is precisely at this moment that partnerships and an unwavering commitment to children take on the utmost importance", "we are deeply grateful to the Government and the Italian people for supporting our work". Today it has emerged that, despite progress, over 150 million children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition. More than 500 million, nearly one in five globally, live in countries experiencing war or violent conflict. Children in rich countries are also at risk: almost one in five lives in conditions of economic poverty.

In 1986 the Italian Government invited Unicef ​​to establish a research office at the Istituto degli Innocenti, which has been involved in child protection for over 600 years. "Governments change but Italy's commitment to the right to children does not fail - said Edmondo Cirielli, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - In emergencies we are on the front line and we are often able to be present thanks to Unicef ​​which guarantees its presence in crisis contexts".