Every year, millions of women and girls worldwide suffer from violence; whether it is domestic violence, rape, dowry-related killing, trafficking, sexual violence, or other forms of abuse. Violence against women is a gross violation of human rights, and a threat to global peace, security, and development. In Sudan, high levels of poverty and rampant gender-based discrimination have resulted in the systematic violation of women’s rights.
The most vulnerable people in our society are we—the women. We are repeatedly oppressed by a State that refuses to advance legislation that protects our rights, and criminalizes acts done against us, such as FGM. The laws of Sudan are designed to oppress women, deprive us of our own free will, and punish us. For example, the Criminal Law of 1991 makes legal the punishment of women for adultery, improper dress code, abortion, changing religion, and gathering with an unrelated male companion. These are only examples of written laws—there are many more unwritten practices that strongly violate and abuse women’s rights. Having said that, Young women in Sudan are continuously threatened for choosing to speak out in favour of their most basic human rights, and for acting in support of the elimination of sexual violence.
One thing I have learnt from being a ‘Women Human Rights Defender’ is that the entire world, all countries, are connected as a Global Village. All of the challenges we face are shared, and this offers us a very unique opportunity for advocacy. And for that, young women and men need to understand the importance of working in international advocacy to realize that the world is a small place, and human rights are important no matter how big or small. The violations against human rights and women’s rights that we are combatting in Sudan is not only a Sudanese issue, but an international concern. We are not alone in our campaign to combat these violations—we are supported internationally in our struggle for justice and equality. We are standing shoulder to shoulder with supporters from around the world.
Moreover, Youth groups need to put pressure on Sudan to respect women and girls rights. Pressure can be in the form of campaigns, or it can come from governments, or the international community. People from all over the world need to come together to push for change and reformation of all laws in Sudan that violate human rights, and women’s rights. I also believe that, CSOs need to mainly focus on mobilizing and empowering women and young women’s groups in particular in order to influence policy and overcome structural, political and legal obstacles to the advancement of their rights.
I urge Young Sudanese women and men to continue to advocate for reform to rape laws, and to Sudan’s Revised Penal Code, which is being used as the basis to justify the sentencing of women to cruel forms of punishments such as stoning. They also need to continue to advocate for campaigns to stop the practice of child marriage, and the reform of Sudan’s restrictive dress code laws, which force women and girls to live in fear of being arrested for what they wear. However, progress to the advancement of women’s rights continues to be challenged.
Young women and men have to stand for themselves, and all youth of Sudan, to end injustice and inequality. We must urge for all members of civil society to be able to practice their activism without hindrance or harassment by our government. We must make sure all donors and non-governmental organizations do not fund any government run programs in Sudan without first seeing an improvement in policies related to human rights, women’s rights, and gender equality. With pressure, the government regime will back down from its continuing abuse of citizens, especially women and young girls.
The common narrative of violence and intimidation against Sudanese women and girls must end. Now more than ever, Sudan needs youth leadership and participation to end Gender Based Violence. As Youth Ambassador for Sudan on Sexual Violence in Conflict, I will continue to advocate for women’s rights, and engage young men and women in the battle to end sexual violence, giving youth the tools necessary to speak up and speak out against this scourge. Through non-violent activism, young people in Sudan can challenge the perpetration of human rights abuses, and sow the seeds for sustainable peace. My hope is not only for CSOs that has been shut down by the government like Salmmah Women’s Resource Center to re-open, but for a radical change and transformation of laws in Sudan to advance women’s rights, and an abuse-free society.
I pray that young men and women, in Sudan and around the world, will stand in solidarity with one another as we demand justice and fight for the equality of all citizens.
Maha is an activist working to promote women’s rights in Sudan. Her skills vary from creating artwork to support campaigns for women's rights in Sudan to more recently participating in critically acclaimed plays ‘Seven’ in Ottawa to inspire and empower women. Currently, Maha coordinates the Youth Program at the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic. Maha began her career in 2010 at the Salmmah Women’s Resource Centre, which is one of the oldest women’s rights organizations in Sudan. In December 2014 Maha was appointed the Youth Ambassador for Sudan on Sexual Violence in Conflict. In 2015 She co-hosted a weekly talk show that focused on women’s voices, opinions and experiences. In March 2016, she was one of the speakers at the World Muse Conference in the US to inspire women to create positive social change.
Recruiting the CSO Employees of the Future
16th October 2018 by Annika Behrendt and Liora Jaffe
The work world is changing, younger workers are switching jobs more frequently and looking for more than just a pay check. Not only millennials are interested in holding meaningful, ethical and sustainable jobs rather than working in traditional positions (think: banking, finance and consulting).
For the third sector this is a huge opportunity for acquiring new, passionate talent, who are invested in social causes. Making sure the best and the brightest choose to work in the third sector is a key way of impacting the most pressing issues of society today. The challenge then is, how to recruit the right people.
For organizations in the third sector it is important to ask oneself, what kind of employees are we looking for? Yes, in some situations the long-term activist who is very familiar with your work, might be the best fit for the organization, but it is also worthwhile to consider non-traditional career paths. What added benefit might someone from the business sector bring to my organisation? Are there volunteers who are already involved with our organization who would be a great fit? In what positions would a for-profit defector bring new skills and ideas to our organization? Having a focused profile of the type of skills that fit to the organization can help open the door for out-of-the-box employees who bring huge added value, motivation and talent.
