At the international conference on Global South and Triangular Cooperation: Emerging Facets—organised by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in New Delhi—Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative, in her remarks underscored the power of collaborative models rooted in shared experience, solidarity, and self-reliance.
Framing her remarks within the historical spirit of the Bandung Conference, McCaffrey echoed its enduring principles—self-reliance, solidarity, and equitable partnerships—urging the audience to look at UNICEF not only as a champion for child rights but as a development partner committed to systemic transformation.
“You may be wondering—why is UNICEF here? Isn’t that the organisation that works with children? Yes, we are. And we do that quite well,” she said with a smile.
Indeed, UNICEF’s legacy spans 78 years and over 150 countries. The organisation has helped millions of children not only survive but thrive, guided by values closely aligned with South-South cooperation: ownership, mutual learning, and community-driven innovation.
India as a Development Lab and Global Partner
McCaffrey pointed out that India is more than a recipient of development support—it is a generator of solutions. “In 1949, UNICEF began its work in India by collaborating with the government to set up technical assistance mechanisms, including India’s first penicillin plant. Fast forward to today, India is now the fourth-largest supplier of vaccines and antibiotics to UNICEF globally.”
UNICEF’s contributions also played a vital role in the nutrition revolution. “In 1954, we worked with the government and the private sector to set up milk processing plants in Anand, which became part of India’s White Revolution. Today, India is the world’s largest producer of milk. That’s what strategic, people-centred investment can do.”
These innovations, she explained, are not contained within borders. They are being adapted globally—Ethiopia’s National Health Extension Program is one such example. “It was shaped by India’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), now in its 15th year. You walk through any rural Indian village and you’ll find the ‘Triple As’—Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, and auxiliary nurse midwives—empowering families with knowledge and care.”
Another stellar example is Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which has led to widespread Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages and has measurably improved child health and community safety. “UNICEF was invited early into the process to help craft communication strategies. Today, these learnings are influencing sanitation models in other developing countries,” McCaffrey shared.
The Road Ahead: SDGs, Youth, and Women
Despite the progress, McCaffrey cautioned that the road to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains long. “We’ve made substantial strides, yet many challenges persist. Nearly 16% of primary-school-age children globally are still out of school. And 14.5 million children remain zero-dose—meaning they’ve not received a single life-saving vaccine.”
India’s model offers not only lessons but hope. One of the most promising initiatives is YuWaah—a UNICEF-supported youth platform. “We’re working with multiple ministries across India to create integrated skilling, mentoring, volunteering, and employment ecosystems. Through the YouthHub platform, we’re connecting young people with real opportunities and bringing in the private sector to help them move from learning to earning.”
With the world’s largest youth population, India holds a demographic advantage—and soon, Africa will too. McCaffrey emphasised that South-South cooperation must leverage this transition to ensure global preparedness.
Equally important is the role of women. “Economies cannot grow—and certainly cannot sustain that growth—without enabling and empowering women. As G20 Sherpa Mr. Amitabh Kant said, we must invest in creating an enabling environment for women to work, participate, and lead.”
That includes childcare support, safe working conditions, and access to early education for children. “When women step into the workforce, they must do so knowing their children are safe, nurtured, and thriving,” she said.
From Policy to People: A Story of Hope
To conclude, McCaffrey shared a story that distilled the essence of her message.
“Last year, I met a young girl named Anina. She was on the verge of dropping out of school. But thanks to a government scheme, her family received the support they needed. Today, she’s preparing to attend nursing school. What moved me even more than her pride was her hope for her two younger sisters. She saw a future for them—not just a dream, but a real, tangible possibility.”
This, McCaffrey argued, is the ultimate purpose of South-South and triangular cooperation—to foster pathways of progress that ripple across communities, countries, and continents.
“We look forward to coming together to build these innovative pathways that reach India and the globe.”
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