The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is an international organization established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946. Since its establishment, its mandate has been to ensure the protection of children and adolescents. This mandate is carried out in more than 190 countries and territories through country programs or through UNICEF National Committees.

With the approval of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, UNICEF's mandate was strengthened with the principles of development and survival; nondiscrimination; best interests of the child and participation.

UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of all children, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing our efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded, for the benefit of all children, everywhere.

UNICEF has been working in Costa Rica since 1950 to overcome the obstacles and exclusions that affect children and adolescents, especially those who belong to vulnerable communities and minorities. We achieve this through collaboration with the government, the private sector, civil society organizations and the participation of children and adolescents.