Five Questions with Karen Allen, UNICEF Pacific Representative

The Kiribati Family Health Association youth group with Karen Allen 
UNICEF Pacific Representative and UNICEF Colleague 
© UNICEF Pacific/2013/Teannaki

Running for WASH in Solomon Islands

UNICEF Pacific/2013/Atenia Tahu
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In 2014, Glasgow, Scotland will host the XX Commonwealth Games with UNICEF as the charity partner. To kick off the lead-up to the Games, the Queen’s Baton Relay is taking place – the baton travels to all of the Commonwealth countries around the globe. As the baton travels through each country, it is a great opportunity to talk about the lives and aspirations of children and youth around the world. The baton has arrived in the Pacific and last week visited the Solomon Islands. UNICEF staff took part in the Baton Relay through Honiara and here Communications for Development Officer Atenia Tahu shares his experience of the relay.

"So What": A Poem by Yoshiko Yamaguchi, RMI

"So What?" by Yoshiko Yamaguchi, RMI

The Truth About Hand Washing!

The uncomfortable truth about hand washing is that not everybody comes clean about it.

Read October's youth feature in Mailife Magazine (also published in Fiji Times October 20th) that uncovers some gruesome realities of hand washing practices in schools and in public places in Suva, Fiji.

This article was written by UNICEF Youth Mediactivists Sera Wilson (18), Jone Maiwiriwiri (19) and illustrated by Lino Lionel Colaitiniyara (17).

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The Girl Declaration!

Asinate Koroi is 12 years old Girl Guide from Fiji, and she has something to say:

Read more about The Girl Declaration or International Day of the Girl! 

International Day of the Girl

GIRLS can do anything. This was the view of UNICEF representative to the Pacific Island countries Karen Allen as the Fiji Girl Guides marked the International Day of the Girl in Suva. On Friday the 11th of October, 2013.

The Girl Guides celebrated the day with speeches from young girls and a photo exhibition which was facilitated by Mere Nailatikau UNICEF Pacific youth ambassador and Jeremy Duxbury professional photographer.

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Certificate ceremoney for UNICEF Youth Mediactivist Volunteers for WASH

"Volunteerism is the noble commitment to humanity," commented one of the Youth Mediactivists when asked why he volunteered to pack 6000 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) packets for UNICEF's WASH program.

UNICEF Youth Mediactivists for WASH with Isabelle Austin, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Pacific
© UNICEF Pacific/2013/Choi

Cyber Bullying: Behind the Screens

Cyber bullying is a new form of an old problem. Today, as many young people have access to mobile phones and the internet, bullying no longer happens face to face - it happens online, behind the screens, but with real life consequences. 

Read about the shocking realities of cyber bullying, happening right now in Fiji, brought to you by Talei, 14, a UNICEF Youth Mediactivist writing for September's issue of Mailife Magazine.

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Ending violence in Paradise

By Karen Allen, UNICEF Pacific Representative

Wan Smol Bag youth theater wall
© UNICEF Pacific/2013/Allen

I visited Vanuatu this week  –surely a top runner in any contest for paradise on earth. Everywhere I go there is a beautiful vista – blue lagoons and ocean, sunny sky, stunning waterfalls and clear pools in lush and verdant forests.

UNICEF youth mediactivist

Youth ambassador Merewalesi Nailatikau with students in Fiji
© UNICEF Pacific/2012/Hing

Are you a writer, a photographer, social media guru, or just someone with a passion to help others? Sign up now to join the Youth Media Volunteers Network in the Pacific Region to produce empowering, engaging and effective youth led media.

UNICEF Pacific is committed to identifying and exploring opportunities for empowerment of young people to produce youth led media that is for, with and about young people.

Young Pacific islanders to envision the future they want at "My World, My SIDS: YES"

Thirty young Pacific islanders aged from 12 to 30 years old gathered in Nadi Fiji Islands to discuss issues close to their heart and envision the future they want.

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One Talk 4 All - Youth Media for Children

Production of “award-winning” international-standard media productions for children, families and communities!

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"LIFE" (special matinee for children)

350 school children from Fiji today witnessed a special performance by the 2012 Tadra Kahani winners and the premiere of a new dance performance "LIFE". Performed by Oceania Dance Theatre in Suva, "LIFE" weaves together different stories depicting how we relate to one another and connect and communicate to create the world we live in. Creative arts use song, dance and visuals to tell stories and engage people to talk about issues that affect us all. LIKE if you agree that ALL children should have access to creative arts.

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Children below the line

Below the Line project photographs by : Vineeta Foundation

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Voice Blong Mi

A collection of photographs taken by young people from Vanuatu, capturing the life stories of youths who have dropped out of school and highlighting the issue of teenage pregnancy. These photographs were exhibited at the launch of the State of the Pacific Youth Report, in New Zealand.

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The Kiribati OneMinutesJnrs

The Kiribati OneMinutesJnrs. Watch the situations, challenges and opportunities facing children and youth in the pacific.

Kiribati OneMinutesJr Photo Story

TARAWA, Kiribati, 29 May 2012 - Sixteen boys and girls from the Republic of Kiribati have come together on Tarawa Island today to start a five-day video workshop on issues concerning them and their future. The workshop is part of the international UNICEF-supported OneMinutesJr project and will generate up to twenty 60-second-films on topics ranging from climate change to domestic violence, teenage pregnancy and education.

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Visit to Vella La Vella and Gizo Hospital with the UNICEF Executive Board

Members of the UNICEF Executive Board comprising of H.E. Mr. Andrei Dapkiunas, Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations; Mr. Jerobeam Shaanika, Minister Counselor, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Namibia to the United Nations; Mr. Tleuzhan Seksenbay, Counselor, Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the United Nations and Mr. Nicolas Charles Pron, Secretary of the UNICEF Executive Board, visited Fiji and Solomon Islands from 10 to 21 March 2012.

The aim of the mission was to gain a first-hand understanding of UNICEF's work in these Pacific Island Countries including its close association with government and NGO partners. The delegation was escorted by UNICEF's Representative to the Pacific Islands, Dr Isiye Ndombi and the members met with senior government officials in both countries including the honorable Prime Minister of Solomon Islands Mr Gordon Darcy Lilo.

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Health and Sanitation

UNICEF Pacific acts to make certain that children survive their earliest years and develop all the way to adulthood. UNICEF Pacific plays a key role in purchasing and distributing vaccines for children’s immunisation. The Health and Sanitation programme works in partnership with Ministries of Health, national and international organisations to strengthen health services and to improve water and sanitation facilities, guaranteeing child survival between and during humanitarian crises.

Child Protection

UNICEF Pacific aims to ensure that children are increasingly protected by legislation and are better served by justice systems that protect them as victims, offenders and witnesses,

Ensuring that children are better served by well-informed and coordinated child protection social services that ensure greater protection against and response to violence, abuse and exploitation; and

Supporting families and communities in establishing home and community environments for children that are free from violence, abuse and exploitation.

Watch videos produced by young people showing the situations, challenges and opportunities facing children and youth in the pacific.