Why YouthEngage.com

YouthEngage.com is about the encouragement and sustained involvement of young people in activities that help create a world free of abuse and violence. By mobilizing and raising awareness about the potential of young people and the hope they bring for our shared future, WWSF aims to empower youth between the ages of 10 and 24. This age group that holds remarkable potential for the future of their communities, in becoming prevention actors of abuse and violence against children and youth and in pledging their commitment not to condone or remain silent about it. For the most part, young people are often very motivated to use and develop their strengths and talents. Therefore it is important to create opportunities to utilize these talents as the common good so as that the local community benefits, young people can feel empower by their contribution.

Who started YouthEngage.com

YouthEngage.com  was started by the Women’s World Summit Foundation – WWSF, a lay, not-for-profit, international, non-governmental organization, with United Nations consultative status at ECOSOC, UNFPA and DPI, serving the implementation of women and children’s rights. YouthEngage.com is a program of the WWSF Child/Youth Section. For more information about WWSF, visit  www.woman.ch

What is the WWSF Child/Youth Section?

Launched in 2000, the WWSF Child/Youth Section is a world campaign for the creation of a culture of prevention of abuse and violence against children and young people.  Its annual programs include : the World Day for prevention of child abuse – 19 November / a Prize for innovative prevention activities / a Prevention Education Week 13-19 November, and various other tools to empower and support coalition member organizations. The section annually publishes a Call to action, a global campaign poster, global impact reports and educational tools, e.g. the Guide for NGOs and citizen action. Its latest initiative, YouthEngage.com, is an interactive website for young people to become involved and empowered in their role as prevention actors and change makers.

Why focus on child/youth participation and empowerment?

Child/youth  participation is a right, a general principle of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and part of the general measures for its implementation. In the preparation of the UN Study on violence against children, children and young people played an active role in consultations, launched events and organized activities. This raised awareness of the obligation to support and facilitate children’s participation. The establishment of children’s parliaments continues to be used as one way of supporting the participation of children. Children and youth unions and clubs have also been founded to promote children’s participation in actions aimed at protecting their rights and preventing any abuse or violence against them.

Who are the youth and where do they live?

Approximately one billion youth live in the world today. This means that one in five people is between the age of 15 and 24 years, or 18% of the world’s population is “youth”, with children (5-14) comprising 19.8%.  The majority (almost 85%) live in developing countries, with approximately 60% in Asia alone. A remaining 23% live in the developing regions of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. By 2025, the number of youth living in developing countries will grow to 89.5%. Therefore, it is necessary to take youth issues into consideration in the human rights/child rights development agenda and policies of each country (source : www.un.org/youth)

Why educate for better prevention

Education is one of the most important tasks for prevention/protection of abuse and violence, for educations informs all citizens, ensuring that all citizens, including young people to know about the rights of the child and are aware of measures that reduce the risks of abuse and violence against them.