UNICEF has sought to address the adverse effects of air pollution on adolescents by reducing their exposure, reducing the amount of air and climate pollutants, and improving air quality.  As part of this process, UNICEF Vietnam has actively engaged adolescents including in awareness-raising, data collection and advocacy.   Download file (PDF, 567,…

A case study of UNICEF Brazil support for formal civic engagement programmes tailored to the most vulnerable adolescents and to the diverse contexts in which these adolescents live. In the Amazon and Semi-Arid regions, UNICEF is supporting the Municipal Seal of Approval programme since 2013.2 This four-year programme requires municipalities to…

Empowerment is a complex concept, and any program and policy work to support adolescents requires a thorough, nuanced exploration of the local context, broader research base on empowerment as it relates to the specific adolescent population the program aims to reach, and desired outcomes. Download file (PDF, 633,43 KB)

Seventy-four years after UNICEF was established and 31 years since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the organization’s mission to promote the full attainment of the rights of all children is as urgent as ever.  The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2018-2021 is anchored in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and charts a course…

The Guidelines are intended to support the design of meaningful and equitable Adolescent Participation and Civic Engagement. They provide information on the ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘how-to’ of adolescent participation and civic engagement. The main sections include guidance on: Conceptual understanding, Main strategies and key interventions ,…

More than 70 years after UNICEF was established, the organization’s mission to promote the full attainment of the rights of all children is as urgent as ever. The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2018–2021 is anchored in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and charts a course towards attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and the realization…

In partnership with the government and the private sector, UNICEF India has supported the development of a career-guidance portal that provides secondary school students with knowledge and skills to identify and make informed decisions about their educational and occupational pathways. Download file (PDF, 357,21 KB)

The purpose of this brief is to provide practical tips for UNICEF country offices, partners and young people themselves on engaging adolescents and youth as part of the COVID-19 preparedness and response.  Download file (PDF, 278,00 KB)

Meet the newest UNICEF Youth Ambassadors and Advocates: global stars and leaders in entertainment, government, sport and business who are rallying for children in support of their rights. , Papua New Guinea: Leoshina Mercedes Kariha, 19, Miss Papua New Guinea and Miss Pacific Islands, 2018 and UNICEF Youth Advocate Leoshina Mercedes Kariha Leoshina Mercedes Kariha In 2018, Leoshina Kariha became the youngest contestant to win the Miss Papua New Guinea and Miss Pacific Islands crown. As a contestant, she supported the Green Turtle Project to protect sea turtles in Papua New Guinea’…, Mexico: Vázquez Sounds, Music band and UNICEF Youth Advocates Vasquez Sounds UNICEF Vasquez Sounds UNICEF Vázquez Sounds (also known as V-Sounds) is a Mexican musical band formed by siblings Ángela (18, vocals), Gustavo (21, drums) and Abelardo (23, guitar).  They started their career back in 2011 with the release of their cover of 'Rolling in the Deep' on YouTube. The…, Sudan: Manara Asad, 24, Entrepreneur, activist and UNICEF Youth Advocate Manara Asad Manara Asad Manara Asad is an entrepreneur and activist from Sudan’s North Darfur state. In April 2019, Manara was announced as one of five winners of the global Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge, which ensures young people are equipped with important skills to live up to their…, Norway: Penelope Lea, 15, Climate activist and UNICEF Youth Ambassador Penelope Lea, Norway Penelope Lea-UNICEF Norway Penelope Lea is the first climate and environmental activist ever elected as a UNICEF Norway Ambassador.  At the age of 11, Penelope was elected to the Board of Environmental Agents in Oslo, and chaired the Children’s Climate Panel. She has held appeals in…, Timor-Leste: Maria Vitória “Marvi” da Costa Borges, 18, Singer and UNICEF Youth Advocate Marvi, Timor-Leste Marvi-UNICEF Timor-Leste UNICEF Timor-Leste’s Youth Advocate, Maria Vitória da Costa Borges, popularly known as Marvi, is one of Timor-Leste’s top singers nationally and globally. She has always loved singing, and in 2006 took part in a talent competition organized by UNICEF for thousands of…, Peru: Francisca Aronsson, Actress and UNICEF Youth Ambassador Francisca Aronsson Francisca Aronsson Francisca Aronsson is a Swedish-Peruvian actress and advocate. She started acting and modeling at the age of 8, appearing in theatre, television and cinema.  Like all young people, Francisca has many dreams, and one of them is to live in a Peru where all girls have the…, Peru: Júnior Javier Béjar Roca, Actor and UNICEF Youth Ambassador Junior Bejar Roca Junior Bejar Roca Júnior Javier Béjar Roca was born on 3 November 1999 in Los Morochucos, a small town in the Peruvian Andes. At age 15, Júnior starred in Álvaro Delgado-Aparicio's film Retablo, one of the most awarded Peruvian films of the last decade. The film was the official selection for…, Malaysia: Ismail Izzani, 19, Singer and UNICEF Youth Advocate Ismail Izzani Ismail Izzani UNICEF Malaysia Youth Advocate Ismail Izzani is a singer and songwriter who rose to fame at the age of 17 when his first single, ' Sabar ', went viral on YouTube. He is keen to use his large following to raise awareness on mental health issues affecting teenagers in Malaysia.

