Youth and adolescent development
It is important for adolescents to have access to information, understand their rights and to be aware of their potential for personal influence on the society
- Available in:
- Hrvatski
- English
Adolescence is a unique stage of life, the transition from childhood to adulthood, which brings great opportunities and potential for growth and development. The second decade of life is characterized by rapid brain development and physical, biological, emotional and cognitive transformations, greater independence and peer influence, but also increased risk taking and various forms of vulnerability. After early childhood, the second decade represents a second opportunity for adolescents to build the resilience, skills, and social and emotional competencies required for healthy and productive adult life.
"Every tenth person in Croatia is between 10 and 19 years old."
With more than 497 thousands adolescents and young people living in Croatia, the proportion of children and young people aged 10 to 19 makes up to 11% of the total population. Nevertheless, very few of these young people have the opportunity to participate in decision-making that affects their lives and the lives of their communities.
Very often, society misses out on involving young people in decision making processes, what results in missed opportunities for new ideas, innovation and a different perspective on challenges. Adolescents and young people in Croatia live in a young democratic society, burdened by changes in the system and increasing social disparities and economic insecurity. Many adolescents and young people have limited access to basic services in health, education, social care, criminal proceedings.
"It is important that we, as a society, educate active citizens who are ready to contribute to a better society."
Participation is easily accepted by adolescents and young people if they live in society where their rights can be realized and respected. By improving the participation of adolescents and young people, we improve adult awareness, the state of society, respect for human rights, tolerance, and educate active citizens.
ZABUM (For the Future of Young People) is a unique program for adolescents and young people launched by the UNICEF Office for Croatia, and implemented through the Youth Innovation Lab. Youth Innovation Lab is part of a global UNICEF initiative launched in 2010, which aims to empower young people and give them the opportunity to participate and create positive change in the society.
Through various activities of the ZABUM program, young people from all over Croatia have the opportunity to improve and adopt skills that will help them be informed, independent and engaged citizens. The ZABUM program provides young people with space, opportunities and tools for active participation in the community in which they live and encourages them to work together on solutions that will make life in the community better and better.
The ZABUM program is continuously evolving, adapting to current social circumstances, and activities include UPSHIFT workshops and other skills development programs for the 21st century and a digital platform to support youth activism ZABUM voice.
Digital and social media offer adolescents new opportunities to express themselves and mobilize their peers - a space for adolescents who can hear them and develop critical thinking and media literacy skills.
UNICEF works with the public, private and civil sectors, adolescents and young people, especially vulnerable groups, as well as with their parents and care givers, to empower adolescents and young people to their full potential.
