U-Reporters
Young people have their say
What do young people in Myanmar think about the many issues that affect their lives?
It’s becoming much easier to find out, since they now have a national forum to share their views – with each other, and with decision-makers.
Launched in Myanmar in 2016, U-Report is an innovative social messaging tool that allows adolescents and young people to speak out on what matters to them, respond to polls, support child rights, and work as positive agents of change.
There is no cost to participate and in return, adolescents and young people receive information and knowledge that helps create awareness about the topics being discussed.
In 2018, a total of 22,000 U-Reporters took part in 52 weekly polls, and efforts were made to recruit U reporters from each state and region including hard to reach areas, particularly in IDP camps in Kachin and northern Shan.
"As U-Reporters we speak out on the issues impacting our lives and those around us, whether it is climate change, peace and social cohesion, or access to education for all. This improves accountability," said Ma Pwint Phyu Thant, member of the Youth Task Force of U-Report.
Poll questions sought their views on: Mine Risk Education, the National Youth Policy, violence against children and young people, safe journeys home, menstrual hygiene in IDP camps, out of school children, cyber bullying, early childhood intervention, birth registration, and disaster risk reduction among other topics.
The platform provides decision-makers with a forum to listen to many voices across the country, giving them a unique insight into the challenges that affect young people.
For the first time in Myanmar, on World Children’s Day of 2018, children and adolescents represented by 100 U-Reporters from across the country, took over the Union Parliament and engaged with more than 300 Parliamentarians on how to build Myanmar for children with children.
With the launch of U-Report in Myanmar, the country’s adolescents joined more than six million young ‘U-Reporters’ from 55 countries who are sending or receiving messages every week, helping to shape their futures and those of their countries.
