Adolescent and youth participation

National icon and singer Maria Vitória da Costa Borges, commonly known as Marvi, has been unveiled as the first UNICEF Youth Advocate in Timor-Leste. Marvi shot to global prominence late last year as winner of Portugal’s ‘The Voice’.  Among a sea of bright blue banners, dignitaries and young people gathered in the country’s capital, Dili, to…, Humble beginnings, Well before the fame and celebrity, Marvi was just five years old when Timor-Leste’s 2006 crisis hit. It was during this time that Marvi was first introduced to the work of UNICEF while she was living with her family in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in the capital, Dili. It’s this work that has inspired her ever since.    Marvi2…, Giving back , Having found success in her singing career, Marvi is proud to have the opportunity to give back to her community.  But this is something that Marvi has always done, well before she became famous for her singing.  While publicly known as Marvi, to the kids in her neighbourhood she continues to be known as “Ama Nina” (Mother Nina).  Since 2011,…, A true partnership, It was this passion for children that lead UNICEF to approach Marvi to become a Youth Advocate.  “Marvi chose UNICEF as much as UNICEF chose her. It’s important because we need to think alike and have the same commitment. Marvi has a tremendous passion for children,” said Valérie Taton, UNICEF Representative to Timor-Leste. By partnering with…

Investing in Future Leaders Formative Evaluation of the Timor-Leste Youth Parliament Programme 2010 – 2018. Investment in young people’s active citizenship – encouraging their contribution to social and community advancement – is beneficial not only for young people and their personal empowerment, but also to SDG achievement over time. The…

This 2017: Journal of Change in Timor-Leste tells a story of passion and commitment. A passion for the children in Timor-Leste and a commitment to champion their rights. October 2018

child protection online image Communication for Development (C4D) materials on Online Child Protection Parenting education cove image Communication for Development (C4D) materials on Parenting Education programme Child Protection Referral Network Contact List in Timor-Leste Child Protection Referral Network Contact List in Timor-Leste

Young and Online: Children’s perspectives on life in the digital age The State of the World’s Children 2017 Companion Report “Life is a blind lottery. You cannot choose the circumstances of your birth: your gender, your ethnicity, your parents’ wealth, or your disability. Yet technology has the immense potential to even the playing field.…

The Situation Analysis Review of Youth Timor-Leste (Youth SiTan) was developed by the Secretariat of State for Youth and Sport (SSYS) with support of UNICEF. The report presents an integrated analysis on the situation of adolescents and young people in the country to address a cross-cutting issues affecting a group of full of opportunities but…

Challenge, Girls and young women are particularly vulnerable to violence. Around half (46 percent) of Timor-Leste’s population is under the age of 18. This presents an enormous opportunity for youth engagement and a significant challenge to protecting the country’s most vulnerable people.  Since independence, Timor-Leste has made significant progress to…, Birth registration, Some of these challenges start at birth. Birth registration is one of the most powerful instruments we have for ensuring equity within a broad scope of services. Although birth registration rates are rising, approximately 27 percent of births nationally are not registered, and only one in three recorded births are assigned a birth certificate.  …, Child participation, Legal and social systems are designed largely for adults. Data about children’s contact with the law or support for children who are victims of violence is limited. Children’s participation in decision-making processes within families, schools and communities is also limited., Violence against children, Domestic violence is common in Timor-Leste. Cases of violence against children in the home and at school are under-reported due to a societal belief that these domestic and classroom incidents are private. Girls and young women are particularly vulnerable to violence. Two out of three women between 15 and 19 in Timor-Leste report experiencing…, Why we need to make a change:, • Only 29 percent of children under five years have birth certificates. • 3 in 10 women aged 15-19 reported that they experienced physical violence in the last 12 months, with cases going unreported.  • 7 in 10 women and 5 in 10 men believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife under certain circumstances. • In a recent survey, 7 in 10…, Resources, Solution, UNICEF is a key partner to the Government in the development of its child protection systems, promoting and protecting the rights of all children in Timor-Leste.   , Policy development, UNICEF supported the government to map and assess the child protection system. This resulted in a policy paper and key recommendations  for a comprehensive, integrated child and family welfare system, put in place in 2014.  , Supporting change makers, UNICEF has supported the Ministry of Social Solidarity to enable child defenders, including social welfare workers and frontline caseworkers, to work with youth offenders and victims in child-sensitive ways. We also support the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) to develop child-friendly investigation material: development and integration of a…, Child rights advocacy, UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, equips parents, caregivers and local leaders with tools for social mobilisation and an increased knowledge of child protection issues. We have also provided support for birth registration.  , Adolescent participation and development, UNICEF has been working to reach adolescents and young people with essential life skills to deal with everyday challenges and develop themselves. In 2010, we worked with the Secretariat of State for Youth and Sport to launch the National Youth Parliament, providing young people with the opportunity to contribute to national development.  With our…