Shaheen Madraswala

What will the world look like for children in 2050?

Today more people have access to a cellular phone than to a toilet. This, evidently, highlights the need to prioritise access to basic sanitation. However, it is also a reminder that interventions, whether to provide access to toilets or other health and education services, need to be designed within the context of a changing world. The world is changing at a faster rate than ever before and it is therefore important for organisations to consistently monitor, evaluate, adapt and respond to emerging global trends. For UNICEF, this couldn’t be more vital. As an international organization with staff in over 150 countries, being at the cutting edge of global trends is crucial to timely and effective responses. As a Research Intern with UNICEF, I worked on a publication identifying long-term trends which will facilitate UNICEF’s active participation in the dialogue on addressing trends which are projected to impact the needs and interests of children. This publication will essentially inform UNICEF’s key priority areas in the post 2015 development agenda discussions at the United Nations.