Latest news with #UNICEF
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why are Dutch kids the world's happiest? A teenager weighs in
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mary Frances Ruskell graduated from high school last month in Columbia, South Carolina. She will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall. The summer before sixth grade, my friend Lou and I discovered an empty lot with an abandoned dock on the lake in her neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina. It was always magical there. We only went in the late afternoon to avoid the heat, when the light was sliding into evening and the cicadas and frogs were sit on the dock eating candy and drinking slushees for hours. Those are some of my favorite summer memories from elementary and middle school. My parents gave me a long leash as a kid, provided I was home before the streetlamps turned on. I walked long distances, especially in the summer when I had more time. I'd wander down to the neighborhood drugstore for gummy candies, or all the way to a main shopping street to try on clothes I couldn't afford. I'd walk to restaurants, coffee shops and far-flung friends' houses. It was fun, and it taught me how to be on my own in the world, in its own small way. But I was a rare free-range child among my peers. Dozens of kids my age lived in the neighborhood, but only three were allowed to walk to my house to ask if I wanted to play when we were in elementary school. The other parents didn't let their kids go off in the neighborhood on their own. Instead, they called my mom to set up playdates in what felt like the far-off future. I appreciate how much effort and organization that took, but when you're a little kid, the desire to play was immediate. It was frustrating. When I visited friends in the Netherlands in March, the Dutch kids I encountered reminded me of my own childhood roaming my neighborhood. I was staying in Haarlem, a small storybook city outside of Amsterdam, with Tracy, a family friend and American expat now living in the Netherlands. Her three kids were born there and are being raised Dutch. They were always in and out of the apartment, headed to school, restaurants and friends' houses. These kinds of comings and goings aren't unique to their family. Many Dutch children enjoy a freedom of movement that most American kids don't, which might be the key to why Dutch kids are the happiest kids in the world, according to a 2025 UNICEF report. The agency measured childhood well-being in 43 countries that are members of the European Union and/or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The US was not fully ranked in mental health because researchers were missing relevant data. Even without a definitive mental health ranking for American children, I still think Dutch kids are far happier than American kids like me. Articles discussing the report offer lots of different answers as to why this happiness gap exists: better health care, high-trust culture, less pressure to excel academically. But when I asked parents and children in the Netherlands why they thought their children were so happy, they all had one answer: Dutch parents value giving their children independence, possibly above all else. American parents say they value independence, too. Nearly three-quarters of American parents with children ages 5 to 8 say 'they make it a point to have their child do things themselves, when possible,' according to the 2023 C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. The poll also found that among parents of children ages 9 to 11, '84% agree that children benefit from having free time without adult supervision.' So, if both American and Dutch parents value independence, why do Dutch kids seem so much happier? I wonder if the key difference lies in how both sets of parents understand what freedom for kids looks like. 'Dutch parenting is all about raising self-sufficient kids,' Tracy told me. 'My older two (ages 12 and 14) bike more than 10 kilometers (6 miles) daily to school since there are no school buses. 'If a teacher cancels a class, students just have free time instead of a substitute. My 14-year-old had two canceled classes this morning and simply stayed home until noon. This would be a logistical nightmare for schools and parents if we didn't just expect our kids to sort it out.' Dutch parenting, according to the close to a dozen parents in the Netherlands I spoke with, emphasizes allowing children a freedom of movement that many American kids don't have. When I was in Haarlem and Amsterdam, bikes and little kids on bikes were everywhere. Dutch kids get bicycles at an early age, Tracy told me, and that gives them the ability to move around their towns and cities by themselves. I also saw plenty of kids walking with their friends to stores and restaurants. Generally speaking, Dutch children and teens are allowed to move freely through the world. Most American kids don't have anything close to this degree of freedom. Only 33% of American children between the ages of 9 and 11 are allowed to bike or walk to a friend's house alone, according to the Mott survey. One-half are allowed to find an item at a store while a parent is in another aisle, and 15% may trick-or-treat with friends on their own. They cannot move through the world without their parents there. There may be many reasons why American parents are limiting their kids' physical independence, but the main reason seems to be concern for children's safety. American parents are afraid for their children's well-being, and that makes them anxious. In fact, 40% of parents report being extremely worried about their children struggling with depression or anxiety, and 36% report being 'somewhat' concerned, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey of American parenting. More than 4 in 10 parents describe themselves as overprotective, the survey noted. That may be why they limit their child's freedom of movement. That lack of freedom of movement might be undermining what parents say they actually want for their children: well-being. After all, don't parents protect their kids so they'll be happy and healthy? A team of researchers concluded in a 2023 study that 'a primary cause of the rise in mental disorders is a decline over decades in opportunities for children and teens to play, roam, and engage in other activities independent of direct oversight and control by adults.' The study's researchers argue that independent activity in adolescents leads to the well-being that parents want. Independent activities require young people to make their own decisions and find their own solutions, leading to the development of a strong 'internal locus of control,' the researchers noted. That locus refers to a person's tendency to believe they have control over their life and can solve problems as they arise. A weak internal locus of control, stemming from less independence in adolescence, often leads to anxiety or depression. My high school classmate Cal commented on this anxiety once when we were talking about how Gen Z apparently parties less. 