Youth and Communication

From being a key target audience, to actively participating in projects and programmes, youth are often important stakeholders in communication for change in Africa. This issue of The Soul Beat highlights youth oriented information from our network.

EXPERIENCES

1. The Binti Pamoja Center - Kenya

The Center is designed to create a safe space for girls and young women to discuss reproductive health issues and to address problems such as gender discrimination, domestic abuse, and rape. The Center uses group discussion, art, and photography to enable young participants to speak out about difficult issues.

Contact Emily Verellen OR Karen Austrian bintipamojany@yahoo.com

2. YATV Africa - South Africa

YATV Africa aims to make television programmes for young Africans between the ages 18 and 25 that are value based, development oriented and made by young people themselves. The project seeks to have the youth of Africa "tell their own stories on their own terms." Apart from being broadcast on television the programmes can also be used as education tools in schools, clinics, hospitals, health centers and care centres. All participants are encouraged to speak their own home language/s. The programme will then make use of voice-overs and/or subtitles.

Contact Firdoze Bubulia moments@icon.co.za

3. Future Dreams - Nigeria

A radio programme targeting sexually active men and women aged 18-34, broadcast in 9 Nigerian languages and on 42 radio stations to promote abstinence or consistent condom use, condom negotiation skills and self-efficacy. The project explored 4 themes: "future fertility," "sexual past," "we can negotiate," and "I'm not embarrassed."

Contact info@psi.org

4. Postcards from Africa - Africa

"Postcards" showcases postcards, letters, emails, photographs, artwork, and poems received from young people sharing their experiences, their stories, their hopes and fears about living with the reality of AIDS. Young people from all over the globe can log on to read these personal stories. People can submit their stories by writing in by mail, by logging onto the Internet, or through collection at local Africa Alive! events and offices of partner groups.

Contact Africa Alive! info@africaalive.org

5. Youth Broadcasting Project - Somalia

UNICEF Somalia has designed a programme to develop locally-based broadcasts for, with, and by young people. Members of youth groups between the ages of 14 and 24 are trained in radio and video production. They interview community members to gather perspectives on various social and health issues and then produce their own broadcasts. The programmes focus on a wide range of issues that are relevant to youth, such as HIV/AIDS, hygiene, immunisation, female genital mutilation, cholera, children's rights, and peace and reconciliation.

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Global Junior Challenge Award 2004

Deadline: December 31 2003

The Global Junior Challenge rewards best practices on the use of new technologies and projects in all fields of youth education. From the web site created by children of a primary school to a global e-learning environment for online training - all projects that are using ICT for education and training of young people and are up and running by December 31 2002 can join the competition.

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STRATEGIC THINKING

6. Misconceptions, Folk Beliefs, Denial Hinder Risk Perception Among Young Zambian Men

This study of young Zambian males revealed that their risk perception of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS was low due to misconceptions, folk beliefs and denial, which impeded personal risk assessment and interfered with the adoption of safer sexual behavior. Although the study's participants demonstrated a wide range of knowledge about the disease, they often mixed correct information with misconceptions, the study found. Folk explanations linking HIV infection to the strength of individuals' blood, menstruation or sorcery were common.

7. Declaration by the Youth of Ghana at the National Youth Information Society Campaign

The National Youth Information Campaign in Ghana attracted over 120 young people. Activities undertaken included the launch of the African Youth Initiative web site for young people, presentation of awards to National Youth ICT Essay Competition winners, presentation and discussion on the National ICT Policy, report on Monthly Sensitisation programme in some selected first and second cycle schools, Media encounter and excursion to ICT establishments. The event also resulted in a declaration from the youth.

8. State of Denial: Adolescent Reproductive Rights in Zimbabwe

by Center for Reproductive Rights

"This report focuses on one crucial aspect of adolescent reproductive rights in Zimbabwe: the right to access dual protection methods and information. Adolescents constitute approximately 36% of the total population of Zimbabwe. The government of Zimbabwe faces the awesome task of meeting the crucial needs of this special group, including the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and STIs."

EVENTS

9. 1st Global African Youth Assembly - Dec 22 2003 - Jan 3 2004 - Freetown, Sierra Leone

The gathering will take place under the theme: "Building a Moral and Spiritual Frontier Through Technological Advancement and Economic Empowerment."

10. Forum of the United Nations /African Union & the Pan-African Youth Conference On HIV/AIDS in Africa - Feb 14-18 2004 - Livingstone, Zambia

The Forum will address issues of African Youth being heard in the UN system with special attention given to their needs in the global economy. About 500 various participants from all over Africa are expected to take part. The aim of the forum is to identify particular obstacles, constraints, and challenges that face African Youth and the Lusaka Youth Declaration.

11. Afro-Euro Young Entrepreneurs Summit - Jul 13-17 2004 - Abeokuta, Nigeria

The summit is set out primarily to form greater alliances, cooperation and partnership amongst the upcoming and future leaders while leading to cultural integration and better business understanding. The forum will discuss; Youth Unemployment / Poverty, AIDS, ICT / Education, Sustainable Development, Crime/Drug Abuse, Democracy.

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Working in film & video for social change? Please e-mail us dwalter@comminit.com with your information to be included in a future Soul Beat focused on this medium.

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MATERIALS

12. Social Marketing for Adolescent Sexual Health: Results of Operations Research Projects in Botswana, Cameroon, Guinea, and South Africa

Edited by Lisa M. Hisel

PSI's local affiliates carried out activities in collaboration with organisations in each country and in connection with pre-existing, nationwide social marketing programmes. This report describes the major project components, the impact of the projects on adolescents' beliefs and behavior with regard to sexual and reproductive health, and implications for future programmes. Issues addressed: Social Marketing Interventions, Adolescent's Beliefs and Behaviour, Advocacy, Programme Lessons and Implications for the future.

13. Preventing HIV/AIDS Among Adolescents Through Integrated Communication Programming

Edited by Sylvie I. Cohen

This manual focuses on HIV prevention through integrated communication programming that blends advocacy, behaviour change communication and education interventions. It provides a series of checklists to guide the programme or project officer in addressing key questions related to evidenced-based communication programming for HIV prevention among adolescents. The checklists serve as menus of options to conduct needs assessments, analyse programmatic responses, and handle strategic programming decisions.

14. Advocating for Adolescent Reproductive Health in Sub-Saharan Africa

by Adam Shannon

This publication explores steps for advocating for adolescent reproductive health issues in sub-saharan Africa. It provides examples of advocacy efforts, looking at the strategies and activities of reproductive health advocates in sub-Saharan Africa. These examples aim to provide guidance to new campaigns, stimulate ideas, and generate new contacts among reproductive health advocates from around the region.

LINKS

15. African Regional Youth Initiative (ARYI)

- a collaboration of youth and community-based projects and organisations.

16. Auntie Stella

- designed to encourage young Zimbabweans to discuss key issues related to physical and emotional aspects of adolescence, relationships, and family life.

17. Youth Media

- a Zambian youth NGO that specializes in information, education and communication.

18. Schoolnet Africa

- aims to promote education through sustainable use of ICTs in African schools.

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The Soul Beat seeks to cover the full range of communication for development activities. Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement or support by The Partners.

Please send material for The Soul Beat to the Editor - Anja Venth aventh@comminit.com