Child Friendly Cities Initiative
What is CFCI ?
UNICEF USA's Child Friendly City Initiative was launched globally in 1996 to protect children's rights. CFCI supports municipal governments in realizing the rights of children at the local level using the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (CRC) as its foundation.
As of February 14, 2020, the City of Minneapolis has been committed to planning and implementing more meaningful programs that focus on emergency management and preparedness planning, youth voice in decision-making spaces, community safety, and child rights education and awareness.
CFCI Priority Areas
Emergency Management and Preparedness Planning
Priority Area One states that every child and young person lives in a safe, secure, and clean environment. This goal area includes Article 6, Article 24, and Article 27 in the UNICEF Conventions on the Rights of a Child.
Youth Voice in Decision Making Spaces
Priority Area Two states that very child and younger person ahs their voice, needs, and priorities heard and taken into account in public laws, budgets, programs, and decisions that affect them. This goal area includes numerous articles including Article 12, Article 13, and Article 15 in the UNICEF Convention on the Rights of a Child.
Community Safety
Priority Area Three states that every child and young person is to be valued, respected, and treated equally within their communities and schools, as well as by local governments, parents, peers. This goal area includes Article 6, Article 19, Article 27, and Article 31 in the UNICEF Conventions on the Rights of a Child.
Child Rights Awareness
Priority Area Four states that governments should make the provisions of the Conventions on the Rights of Child widely known, by appropriate and active means, to adults and young people alike. This goal area includes Article 42 in the UNICEF Conventions on the Rights of a Child. and aligns with the CFCI goals of safety and inclusion, children's participation, and equitable social services.






To learn more about our work with UNICEF USA, click the button below. For more information on how to get in involved in our CFCI initiative feel free to email Leah Defenbaugh at leahdefenbaugh@minneapolismn.gov