'People are too scared for their kids to go and do stuff, and I think, as a result (we) as a generation are too scared to do stuff now.' I'm not a parent, and I'm not trying to tell anyone how to raise their children. But I did just graduate from high school, so I know what modern childhood is like. I remember how wonderful and rare it was being able to wander in elementary and middle school, so I hope my perspective might be helpful to some anxious parents. This summer, consider letting your kids walk to the neighborhood park without you. Or give them money to buy an ice cream cone without your supervision. Encourage them to invite a friend. Let them have some physical freedom, and the memories that come with it. Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
The World Health Organization (WHO) actively responds to anthrax epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
In mid-May, 57-year-old Pierre* was admitted to a health centre in the Lubero area after suffering from severe itching on his right hand, followed by pruritus and a swelling of his forearm. He was treated and, given the unusual symptoms, samples were collected and sent for analysis at the laboratory of the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Goma. An alert was previously issued at the end of March 2025 following the death of dozens of buffalo and hippopotamuses in Virunga National Park in North Kivu. Samples taken on 29 March from a recently deceased hippopotamus and examined at the Goma veterinary laboratory revealed the presence of spores of the bacillus responsible for anthrax. Anthrax is a bacterial zoonosis (disease transmissible from animals to humans) that generally affects ruminants (cows, sheep and goats). Humans can become infected through contact with a sick animal or contaminated products (such as meat, blood, wool, hides and bones). All forms of human anthrax (cutaneous, gastrointestinal and respiratory) require hospitalization and medical treatment. To ensure a multi-sectoral response to this concerning health situation, the national departments of health, environment, fisheries and livestock, with support from partners including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, FAO and CDC Africa, have put the 'One Health' approach into practice. The close collaboration between the human, animal and environmental health services is designed to protect lives in response to health emergencies. A delegation from these departments and organisations visited the Binza and Rutshuru health zones from 25 to 28 May 2025 to strengthen surveillance and the response to outbreaks of suspected cases of anthrax in the Binza and Lubero health zones. 'One of the high-impact measures led by the national authorities with the support of partners was the development of the national multi-sector anthrax preparedness and response plan. Through this common approach to the response, we can ensure a comprehensive response, from prevention activities to the clinical management of patients. We are confident that this health threat will soon be over,' said Dr Aline Katerekwa Ntamushigo, Medical Supervisor at the National Programme for Emergencies and Humanitarian Action (NPEHA). 'Our discussions with those involved on the ground are helping us to manage this risk effectively to protect people, animals and the environment.' Since the announcement of the epidemic, WHO has supported the response on several levels. Dr Célestin Ndaliko, epidemiologist in charge of surveillance at the WHO Office in the DRC, was a member of the response team that went to Binza. 'There are major challenges in terms of disease detection. So, every anthrax investigation becomes an act of resilience, a glimmer of hope to prevent the spread of this devastating disease.' As of 26 May 2025, 24 suspected human anthrax cases had been reported, alongside the deaths of 9 goats, one cow, 60 hippopotamuses and 27 buffalo reported in four health zones in the eastern province of North Kivu. 'Our support has been provided at several levels, and we are particularly keen to provide appropriate care for those affected. In most cases, the disease can be cured with antibiotics, which must be prescribed by a health professional,' explained Dr Leopold Ouedraogo, Emergency Manager in the provinces of North and South Kivu. WHO has made more than four tonnes of medicines available to 12 health facilities, a large quantity of which has been handed over to the authorities in the Binza health zone in Rutshuru territory. 'So far, even if our Binza health zone has not yet recorded any human cases, we have what it takes to prevent and be ahead of what could happen,' said Dr Bernard Kakule, Chief Medical Officer for the Binza health zone. WHO has played a central role in cross-border coordination between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, facilitating communication and collaboration between the two countries in response to the re-emergence of anthrax in humans and animals. Surveillance has thus been strengthened, notably by activating the 'One Health' unit in Rutshuru, to ensure early detection and rapid response in high-risk health zones by integrating the human, animal and environmental dimensions of health. To build local capacity, the WHO has also supported the training of community relays, the development of awareness-raising materials and the conduct of public and door-to-door awareness-raising campaigns on disease prevention measures. The Organisation also donated prevention kits (chlorine, hand sanitizers), essential medicines and medical equipment for treatment, and encouraged collaboration with technical partners such as INRB to improve epidemiological surveillance. Despite security and logistical challenges, WHO's support has enabled the foundations to be laid for a coordinated response, while highlighting the need for greater commitment to community awareness-raising, the safe management of carcasses and the vaccination of animals at risk. Since the epidemic was announced, 24 people have been treated in health facilities in the Binza and Lubero health zones, including Pierre, who has been discharged from the hospital and resumed his life. On the ground, our teams are still working hard to continue protecting people and their herds, working together in the face of a common threat. