Children’s lives should be filled with health, learning, protection, love, joy and play. To do just that, world leaders made a commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 30 years ago. It’s the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has helped transform children’s lives around the world. But still, not every child gets to enjoy a full childhood. Too many childhoods are cut short. It is up to our generation to demand that leaders from government, business and communities fulfil their commitments and take action for...

Pneumonia kills more children than any other infection, claiming the lives of over 800,000 children under five every year, many of them newborn babies. Despite this, progress on reducing pneumonia deaths is significantly slower than other major killers of children, like Malaria or diarrhoea. However, youth around the world are fighting to end this “forgotten” epidemic. Meet three young leaders taking part in the Global Forum on Childhood Pneumonia, in Barcelona, and learn how YOU can get involved. Follow us on Twitter to know more about the participation of youth in the fight against pneumonia...

Far too many children around the world experience violence – often in places where they should feel safe. In a digital world, the violence that children face in their homes, schools and communities is often amplified through SMS messages, pictures, videos, email, chat and social media. The consequences of cyberbullying can be devastating... and youth is taking action to stop it! Discover stories from youth bloggers around the world and learn how to report abuse in our resources section below. And check this UNICEF site to learn more about cyberbullying and how to stop it. Want to share your...

As the world is fighting against the COVID-19 outbreak, more than 130 countries have now closed schools nationwide, impacting nearly 80% of students globally. This is unprecedented; the world has never seen this many children out of school at the same time. In a situation like this it is normal to feel sad, worried, confused, scared or angry. Learn how students in the affected countries keep learning and stay positive in times of uncertainty. Have you also been affected by school closures? Are you staying home due to quarantines? Share your story with Voices of Youth on social media, using the...

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Feeling sad, stressed or angry while coping with COVID-19 is normal. It's not only the fear and anxiety about the coronavirus disease but also being away from schools, friends and relatives. Adjusting to new ways of learning and working is hard. But guess what? You are not alone. Discover the stories, illustrations and messages of support shared by the Voices of Youth community around the world... and share yours! We are in this together.

All around the world, people are taking necessary steps to protect themselves and their families from the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), to support their communities, and prevent the spread of the outbreak. And your help matters. As a volunteer, club member, young advocate, young reporter or concerned citizen we know that you are passionate about making the world a better place for children. Many of you are probably already taking action to prevent the spread of COVID-19! Inspired by the actions of young people across the world we’ve compiled a set of actions that anyone can take to join...

During the outbreak of the coronavirus, the global community has shown how it can take action in a time of crisis. Everyone has a role to play, and when we work together, even small actions can help overcome big challenges. While many schools around the world are closed, children and young people are still making their voices heard through the #ClimateStrikeOnline, and the youth climate movement is showing solidarity with their older relatives by staying inside to help keep everyone safe. There are many ways that you can show your support for climate action during this time. For example: Post...

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has made the world pretty different right now. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed by it all, be assured that this is a normal response. But it does mean that you need to make sure you look after your mental health. Here are some tips to take care of yourself, learn to navigate through tough times at home while you spend more time with family, and become problem solvers to overcome the challenges, big and small, that we all face in our lives.

The COVID-19 crisis is a children rights crisis. For many young people, the costs of the coronavirus pandemic may persist throughout their lives: from the challenges of having their education disrupted to the anxiety of not knowing if they will be able to attend graduation ceremonies or find their first job. In these times it is normal to feel you are no longer in control of your future, and to be uncertain about your next steps in life. We must listen to young people and work alongside them to design a better future. To Reimagine it. Voices of Youth invites you to REIMAGINE the world you want...

In the wake of COVID-19, young people -just like you- are feeling like they’re no longer in control of their futures. From disrupted schooling, to increased anxiety, to the challenges of finding your first job and standing up for a more sustainable planet. It is normal to be uncertain about your next steps in life. But what if you could tell leaders what you wanted to see change, and help other young people understand and take action? That’s what the UNICEF Youth Mediathon is all about – to help young content creators like you reimagine a better world for every child! Watch our masterclasses...

What’s the first thing you think of when someone says, “artificial intelligence”? Robots? Self-driving cars? Voices assistants? Artificial intelligence, or AI, is not something from the future. If you regularly use a cellphone and the internet, chances are that artificial intelligence is already a part of your daily life. You just might not be aware of it.

Are you 13-24 years old and love drawing? Do you want to change the world? We’re looking for you! Together, we can reimagine a greener and more sustainable future, for every child. In these times it is normal to feel you are no longer in control of your future, and to be uncertain about your next steps in life. We invite you to reimagine and draw the world you want to live in after COVID-19 as part of our World Children's Day #voicesofyouth challenge. Pick a cause that matters to you, create an original illustration that shows the world you want to build... and post it on your own Instagram...

1.8 billion people under the age of 15 breathe air that is so polluted it risks their health and development. Ulaanbaatar – home to half of Mongolia’s three million population - is one of the most polluted capitals in the world. On the coldest days of the year, daily average of PM2.5 pollution levels reach 687 micrograms per cubic meter — 27 times the level WHO recommends as safe. This group of 10 young people from Mongolia were selected among 700 who participated in an essay writing competition nationwide to promote acquisition of sustainable development thinking and values by children and...

We all have feelings and needs...it’s only human! Being able to communicate what we feel and need in a respectful way is a learned skill and like with any skill, we become better at it with practice. Assertive communication is the ability to respectfully let others know how you feel or what you think. Learning to be aware of our emotions and communicate them to others is the first step to enjoy the good mental health you deserve. On this Mental Health Action Day, let's make it normal to talk about our feelings and needs!

When the right data are in the right hands at the right time, decisions can be better informed, more equitable, more likely to protect to protect children’s and adolescents’ rights. This month, as part of our Hi-5 For Health series for a healthier lifestyle, we will talk about data and how you can use it in your adolescent health advocacy. You can also download these materials in pdf to review them offline and share it with your friends:

The current COVID-19 crisis in many countries is an urgent wake up call. Cases are exploding and health systems are struggling around the world. And new variants could end up impacting the rest of the world. Sharing COVID-19 vaccines from countries who have surplus doses now is an immediate, short-term and urgent solution to improving equitable access. But why is it so important that well supplied countries donate doses now?