VOICES OF YOUTH – WWW.UNICEF.ORG/VOY

“YOUNG VOICES ON CHILD RIGHTS”

“The Rights Of The Child Are Not Mere Sentences. They Are Framework For Solid Foundation Of The Child. These Rights Should Be Entrenched Into the Society.”
 Female, Nigeria. 

INTRODUCTION

Voices of Youth dedicated the month of February 2009,to The Convention on the Rights of the Child. VoY members took this opportunity to discuss their concerns and give suggestions on how to move the agenda forward.
 http://www.unicef.org/voy/discussions.

Recognizing that all children have fundamental rights and having shown their concern on the state of child rights in their various countries VOY members provided suggestions to all stakeholders on how to take action on issues that matter to them.

“Nowadays, children have got rights and above all, they have got the right to live. Let's give them this chance!”
Male, 16, France

CHILD RIGHTS- VOICES OF YOUNG PEOPLE 

During their discussions VOY members considered different topics under the child rights thread such as education, disability rights, child labour, and the overall aspect of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.


They point out that every child should continue to have access to their rights without prejudice, fear or favor.

“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” 
 Female, 19, United Arab Emirates

“Empowering disability rights needs the role of everyone in the society and nation: the government, the community involved, and everyone around.”
Male, 21, Malaysia

VOY members believe that all forms of child labour, especially when it is enforced, are an infringement on their rights.


“Child labour is not right, it’s not fair to snatch away someone's childhood, so that they look back to awful memories and not pleasant ones”
Female, Tanzania

Speaking on Education as a right in their countries, the young people shared their experience on the state of education in their various countries and the role education can play in ensuring human rights; 

“I believe the best way to ensure no people are exploited, or are facing any restriction on human rights is to educate them.”
Female, Canada.


TAKE ACTION

Young people stressed for commitment and action including the urgent need for governments to move from rhetoric’s to action while acknowledging that awareness on the issue of child rights has greatly improved over the last two years.

“Let’s stop writing and signing documents that are only known to us. Let us walk into the ray that shines forth reality, let’s seat and think, we have enough problems to solve”
Male, 23, Nigeria

“Well, the awareness for all children's rights increased incredibly throughout the past two years. But after words there must be action otherwise everything was in vain. Political, economical and social structures have to be changed otherwise there is no fruitful ground for making the children's world a better one”
Female, Austria

They noted that educating parents and family members on issues related to child rights will go a long way in helping to reduce the challenges associated with the rights of the child.

“Besides providing education to the children, I think educating the children's parents and families are equally important too. At least we should make them understand that by making the children to work as labourers will not get their families out of poverty. Education is the real solution to get them out of the ghetto”
Female, Malaysia

Young people see themselves as stakeholders and social mobilizers in helping solve the challenges of child rights


“I have been thinking about this idea since I was still in Vietnam. What do you think about holding a meeting and gather people in an area together and do charity work in one day? How about that? That will possibly be one special occasion for us to take action, and to apply what we think. What do you think?-“ 
 KRIST, FEMALE, Vietnam

IMPACT

Following their discussions VOY members are now taking action on ensuring that the issue of child rights is addressed by all concerned and they were able to express their opinion.


“HI FRIENDS THIS IS SUSHANT CHANDRA PURSUIN LAW IN THE NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY and intending to do a lot for my mother country and planet. I wanted all the youth of the nation who are concerned regarding the issue of child labour and their rights to actively post their opinions on this thread. After that we can make strategies for implementing the steps which would be taken during discussions”
Male, 22, India

“If you’re reading this and are not a member, you need to get an account because I believe that writing freely should be and is a child's right, don't you? I mean, now I’m actually happy to write and type about something so fragile. I hope everyone else is, too” 
Female, Canada

TOGETHER, LET’S TURN YOUNG PEOPLE’S IDEAS INTO ACTIONS, AND NOT JUST WORDS.   
For more information contact:
Maria Cristina Gallegos, Voices of Youth Coordinator, Adolescent Development and Participation Unit : cgallegos@unicef.org
Oluseyi Oyebisi, Voices of Youth Assistant, Adolescent Development and Participation Unit:ooyebisi@unicef.org