Posts with the tag
“Global Perspectives 2018”

The fearless Young Leaders the World Needs Right Now

28th August 2018 by Amnesty International

This blog was originally published on International Youth Day by Amnesty International. Amnesty International will be contributing to this year’s Global Perspectives 2018: Engaging a #NewGeneration. With this blog and others, in the lead up to the event, we will take a look at initiatives by and for young people that aim to help them improve their lives. These initiatives show how young people are already impacting the civil society sector, and beyond, throughout the world. They will form the basis of our discussions at this year’s Global Perspectives. Please find more Global Perspective related content here.

From gun violence and police brutality to sexual violence and harassment, young people – in all their diversity – around the world are living violent realities. Yet, in a new wave of human rights activism, these young trailblazers are rising up, taking action and calling for change, while juggling school, university and jobs.

AMERICAS

“The only way to heal was to take action” – Jaclyn Corin, 17, USA

I never imagined it would happen to me. Parkland was labelled the safest community in Florida, but when tragedy hit and a mass shooting took place at school, I knew the only way to heal was to take action.

When my friends and I came together, we didn’t have a plan. We literally started work on a living room floor. Being young worked in our favour. We weren’t adults trying to guess what worked for young people and we weren’t asking for permission. Other kids from across the nation saw what we were doing and felt they could do it too.

Being survivors of a school shooting meant people listened to us. We were angry and loud. The reaction to what happened to us helped build our movement faster than we could have imagined. It is amazing to see the impact we’re having, but there’s also a sense of guilt, as this has arisen out of something so horrible.

We created March For Our Lives because our friends who lost their lives would have wanted us to take action. We’re doing it for them.

I am inspired by… the kids who are doing something to make a difference – the girl who is running for school board, or the others running March For Our Lives. It’s the people and the present that inspires me.

Twitter@JaclynCorin

“Violence in my community must end” – Raull Santiago, 29, Brazil

There are two sides to life in a favela. On one side, there’s a strong sense of community. On the other there is police violence, fuelled by inequality and racism. Every day people are violently murdered because of the colour of their skin.

I’ve seen a lot of violence in my life, with many young people imprisoned or murdered. Others are forced into the criminal underworld just to survive. In Brazil, there’s a national discourse around the drug problem and how the authorities are choosing to combat it through violence. In my community, 12 people have been murdered in the past two months.

I don’t want to sit by silently. As a human rights activist, I am determined to campaign against the ‘war on drugs’ and call for an end to violence in my community. We’re holding demonstrations in the street and staging street theatre to get our message across. I firmly believe these small actions will get our message across to a wider population.

People used to stay silent when someone was killed, but that’s not the case now. Every day, we fight for our lives. It’s a violent reality. My tattoo reads ‘Believe’. Even though it’s hard to have faith, my tattoo is a reminder of how far we’ve come.

I am inspired by… simple down to earth people, such as my mother, father and friends. They’re living the same reality, but are continuing to fight to improve things. Despite the hardship, they still smile. That’s a real inspiration.

Twitter: @raullsantiago 

“We’re not afraid, we know what we’re doing is right” – Matt Deitsch, 20, Florida

March For Our Lives was created because something had to change. The Parkland shootings marked my sister’s birthday, Valentine’s Day. She was at school. When I heard about the shooting, I tried to contact her, but she wasn’t answering. I went to her school, trying to figure out what had happened. My sister survived, but in that moment, I knew the situation had to change.

Everything we’ve done since February 14 has been based on what we think is right. So far, it’s worked. We’ve organised trips to lobby state representatives, held a student town-hall with CNN, where numerous young people came together to speak out, and organised the March For Our Lives, which saw over 800 marches take place in numerous countries.

Lots of people want to make out like we’re something special, but we’re just normal kids willing do something about this problem. It’s crazy to see the tangible difference we are making. So far, we’ve seen 25 new laws passed across 15 states. It’s one thing to see a shift in mentality, but to see something being done to actually save lives is on a different level.

We’re not afraid, because we know what we’re doing is right. We carry on because many people who died in the Parkland shooting made a conscious effort to save someone else. We’re just trying to perpetuate that.