The next question once you have an ideal applicant in mind, is how to go about recruiting and attracting that kind of talent. Some positions may be easier to fill than others, as there is currently a large interest in the sector and lots of people applying to any given position. On the other hand, not all positions attract as many applicants. Job opening in fundraising or IT can be tricky to fill. In Germany, due to the lack of trained fundraisers, finding the right person for the job requires a particularly attractive job offer, and impact alone may not be enough. Meanwhile IT salaries in the for-profit sector are far higher than most non-profits can afford and attracting appropriate candidates can be a challenging process for organizations.
In cases like this, it is important to highlight the non-salary benefits the position offers, be it flexibility, the ability to work from home, a friendly office work culture, or team lunches. There may also be other more institutionalized benefits such as health insurance, maternity leave or extra vacation time that is worth mentioning as well. Most importantly make sure to include the societal benefits of the position, this may be your organizations biggest advantage over businesses with more resources but who may lack impact.
Engaging a new generation of bright, passionate employees is just the catalyst the third sector needs to create the systemic, sustainable impact for the future, it is worth finding the right employee to fit your cause.
Senior project manager at Talents4Good, first German recruitment agency specialized in jobs in the non-profit sector. With her background in social sciences and her interest in female career topics Annika recruits mostly for NGOs with a focus on positions in fundraising and campaigning.
Liora Jaffe is a native Californian who moved to Berlin in 2013 after finishing her B.A. in Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley. After working for two years at the humanitarian aid organization, JDC (The Joint Distribution Committee), she began her masters at the University of Hamburg in Public and Nonprofit Studies. Liora currently works as a Jr. Project Manager for the HR and recruiting firm Talents4Good in Berlin.
Every Voice Counts UN Puts Spotlight on Children as Human Rights Defenders
9th October 2018 by Beatrice Schulter, Lena Ingelstam, Tom Hodenfield, Ulrika Cilliers
Many children want to defend their rights and the rights of others and when children speak out things change.
Every day, millions of children take action and influence laws, budgets, service delivery and the realization of their rights as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. They speak out on poverty, education, health, violence, the environment, discrimination, and many other things. Children are human rights defenders when they take action and promote, monitor and defend children’s rights and the rights of others.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child provides all children with the right to act as human rights defenders, rights which are reinforced in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
“I believe we are all human rights defenders in our own way. Some of us in small and quiet ways because that’s how we feel and all we can give to the world and some in large ways. The impact may be big or small but we all fight for what we believe in.” Child participating in Child Rights Connect & Centre for Children’s Rights Survey
92 per cent of children who participated in a new survey by Child Rights Connect and the Centre for Children’s Rights at Queen’s University, Belfast, see themselves as human rights defenders. But children face serious challenges when promoting and defending their rights and the rights of others. In the survey, children identify four main barriers:
Adults do not take children seriously. They do not see children as competent and children’s views are not respected.
Children do not feel safe; 70 per cent of children are concerned about violence when they act as human rights defenders.
Children lack information; 40 per cent of children agree that one of the main challenges they face as human rights defenders is the lack of information about rights.
Children sometimes struggle to act due to lack of time, money and ability to travel to meetings.
Children from the most marginalized and deprived groups often face additional challenges when they want to take action and promote and defend rights.
“Adults decide for us and think our opinions are less worthy than theirs just because we are younger. Adults play a negative role when they want to have the ‘last say’ without thinking they might be wrong.”
On 28 September, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will host the first international meeting on how to empower and protect children as human rights defenders (Day of General Discussion). The UN Day of General Discussion will be a unique opportunity for the international community to hear from children on their experiences as human rights defenders, discuss challenges and opportunities and formulate clear recommendations to states and other actors.
To address the obstacles children face when promoting and defending human rights, the UN Day of General Discussion must generate clear recommendations to States to:
Put in place and implement laws that guarantee children’s rights to take civic action online and offline, including their rights to the freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly and to access information.
Provide age-appropriate public information in languages and formats that children understand.
Establish and resource child-friendly, inclusive and safe mechanisms and platforms, such as children’s parliaments, where children from all walks of life can engage with local and national decision-makers.
Ensure that the education system provides opportunities for children to learn about their rights and strengthen their confidence to speak out.
Systematically promote the rights of children to be human rights defenders, address negative attitudes and build the capacity of adults to engage meaningfully with children.
States are instrumental in addressing the barriers children face. But other actors also need to step up and intensify their actions.
The UN and other international inter-governmental bodies need to ensure there are child-friendly platforms, information and accreditation for children to influence their work.
The private sector should promote and respect all children’s rights, including their rights to act as human rights defenders applying the Children’s Rights and Business Principles.
Civil society organizations must recognize children as peers and partners, stand in solidarity with children, acknowledge that children can face multiple restrictions when taking civic action and defending human rights, and support them to speak out and be safe whilst doing so.
As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the Day of General Discussion must put a spotlight on what needs to change for children to be recognized, protected and empowered as human rights defenders, as a basis for more human rights focused societies.
You can find more information about the UNCRC Day of General Discussion on the OHCHR and Child Rights Connect webpages and follow the live webcast here.
Global Perspectives 2018 – why you should come and join in…
4th September 2018 by Thomas Howie
Global Perspectives 2018 will bring generations together in a unique framework. Established civil-society leaders can glean from the creativity and energy of young innovators, while younger actors can gain experience and useful networking opportunities. The conference emphasises mutual learning with a blend of workshops, panel discussions and interactive peer-to-peer exchange. Participants are invited to contribute in various ways, such as by hosting a workshop, planning side meetings or showcasing their initiatives.
It is a very rewarding environment, one that you will definitely enjoy, but don’t just take it from us. watch these videos from previous participants to see what Global Perspectives 2018 can offer you.
Uygar Özesmi – Founder and Instigator of Good4Trust
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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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
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!
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.
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
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 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
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.
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.
