Then and Now: Evolving representations of children in UNICEF photographs

Abstract

Photography of the child has contributed to international recognition of children's rights when situations of conflict compromise or threaten these rights. International organizations like the UN and UNICEF have long used photography as a way to raise funds for their initiatives, as well as increase awareness of conflicts around the world. In this paper, I first discuss what makes photography relevant and powerful in the international arena: its transnational appeal, its impact on the individual, the concept of humanitarian photography, and the theory surrounding image-making itself. I then go on to describe the evolution of the UN's visual strategies and children's rights due to the changing nature of conflict. Next, I go into case studies of 1) the UNICEF photography campaigns post-WWI 2) trends in UNICEF photography since then and 3) UNICEF photography in the present-day Syrian conflict. These case studies show that although UNICEF portrayals of children have changed significantly, several elements in UNICEF photographs and texts have remained constant. The UNICEF photographs contribute to the following ideas: 1) the nature of conflict over the years has remained unchanged and all conflicts are the same 2) international organizations continue to succeed in resolving conflict 3) the West is distinctly separate from other nations 4) photographers are in a position of dominance compared to their subjects and 5) women and children are vulnerable, passive, and above conflict.