Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also a powerful force for change today. Their engagement in drug prevention efforts is crucial in not only identifying the challenges faced by the younger generation; it can also shed light on the various ways that youth can be meaningfully involved as agents of change. In this regard, the UNODC Youth Initiative is proud to have supported youth mainstreaming through the publication of “Formación en Liderazgo Juvenil para la Prevención” (Youth Leadership Training for Prevention) in 2024. Featuring stories of action and contributions from UNODC Youth Forum alumni, this publication emphasizes the importance of empowering youth to take an active role in prevention, which can help to foster resilience, community cohesion, and social change.
Originally a project proposed to UNODC to highlight ‘Youth in Prevention’, the Youth Initiative extended this proposal to the alumni network of the Youth Forum, to take leverage on the opportunity to highlight and feature the commendable work done by young people. As highlighted in the publication, meaningful youth participation paves the way for innovative solutions that are tailored to the needs of adolescents, their peers, and communities. And by investing in their leadership, we create opportunities for young people to become advocates for healthier lifestyles, role models for their peers, and key contributors to building a more inclusive society.
The publication features contributions from five UNODC Youth Forum alumni who bring their unique perspectives and experiences to various dimensions of prevention. The contributors – Alexandra Bravo Schroth (Peru), Maya Nujaim(Canada), Vinayak Menon (USA), Karthika Pillai (India), and Adrian Milic (Norway) – worked collaboratively over many months to develop their contributions to the book’s chapter, “Empowering and Supporting Global Youth Participation in Prevention Activities”.Through weekly virtual meetings, young leaders exchanged ideas, refined their key concepts, and supported one another in the shared goal of advocating for evidence-based prevention.
One of the contributors, Maya Nujaim from Canada, provides a compelling account of her work as a substance use prevention counselor in Montreal. Reflecting on her experiences, she shares: “Being a youth helping other youths is empowering for me, and I believe we need more young people in drug use prevention…I work with a team of young people who also want to make a difference in the lives of youth, and thanks to our life experiences and knowledge, we can easily connect with young people in schools and encourage them to participate in drug prevention activities.”
Maya’s prevention activities are rooted in the key principles of the UNODC/WHO International Standards on Drug Use Prevention, ensuring a science-informed approach that strengthen social skills, address vulnerabilities, and foster open discussions amongst young people. She has seen the direct impacts of her work, including through reductions in substance use among students, improved peer relationships and peer resistance skills, as well as increased engagement in other creative activities.
The youth contributions within the publication provide a glimpse into the diversity of youth-led and youth-focused activities and experiences as witnessed through the lens of the UNODC Youth Initiative. Further to their motivation to be active as agents of change, youth have also showcased their ability to adapt their skills and potential to meet the challenges of other youths in their local contexts. Armed with proper knowledge, skills and science, youths are truly meeting other youths and peers where they are at, and where they can best reach them. By amplifying the voices of young leaders and showcasing the substantive impact that youth can have on their peers and communities; and this publication underscores the importance of creating spaces for youth to contribute to local, national, and global prevention efforts.
UNODC commends the efforts of the youth contributors for their dedication, innovation, and leadership. To young people worldwide: this is a call to action to look around to see where you can be involved, and know that it can start small but have meaningful impact. To policy-makers and stakeholders: it is a reminder to involve youth in prevention efforts (as more than end-beneficiaries) and listen to youth in decision-making processes.
Join us in celebrating youth as agents of change and their good work in contributing towards a healthier, more resilient future for all. For more information on ‘Formación en Liderazgo Juvenil para la Prevención’ , please visit here.
