International telecoms company operating in several African countries Millicom has announced a partnership with UNICEF aimed at improving respect for children’s rights in the telecommunication sector. The partnership will strive for positive change within the industry through pilot implementation of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles and the UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Guidelines for Industry on Child Online Protection.

They seek to create standards for good practice in the telecommunication sector that protect children online and respect their right to privacy, freedom of thought, opinion, culture and safety. Among other things they will map the risks to and opportunities for children’s rights in the telecommunication sector and in specific operational settings.

They will also develop and promote industry-specific guidance on how the telecommunication sector can improve respect for children’s rights, specifically through implementing the Children’s Rights and Business Principles; and develop case studies on lessons learned in implementing the Children’s Rights and Business Principles and the UNICEF and ITU Guidelines for Industry on Child Online Protection.

Millicom’s Executive Vice President of Strategic Operations and Partnerships, Rachel Samrén said: “Companies have many strategic and direct ways to influence children’s lives positively, beyond charity work or fighting child labour. At Millicom, we always ‘demand more’ and so we are proud to be at the forefront of putting into action the great work with UNICEF that takes a wider perspective on business responsibility and children.”

“UNICEF is committed to working with business to identify the shared value that can be created when improving child rights within each industry,” said Gérard Bocquenet, UNICEF Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships.  “We are proud to join Millicom in identifying how children can be better protected online in this growing virtual world. It is truly an important issue that is increasingly relevant to children everywhere.”

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