United Nations Children’s Fund opened a representative office in Moscow in 1997 to help uphold the rights of 30 million children to a safe, healthy, caring and happy childhood and thereby help secure their and Russia’s future. UNICEF pursues this challenging objective by promoting the protection of children’s rights, and assisting families, government and civil society to help meet their basic needs and thus create an environment which can give every child opportunities to reach his or her full potential. More information about UNICEF worldwide in www.unicef.org