YouthEngage

This initiative is drawing largely on information and communication technologies (ICTs) to mobilise boys and girls to pledge to learn and communicate about, and take action to prevent, abuse and violence against children and adolescents. It centres around the promotion of inter-youth dialogue and education to help reduce/end violence among young people through information sharing about rights and responsibilities.

To empower meaningful participation and sustained involvement of young people in activities that help create a world free of abuse and violence, WWSF urged youth to take action from the beginning by advocating that their own schools incorporate this campaign into the curriculum. Examples of what young people can do, as suggested by WWSF:

1. "Learn about your rights.
2. Learn about prevention measures and about potentially dangerous relationships.
3. Research and highlight good practice examples.
4. Use the media, TV, and Internet wisely.
5. Raise your voice, share your stories, and express your own views and ideas.
6. Develop your own thoughts and action plans on what you can do to make the world a safer place.
7. Report or seek help in your own community or country when abuse happens and inform your friends too (via hotlines, counselors, parents, legal offices, etc.)
8. Read, share and discuss with friends:
   • the "Adolescent Declaration to End Sexual Exploitation" [PDF] issued at the World Congress III against the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents - Brazil 2008
   • The UN [United Nations] Secretary-General's Study on Violence Against Children
   • The WWSF Guide "Prevention is Key!" [PDF]
9. Visit additional websites for more information - e.g., Youth and the United Nations, StopX, and Action Innocence"

A social networking space for those participating in YouthEngage is available here.

Children, Youth, Rights.