The corona crisis has turned the world upside down, including the Caribbean islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius & Saba and Curacao, Aruba and Sint Maarten). How will this crisis affect the future of the youth on these islands? Right now it is important that young people make themselves heard. That is why UNICEF asked them to share their voice about #MyNewWorld.
UNICEF supports young people in the Netherlands and in the Caribbean Netherlands to let their voices be heard by politicians in The Hague and on each of the islands. Young people between the age of 13 and 20 shared their opinion on how they think the world should look like after the corona crisis in any matters of concern to them.
“I think participating in this project was a good experience because it happens too often that people forget about our (children's) opinions. It's like if you can't vote you don't have a say.”
Ishn (14 jaar, St. Eustatius)
Check out the cool rap that Juriëlla from Bonaire made for the campaign:
UNICEF organised small group conversations on each island, where young people shared their ideas about the most urgent issues. All of this was done under the guidance of UNICEF facilitators. These young people created a UNICEF Youth Advice based on the ideas and conversations.
On Thursday September 10th the results of the campaign were shared with the local governments of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, State Secretary Raymond Knops, and Member of Parliament Stieneke van der Graaf. The youngsters' advice was also added to the advice from the youth from the Netherlands and handed over to Minister Hugo de Jonge (VWS). Check out the video below and listen to his reaction after attended the event in Den Haag.
In November Youth Advice for Curacao, Aruba and Sint Maarten will be presented.
More information about the campaign is available in Dutch
Minister de Jonge's reaction