UNICEF asks Young People to Make a Difference in Asia Pacific

August 9, 2016: UNICEF has asked young people throughout the Asia-Pacific region to share their innovative ideas to improve the lives of children, families and communities.

The international charity organization has invited young people to submit their ideas for the same via an online portal before September 4, 2016. “The ideas will be assessed by a panel of experts and the creators of the most promising ideas will be invited to attend a 3-day boot-camp in Malaysia to further develop their projects,” said the press release issued by the organization. “Ultimately, the three winners’ projects will be presented to regional leaders at a major international event, and the young innovators will receive seed funding and mentorship to carry the projects forward,” the release further said.

“Young people play a significant role in building a better and brighter future for Asia-Pacific, including by using their creativity and energy to find innovative solutions to the problems their communities face,” said Karin Hulshof, UNICEF’s Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific, in a statement. “This innovation challenge will provide the inventors and creators of the future with a chance to develop their projects and to showcase them. Government ministers will be introduced to the innovations at a major regional event on child rights, called A Billion Brains – Smart Children: Healthier Economies, to be held in Malaysia later this year,” he added.

The Youth Innovation Challenge is a key initiative that will be showcased at the A Billion Brains – Smarter Children: Healthier Economies event, a major intergovernmental meeting that will be attended by Heads of State and Senior Ministers from Asia-Pacific governments, who will seek to share their knowledge and experience to find ways to improve the lives of children.

Young people aged 24 and under are invited to share, develop and test their ideas to address social challenges in the three priority areas viz. Universal health coverage, violence against children and social protection for families.

Detailed information about the Challenge is available at the website www.hlm3challenge.com.

Submission deadline: September 5, 2016