{"id":208386,"date":"2010-08-12T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T19:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?p=208386"},"modified":"2019-03-12T19:34:07","modified_gmt":"2019-03-12T19:34:07","slug":"auto-insert-208386","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-208386\/","title":{"rendered":"East Jerusalem’s Young People Find Inspiration in New Programmes – UNICEF article"},"content":{"rendered":"
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East Jerusalem's Young People Find Inspiration in New Programmes<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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In proclaiming the International Year of Youth, which runs from 12 August 2010 to 11 August 2011, the United Nations called on governments, civil society, individuals and communities worldwide to support activities for children. Here is a related story.<\/strong><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n

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East Jerusalem  – Growing up in East Jerusalem is not easy. According to a recent study, 65 per cent of the population – including some 95,000 children – live under the poverty line. Political tensions produce violence and interfere with a healthy, productive childhood. According to city data, half of post-elementary age children drop out of school.<\/p><\/div>\n

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In response to this crisis, UNICEF is teaming up with its partners to give a more prominent voice to adolescents in East Jerusalem.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Support and Inspiration<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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Bilal, 13, used to skip school. He was tired of teachers who shouted at students. But after participating in the UNICEF-supported ‘Adolescent-Friendly Spaces’ programme, which provides remedial classes at a local community centre, Bilal started to enjoy school again. “Here at the centre, they care about us,” he said.<\/p><\/div>\n

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 “We don’t want the kids in the streets, where they might pick up bad habits and be subjected to violence,” explained Marwan al-Ghoul, a board member at the centre that Bilal attends. But even beyond safety and protection, the centre is providing something children in this challenging environment need – inspiration. <\/p><\/div>\n

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“Young people are enthusiastic, dedicated and creative. They have a lot of skills,” said UNICEF Special Representative in Jerusalem Jean Gough. “Together we can secure a better life for Palestinian children.”<\/p><\/div>\n

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‘I Want to Live in Peace’<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

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At Adolescent-Friendly Spaces sites around the region, UNICEF and its partners provide a variety of services to young people, including:<\/p><\/div>\n