The war in Ukraine has led to high food and energy prices, global hunger and inflation – just one example of how crises affecting millions around the world, including children, are interacting.
The report, Prospects for Children in 2023: A Global Outlook, also looks at a number of other important areas, from the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic to the fragmentation of the internet and the climate emergency. Here are eight insights included in the study.
1) The pandemic is casting a long shadow, but health breakthroughs offer hope
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for strong global health security, and many countries remain vulnerable. Unfortunately, children are so often the most vulnerable – if not to the virus itself, then to its many effects.
At the same time, the pandemic has spurred remarkable advances in vaccine development and reforms in global health systems, and in 2023 it is vital that the world continues to strengthen health architecture around the world.
2) Efforts to tame inflation have unintended effects on child poverty
Rising inflation was the economic story of the year and unsurprisingly its impact can weigh heavily on families and children. Attempts to tame price increases can also have harsh consequences, such as: B. A slowdown in economic growth and a reduction in job opportunities – especially for young people.
Government action to expand and protect social benefits to protect the most vulnerable from the impact of economic austerity.
3) Food and nutrition insecurity is expected to persist
Food insecurity has increased due to extreme weather events, bottlenecks in key supply chains and conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.
As prices rise, families around the world are finding it harder to feed their children — and it’s likely to remain so in 2023.
Making the world’s food systems more resilient is one way to mitigate this problem.
4) Energy crises cause immediate damage, but a focus on sustainability means a greener future
Rising energy prices are greatly increasing the cost of living for billions of people, and the outlook for 2023 is uncertain.
These prospects have led to even greater focus on the transition to clean and sustainable energy sources, which have the potential to create new jobs for young people.
However, many of them do not feel prepared for these new careers, so preparing young job seekers for training opportunities must be a critical part of any green energy agenda.
5) Focus on climate finance, debt relief for developing countries
Developing countries face numerous challenges as they try to recover from the pandemic, manage the climate crisis and manage economic stresses, but financial support to these countries is not increasing to meet their escalating needs.
Without reforms to unlock additional development finance, resources will become increasingly scarce and urgent needs will remain unmet – and that’s bad news for children.
6) Democracy in danger, social movements are pushing back
Democracy has been increasingly threatened in recent years and will continue to be challenged in 2023. Political instability can lead to positive social change, but it can also leave the door open to authoritarian leaders.
In 2023, young people are likely to play an even more important role in social movements, be it climate change, mental health, education or gender equality. Your advocacy will be powerful and add to the momentum of change.
7) Increased antagonism complicates efforts to help children
In an atmosphere of increasing division, multilateralism becomes more difficult: the number of children in need is currently at its highest level since World War II, and an antagonistic world is unlikely to produce positive outcomes for children.
Improved international cooperation is needed for multilateral organizations to address the challenges children face; There are still ways to put tension aside, find common ground, and put the best interests of the children first.
8) The Internet is becoming less open and more fragmented
Technological, commercial, and political factors are fragmenting the Web into isolated islands of connectivity and governance.
Children are particularly affected as they rely heavily on the internet for their education and social interactions. In 2023 we are likely to see efforts to promote a free, inclusive and safe internet and every opportunity to create a digital future to the benefit of children must be seized.
Read the full report here.
