Listen to the Future
Raphael, UNICEF Youth Advocate, amplifies children's voices at World Press Freedom Day
When 18-year-old Raphael Charles stood before a packed room of media professionals, and government officials at the 2025 World Press Freedom Day conference in Arusha, he carried with him more than just his notes — he had the hopes and aspirations of over 14,000 children from across Tanzania.
As he took a deep breath, he realized he was not just another speaker; he was a voice for millions of children in Tanzania, sharing their dreams, concerns, and aspirations for the country's future.
Raphael, the Chairperson of the Junior Council of the United Republic of Tanzania and a UNICEF Youth Advocate focusing on children's participation, delivered a keynote address during a high-level panel titled Media and Children: Listen to the Future. His message was clear and bold: children's voices must shape Tanzania's Future, especially in the much-awaited country's most important long-term strategy, the Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
Raphael conveyed the children's perspectives collected, compiled, and submitted to the government on the Tanzania Development Vision 2050. He spoke with conviction and emphasized the urgent need to ensure children's voices are heard in decision-making processes shaping their future.
"This vision defines the roadmap for our well-being and future. With children comprising half of Tanzania's population, it must reflect our needs and aspirations to help us grow in an environment that nurtures our potential," Raphael told the audience.
He presented key recommendations collected during the UNICEF-facilitated national consultations with children, including calls for quality education integrating digital literacy, mental health services, nutrition programs, and protection from violence.
"Being on that stage, engaging directly with media stakeholders, made me realize the power of our voices as children. We are not just passive recipients of decisions—we contribute to Tanzania's future, and the media plays a crucial role in amplifying what we have to say."
The experience left a lasting impression on Raphael.
"This was my first time participating in a major conference focused on media. I met seasoned editors, respected journalists, government officials, Members of Parliament, and even ambassadors," he said. "The opportunity expanded my thinking and gave me courage to continue to use my voice to advocate for children's rights . I learned so much — from AI and digital content creation to how we can use media to amplify children's voices."
He also emphasized the need for the media to play a greater role in educating and informing society about children's rights and priorities, noting that collaboration with media stakeholders is essential to achieving lasting change.
“It is important that young advocates and the media collaborate in voicing the issues impacting the rights of children. The media is not just a channel of information but a strategic tool that can empower young voices or silence them,” said Raphael.
A native of Shinyanga and an award-winning essayist, Raphael's journey as an advocate of child rights began in 2018 and has taken him to regional platforms like the East Africa and SADC Child Parliaments. But, he says, the World Press Freedom Day event was unique.
His participation at the World Press Freedom Day reinforced his commitment to ensuring young people are actively involved in governance and policy discussions. "This experience has strengthened my resolve to continue advocating for children and youth representation at all levels. We must sit at the table when decisions about our future are made," said Raphael.
Looking ahead, Raphael hopes to leverage the lessons from this event to strengthen collaboration between young advocates and media professionals. "We need more spaces like this where children can speak freely, share their concerns, and be part of shaping the future. Our voices matter, and we need platforms that amplify them," he stressed.
