Voices of Youth

U-Report is a FREE & ANONYMOUS messaging platform for youth participation It is designed as a tool to address issues that young people care about, share information, raise awareness, and collect data on specific areas that impact children and young people, including the most vulnerable.   The information provided by U-Reporters is analyzed in…, ​​​​​​​About U-Report, U-Report is UNICEF's flagship digital platform started in 2011, to engage young people in programme priorities, emergency response, and advocacy actions. It supports adolescent, youth, and community participation; and works as a tool to share information, raise awareness, and collect quantifiable data on specific areas that impact children,…, Join now, U-Report is available on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram and Moya App. Option 1 On WhatsApp: Save +27 83 283 8313 as U-Report SA, Enter the keyword JOIN OR  Scan the U-Report QR Code below, Enter JOIN  On Telegram: Save +27 83 283 8313 as U-Report SA, and send the keyword JOIN.   On Facebook: Follow  UReport South Africa , Open messenger,…, Particpate, South Africa U-report site screenshot Participate in the national decision- making process by contributing to U- Report Polls, Live Chats, U-Report Informational Center chatbots and connect physically with other young people to take an action. U-Report South Africa is used in different ways to deliver on programme, humanitarian and advocacy…, More to explore

 UNICEF South Africa and partners asked children and young people to express how they ‘reimagine’ the country beyond COVID-19. Using the proven ‘design thinking’ methodology, UNICEF in partnership with the South African Institute of International Affairs brought together virtually some 150 children and young people from across the country to…,   We, the children and youth of South Africa, see ourselves as the generation that will spark a wildfire resulting in young people actively taking up space in all spheres of our country. We envision a future that is conducive and favourable for young people to grow and prosper, freely and with dignity. We envision a future where young people are…, Economic considerations, We note with deep concern that the global COVID-19 pandemic induced economic crises which hindered poverty reduction and job creation efforts. As a result, the country's existing high unemployment rate has increased to 32.5% and this mostly affects the youth population. We acknowledge relief efforts made by the private sector to assist the public…, Environmental considerations, We welcome all advancements taken to enhance South Africa’s climate action through policy interventions including, but not limited to, the establishment of the Presidential Climate Change Coordination Commissions and the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy. Furthermore, we eagerly wait for the South African Climate Change Bill to be passed…, Social considerations, We note with concern the deepening gender inequality gap that has further been exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in the increase in the rate of gender-based violence, femicide, human trafficking, lack of access to reproductive healthcare, and sexual exploitation in the workplace. In addition, we are alarmed by the culture of…, Reimagine our Future Declaration We, the children and youth of South Africa, see ourselves as the generation that will spark a wildfire resulting in young people actively taking up space in all spheres of our country. We envision a future that is conducive and favourable for young people to grow and prosper, freely and with dignity. We envision a…

Durban  - The UNICEF Durban volunteer group has officially kicked off their first community project with Merry Hill Primary School, located in the heart of Chatsworth, Kwa-Zulu Natal. The ongoing project began with multiple book drives and collections that aided in plans to construct a library at Merry Hill. Nelson Mandela stressed the importance…

Johannesburg  -The UNICEF University of Johannesburg (UJ) club had the great opportunity to partner with the University of Johannesburg Division for Internationalisation (UJDVI) and the UNICEF Techno Girls and Boys Educational Movement (TechnoGBem) UJ club on the Beira Orange Bus Campaign. Annually, the UJDVI has organised an “Africa By Bus”…

Khayalitsha  - During National Child Protection Week (2-9 June 2019) as members of UNICEF University of Western Cape (UWC) club, we had our first Annual UNICEF UWC Winter drive, running from the 22nd of May to the 5th of June 2019, with the aim of encouraging a culture of giving and on a more practical level, alleviate deprivation and struggle.…

Pretoria  - Generation Unlimited is a global partnership working to prepare young people to become productive and engaged citizens. It connects high school education and training to employment and entrepreneurship, empowering every young person to thrive in the world of work and gives young people an opportunity to showcase their ideas and work…

Durban  - The UNICEF University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN) Campus Club held the official launch of the UNICEF Volunteer Initiative which involves the youth’s engagements as we activate our local communities. It was a night filled with passionate and dedicated students who all share the same sentiment on children’s rights and becoming part of a global…

Cape Town  - Starting the UNICEF Volunteers Club you are gradually made aware of your personal strengths, and become acutely aware of rational and realistic methods to achieve one’s desired results. Resourcefulness becomes first nature and your environment becomes a playground for optimism, development and growth as you ponder how the gift of life…

Johannesburg  - “The only way forward is to pay it forward” is a call to action that speaks to the best of humanity. In this spirit UNICEF Wits club held its inaugural event inviting students to begin their journey to pay it forward for every child. The event served as an introduction to the club as well as its vision and plans for the year. In…

Pretoria -  Storytelling is an age-old custom that transcends time, culture and language. It continues to play a part in our lives and has found a new space in the digital world, giving root to what is known as “digital story telling”. With this in mind, UNICEF South Africa gathered a group of dynamic, young individuals to participate in its pilot…

Johannesburg  - In a bright auditorium adorned with the colorful flags of the member states of the United Nations, 300 high school learners gather to participate in the annual Johannesburg Model UN Conference organized by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). “Caucus, veto, abstain” are just some of the international…

Johannesburg  - “We all have access to apps on our smartphones but we are all not aware of how we can use these apps to tell young peoples’ stories” explains South African Youth Reporter Bongani Dlamini at a UNICEF-organised Digital Storytelling Training. Filmmaking is often considered a daunting process and is associated with expensive equipment…