UNICEF New Zealand

For Every Child: Episode 14 by UNICEF New Zealand

A very special episode of the show this month, exploring the impact of child poverty from every angle. The episode was recorded live at Wellington's historic Paramount Cinema during an evening of short films highlighting New Zealand's child poverty problem. Film for Change Aotearoa produced a series of first-person testimonies which show the impact of poverty on children and families. The filmmakers and several voices from the films participated in a live Q&A. The evening also marked the world premiere of Sleeping Rough, a 14-minute documentary short about homelessness in New Zealand. The film was directed by filmmakers Tashima Richter, Caroline Goes and Joyce Chen, and shines a light on New Zealand's growing homelessness problem.

The children of Syria have been fighting for survival. Now as the winter approaches, they are fighting just to stay warm. Jo and Gareth Morgan recently visited Lebanon where they saw firsthand the rudimentary shelters that will struggle to stand up to the brutal winter. Elsewhere in Damascus, an innovative e-voucher programme, supported by UNICEF, is helping to rebuild the confidence of children. One in ten Kiwi kids is dyslexic, and the services for young people are often lacking, leaving some to feel excluded. We spoke to three young dyslexic people in the Wellington region about their experiences growing up with dyslexia.

Young people from Save the Children New Zealand and UNICEF New Zealand asked 1198 kids around the country whether they know about their rights and whether those rights are respected. The findings have now been published in a report entitled Our Voices, Our Rights ➜ bit.ly/ourvoicesourrights UNICEF NZ Youth Ambassador Ethyn Sturm and Save the Children NZ Youth Ambassador Tsidkenu Mushariwa were among the young people who led this process. They sat down with UNICEF NZ Child Rights Education Advisor Jacqui Southey to discuss what they learned and what needs to change.

Young people in New Zealand talk about what they know about their rights and whether those rights are respected. UNICEF Syria's Basma Ourfali shares what it's like to work and live at the epicentre of the crisis, Aleppo.

Our Communications Director Patrick Rose has been on the ground in Syria and spoke to Morning Report after his first day there.

Refugees who fled conflict as children share their stories and how they managed to overcome the trauma of their childhoods. Hanaa Singer, UNICEF Representative in Syria, talks about the ongoing conflict in Syria and the children who continue to endure unimaginable suffering.

Luciano Calestini, Deputy Representative for UNICEF Lebanon talks about the huge challenges of helping Syrian and Lebanese children recover from conflict. Memuna Barnes shares her harrowing story of surviving conflict and abduction in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Finally a look at the impact of violence on children here in NZ where PTSD can leave children frozen in fear.

A conversation with Tim Ledwith about the State of the World's Children Report 2016. Tim maps out the major challenges in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals and the need for an equity based approach to avoid a catastrophic future for children. Hanaa Singer from UNICEF Syria gives updates on an aid convoy reaching Aleppo this week. Finally Judy Kumeroa from Whanganui talks about community led change as part of the 'Bright Spots' report celebrating NZ's best examples of local child focused solutions.

Special Climate Change in the Pacific episode brings you to Kiribati to look at how UNICEF is working to deliver fresh water systems and better toilets to the outer islands so children stay healthy, stay in school and are ready to face an uncertain future. Then to Fiji where Ethan Donnell speaks with families who are still recovering from a series of cyclones that have impacted their kids, their crops and their lives.

A conversation with UNICEF NZ Ambassador Mike McRoberts about his memories of his childhood growing up in Christchurch in the 60's and 70's. We then check in with Mongrel Mob member and respected government social worker Harry Tam about reaching the hardest to reach children. Finally Trish Grant from IHC tells us about how NZ is doing in supporting families who have children with disabilities. Music from Creative Commons Photo: Women's Weekly

In depth talk about Child Trafficking with former UN Secretary General for UNDOC Antonio Maria Costa. A look at the causes, experiences and solutions to the global epidemic of human slavery. Deborah Morris Travers speaks to NZ Parliament about Paid Parental leave and how it could help deliver better outcomes for kids and families. Finally Kim Workman speaks with UNICEF NZ about youth in the justice system and their fundamental rights.

The United Nations is warning that 36 million people across Africa are facing hunger as much of the continent suffers from the worse drought in decades. Already, one million children are experiencing severe acute malnutrition. Kiwi Gillian Mellsop is UNICEF Representative in Ethiopia, the country worst hit in the current crisis. originally aired on RNZ Sunday

Focus on the recovery efforts underway for the children of Fiji still reeling from the impact of Cyclone Winston. Conversation with Alice Clements from UNICEF Pacific on the latest with relief efforts and the road ahead for schools, health care and homes for children. Deborah Morris Travers gives a frank assessment of the Residential Tenancy Bill after her submission to the Parliamentary Select Committee. Finally Sarah Te One talks about the importance of Family Environment in our society and in policy and how it's the key to happy, healthy kids. Submissions by Ethan Donnell and music by Rhian Sheehan.

Vivien Maidaborn shares her thoughts about travelling with SBW to settlements in Lebanon. Beyond the UNICEF schools and protection projects, she was shocked by the issues of Child Brides and teenage boys being lured into the military. In China, there are over 60 million children being raised without parents. UNICEF China Deputy Rep Tim Sutton talks with us about the key challenges facing kids in China and the unique way UNICEF is able to amplify efforts with government support. Music by Rhian Sheehan. First broadcast on Access Radio Wellington.