I am inspired by… other students who take a stand, such as Jaclyn. There’s a wonderful senior named Caitlin who organised a protest in Ocala, Florida, an area where there’s loads of gun stores. More supporters attended her rally than the governor’s.

Twitter: @MattxRed 

“I have a voice and I am not afraid to use it!” – Zachir Enrique José, 18, Chile

Young people are constantly told they don’t know their own reality. It’s very frustrating. I identify as non-binary. People don’t know who we are. We don’t exist in language or everyday life. We’re assigned a gender by force, but we don’t get a say in it. When I told my family I was non-binary, they didn’t understand.

I want to make sure young people know their sexual and reproductive rights. Through workshops, festivals, books and fanzines, I am educating young people about their rights. It’s not for everyone, but most people thank me after the workshop. These issues aren’t often spoken about in Chile and when we do speak about them, it’s done in a way that makes them happy.

As a human rights activist, I will continue to raise my voice. I am resilient. Yes, I’ve experienced difficulties, especially as so many people treat sexuality as a joke, but there are people with empathy, so we will continue to empower each other. I have a voice and I am not afraid to use it.

I am inspired by… activists across my network!

“Sexual violence happens so often in Peru, people think it’s normal” – Yilda Paredes, 23, Peru

Behind our smiles, there is fear. A fear of living a life filled with violence.

In Peru, girls and young women are unprotected. We’re not allowed to have an abortion, apart from in exceptional circumstances. Just recently, a man burned a young girl alive in a bus. This happened near to my house.

I have been a victim of harassment. My ex-boyfriend used to stalk me. He threw rocks at my house, followed me everywhere and started rumours. I was forced to change my mobile number and the way I live. I even considered dropping out of university.

I found strength through my friends as well as my work with Amnesty International. When people found out about my situation a lot of girls and women started coming to me for advice, saying they’d experienced similar situations. Sexual violence happens so often in my country, people think it’s normal.

I am now training be a lawyer and I am a human rights activist, campaigning on issues such as women’s rights, LGBTI rights and indigenous people’s rights. There are many of us who want to see a change in our community. We deserve to have our voices heard and respected.

I am inspired by… women such as human rights defenders Maxima Acuna, from Peru, and Marielle Franco, from Brazil, who was shot dead earlier this year. They both fought for our rights.

Twitter: @ParedesYilda

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to learn about their rights” – Karin Watson, 21, Chile

Becoming a human rights activist was a natural process. I’ve been interested in social justice issues since I was 12. From 1973 to 1990, Chile was under the Pinochet dictatorship and there were a lot of human rights violations. Learning about the history of my country inspired me to become a human rights activist. Now I work on issues such as youth, migration and sexual and reproductive rights.

In Chile, girls and women are not allowed to have an abortion and many have died because of it. Last year, the National Parliament passed a ruling, stating abortion would be allowed in some circumstances. It was a great victory, but right after the bill was passed, a new government came into power and limited its impact. Amnesty International is educating young people on this issue through its My Body, My Rights campaign and it’s having a huge impact. It’s beautiful to see how it’s developed.

Nowadays, I work on human rights education, teaching children about their rights. It fills my heart and gives me motivation. Everyone deserves this opportunity. As part of Amnesty International’s Youth Collective, I am working on youth issues at a global level. It’s inspiring, as I’ve met so many people and made so many new friends, which means our work reaches new places.

I am inspired by… my friends, those who I met through this work and along the way. My friends who work on My Body, My Rights, are younger than me, but they’re so strong and passionate. They travelled to remote areas of Chile to educate people. It’s very inspiring.

AFRICA

“Seeing people take action feels good” – Haafizah Bhamjee, 22, South Africa

Period poverty exists, especially at university. You can’t even talk about menstruation, let alone whether you can afford sanitary products, so girls suffer in silence. It’s dehumanising.

My friends and I are trying to change this, through our #WorthBleedingFor campaign. Most people think university is a luxury for the rich, but it’s not. Poor people go to university too. Some students sleep in the library, others line up to receive grocery packs, while lack of access to sanitary pads is a real problem. We’re pushing for universities to install sanitary pad dispensers in bathrooms, we’ve contacted the local government to provide free pads for girls in schools and we’re encouraging girls to speak about their experiences.

