Girls’ Education

Girls’ Education

Immunization plus

Immunization plus

Child protection

Child protection

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS

Early childhood

Early childhood

Adolescence

Adolescence

 

Adolescence

© UNICEF Serbia / Zoran Jovanovic Maccak

Young Roma, Albanian and Serbian people from Bujanovac enjoy various activities together

ISSUE

The current generation of 15-18 years old is on the leading edge of the transition in Serbia.

When the former Yugoslavia started to collapse, the oldest was seven and the youngest was a toddler. All through their life, the society was shaking with wars, political instability, and crisis from economic one to social values. In spite of continued efforts to reform the system, many things still need to be addressed and improved in order to create an ideal environment for them to enjoy life with full potential.  It is important to note that such improvement is possible only in collaboration with the adolescents themselves.

Adolescence is the time of life, when one goes through transition and experiments with a lot of hopes, demands, and expectations. The habits and lifestyles that are formed during this period will have a profound impact on one’s health and development. Throughout this period of struggle to become mature and independent, one needs supportive and understanding environment. (Please also see “The Children” page)

ACTION

UNICEF is assisting adolescents to develop into active and responsible citizens by providing them with the necessary life skills to cope with adult life and lead healthy life styles.

We are taking social mobilisation approach to foster youth participation in the community, with special attention to the promotion of peace and tolerance, the development of youth friendly social services and the promotion of healthy life styles. Communication strategies are designed to promote behavioural change (please also see the “HIV/AIDS” page), and we advocate for appropriate national policy frameworks for young people.

Particular efforts are made to motivate and strengthen adolescents’ capacities to participate in the community, and to build mechanisms to create such environment. Some of the activities include, youth parliaments in schools, peer education and communication, information guides, roundtables and campaigns for action, “youth as decision makers”, participation of youth in the national and international conferences, youth consultations and networks.

© UNICEF Serbia / Zoran Jovanovic Maccak

Adolescents debate within UNICEF supported project "Right to Know". Young people developed a TV Serial which was broadcast on the national television.

IMPACT

• Several researches uncovered the situation of adolescents in the country and called for action. Electric copy is available on the publication page: “Rapid Assessment and Response on HIV/AIDS among Especially Vulnerable Young People in Serbia” and “A Brave New Generation.” Participatory research on young people’s “Right-to-know” about their health has significantly clarified issues in the related fields.
• In Serbia, youth group “Sopce” in Kragujevac has mobilised their peers from eight different cities to form school-based youth groups. They are aiming to improve the school environment and well-being of school mates.
• 85,000 high school students have received and read the guideline for youth, “You are/have right” through the legal system of the Republic of Serbia.
• Youth Clubs have been established in two multi-ethnic municipalities.  Hundreds of young people in Bujanovac have been participating in the Club activities where they gain knowledge and skills, and become active in the community.
• UNICEF and UNFPA jointly established Y-PEER network to increase co-operation among peer-education groups. Coalition of youth NGOs have been built to act upon health and HIV/AIDS issues. Approximately 600 young people have been trained and involved in educating their peers in reproductive health, prevention of HIV and substance abuse, and additional 2,000 in using creative youth-friendly communication methods to reach their peers. (see the “HIV/AIDS” page)

Adolescents have right to receive good health and educational services, information, and life-skills. They also have right to fully participate in decisions that affect their lives. All these rights are guaranteed by the UN Convention of the Right of the Child which was ratified in this country.  Through active participation young people can both contribute to their own health and well-being and to the effectiveness and prosperity of the country.