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - Democratic Republic of Congo.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why are Dutch kids the world's happiest? A teenager weighs in
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mary Frances Ruskell graduated from high school last month in Columbia, South Carolina. She will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall. The summer before sixth grade, my friend Lou and I discovered an empty lot with an abandoned dock on the lake in her neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina. It was always magical there. We only went in the late afternoon to avoid the heat, when the light was sliding into evening and the cicadas and frogs were sit on the dock eating candy and drinking slushees for hours. Those are some of my favorite summer memories from elementary and middle school. My parents gave me a long leash as a kid, provided I was home before the streetlamps turned on. I walked long distances, especially in the summer when I had more time. I'd wander down to the neighborhood drugstore for gummy candies, or all the way to a main shopping street to try on clothes I couldn't afford. I'd walk to restaurants, coffee shops and far-flung friends' houses. It was fun, and it taught me how to be on my own in the world, in its own small way. But I was a rare free-range child among my peers. Dozens of kids my age lived in the neighborhood, but only three were allowed to walk to my house to ask if I wanted to play when we were in elementary school. The other parents didn't let their kids go off in the neighborhood on their own. Instead, they called my mom to set up playdates in what felt like the far-off future. I appreciate how much effort and organization that took, but when you're a little kid, the desire to play was immediate. It was frustrating. When I visited friends in the Netherlands in March, the Dutch kids I encountered reminded me of my own childhood roaming my neighborhood. I was staying in Haarlem, a small storybook city outside of Amsterdam, with Tracy, a family friend and American expat now living in the Netherlands. Her three kids were born there and are being raised Dutch. They were always in and out of the apartment, headed to school, restaurants and friends' houses. These kinds of comings and goings aren't unique to their family. Many Dutch children enjoy a freedom of movement that most American kids don't, which might be the key to why Dutch kids are the happiest kids in the world, according to a 2025 UNICEF report. The agency measured childhood well-being in 43 countries that are members of the European Union and/or the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The US was not fully ranked in mental health because researchers were missing relevant data. Even without a definitive mental health ranking for American children, I still think Dutch kids are far happier than American kids like me. Articles discussing the report offer lots of different answers as to why this happiness gap exists: better health care, high-trust culture, less pressure to excel academically. But when I asked parents and children in the Netherlands why they thought their children were so happy, they all had one answer: Dutch parents value giving their children independence, possibly above all else. American parents say they value independence, too. Nearly three-quarters of American parents with children ages 5 to 8 say 'they make it a point to have their child do things themselves, when possible,' according to the 2023 C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. The poll also found that among parents of children ages 9 to 11, '84% agree that children benefit from having free time without adult supervision.' So, if both American and Dutch parents value independence, why do Dutch kids seem so much happier? I wonder if the key difference lies in how both sets of parents understand what freedom for kids looks like. 'Dutch parenting is all about raising self-sufficient kids,' Tracy told me. 'My older two (ages 12 and 14) bike more than 10 kilometers (6 miles) daily to school since there are no school buses. 'If a teacher cancels a class, students just have free time instead of a substitute. My 14-year-old had two canceled classes this morning and simply stayed home until noon. This would be a logistical nightmare for schools and parents if we didn't just expect our kids to sort it out.' Dutch parenting, according to the close to a dozen parents in the Netherlands I spoke with, emphasizes allowing children a freedom of movement that many American kids don't have. When I was in Haarlem and Amsterdam, bikes and little kids on bikes were everywhere. Dutch kids get bicycles at an early age, Tracy told me, and that gives them the ability to move around their towns and cities by themselves. I also saw plenty of kids walking with their friends to stores and restaurants. Generally speaking, Dutch children and teens are allowed to move freely through the world. Most American kids don't have anything close to this degree of freedom. Only 33% of American children between the ages of 9 and 11 are allowed to bike or walk to a friend's house alone, according to the Mott survey. One-half are allowed to find an item at a store while a parent is in another aisle, and 15% may trick-or-treat with friends on their own. They cannot move through the world without their parents there. There may be many