22 September 2008: Network of UNICEF young envoys is announced at the Russian National Forum “Boomerang”
MOSCOW, 22 September 2008. At the Russian National Forum for children- and youth-made films “Boomerang” UNICEF specialists conducted peace and tolerance and leadership development workshops. Some of the young participants came up with an idea to establish a network of UNICEF young envoys. Russian National Forum for children- and youth-made films “Boomerang” took place at the famous summer camp for children “Orlyonok” on the Black Sea shore. Some 3,000 children and adolescents aged 11-16 from 83 Russian regions took part in this exciting event. For a whole week well-known TV anchors, film actors and directors held various master classes for young cinematographers and journalists. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supports “Boomerang” and its goals of promoting friendship and tolerance among various ethnic groups and genuine human values. Apart from trainings on leadership skills and peace and tolerance for kids, UNICEF experts held classes for adults – educational workers and psychologists dealing with children. A five-day training seminar “Discovery” taught methodology used to develop leadership qualities among adolescents and facilitate interaction between people, various communities, and cultures.
“The adult world is full of myths and stereotypes that adults try to impose on children”, Rashed Mustafa, Head of the UNICEF Office in North Caucasus, said at the Forum’s opening ceremony. “Our workshops will make it easier for young people to learn their way around in the outside world, understand the need to accept people the way they are, make friends regardless of social or health status and cultural peculiarities. Kids will also have an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and become stronger and more independent”. About 30 Forum participants from different regions of Russia representing children’s film and TV studios and mass media decided to become UNICEF young envoys. Through their work (films, cartoons, articles) they want to express their worldview, ideas of peace and tolerance towards different ethnic groups and cultures to their peers and adults. UNICEF young envoys would also like to inform their peers about the rights of children and young people, how to protect them and where to go to when their rights are abused. In the nearest future UNICEF young envoys will work on a strategy for their network. UNICEF hopes that this group of young envoys will transform into a strong youth movement promoting ideas of peace and tolerance and providing young people with opportunities to acquire new knowledge and leadership skills. Videos of young cinematographers who took part in the Boomerang can be seen here. For additional information please refer to Anna Kochineva, Communication Officer, + 7 495 937 4812, akochineva@unicef.org
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