Young Malaysians speak up on issues affecting their lives
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© UNICEF Malaysia/2006/Zurin |
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Chairman of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Professor Jaap E Doek in dialogue with the young Malaysians. |
KUALA LUMPUR, 14 December 2006 – Close to sixty young leaders of diverse backgrounds in Malaysia came together to discuss issues confronting their generation today during a “Youth Speak Out” dialogue with the Chairman of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child Professor, Jaap E Doek and UNICEF’s Representative to Malaysia, Ms. Gaye Phillips.
Representing various UNICEF-supported programs in Malaysia, the young people aged between 13 to 24 years old examined issues ranging from education, child rights, and child participation. UNICEF Malaysia Goodwill Ambassadors and the 3R TV hosts Rafidah Abdullah and Celina Khor were present to facilitate the session.
"Young people and children must be enabled to exercise their right to express their views, according to their evolving capacity, and build self-esteem, acquire knowledge and skills, such as decision-making and communication, to meet the challenges of life. Young people have youthful energy and enthusiasm to make a positive difference. Through their ideas and networks, we can launch new partnerships to create a better world for their generation and those following”, said Professor, Jaap E Doek.
Child rights
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© UNICEF Malaysia/2006/Zurin |
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UNICEF Representative to Malaysia, Gaye Phillips speaks with UNICEF Malaysia volunteers and organisers of the Youth Dialogue, Nur Syakirin bt. Husnal ‘Az’ Hari, Germaine Daniels and Cassandra Daniels. |
UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children’s rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children. Building upon the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which is the most widely ratified international treaty in history, firmly establishes children’s participation as a human right. CRC Articles 12 and 13 specify children’s rights to express their views freely and to be heard in any proceedings affecting them.
According to seventeen year old Nur Syakirin bt. Husnal ‘Az’ Hari, young people do not wish to merely be listeners and doers of instructions from adults. “Allow us the space and freedom to speak our minds; give us the right channels to be heard; spare us room to express ourselves. Let us break the cultural obstacles that view children and young people as immature and irresponsible. So please listen to us, understand our needs, guide us and be a part of our daily lives”, said Nur Syakirin.
Meaningful participation
For young people’s participation to be meaningful, significant changes in the attitudes and practices of both adults and young people are needed, in particular for mutual respect and better dialogue.
Fostering young people’s participation generally requires three types of interrelated actions: 1) Building young people’s capabilities and capacities to participate effectively; 2) Ensuring supportive environments around young people, including appropriate policy and social settings; and, 3) Increasing opportunities available to young people to participate.
In Malaysia, UNICEF engages with young people through various platforms which include:
- The PROSTAR-UNICEF Youth Centres in Kedah for in- and out-of-school youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS,
- UNICEF and HELP University College Mentoring Malaysia program which trains young psychology students as mentors to help vulnerable children and address violence in schools,
- Child rights workshops nationwide by the Department of Social Welfare and UNICEF,
- UNICEF and Pusat Jana Daya Youth program to develop leadership skills and build community resilience of young tsunami survivors from Kuala Muda Kedah and Langkawi.
"Empowering young people and children to ensure their full participation in society as equal and valuable partners is key to UNICEF’s work. Empowering young people means enabling them to use their vision, creativity and aspirations in the service of society’s development,” said Ms. Gaye Phillips at the hour-long dialogue organised by UNICEF to commemorate sixty years of the agency’s work in responding to children’s needs around the world.
“Children and young people are not only considered UNICEF’s beneficiaries but are equally involved as the agents and actors with whom programs are developed and implemented,” she added.
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NOTE TO EDITORS
Youth Participants
Youth participants at the Dialogue represent:
- PROSTAR-UNICEF Youth Centres in Kedah for in- and out-of-school youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS
- HELP University College and UNICEF’s Mentoring Malaysia program that will help vulnerable children and address violence in schools
- AISEC (Association for the International Exchange of Students in Economics and Commerce) AIDS Champions under the Standard Chartered Bank’s program.
- Department of Social Welfare and UNICEF’s Child Rights Workshops
- Interact clubs supported by the Rotary Club of Cyberjaya.
- Malaysian Children’s TV Foundation
- Tree Theatre Group (youth environmentalists)
- UNICEF Malaysia Youth Volunteers
Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international treaty that recognises the human rights of children, defined as persons up to the age of 18 years. In 41 substantive articles, it establishes in international law that States Parties must ensure that all children – without discrimination in any form – benefit from special protection measures and assistance; have access to services such as education and health care; can develop their personalities, abilities and talents to the fullest potential; grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding; and are informed about and participate in, achieving their rights in an accessible and active manner.
The Convention rests on four foundation principles: non-discrimination (article 2); best interests of the child (article 3); the child's right to life, survival and development (article 6); and respect for the views of the child (article 12). Every child –regardless of where they are born, the race or ethnic group they belong to, whether they are a boy or girl, rich or poor– must have a full opportunity to become a productive member of society and must have the right to speak up and be heard.
