Meeting of UNICEF young envoys in Moscow
UNICEF young envoys will met in Moscow on 21-24 December. The program of the meeting included: participation in the opening ceremony of Moscow International Festival of movies for children and youth, “Boomerang” satellite during the festival, acquaintance with UNICEF programmes, workshop on the blogging, etc. The idea to set up such a network of UNICEF envoys belongs to children who participated in the “Boomerang” festival which was held in the children’s centre “Orlyonok” in September this year. The initiative group comprises 30 children, who are now busy trying to get involved in their activities their peers in other Russian regions. The children devise and implement small social projects, trying to draw the attention of young people and adults to pressing problems that need to be urgently addressed. Young UNICEF envoys want their peers to know more about the rights of children and young people, about how to protect their rights and whom to approach in case of their violation. Some of the young UNICEF envoys have already succeeded not only to bring together a team of like-minded peers, but implement their first projects. Every week, Olga Kirina from the city of Kemerovo and ten of her friends arrange five-minute briefings on “All about your health” at the city’s schools telling schoolchildren about the heed to practice healthy life styles. The team also intends to meet with children from local children’s homes and carry out a charity action to collect warm clothing for orphaned children. Svetlana Nikitina and Kseniya Yefimova from the town of Kanash, the Republic of Chuvashiya, have set up a team of 23 schoolchildren from various city schools. The children arranged a series of meetings at which experts told young people about the problems of peace and tolerance, drug addiction, etc. Their plans include visits to orphanages and boarding schools and activities to collect soft toys, books and notebooks for orphans.
The children have devised the following Code of Young UNICEF Envoys: A young UNICEF envoy (or a young UNICEF assistant) is not a title, it’s rather a way of life, which means that he or she should: What are the implications of being a young UNICEF envoy? “I decided to join other UNICEF envoys when I realized that I care about everything that goes on around me! I care about the world around me with all it problems, because they are my problems…”. Svetlana Nikitina, Republic of Chivashiya. “I want to help UNICEF, because I care about children who are in need of assistance. I believe that any child can become a young UNICEF envoy, because children are the most important thing in the world”, Kseniya Korobushina, the city of Saratov. “Dear friends, let’s fight for justice, truth and healthy lifestyle! Let’s unite our efforts against violence! Every child in my great country should have a happy and secure childhood and future”, Zarina Mamiyeva, Vladikavkaz. For additional information please refer to Anna Kochineva, UNICEF Communication Officer phone +7 495 937-4812, akochineva@unicef.org
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