Young leadership
In 2016, YOUCA supported the project of KIYO and their Brazilian partner PAMEN/CHEIFA, an organisation specialising in youth participation through the formation of young leaders. They set up a project in the suburb of the Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro to provide opportunities for the socially vulnerable youth of the Jardim Gramachofavela - South America's largest open-air rubbish dump - to stand up for their right to education and participation.
The challenge
At Jardim Gramachofavela , some 20,000 people live in degrading conditions. They live there in houses made of wooden planks, asbestos sheets and plastic. To give young people living here a voice, PAMEN has developed an alternative education programme and a training cycle for youth participation . In this way, children gain access to education and young people to vocational training, and others are trained to become young leaders who actively help shape youth policy, thereby strengthening the approach to tackling child labour and sexual exploitation of minors, among others. By participating in local, regional and national youth councils, young people themselves become protagonists in the fight for their right to a better future: one free from discrimination, poverty and repression and with decent education, good healthcare, decent jobs and decent housing in a clean and safe environment.
The approach
How does this happen? PAMEN's supplementary education programme annually accommodates 100 children aged 4 to 13 who do not have access to education in primary schools. In this way, PAMEN aims to bring the most vulnerable children out of the dumps from child labour . Teachers and social workers also try to involve parents with lunch and cultural activities. In addition, 100 young people aged between 14 and 25 attend informal evening classes or flexible education for vocational training. Boys and girls who are forced to work at an early age are given a second chance here. This kind of education offers them social and economic advancement. The vocational courses are complemented by discussion groups, cultural and recreational activities and awareness and defence of their rights where necessary.
Professional courses
Special attention is also paid to a group of about 50 young people a year, aged between 12 and 18, the so-called young people in conflict with the law. After a first offence, they have been given a second chance to freely engage in family and social integration under the guidance of an NGO, in this case PAMEN. They are guided through circle discussions, education (for most this means going back to study) and psychosocial support. An important opportunity for these young people. Otherwise, they risk incarceration. This reintegration is a success: 90 per cent of these young people complete a successful pathway!
As for the training of young leaders, they are prepared through a training cycle: socio-cultural activities and visits, training sessions, participation in congresses, seminars and public hearings,... In addition, each young person takes up social engagement by volunteering in their own neighbourhood with an existing social project that focuses on youth participation and children's rights. Young people also receive social guidance during their studies, but their families and communities are also considered. The young leaders are mentored from A to Z during the children and youth conferences, encouraging them to follow up on the decisions made during the conferences and continue to put youth interests on the political agenda.
These plans ran for five years. That means we reached a total of more than 1,500 children and young people and guided them to a participatory role in their communities.
A place for Rupert
In early 2017, we had to say goodbye to Brazil Ambassador Rupert. He died in a road accident. Rupert was super-committed, mega-enthusiastic and incredibly committed to the project in Brazil. Rupert always called the immersion trip to Brazil the trip of a lifetime. That is why we posthumously gave him the title of honorary ambassador. He is forever linked to this project, which is why we also felt it was important to make a space here. Close to the project he loved so much.
