Type
Topic
Country
What I can do as a young person in Cambodia to address child marriage
Speak up
The bullies play a devil’s game You think you’re bad and you’re to blame So if you see them being mean To other people – intervene You’re in the right and they do wrong So don’t back off, be brave and strong Just go ahead and beat your fear Speak in a voice that’s loud and clear
UNICEF Youth Advocates make their voices heard during UN General Assembly in New York
Peaceful and safe
Let's take our time to think about the planet we live in, about this generation and the next generation, to figure out what it's like if there's no war, harassment, misery, revenge, violence, and any other such things. At the edge of my thoughts I pondered on how it felt to live in a peaceful and safe place. Safe; is that what we want in our lives? Indeed. Then what if that hope is gone? What's next? My choice is keep going. Keep moving, keep living this life with some great new ideas. Don't be afraid, we have God. More precisely; God has created us. Afterward, my thoughts moved as fast as...
Indonesia, children, UNICEF
I was born in a country that has a beautiful natural wealth, Indonesia. The islands stretch from Sabang to Marauke, united with one another irrespective of differences. We are Bhinneka Tunggal Ika; meaning although different but still one. That is the motto of my country. I learned a lot of things here. Since I was a kid my parents taught me to be a person that respects and helps others. They also taught my sister and I not to cheat in any case, no matter what. I am beyond grateful to be a part of a family that understands the purpose of life. At the age of 11, I was interested to know more...
The relationship between poverty and the environment
Prevent atrocities against children by ending support to armed groups
As civil wars in several states escalate, the future of our children is at stake. Civil wars have left millions of children dead and thousands have been recruited as soldiers. Protection of children from mass atrocities requires unprecedented actions. In my quest to protect children I believe that, domestic and international support to armed groups to be the leading contributors of atrocities against children. First, rebels seeking and receiving domestic support from the public has led to the recruitment and arming of civilians which has created un-institutionalized military groups. With poor...
Overcoming challenges of social media in governance
Recently I have witnessed the rising of civil wars and increasing failed states with poor governance being the main reason advocated by social media users. In searching for a cure to poor governance I came to realize that public administrators have failed to use communication skills and harness the power of social media for business and government support. The world has 4.39 billion internet users out which 3.48 billion use social media. This number of social media users portrays that social media has a power to influence positive or negative changes in corporations’ and governments’...
Newlyweds or Children?
Inspiring words from the Pan-African Youth Forum
We are all immigrants
We are all immigrants, don’t be ashamed. We all came from different lands and mountains. We established civilizations across our borders and we moved beyond oceans to discover the unknown. We are all immigrants, don’t be ashamed. It’s in our nature to wander, to move and to walk across wide lands and limitless borders. Deep down the oceans, where ancient ships sleep, you can see it yourself. Every part of the ship would tell you a story of a human, who was looking for new discoveries and new opportunities. My country Tunisia is 3000 years old; it has witnessed the movement of Amazigh tribes...
A Merry Christmas?
I've been reading a lot about the world war, and it's really fascinating. Most history junkies know that on the Christmas of 1914, smack-dab in the middle of World War I, there were a series of ceasefires along the western front. Soldiers crossed enemy trenches unarmed, to shake hands, exchange gifts and they even went as far as to sing Christmas carols together. Alfred Anderson, the last known surviving Scottish veteran of the war, vividly recalled Christmas Day in 1914: “I remember the silence, the eerie sound of silence. Only the guards were on duty. We all went outside the farm buildings...
A well informed adolescent
I am passionate about preparing adolescents and youth, the people that will inherit the world in a couple of years, regarding challenges that we are facing now, such as health, poverty, gender inequality and lack of quality education. My community based activities since 2014 contribute to the objectives of the sustainable development goals by providing young people the knowledge, actions, values and communication skills needed to contribute to their overall development, thereby empowering them to make healthy life choices. These choices, decisions and actions would promote universally shared...
Broadway's butterflies
Amadi was sitting on the floor with his classmates, it was an English class. Their teacher was a volunteer from UNHCR, she was perfectly nice and helpful. Amadi was reading his homework when she stopped him and asked: "When you grow up what do you want to be Amadi?" He stood up on his feet and simply answered: "Before thinking of the future we have to first figure out how to deal with our present, and for the moment I want to be a butterfly; to wear my wings, to stand on the Broadway stage and to be a butterfly. She smiled "And why a butterfly?" she asked. "Butterflies are beautiful and they...
A dream across the border line
Only five steps towards the border line and now only two are left to look through the barbed wires. His name is "Kid", he is only 10 years old, he is young but old enough to realize that the sky above his head is divided into two; where he stands is emptiness and there across the line is Home. Now they stopped calling him "Kid", since the day they crossed that line he became "Refugee". It's been two years now, he was only eight when he left his home. At first he couldn't understand why all of a sudden the sky started raining fire and why instead of the flying white birds there are those black...
You(th) are the future.
Today, I wanted to write about us, youth. Young people are the greatest agents of change in a society. To be young is definitely one of the most beautiful times in a person's life. You are full of energy, dreams and have so many aspirations. But there are many challenges too. We live in a busy world, many things have changed, including views and expectations. Some adults think that today's youth are a generation addicted to technology, that do not want to work and only focus on having fun. These stereotypes seem to be deeply rooted in some cultures, appearing to us time after time. And the...
Youth Day: what does it mean to be a young person in 2022?
I invite young people to fail, a lot
Peace: It's Importance to us!
What is Peace? Peace itself is a very beautiful and a powerful word. Peace simply means being in a place, where no hatred exists and every corner is filled with love, care and respect; where conflicts are handled peacefully. Peace is a Human Right and it's a Right for Everyone! Why Peace is so important? As peace is a basic human right, it is very, very important that we are have peace in all the possible aspects. For example, peace in policymaking processes, peaceful diplomatic relations with other nations etc. Should we add Peace Education to our education system? Well, yes, we should add...