International goals

The Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development's (CAH) work is similarly guided by international goals, in particular the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as well as those articulated in the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (2001) and on children (2002, see links below). The MDGs set clear goals and targets for eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, reducing child mortality, maternal mortality and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

CAH has committed to working towards these goals as a matter of human rights, development and security. The Department galvanizes efforts at country and regional level to help governments develop national child health policies; raises awareness at global level through conferences and work shops; and assists countries in the different WHO regions in devising child survival strategies.

CAH is also instrumental in raising awareness about maternal, newborn and child health at global events. CAH-supported research and work have made major contributions to a broad range of publications, including the World Health Report 2005: Make Every Mother and Child Count, The Lancet Child Survival Series, The Lancet Neonatal Survival Series and The Lancet Series on Child Development in Developing Countries (see links below), which serve to influence policy, guide decision-making in countries and promote action.

Related links