International Year of the Child 1979

by Franziska von Vietinghoff 

The UNGA declared 1979 as the International Year of the Child (IYC) to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1959. The history of the rights of children dates back to 1924 and the League of Nations.Over the years, the concept of ‘the best interest of the child’ became a beacon. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted in 1989. Since 1991, experts from UNICEF and child-friendly NGOs have met to analyze the data from the CRC reporting process. As a result, in 1995 the Child Rights International Network (CRIN) was established.


UNICEF staff carried a copy of the CRC in their pocket for ready reference, and they were all guided by the CRC principles.

My personal memories

UNICEF prepared for the IYC by opening two offices: one in New York HQ, the other in Geneva. The latter was to be nearer the national committees for UNICEF (natcoms) which were mostly located in Europe. My duties with the IYC Geneva Office included liaising with natcoms. James F. McDougall was our director, while John Gruen headed IYC in New York. Organizational lines between IYC Geneva and the UNICEF Geneva Office, led by Gordon Carter, were somewhat hazily outlined, but we mutually supported each other. 

The villa Le Bocage, a property of the City of Geneva, housed the IYC team. This pleasant softly pink building was known as a retreat for thinkers, learning, and dialogue. One of its illustrious inhabitants was Leo Tolstoy. Often I imagined that the villa’s walls regaled me with inspiring vibrations of classic Russian literature. Built in early twentieth century style, Le Bocage is located on the slopes of the Ariana Parc, with the UNICEF Office up one side, and the UN Palais des Nations down the other side. Further down towards the Lac Léman, the Botanical Garden offered wonderful lunchtime walks.

Le Bocage is where the IYC Geneva staff worked from 1977 for about two years. NGOs and natcoms were welcome to visit, share ideas and cooperate. Theme papers were written, public relations materials were created, phones rang, panic loomed over deadlines, chaos and drama occured in a friendly spirit. In the summer of 1979, Mrs. Estefanía Aldaba-Lim arrived at Le Bocage.

From left: Franziska von Vietinghoff, IYC Geneva; 
Mrs Estephania Aldaba-Lim, UN Ses.Gen. Special Representative for IYC; 
Pope John Paul II; James F. McDougal, Director, IYC Office Geneva; 
Assistant to Mrs Aldaba-Lim  

Mrs. Aldaba-Lim was the UN Secretary-General’s (SG) Special Representative for IYC. Her visits to heads of state gave highest-level visibility to the IYC. One day our cherished Mrs. Aldaba-Lim (we addressed her formally) smilingly admitted that for her it was easy to accept the SG’s challenge to be his Special Representative, for it raised her hope, she said, to one day meet the Pope in the Vatican.

When Mrs. Aldaba-Lim traveled in Europe, she was accompanied by IYC Geneva staff members. A few times I had this pleasure, along with my director. Her much awaited day came on 24 February, 1979 when Mrs. Aldaba-Lim was received by Pope John Paul II in his private chambers at the Vatican, a meeting that fulfilled her lifelong dream. Pope John Paul II, still relatively new in his job, greeted our group serenely, shaking hands with each of us and speaking English. In his greeting I felt empathy and warmth enough to be shared with the whole world. A longer chat was reserved for Mrs. Aldaba-Lim, perhaps about her Faith, but certainly about IYC. The dignity and presence of the moment was unparalleled.

Meanwhile the IYC teams at Le Bocage, as in NYHQ, worked on unstintingly. At times, we were exhausted but procrastination was not an option. An occasional party brought out social talents and revived us. Above all, good leadership and smart team work in which competencies were well-matched led us forward to the common goal.

This was my first exposure to UNICEF. It inspired me in turn to sign on for Sudan, Guatemala Area Office (seven countries), NYHQ x 2. In between, one year of personal leave. And so on.

It was a good time. I never looked back.

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