Tutela dell’infanzia e cooperazione allo sviluppo: il contributo dell’UNICEF e il caso italiano (1947-1965)

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established in December 1946 to rescue mothers and children in Europe and Asia after the World War II. From the beginning it contributed to enhance the protection of motherhood and childhood within the UN political agenda and the policies of the recipient countries. In Europe, it acted at first as a humanitarian agency and then it started technical assistance programmes, urging states to build efficient welfare systems. After the emergency on the continent had ended, it shifted its interests towards Third World, thus helping to connect child welfare with economic/social development of less developed countries. In that context, UNICEF applied some successful European experiences. Italy, which was initially beneficiary of the Fund’s programs and then member of the organization, was one of the most meaningful model.