Seeing people take action feels good. The change is gradual, but it’s exciting. Just recently, a group of girls made a video about #WorthBleedingFor showing our campaigning work. Knowing we’d reached out and had an impact was amazing.

I am inspired by… Winnie Mandela. She was fiery, driven and never stopped campaigning.

Twitter: @FizzerBlack 

“To be an activist, one must stand up against social injustice” – Shafee Verachia, 26, South Africa

Student fees are continually rising, and it is systematically excluding bright young minds.  This is why, like thousands of other young South Africans, I was part of #FeesMustFall protests – the largest student-led movement in South Africa since the Soweto uprising of 1976, where black school kids stood up to protest against apartheid. In October 2015, we embarked on a systematic shut down of our university system.

Over the course of two years (2015-2016), we experienced police brutality, victimisation and demonization. My friend, and successor as Student Representative Council President, Shaera Kalla, was shot in the back 13 times, at close range by policeman firing rubber bullets. She was unable to walk for almost six weeks. Another student, Kanya Cekeshe, was sentenced to eight years in jail. Hand-grenades were thrown at us and tear gas was fired. I still bear the psychological scars of what I experienced.

Even though our call was eventually met with a favourable response and tuition fees were not increased, it left me feeling agitated and angry. Change is not an event, it is a process and this process is not happening fast enough. Young people need to be at the forefront of shaping change. For too long youth issues have been on the periphery while leaders have been fixated with power and holding on to it. When the youth realize that we have the power and agency to shake the core of the system, we could be an unstoppable force for social justice

I am inspired by…  the youth activists who rebel against a system that ignores and excludes them. It’s these young people who give me hope and make it clear our struggle must continue. As long as there are young people who are going to sleep hungry, can’t afford to go to school or are unable to access their most basic rights, our work must continue.

Twitter: @ShafMysta

“Human rights activism saved me” – Sandra Mwarania, 28, Kenya

I used to think human rights advocacy was just for professionals with a strong legal background. It’s not.

At university, students aren’t listened to. When I was a student, I advocated for students to have an active, powerful voice on issues that mattered to them. Campaigning for youth rights was fun and inspiring. As a young person, I wanted to campaign for positive change.

We go to university to carve successful career paths. However, students are confronted with harsh realities of joblessness, corruption, discrimination and a host of other injustices. I experienced this first hand when I left university. Instead of giving in to hopelessness, I volunteered with social justice initiatives.

I am 28 now and a year into my first stable job. Now I have a job, I feel as though I need to hold on to it and I’m grateful my current role complements my volunteering work. In a way, human rights activism saved me.

Seeing the impact my work is having makes me feel good and it encourages me to keep going. If people try to bring me down, I smile and ignore them. I know my story and I know where I want to go.

I am inspired by…. Amnesty International Kenya’s Country Director – Irũngũ Houghton. Since he joined the team this year, my work ethic has shifted. He constantly coaches me to challenge myself as a human rights defender and young leader.

Twitter: @SMwarania 

 ASIA

“By standing together, we can inspire each other” – Kania Mamonto, 25, Indonesia

At least half a million people were massacred during the 1965 tragedy in Indonesia, and it’s my job to document stories of the survivors. I organise community survivor groups and bridge the gap between generations. It’s important young people understand our country’s past. As a human rights activist, I don’t want to see injustice. I want to work with others, share knowledge and take action, but being a human rights activist isn’t easy in Indonesia.

Last April, I was part of a cultural event alongside numerous other human rights defenders. I was Master of Ceremony. A violent group came and barricaded us into the building for eight hours. It was terrifying. More than 200 people were trapped, including children. They used rocks to smash the glass, we were fired at and were at risk of being beaten. After we were released, my face was splashed all over the media.

The whole incident was very traumatising. I work so hard to make change possible, but that’s not how it’s perceived. I’ve learnt to deal with what happened and I want to educate people about my work. If people have an issue with it, I want them to talk to me and have an open discussion. Standing up for what you believe in doesn’t make you a bad person. We just want justice and equality.

