Odd Swarting re-elected as chairman of UNICEF

At UNICEF’s annual general meeting on May 2012, Setterwall’s partner Odd Swarting was re-elected as chairman of UNICEF Sweden. Odd has been involved with UNICEF for several years. He was elected as chairman in May 2012 and succeeded Birgitta Dahl. Prior to that, Odd was vice chairman.

Working for children’s rights is one of the most important things one can do. I am honoured to have been chosen to continue as chairman of UNICEF. My hope is to continue contributing to UNICEF’s fruitful collaboration with the business world, says Odd Swarting.

Many employees, not least younger members of staff, expect their employer to be engaged in society. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a clear trend, which is here to stay. It is my firm conviction that the business world and charitable organization can benefit greatly from each other, continues Odd. Odd Swarting has been with Setterwalls since 2003 and for more than 20 years has been a legal advisor to leading companies in various branches ranging from the life-science sector to forestry. Odd also has considerable experience of crisis management and corporate restructuring.

We encourage all our staff to get involved with social issues. Working pro bono and taking responsibility for those in need is an important part of lawyers’ understanding of and contribution to the society in which we operate, says Joakim Edoff, CEO of Setterwalls.

Setterwalls has long been greatly committed to UNICEF’s project “Företag för Malawi” (Eng. “Companies for Malawi”). Through this project, we contribute in concrete terms to enhancing the living conditions for children and young people in Malawi, which is one of the world’s poorest country. Odd’s personal commitment is an important part of Setterwalls’ CSR work, Joakim Edoff continues.

Fact about UNICEF

UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund) is commissioned by the UN to work towards realizing children’s rights. With the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a foundation, UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to promote all children’s right to survival, safety, development and influence. UNICEF’s task is to form opinions, affect politicians, collect money and procure all the things needed to create a better world.

UNICEF works to ensure compliance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child everywhere in the world and that the needs of children are always put first. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is based on the principle of non-discrimination, i.e. that all children have the same rights – regardless of nationality, religion or governmental regime.

UNICEF is an independent UN body, and receives no money from the UN budget. UNICEF is completely dependent on voluntary contributions from governments, companies, organizations and private individuals.