Brasília, May 9, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday (8), the Children's Budget program was inaugurated. It is a partnership between the Abrinq Foundation, Unicef, and Inesc (Institute of Socio-Economic Studies), to evaluate the impact of government policies for the sake of children and adolescents. Analyzing federal government data, the program can identify where and how funds are being used in this sector. The objective is also to provide information for society to monitor the way funds are being used.

According to data from the project, in the year 2001 the Program to Erradicate Child Labor had a budget of R$ 2.9 million, but only 46.6% of the funds were used. "We recognize that the government's budget reflects the best of intentions, but we are also aware that, when the year comes to an end, for various reasons, the government has never applied 100% of this amount," explained the Unicef representative in Brazil, Reiko Niimi.

The Children's Budget program has existed since 1996. It will be enlarged, now, through the partipation of state and municipal governments. Another change is that the 2004-2007 Pluriannual Budget Plan will also include Unicef international goals, for the program to assume in the future. (DAS)