Through Amnesty International, I’ve met and worked with other human rights defenders from across Asia and it’s good to feel part of a global network. It’s an opportunity to share the work we’re doing, as well as our problems and the lessons we’ve learnt. By standing together, we can inspire each other.

I am inspired by… an Indonesian activist called Munir. He was so inspiring, brave and always told the truth. He stood with the people.

Twitter: @Kanimonster_

“When I speak out, I feel empowered” – Manu Gaspar, 23, Philippines

When I speak out, I feel empowered. Making my voice heard was something I struggled with growing up. I told my parents I was gay when I was 19. Compared to some of my friends who came out, I am lucky, as I am still able to live at home.

It’s not always easy, though. My parents don’t approve of my sexuality and it’s hard to find common ground. Most of the time when I go home, I don’t talk to anyone.

I’ve found hope through human rights activism. When I talk about issues I am passionate about, I feel appreciated, as though I am making a difference.

Youth human rights activism plays a huge role in my life. Alongside my role at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), I am also part of Amnesty International’s Youth Collective. So many young people face similar struggles and it’s an opportunity to share my story with others and tell them it gets better – and once it does, it’s a responsibility to ensure other queer people everywhere enjoy their freedom as much as you do. It takes a long time to know yourself, but it helps when you find people who you want to talk to; they become your chosen family. When you find that group, you see things from a different perspective and feel much more appreciated.

I am inspired by… the LGBTI community. Many people had it much harder, and I wouldn’t be able to be myself if it wasn’t for them.

Twitter@mnugaspar 

MENA

“People should be tolerant and open-minded” – Amal Agourram, 21, Morocco

Women’s rights are violated every day in Morocco. I know people who have been harassed and assaulted, whose right to freedom of expression has been violated, and those who have faced unfair trials. That’s what makes me want to fight for human rights.

After I graduated, I started working with Amnesty International at a local level on its Brave and I Welcome campaigns.

My aim is to create an environment where people are tolerant, open-minded and there’s an understanding of human rights. Through I Welcome, I encourage people to see beyond the refugee label and listen to the stories behind it.

I mostly work with other young people on these campaigns. It’s an opportunity to meet people who have had similar experiences. By taking part, young people tell me they feel a lot less lonely and part of something important. Many of us have also used the skills we’ve gained to educate people at home, about issues such as women’s rights.

I am always thinking about ways I can make a change and have an impact. For me, it’s a hobby. Even when my parents tell me to rest, I tell them that promoting the importance of human rights makes me feel good!

I am inspired by… Nelson Mandela. He inspires us all. I also seek inspiration from people from my hometown. They motivate me to make a difference.

EUROPE

“We can change the way someone looks at the world” –Mariana Rodrigues, 22, Portugal

My dad is a bit of a revolutionary. He taught me to think outside the box, so when I see something I want to change, I do something about it. All my activism is based around this.

When I went to university, I was approached by an Amnesty International fundraiser. The organisation’s work was so inspiring, I decided to become a face to face fundraiser after I graduated.

Fundraising provides an opportunity to change the way people think and to educate people about what’s going on in the world. I talked to a lot of people who had different ideas about refugees. After we spoke, they realised the importance of welcoming people into Portugal. It proved that most of world’s problems stem from a lack information. It is possible to overcome hate

It’s possible to change the way someone looks at the world and Amnesty, as well as my sustainable clothing project, provides a way of doing this. It’s incredible to be part of a youth network that provides an opportunity to meet activists from all over the world.

I am inspired by… people who continue to speak out in places where it’s hard to do so.

Amnesty International

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Amnesty International


How children in Kenya are influencing local government through local children’s charters

21st August 2018 by Grace Nyoro and Maria Lapa

Kenya is steadily moving towards the full realisation of child rights but there continues to be substantial disparities across the country. While there has been progress in school enrolment, child survival and a reduction in female genital mutilation there are still challenges in gender equality, public participation and access to essential services. The 2010 constitution and related policies make provisions for entitlement to services and participation however, there have been weaknesses in the implementation of these legal and policy frameworks.

