To educate politicians on children's issues before the 21 April 2013 general elections, UNICEF launched a campaign entitled "Ask your candidate".

In the auditorium of the United Nations in Asunción, it was proposed that candidates be questioned on their plans regarding youth, such as in nutrition and education.

UNICEF Representative in Paraguay Rosa Elcarte outlined the current problem with statistics. Paraguay’s demographic dividend is unique in that "37 per cent of the population is less than 18 years old", she said. Dr. Elcarte warned "If Paraguay does not invest in its young population now, it may regret it in the future.”

Childcare must be prenatal and should not be neglected until the teen is fully developed. She explained how a chain of events could potentially harm the entire society. “The brain cannot adequately develop on a poor diet. The results would be a low learning capacity, which would lead to poor academic performance and dropping out of school. The final scenario could see a generation with learning difficulties.”  

In attendance, television personality and Honorary UNICEF Ambassador Mercedes Barriocanal emphasized the importance of choosing an intelligent candidate and also of spreading the important message of the campaign. Malnourishment may prevent as many as 3 out of 10 children from reaching their full potential.  

Also participating in the campaign were Paraguayan UNICEF Ambassadors: musician Rolando Chaparro, orchestra leader and composer maestro Luis Szarán; football star Justo Villar; and actress Andrea Valobra.

In addition to UNICEF, also taking part were UNFPA, some 20 journalists and members of various organizations. NGO Front for Children (Frente para al Niñez) supported the campaign and the UN Information Centre in  Asunción assisted with pictures, the sound system and reporting materials.

On 29 January 2013, the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Asunción observed the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust at a solemn ceremony at Paraguay’s bicameral Congress.

The event began with hymns of the Republic of Paraguay and the State of Israel, followed by a minute of silence. Congresswoman Doña Perla Acosta de Vázquez gave opening remarks after which UN Resident Coordinator Lorenzo Jiménez de Luis and Israeli Ambassador Dorit Shavit delivered the principal speeches. 

The 200-strong audience included Ambassadors from France, Germany, Korea, Russia and the United States, Ministers of Defence and for Women’s Affairs, several charge d'affairs as well as Government officials, members of the Jewish community and some 15 journalists 

UNIC co-organized the commemoration with the Israel Consulate.

Celebrating the golden anniversary of the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Asuncion, Ambassador Luis Maria Ramirez Boettner gave his personal account of the Organization at that time.

He said that “as a student, I worked on an analysis of the founding Charter of the United Nations”. Years later, he served the UN in various positions and rose to the rank of Assistant-Secretary-General, the highest position ever reached by a Paraguayan. 

Dr. Boettner worked in Central America, Peru, Brazil, Chile and Kuwait, among others and years later, represented Paraguay at the UN Office Headquarters in Geneva.

Among those attending the Ambassador’s presentation, were former officials of the Organization, including the first Information Centre Assistant, Ambassador Alfredo Cañete. 

Dr. Ruben Figueroa, Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative ai of the Panamerican Health Organization-World Health Organization, which in 2012 celebrates 100 years, referred to the reflections of the UN Secretary-General on the occasion 67 anniversary of the Organization.

El 25 de noviembre pasado, fecha en que se conmemoró el Día Internacional para Eliminar la Violencia contra la Mujer, se presentó un video clip preparado por la Campaña Únete Paraguay contra la violencia hacia la Mujer, producido por varias agencias de las Naciones Unidas en Paraguay:

ONU Mujeres
Fondo de Población de las Naciones Unidas (UNFPA)
Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD)
Fondo de las Naciones Unidas para la Infancia (Unicef)

El video clip sienta las bases para una identidad paraguaya de la campaña global de las Naciones Unidas para erradicar la violencia hacia las mujeres. El Día Internacional para Eliminar la Violencia contra la Mujer, se recordó en Paraguay con varios actos oficiales y una Feria Abierta en la Plaza del Panteón de los Héroes, con la asistencia de representantes de organizaciones civiles e instituciones del Estado y la participación especial de la Dra. Myrna Cunningham, Presidenta del Foro Permanente de Asuntos Indígenas de las Naciones Unidas y la asistencia de un numeroso público.

Las representantes de los Ministerios y Secretarías del Poder Ejecutivo hablaron sobre sus acciones y compromiso de lucha contra la violencia hacia las mujeres y las niñas. En representación de la Secretaría de la Mujer estuvo la señora Teresita Silvero, Directora del Gabinete; en representación de la Secretaría de la Función Pública estuvo la Directora General, Ana María Ferreira y en nombre del Viceministerio de la Juventud, habló Sunia Valinotti, Directora de Planificación y Cooperación.

En nombre de la sociedad civil actuaron como anfitrionas Cristina Román, del Colectivo 25 de noviembre y Miriam Candia, directora de Radio Viva.

Carmen Echauri, Asesora Técnica de ONU Mujeres, Mirtha Rivarola, del Fondo de Población y Regina Bachero, del PNUD, se refirieron a la Campaña Únete del Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas.

Vínculo para ver el video: http://youtu.be/wZjXJc-ggmw