reasons why American parents are limiting their kids' physical independence, but the main reason seems to be concern for children's safety. American parents are afraid for their children's well-being, and that makes them anxious. In fact, 40% of parents report being extremely worried about their children struggling with depression or anxiety, and 36% report being 'somewhat' concerned, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey of American parenting. More than 4 in 10 parents describe themselves as overprotective, the survey noted. That may be why they limit their child's freedom of movement. That lack of freedom of movement might be undermining what parents say they actually want for their children: well-being. After all, don't parents protect their kids so they'll be happy and healthy? A team of researchers concluded in a 2023 study that 'a primary cause of the rise in mental disorders is a decline over decades in opportunities for children and teens to play, roam, and engage in other activities independent of direct oversight and control by adults.' The study's researchers argue that independent activity in adolescents leads to the well-being that parents want. Independent activities require young people to make their own decisions and find their own solutions, leading to the development of a strong 'internal locus of control,' the researchers noted. That locus refers to a person's tendency to believe they have control over their life and can solve problems as they arise. A weak internal locus of control, stemming from less independence in adolescence, often leads to anxiety or depression. My high school classmate Cal commented on this anxiety once when we were talking about how Gen Z apparently parties less. 'People are too scared for their kids to go and do stuff, and I think, as a result (we) as a generation are too scared to do stuff now.' I'm not a parent, and I'm not trying to tell anyone how to raise their children. But I did just graduate from high school, so I know what modern childhood is like. I remember how wonderful and rare it was being able to wander in elementary and middle school, so I hope my perspective might be helpful to some anxious parents. This summer, consider letting your kids walk to the neighborhood park without you. Or give them money to buy an ice cream cone without your supervision. Encourage them to invite a friend. Let them have some physical freedom, and the memories that come with it. Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
Libya Observer
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
UN mission, Libyan defence officials discuss child protection and security reform
Officials from the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and UNICEF have met Libyan defence representatives to discuss child protection concerns and ongoing security sector reforms. The talks, held on Monday with the director of the defence minister's office and the human rights office, focused on reports of child recruitment and the need for mechanisms to ensure compliance with international standards. UNICEF called for the establishment of an institutional framework to monitor and address such violations. In a separate meeting, UNSMIL and the defence ministry discussed efforts to maintain the ceasefire in Tripoli, reform the security sector, and reintegrate members of armed groups. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to good governance, professionalism, inclusivity and the rule of law at national and international levels.
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Business Standard
11 hours ago
- General
- Business Standard
Swachh Bharat Mission completes 10 years: What Phase II looks like
As Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), the flagship cleanliness and sanitation scheme of the central government, completes 10 years, it gets ready to enter Phase II with a greater focus on rural India, using climate-resilient sanitation technical designs and services. 'As we move forward on the SBM-Grameen (rural) journey, we recognise that sanitation is not just about infrastructure, it is about dignity, equity and sustainability,' Ashok KK Meena, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, said during his address at the National Rural Sanitation Workshop organised by DDWS and UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) India on Wednesday. At the event, the government released two technical publications: Standard Operating Procedures for the Safety and Dignity of Sanitation Workers in Rural India Protocol for Developing Climate Resilient Sanitation Technical Designs and Services 'To ensure that sanitation services are not only safe and inclusive but also climate-resilient and equitable,' the government said in a statement. This event and the launch of these protocols reflect the government's commitment to leaving no one behind, while adapting to the climate challenges of our times, Meena added. Over 250,000 Gram Panchayats in India are preparing for the digital transformation of their cleanliness model through the e-GramSwaraj platform and tracking their performance using a new tool called the Panchayat Advancement Index. This indicates the increasing role of local governance in rural sanitation. Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), led a session on 'Strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions for Sustainable Sanitation' and highlighted that the Clean and Green Panchayat initiative empowers local bodies to lead in waste management, grey water (wastewater) reuse, and inclusive sanitation infrastructure, delivering viable outcomes to achieve sustainable development goals. Senior government officials, state mission directors, development partners and sector experts gathered to review the progress of the SBM-G and identify priorities for its next phase at the event. Karina Malczewska, Chief, WASH & CCES, UNICEF, reiterated the need to transition from safe and inclusive sanitation to one that is resilient and future-ready, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable rural development. Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission & SBM-G, noted that as climate risks intensify, integrating resilience into sanitation systems is no longer optional, it is essential.