During the lead up to the Kenyan national elections in 2017 children across Kenya took part in a children’s charter calling for their voices to be heard in the governance agenda. Over 40,000 children from all social backgrounds expressed their concerns on the Government’s development plans following coordinated and sustained mobilisation over a seven-month period. The result has been an increase in agency with more children embracing their role in making change happen; an activated youth network campaigning on a range of similar issues and commitments from local government leaders.

What is the Children’s Charter?    

The children’s charter represents the socio-political concerns and aspirations of young Kenyan children across the country. It started with a postcard campaign across schools, communities and county assemblies, where face-to-face meetings were held with children to discuss the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) framework and its importance to local and national development plans. Children were then asked to reflect on their own circumstances, the issues that concerned them and what action they would like to see from Kenyan leaders.

The postcard data was collected, analysed and further discussed with children. Many believed that the Government’s provision of free primary education was a significant achievement, they also felt proud to be citizens and wanted a peaceful environment to grow up in. The concerns emerging from children were violence and the continued barriers to education, peace and food security.

Based on these results representative groups of children[1] drafted local charters with recommendations for county development plans. With the support of partners, children were able to hand over and discuss the recommendations with local politicians, this was a significant achievement at the time given the political attention on the re-election process unfolding in the country.

The local charters were then consolidated into a national Kenyan Children’s Charter which was launched on Universal Children’s Day in 2017 by child representatives from each county.

How has the charter influenced the political agenda?

At the time the charter was presented, decision makers showed interest in the recommendations with some making explicit commitments to address concerns raised. There is evidence that some draft development plans are capturing issues raised and in Bungoma County a rescue centre has been constructed as a result of the consultation.

Furthermore, some of the children have now become involved in child-consultations on amendments to the Children’s Act calling for provisions to involve children in public participation processes.

The Kenyan Constitution and legal framework place a strong emphasis on public participation in decision-making. When presenting the children’s charter, children explained that if they represent more than 50% of the Kenyan population and are not being consulted, then the law is not being properly implemented. They asked for the creation of spaces for child participation so they can systematically be part of the decision-making process.

How did the charter represent diverse voices?

During the seven-month mobilisation period there was a deliberate effort to ensure the most excluded children in all countries were represented in this process. Approaches included working with sports associations, utilising popular moments (such as the Day of the African Child), and an emphasis on the leadership of children’s networks and local agencies. With greater representation across counties strong partnerships allowed us to reach a higher and more diverse number of children[2]. Partners included Child Fund, Mtoto News, World Vision, Mathare Youth Sports Association, Moving the Goal Post football and Save the Children.

What have we learnt?

The initiative is one of largest public actions in the global south within Save the Children, with significant learning for future ambitions to ensure children are supported to have a voice within civil society. The opinions gathered by children have helped Save the Children to further clarify its focus in Kenya within its next strategic plan.

For many participating children the charter hand over represents the first opportunity for them to engage with decision makers. We have observed an increase in self-confidence among young people along with more interest from decision makers and the media.

Partnership, transparency and pooled resources have been important principles underlying the project, creating joint ownership and trust.

Lastly, the simplicity of the postcard tool for surveying the views of children encouraged high numbers of participants. It allowed children from eight to eighteen to express their concerns and recommendations in a simple way that was easy to disseminate across the country.

What next?

As time passes we will start to see the full impact of this approach, but for this to happen children and partners will need to be involved in monitoring and accountability of political promises. The partners in the project will be supporting children to monitor commitments and implementation and continue to utilise the charter and popular platforms.

[1] Children are elected in each county to represent their peers and they meet quarterly to discuss concerns and issues raised by their constituencies.

[2] Children’s networks lead on the framing of priorities and presentation to decision makers; child focused agencies facilitated the participation of children; media agencies ensured there was visibility and wider public engagement; a wider network of supporting agencies (schools, youth clubs, business etc) supported the logistics and coordination of the process.

 

Grace Nyoro

Regional Advocacy and Campaigns Coordinator

Save the Children

Grace Nyoro works as the Regional Advocacy and Campaigns Coordinator, East & Southern Africa Region at Save the Children. Grace works with 12 countries in their region on the campaign to End Child Marriage and for increased public resources to ensure access to essential basic services for children in the region.

