Campaigner Testing - UNICEF and the IMF Making public resources work for children

UNICEF staffers often share stories from community visits to illustrate how we work for children where they live. But to make a difference we also must go to the halls of power where decisions are made that can have a massive impact on children’s lives.

Why would UNICEF want to talk to the IMF?  And why would the IMF talk to UNICEF?

UNICEF’s Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, went to meet with the IMF Executive Board in July, an explicit recognition that there is both common ground and interest.

Many readers may know that the IMF “provides policy advice and financing to members in economic difficulties and also works with developing nations to help them achieve macroeconomic stability,” but may be less aware that the sentence in italics ends “….and reduce poverty.” We especially like that part, of course. But macroeconomic stability is also important in the long run for children; the steps to ensure it often create risks but can also create opportunities.

Watch ED Fore talk about her visit.

In short, what the IMF does matters for children – both for their wellbeing today and their opportunities tomorrow. Governments’ decisions about how to use limited public resources can make the difference between children going to school, accessing medical care, and proper nutrition, or not, especially when times are hardest. The IMF often has influence over those decisions – especially when times are hardest.

UNICEF is encouraged by the IMF’s increasing recognition that inclusive growth is the most sustainable kind, and inequality is a barrier to making it happen.  Our meeting was a chance to remind the IMF that children are poorer than adults the world over.  Reducing inequality starts with them and building inclusive growth can’t happen without them.

The IMF has taken valuable steps towards recognizing the importance of  both protecting those who are vulnerable – with their social safeguards guidance – and understanding the full value of  social spending – with their brand-new Social Spending strategy. The recent meeting was a chance to share ideas about how to take these forward, including exploring areas where the IMF and UNICEF can work together.