ABSTRACT
UNICEF has given leadership within the UN itself and among governments for a human-centred approach to development. During the 15 years when Jim Grant was at its head, UNICEF became a world leader for pursuing human-focused goals and pioneering bold initiatives, such as stopping wars for children and holding summit meetings for heads of state. The World Summit for Children, the first world summit ever held in the UN or elsewhere, had children as its focus, not trade, aid or some other item on the global economic agenda. UNICEF experience shows at least seven elements such as goals, leadership, examples of success, mobilization, public monitoring and promotion in the mass media as well as sustained commitment are necessary before the goals are reached. UNICEF's culminating event for the goals of child survival and development was organizing and carrying through the World Summit for Children held in the UN on 29-30 September 1990.