Maria Lapa

Project Manager

WeChangers

Maria worked in international development for 5 years, monitoring and evaluating the impact of child rights campaigns for WorldVision and Save the Children. She is now in Portugal working at WeChangers, a start-up company developing an online platform that connects social purpose organisations and funders, where she is responsible for impact measurement.


Engaging a #NewGeneration of Work

31st July 2018 by Kathrin Wieland

Youth of today under the age of 30 comprise more than half the world’s population at present. Born and raised in a digitalised and globalised era, their approach to activism is vastly different to that of their predecessors, and this is why we feel that the time is ripe for civil society organisations (CSOs) to adapt the ways in which they operate to meet the needs and preferences of these digital natives.  

Far from being a threat to jobs in the development and humanitarian aid sector, we believe that digital tools can enhance the way work is done, such as helping organisations gather necessary information, measure progress, or align their goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

At TolaData, the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) software we build makes it easier for projects to be managed and tracked across their entire lifecycle. Through our platform, project managers can remotely monitor activities in real-time, so that less time is spent collecting data but on analysing and learning from it to improve the projects that matter.   

We envision the following ways in which we can support this new generation of work. 

  • The next generation of collaboration 

As working in multinational teams spread out all over the world increasingly becomes the norm, we’d like seamless communication across different time zones to become a reality. The next generation will work together in the cloud or with tools like TolaData, with full transparency in staying up to date on what others have done to ensure that everyone is aligned on the same tasks. Not only will that keep the team productive by preventing double work, team members will also have the freedom to work whenever and wherever they want, which fits in with the results-oriented flexibility that post-Millennials desire. 

  • The next generation of progress 

We’d like to enable teams to learn faster and better from data, in order to determine which approaches are a success or a failure, and again in the spirit of collaboration, be able to share that knowledge with others.  

  • The next generation of help 

Through technology, we’re able to reach marginalised communities in harsh and remote places. New digital tools will  be able to function offline just as well as it does online, thereby enabling work to take place in tough environments where help is most needed.  

Can we see the next generation fulfill the SDGs and realise a world without hunger and extreme poverty? Certainly! And we’re committed to bringing the latest technology to the sector to maximise the impact that organisations achieve. To recognise this goal, however, we’ll have to work together. 

Together with some of my brilliant colleagues from TolaData, we look forward to being at Global Perspectives 2018 to meet and connect with other like-minded practitioners from the sector to discuss our ideas and experiences in shaping the trajectory of this new generation. There’s so much we can do and we can barely wait for it to happen. See you there! 

Kathrin Wieland

CEO

TolaData

After her career in strategy consulting and marketing management, Kathrin took over as CEO of Save the Children Germany and grew the organisation's income by 10 times within 8 years. She has extensive knowledge and networks in the sector and serves as an advisor and board member to a number of non-profits.


#Bridgingthegap Connecting young campaigners across social divides in Bangladesh

24th July 2018 by Sarah Rose, Taskin Rahman, Maria Lapa

In the lead up to Global Perspectives 2018: Engaging a #NewGeneration we will take a look at initiatives by and for young people that aim to help them improve their lives. These initiatives show how young people are already impacting the civil society sector, and beyond, throughout the world. They will form the basis of our discussions at this year’s Global Perspectives. Please find more Global Perspective related content here.

Bangladesh has made enormous social progress over the last decade, but there are still millions of children who face discrimination and poverty on a daily basis. Within this context, Save the Children has supported young campaigners to connect with marginalised children and together call for better access to health, education and protection.

Why is it important for young campaigners to connect across society?

Exclusion is central to understanding why some children have not benefitted from progress in Bangladesh. However, social action to tackle exclusion is complex. The concept does not easily translate into one clear identifiable societal change. It requires a number of interventions within different sectors across different strata of society.

One idea is to join forces with young people and support them to explore what exclusion is and what can be done about it. Partners in Bangladesh are doing this by igniting a conversation across social divides. The idea being that if young people can be supported to come together, share their experiences and learn from one another,  they can also engage decision makers and the media and start to bridge the gap between the most marginalised communities and those who hold the power to make change.

This campaign is called #bridgingthegap.

How did it work?

Jaago, leading newspaper Daily Star and Save the Children formed a partnership aimed at supporting young volunteers to connect with peers, tell stories and raise issues on the political agenda.

