The Future Is Now, Led by Youth
The UNICEF Youth-Led Advocacy Initiatives in 2024 gave Malaysian youth a voice. By participating in these programs, committed youth were able to advocate for change and make a tangible difference in the varied communities of Malaysia on matters such as education, climate resilience, children's rights, and mental health. Taken as a whole, they demonstrate how youth can affect positive change and make a difference.
The Importance of the Youth-Led Advocacy Initiatives
With UNICEF's support, youth-led groups champion advocacy initiatives for issues close to their heart. Using their voices and skills to drive meaningful change through collaboration with community groups, youth organizations, and local partners, they amplify their efforts, broaden their reach, and inspire progress in their communities.
Here’s why this matters:
Youth Know What They Need: Their lived experiences give them an understanding of the solutions that are needed.
Innovative Solutions: They bring fresh and new ideas, challenging outdated approaches to age-old problems.
Sustainable Change: The youth are advocating for long-term solutions and are better equipped to handle future challenges.
Simply put, youth-led advocacy is about shaping the world today, not just the future.
And it’s working.
Spotlighting UNICEF Youth-Led Advocacy Initiatives 2024
These 2024 Young Leader Initiatives are driving impactful progress across Malaysia, with support from UNICEF:
Silent Unity
Silent Unity is a visionary startup organization founded by Siti Nur Fatihah Binti Jerry and Ong Zi Kin (a deaf individual), with the mission of fostering inclusivity and overcoming communication barriers for the deaf community. Silent Unity is building a strong foundation for a future where unity and inclusion are more than just ideals but lived experiences for the deaf community.
Kalsom Harapan
Kalsom Harapan is a program of the Kalsom Movement and the Harapan Community, dedicated to helping young girls who are facing personal and social crisis. The initiative provides a support system, removing the stigma surrounding girls in crisis situations. 40 young girls from Asrama Bahagia have benefited from this program, receiving mentorship and the education needed to thrive in difficult circumstances.
Empowered ED
Empowered ED is an initiative designed to uplift indigenous youth in Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Kurau, focusing on quality education in areas such as Climate Action, Women's Sexual Reproductive Health, and Mental Health. Through collaboration with UNICEF Malaysia, JAKOA, NYAWA, and Libresse, the initiative has successfully raised awareness and provided indigenous youth with the tools to build a better sustainable future for their communities.
Kehijau Campaign
Kehijau UPM (Kelab Hijau Putra) is a student-run organisation at Universiti Putra Malaysia that promotes environmental sustainability and green living. The group’s efforts focus on raising awareness about eco-friendly practices and protecting local wildlife, particularly turtle conservation. Their efforts have helped reduce plastic waste on campus, educated students about conservation, and garnered support for sustainability initiatives on a larger scale.
Love Yourself Campaign
With support from UNICEF and AIESEC, along with representatives from the University of Malaya (UM) and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the campaign ran for about a month, engaging students at SMK Taman Ehsan. They offered resources, hosted forums, and organised workshops to help youth with disabilities manage their mental health and realise its importance.
#Debatelah
#Debatelah is an initiative designed to equip youth in the focus of students with the critical skill of debating. By participating in debates, youth are not only honing their skills but also inspiring younger generations to become more active in leadership roles.
The Youth are Bringing Us into the Future
The next generation is already stepping up to work so communities around them can have a brighter, greener and even healthier future. Kudos and thank you to our youth champions and other youth who are making a change, no matter how big or small.
There’s always room for more of all our voices. Join UNICEF in their mission to ensure that all children have access to a safe, equitable and sustainable future!