SAN JOSÉ, , Costa Rica, 7, October 2019, - Around 70 young people kicked off a new regional climate challenge - 1,000 actions for change - today in the presence of the Vice President of Costa Rica, Epsy Campbell Barr. The challenge seeks to map out more than a thousand youth-led grassroot solutions for climate change throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The regional youth…

This World Children's Day, UNICEF appointed its newest and youngest Goodwill Ambassador, British actress Millie Bobby Brown . She is joined by stars and leaders in entertainment, government, sport and business who are rallying for children in support of their rights. In addition to these high profile advocates, countries around the world are…, China: Wang Yuan (Roy Wang), 18, Singer, UNICEF China Ambassador UNICEF China National Ambassador Roy Wang UNICEF-Roy-Wang UNICEF Ambassador Wang Yuan, also known as Roy, is a well-known singer and actor. He is a member of the Chinese pop band TFBOYS. In January 2016, Wang Yuan released his first single, “Cause of You”, which reached the Top 10 of the Asia Billboard chart for new…, India: Hima Das, 18, Athlete, UNICEF India Ambassador UNICEF India National Ambassador Hima Das UNICEF-Hima-das Hima is an Indian sprint runner who currently holds the Indian national record in 400 metres with a time of 50.79 s that she clocked at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. She was the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in a track event at the …, Bhutan: Sonam Wangchen, 16, Singer, songwriter and musician, UNICEF Bhutan Ambassador Sonam Wangchen UNICEF-Sonam-Wangchen Sonam Wangchen is one of Bhutan’s youngest and most popular singers. Born in February 2002, he is currently studying in 11th grade. He sings mostly in Dzongkha, Bhutan’s national language. His 2015 song, "choe thom da", was a super-hit, propelling him…, Venezuela: El Sistema, The National Children's Orchestra of Venezuela, renewed as UNICEF Venezuela Ambassadors El Sistema, Venezuela UNICEF-el-sistema El Sistema Nacional de Orquestas y Coros Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela is a social and cultural programme. It was founded in 1975 by the Venezuelan musician José Antonio Abreu to use music as a tool for social…, Jordan: Emanne Beasha, 10, Singer and advocate Emanne Beasha UNICEF-Emanne-Beasha UNICEF Jordan Child Rights Champion, 10-year old Emanne Beasha, was the winner of the 2017 season of the pan-regional Arabs Got Talent . Emanne showed a passion for singing from a young age and started singing – from opera songs to Frank Sinatra – when she was just 6 years old. At the age of 7…, Emanne is personally interested in creating safe environments for children, and actively participates in UNICEF’s End Violence Against Children campaigns in Jordan. , Jordan: Joud Mbaideen, 14, Author and advocate Joud Mbaideen UNICEF-Joud-Mbaideen UNICEF Jordan Child Rights Champion, 14-year-old Joud Mbaideen, is the youngest Arab novelist. She has already published two books in Arabic; “Al Tahaddi Yaliqo Bik: Challenge Suits You” and “Jarh El Yasmeen: Jasmine Wound”. In 2017, she received the King Abdullah II Medal of Merit in…, Bangladesh: Raba Khan, 19, Social media influencer and YouTuber Raba Khan UNICEF-Raba-Khan Raba Khan, 19, is a multi-platform entertainer, performing primarily in the fields of comedy and music. Raba burst into the internet comedic scene of Bangladesh in 2014 with YouTube channel named “The Jhakanaka Project” and developed her Jhakanaka Raba brand on social media. Since…, Côte d'Ivoire: Kherann Yao, 23, Environmentalist Kherann Yao UNICEF-Kherann-Yao Kherann is an avid U-Reporter, student and founder of Association Environnementale/Green-Ivory, a group that works to protect, preserve and enhance the environment in Côte d'Ivoire. In March 2017, Kherann set up a Facebook group called ''Les environnementalistes de Côte d'Ivoire'' to raise awareness…, Côte d'Ivoire: Detty Dione Datto, 24, Vlogger, make-up artist and disabilities advocate Detty Dione Datto UNICEF-Detty-Dione-Datto Detty Dione Datto  is a professional make-up artist and vlogger. Disabled since birth, Detty advocates and fights every day for disabled children to have rights and a future. Detty launched a digital campaign "zero complex" to raise awareness in her…, Côte d'Ivoire: Tchonté Silué, 24, Blogger and education advocate Tchonté Silué UNICEF-Tchonté-Silué Tchonté Silué is passionate about reading, writing, education and travel. She is the founder of Centre Eulis, an educational space that introduces young Ivorians to the world through books, outings and educational workshops. Tchonté has a bachelor's degree in Business Administration…, Serbia: Biljana Stojković, 14, Vlogger and influencer Biljana Stojković UNICEF-Biljana-Stojković Biljana Stojković, also known as ICML (“I Create My Life”) on social media, is a 14-year-old vlogger and influencer in the Balkan region. She is known for her motivational speeches about improving self-esteem and taking a positive outlook on life, an attitude she embraced after…, Turkey: Cedi Osman, 23, Professional basketball player Cedi Osman UNICEF-Cedi-Osman Cedi Osman is a Turkish professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Cedi started playing basketball at an early age and was discovered by the Anadolu Efes scouts when he was 13. He has played on teams that won the Turkish Cup,…, Mozambique: Deasy Helena Muzima, 22, Education advocate Deasy Helena Muzima UNICEF-Deasy-Helena-Muzima Deasy Helena Muzima is a 22-year-old Mozambican youth leader. She is the President of AIESEC Mozambique, the world’s largest non-profit run for youths by youths. She is chair of the Global AIESEC Assembly and Expansion Committee where she is responsible for finances, strategic…

Youth Activate Talks bring young change-makers to the stage both to inspire young people to take action and to showcase to decision-makers the ways that young people are already supporting the Goals. This how-to guide explores ways to engage children and young people with an ‘Activate Talk’ format. Download file (PDF, 617,46 KB)