A group of urban young people received training on the issues and story telling[1] and then met young people living in urban slums and rural areas. Together young people discussed their commonalities, differences and the issues that underpin exclusion. While on these visits, young people created and shared content through their personal social networks and had a news platform to publish their stories. This process has allowed them to spread knowledge and act as champions for issues they care about. The young champions were also brought together with policy makers to further discuss challenges and solutions.

One of the things discussed in great detail was that of transportation in rural areas. The present Government officials did mention that this is something they are keen to work on. Water supply, electricity and gas for slum dwellers were also a challenge affecting everyday life and something the Government wanted to address as well.

What has the campaign achieved so far?

Creating a national discourse on exclusion

The stories from young people were shared across traditional and social media, #bridgingthegap trended nationally on social media with a reach of 28 million people. In traditional news, national newspapers covered ‘untold stories’ – one cover story and 6 news stories. Many of these discussions focussed on access and affordability and future opportunities for excluded young children.

The initiative generated interest from UN and partner organisations, but the success of coverage and discourse was primarily due to partners taking a step back and encouraging young people to lead the discussion. If partners are able to continue to support young people to raise these issues, the hope is that this will start to build awareness and change attitudes towards the people that face discrimination and the systems that create exclusion and discrimination.

Policy makers listening to young people

Young people were given a platform to talk with government officials. They shared their concerns and recommendations, discussing how Bangladesh could meet the Sustainable Development Goal targets. Government representatives listened and made a number of positive statements on how the recommendations made by young people could be used to tackle issues of exclusion and discrimination. If there is sustained pressure on decision makers for policy change and accountability there may be an opportunity to shift decision making towards excluded communities.

Building confidence

Young campaigners said that the experience was transformative both for their understanding of the issue and for how to campaign. Many feel motivated to continue campaigning within their communities. Beyond the immediate issues, by building the agency of young people to continue to create social changes within their communities, the hope is that they will continue this work into the future.

Participants Perspectives

“When you are not aware of other people’s problems, you cannot solve them. But when you go there and see their problems with your own eyes, you think about what you can do.”

“This campaign totally changed my mentality and my opinion. I realised how different our lives are and that I am very lucky for all the chances I have. It was a blessing to me. I learned about another part of our society.”

“After the campaign I shared my experience with my friends and encouraged them to take action to help”

 

What are we learning?

Collaboration is central to this success. Partners have stood back and encouraged youth to lead, they have shared common expectations and been flexible and adaptive. This process has been time consuming but worth the investment.

Replicating the model – partners agreed that the model has the potential to be replicated. It is an inexpensive way to create discussion, mobilise young people and engage the wider public on issues that will impact on the next generation of adults and decision makers. The only issue stopping replication is further seed funding.

Influencing policy and attitudes in a middle income context – As Bangladesh becomes a middle-income country the role of international organisations like Save the Children will move aware from service delivery. Supporting the public, the media and young people to unpick and communicate the issues that affect the population will be an important role to play.

The power of young people – By 2025 it is expected that 60% of the population in Bangladesh will be between 18-35 years old. These young people will be the future decision makers. There is an opportunity to empower and encourage these young people to actively participate in society and there is an important role for partnerships, such as this one, to support this process.

Aknowledgements:

Reefat Sattar, Karim Waheed, Korvi Rakhshand, Thouheda Tabassum.

[1] Training included an overview of concepts like exclusion, child safeguarding, storytelling, video editing and photography.

 

Sarah Rose

Head of Advocacy Impact, Accountability and Learning for Save the Children International

Save the Children International

Sarah Rose is the Head of Advocacy Impact, Accountability and Learning for Save the Children International. She considers how change takes place in dynamic and complex environments, and looks at how civil society can learn and adapt.

Taskin Rahman

Regional Campaign Manager, Asia at Save the Children International

Save the Children International

Taskin works as the Regional Campaign Manager, Asia for Save the Children International. Taskin works across 12 countries in the region on their campaigns on inequity, injustice and the lack of inheritance. Taskin is a food blogger in Bangladesh and his group has 6000 followers on a closed group on social media. He writes about travel and culture, occasionally.

