UNITED NATIONS Economic and Social Council 'UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND Executive Board 1990 s·~.ssion E- Distr. GENERAL E/ICEF/1990/NG0/5 ,..: '.f -~ -:· : ' t • ' '( ·:~, .. :·· ···, .... ~ ·: : ... ' : • • ·-· · · · · 11 Aprn 1990 •: ,;' .. , .. :. ' .. •• ·.:, !..: / _:; . ENGLISH ONLY IFoR INFORMATION! STATEMENT BY THE INTERNATIONAL CATHOLIC .CHILD· BUREAU INCORPORATED Developing strategies for children within the context of their spiritual and family life 1, For over 40 years, the International Catholic Child Bureau (ICCB) has been dedicated to serving the physical, social and spiritual needs of children world-wide regardless of their religious creed. Throughout our history, ICCB has facilitated action to address often forgotten needs in the lives of handicapped children, street children, children addicted to drugs, refugee children and children subject to sexual exploitation. 2. ICCB is always careful to promote the spiritual growth of the child, the rights of the child (particularly to education), the family and intercultural awareness. Some examples are detailed below. 3. Concerned with the lack of facilities for the.growing numbers of younger drug aadicts in Colombia, ICCB, together with other pirtners, has established a therapeutic community for 50 male minors (12 to 18 years old) ,near Bogota, the capital. The programme provides these young people with the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, socially and spiritually, as well as to take responsibility for their own actions, thoughts and feelings. Because their' problems often. originated in their o_wn families, the programme works closely with the families to encourage them to deal with the problems together through mutual understanding and support, A report on the programme is available from ICCB. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the International Catholic Child Bureau's (ICCB) efforts to provide support to children worldwide, focusing on their physical, social, and spiritual development. The organization's programs aim to address the needs of specific groups of children, such as those with disabilities, addicted to drugs, refugees, and those subject to sexual exploitation. The text highlights the importance of promoting the spiritual growth of the child, the rights of the child, and intercultural awareness. The program in Colombia provides a therapeutic community for young people with addiction issues, working closely with families to address the root causes of the problem.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Education