News
PETRI-Sofia and the International Foundation for Y-PEER Development (IFYD) took part in the “Voice it 2018: Decide with the Children” forum
On the 20th of November 2018, PETRI-Sofia and the International Foundation for Y-PEER Development (IFYD) took part in the “Voice it 2018: Decide with the Children” forum, organized by the National Network for Children with the support of UNICEF Bulgaria.
“The Voice it” forum is organized annually to promote children’s and young people’s rights. This is a meeting space for key stakeholders on adolescent’s issues and their rights and young people. The participants in this year’s event were teenagers, experts from different organizations working with adolescents, the deputy representative of UNICEF for Bulgaria, as well as representatives of state institutions, such as the State Agency for Child Protection. The event seeks to involve these groups in a productive dialogue on the future of policies, activities and practices aimed at young people’s engagement.
The theme of this year’s forum was sexuality and health education, and the inclusion of comprehensive sexuality education in the school curricula. During the discussion in which young people and experts participated important areas were highlighted regarding to the forms and the necessary changes in SRHR field and education. The results of the discussions will be sent to the central authorities responsible for the relevant issues.
Important part of the event was “Market of Ideas” – an exhibition of organizations with different projects, programs and practices related to adolescents and young people’s rights, especially the right to have access on comprehensive sexuality education. PETRI-Sofia and IFYD had a booth at the event and gave out materials with information on the sexual and reproductive health of young people, while networking and sharing the mission, vision and activities of Y-PEER on the international and national levels.
The PETRI-Sofia team, as well as Y-PEER fellows including 2 international coordinators of Y-PEER, and EVS volunteers of IFYD, took part in the event and use all platforms to raise awareness about SRHR and to promote Y-PEER’s work around the world.