Maria Lapa

Project Manager

WeChangers

Maria worked in international development for 5 years, monitoring and evaluating the impact of child rights campaigns for WorldVision and Save the Children. She is now in Portugal working at WeChangers, a start-up company developing an online platform that connects social purpose organisations and funders, where she is responsible for impact measurement.


Global Perspectives 2018: A #NewGeneration’s impact on the work of CSOs

3rd July 2018 by Åsa Månsson

Visit www.GlobalPerspectives.online to find out more and register

Our planet currently hosts the largest youth generation of all times with over half of the world’s population under 30 years old. In only a few years, an entire generation will have grown up in an in a digitalised, and globalised world. How society connects, gets involved with and gives to social causes, is already, and will continue to profoundly affect International Civil Society Organisations’s work.

The Millennial Impact report found that young Americans remain as passionate about creating a better, more inclusive world as former generations but that the way they engage is very different. Rather than confronting and trying to change someone’s mind, they choose to educate themselves and count on their own initiative to create change. They share a mindset of influencing their environment by what they buy as well as advocating for their beliefs via social media. While signing petitions, volunteering for causes and connecting via institutionalised platforms is less attractive. They seem to no longer rely on traditional institutions such as political parties or CSOs to effect social change.

However, the story is different in the Global South, where the largest part of the new generation lives. On the one hand, growing disenfranchisement of youth has been linked to social unrest, fuelled by unemployment. On the other hand, this large youth generation provides a unique chance for development and there are significant opportunities for them to play a paramount role in shaping and advancing the political and socio-economic environment. While engagement of the new generation with civil society organisations might be decreasing in countries with stable political and economic environments, there is potential for growth in the global south: Demands for fair wealth distribution and greater civic space by young people offer increased possibilities and importance to CSOs missions.

Clearly, there are opportunities and challenges for CSOs linked to the new generation. In any case, as UNICEF will likely state in their Young People’s Agenda (released this autumn), we will never be able to reach the ambitiously laid out SDGs if we fail this young generation. So in order to stay relevant and attractive, to make an impact and achieve their mission but also to grasp opportunities linked to the new generation, CSOs will have to adapt their ways of working to the needs and preferences of a new audience of communities, supporters and employees.

The questions raised by changing behaviours of a new generation will be what drives our conversation at Global Perspectives 2018 over three days between leaders from key national and international CSOs and people whose passion are causes for social good.

Pushing this conversation ahead, Global Perspectives 2018 will:

  • Provide an understanding of how the new generation through different values and preferences pushes for change in the way CSOs work for a just and sustainable world.
  • Showcase innovative initiatives by and for young organisations as well as established CSOs aiming to explore new ways of unleashing the potential of the next generation.
  • Offer cross-sectoral networking opportunities by bringing together civil society leaders with other stakeholders to develop new ideas and initiatives.
  • Explore concrete steps for CSOs to take in adapting their organisations to better fit the next generation.

Held between 31 October – 2 November in Kreuzberg, Berlin, Global Perspectives provides a combination of workshops, panel discussions and interactive peer-to-peer exchange. We put great emphasis on maximising mutual learning opportunities. Conference attendees are invited to contribute to the conference in various ways, such as by hosting a workshop, planning side meetings or show-casing their organisation’s initiatives.

We invite you to take a look at www.globalperspectives.online, let us know what you would like to discuss at the event and join us there. If you have any questions or would like extra information, please contact Nihal Helmy.

Åsa Månsson

Special Projects

Wikimedia Foundation

In May 2020 Åsa left the Centre and joined Wikimedia Germany in a role working on organisational development’. Between 2010 and 2013, Åsa acted as manager of the INGO Accountability Charter (Accountable Now). In September 2013, Åsa took up the role as Director of Development, innovating the Centre’s fundraising and communication efforts. Since October 2016, Åsa has been Director of the Global Standard and has additionally taken on the role as the Centre’s Programme Director in mid-2017. Originally from Sweden, Åsa earlier worked for a consultancy, evaluating social projects within the public and civil society sector. Åsa studied European Studies and Sociology at universities in Gothenburg and Berlin. She completed her education with a Master’s thesis on the role of civil society in European governance.