I came into a strong organization, and I hope I strengthened it more and expanded its capacity to deal with some of the challenges that might not have seemed as great 10 years ago, such as H.I.V., AIDS and children affected by war.

A century that began with children having virtually no rights is ending with children having the most powerful legal instrument that not only recognizes but protects their human rights.

Sport can be used for messaging, for example, making the connections between shin guards or a helmet that protects you, and protection in terms of HIV and AIDS. There has also been a very active program in Africa called 'Kick Polio out of Africa,' where soccer players have spoken out in terms of polio. There is also going to be a swim for malaria.

When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses.

You need to get up in the morning and say, 'Boy, I'm going to - in my own stupid way - save the world today.'

The real solution is to improve the incomes of the poor and provide their children with decent education.

We must ensure that while eliminating child labor in the export industry, we are also eliminating their labour from the informal sector, which is more invisible to public scrutiny - and thus leaves the children more open to abuse and exploitation.

Girls Scouts taught me to succeed (cookie selling) and to fail (knot tying) and to learn and benefit from both.

...in serving the best interests of children, we serve the best interests of all humanity.

Learn all you can about people in other parts of the world. Understanding how people in other countries live and work and play teaches us to respect them and promote peace everywhere.

Children have in the past and continue to influence policy makers.

New legislation has just been adopted by the International Labour Organization on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, such as bonded labour, prostitution and hazardous work.

It's estimated that there may be two hundred and fifty million children in the world engaged in some form of exploitative child labour.

Corporate partners help UNICEF fund our programmes for children, advocate with us on their behalf, or facilitate our work through logistical, technical, research or supply support.

UNICEF has repeatedly called on governments to ensure basic services for children and this includes providing food where the need exists.