Child-Friendly City Gumi, First in Gyeongbuk to Win UNICEF Awards Grand Prize

Child-Friendly Policies... Honored with UNICEF Awards Grand Prize

Enactment of Various Ordinances Contributing to Substantial Changes in Children's Lives

Gumi City in Gyeongbuk solidified its status as a child-friendly city by winning the Grand Prize in the Ordinance and Policy category at the ‘2024 UNICEF Awards’ held by the UNICEF Korea Committee on the 13th.

From the left, Hyuntae Kim, Administrative Officer; Mijin Cho, Secretary General of UNICEF Korea Committee; Gwisook Kim, Head of Child-Friendly Team. Provided by Gumi City.

In particular, the city achieved the distinction of being the first in Gyeongbuk to receive a UNICEF Award, earning high praise for its various ordinances and policies aimed at guaranteeing children’s rights and improving their quality of life.

The ‘UNICEF Awards,’ launched in 2022, evaluated efforts to create child-friendly environments across 94 child-friendly cities and 19 child-friendly schools this year.

The city established legal grounds and expanded policy support by enacting and revising ordinances closely related to children’s daily lives, including medical facilities, learning spaces, educational assistance, and home environments. Key exemplary cases include the ordinance for the installation and operation of a toy library, the ordinance for the installation and operation of public indoor playgrounds, the Gumi City Basic Child Ordinance, the ordinance supporting the activation of academic and career education, the ordinance supporting family care for youth and young adults, and the ordinance supporting the Dalbit Children’s Hospital and public late-night pharmacies.

Additionally, Gumi City has actively promoted child-centered administration through various projects such as enhancing child participation, child rights education, providing administrative services, and creating child-friendly spaces.

Mayor Kim Jang-ho stated, “We will continue to strive to create an environment where children can grow up safely and happily,” adding, “Gumi City will continue to take the lead in fostering a child-friendly city.”

Since receiving the first UNICEF Child-Friendly City certification in 2019, Gumi City has implemented policies prioritizing children’s rights and obtained a higher-level certification in 2023. Building on this award, Gumi City plans to do its utmost to establish an even better child-friendly environment.