YouSmile participates to the mobilization and awareness raising events organized by the United Nations on this International Youth Day
12 August – On this UN International Youth Day “The Smile of the Child” empowers the voices of Students through the Actions of YouSmile
The International Youth Day is celebrated every year on the 12th of August and focuses on the problems of the youth across the world. The theme of International Youth Day 2017 (IYD) is “Building Peace” and the crucial role of the youth.
“The Smile of the Child” as member Organization with consultative status at UN ECOSOC and associated member at UN Department of Public Information (UN DPI) honors the International Youth Day by participating to the global campaign of the United Nations and informing the public on the actions of the Yousmile European Student Volunteer Network.
YouSmile constitutes an initiative by students who participate in Greece and beyond in volunteering actions as well as mobilization and awareness raising events on issues related to their rights and concerns.
“The Smile of the Child” was founded by a 10-year–old boy, Andreas Yannopoulos, who is a living example of the power of the views and willingness of students. “The Smile of the Child” gives the floor to students through YouSmile in an effort to unite them on local, national and European levels by promoting their spontaneous views without any intervention from the adults.
The basic principle of YouSmile is that children and the youth, as active members of society, have their own voice and needs to be heard from the adults and taken into serious consideration. Based on this principle, YouSmile embarks upon the mission to highlight all the volunteering actions of students from different countries and cultural contexts, initiatives that derive originally from children themselves and target through specific actions and messages other children. All students-volunteers are the Ambassadors of “The Smile of the Child” in Greece and beyond.
In the course of the past year YouSmile:
- Organized the 1st YouSmile Awards highlighting actions and initiatives of students, both individually and in groups, that had a positive impact to society and inspired other children or adults.
- Carried out an Awareness Week against Bullying in March with a number of anti-bullying actions and the participation of 872 students across Europe who promoted the message SPEAK NOW in various ways
- Implemented actions on the occasion of Safer Internet Day
- Participated to a Symposium co-organized by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (EU FRA) and the Eurochild children’s network in Brussels under the title: Is Europe doing enough to protect fundamental rights?”
- Contributed to the Conference of the INGOs of the Council of Europe held on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on the 17th of October in Strasbourg
- Participated to the “Break the Chain” Festival against trafficking in Human Beings held on the occasion of the EU-Anti-trafficking Day in Athens
- Participated to the European Conference “Building Health Intimate Relationships” (GEAR against IPV – II) held by the European Network against Violence and “The Smile of the Child” in Athens.
In 5 years of successful actions YouSmile has given the floor to more than 3.500 students and more than 50 schools across Greece though its informational website, TV and Radio Platform.
In addition, more than 400 shows have been produced with social, cultural and entertainment content, while students had the opportunity to organize and participate to events with the aim to mobilize and raise awareness about various issues related to children such as bullying, abuse against children, teen runaways, gaming and safe internet use.
The action of YouSmile is supported by the scientific personnel of “The Smile of the Child” and constitutes one of the main tools of the Organization in its effort to inform children via the social media on the serious problems of abuse, their rights, the operation and services of the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 and the European Helpline for Children 116 111 in case they need to talk and/or seek help and guidance.
Learn more about YouSmile on its website on www.yousmile.gr
Learn more ΗΕRE about the International Youth Day campaign realized by the United Nations on this 12th of August.
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#Youth4Peace
#ActOn2250
For more information about the Press Release, please contact the Press Team of “The Smile of the Child” at +30 210 3306 140 or press@hamogelo.gr