For over a decade, the States of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe in Nigeria have experienced significant challenges relating to serious crimes against children in the insecurity context. Children in these regions have been systematically targeted and recruited by these groups; coerced into participation in violent activities; and/or subjected to various forms of exploitation.
In 2024, recognizing the urgent need to address these alarming trends, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its End Violence Against Children (ENDVAC) Team1, is launching a comprehensive project “Protecting Children From Violence in Contexts of Insecurity, North-East Nigeria” aimed at enhancing child protection measures and accountability mechanisms in the affected areas.
Drawing on the valuable lessons learned from UNODC’s achievements in Nigeria since 2018 in the area of child protection, including through the successful implementation of STRIVE Juvenile, the project is guided by international and national law as well as human rights principles and has a strong focus on preventing recruitment and re-recruitment and promoting the rehabilitation and reintegration of affected children through a whole of government and society approach.
An integral component of the project will be a youth-led awareness-raising campaign in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, that actively engages young people in promoting peace and creating platforms for intergenerational dialogue and cooperation. The campaign aims to build the resilience of children and their communities in targeted local government areas (LGAs) in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States as a key component of support for reconciliation efforts. It will contribute to the:
16 Youth Peace Champions will be selected to work with community leaders and civil society organizations at the grassroots level: 8 in Adamawa and 8 in Yobe State. They will contribute to the validation and dissemination of key messages; resolution of low-level conflict; identification of emerging dynamics; and promotion of peace through effective use of social and traditional media.
Out of the 16, 10 Youth Peace Champions will be selected through this online application process.
A further 6 will be selected directly from targeted communities to ensure the inclusion and participation of young people at the grassroots level.
You will have the opportunity to act as a positive role model and agent of peace in your community
Please note that these will be unpaid engagements; and that Youth Peace Champions will not be considered to be staff or personnel of the United Nations.
If you meet all of the eligibility criteria, don’t miss your chance to fill out the application form by 23:59, 17 May 2024 (Nigeria time): https://forms.office.com/e/LamjzmPLkU
All successful applicants will be contacted by the end of April and provided with specific details about the project activity timeline and a proposal for their participation.
Join UNODC’s Protecting Children from Violence in Contexts of Insecurity; North-East Nigeria Project and become the next changemaker of your generation!
