ABUJA, 23 April 2024 - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in close cooperation with the Government of Nigeria and support from the European Union, held a screening of the inspiring short documentary 'Stories of Resilience' alongside a compelling photo exhibition on 23 April 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria.
The event was honoured with key speakers including Ambassador Mairo Abbas, Office of the National Security Advisor, Zissimos Vergos, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS and Oliver Stolpe, UNODC as well as many of the young protagonists of the documentary. Together, participants witnessed the powerful narratives of hope and change emanating from Borno State – a region that has shown remarkable strength and unity in the face of adversity.
The STRIVE Juvenile Project, implemented in Nigeria between 2021 and 2023, has played a crucial role in addressing the challenge of children being recruited and exploited by terrorist groups. Through robust government strategies, capacity-building and a focus on building resilience among children and their communities, STRIVE Juvenile has laid the foundation for a peaceful future.
Highlighting the impact of the project's youth-led awareness-raising campaign in 2023, the event celebrated the dedication of 16 Youth Peace Champions from Borno State. These extraordinary young individuals have led a campaign that reached over 9 million people through radio and social media, fostering dialogue and peace within their communities.
The 'Stories of Resilience' documentary and photo exhibition sheds light on the efforts of these young leaders and underlines the potential of youth as agents of change. The initiative underscores the determination of communities in Borno to protect their children from the violence of terrorism and to reintegrate those affected back into society with dignity and hope.
UNODC is committed to continuing its support for the Government of Nigeria in its mission to create safer spaces for children and to promote lasting peace and reconciliation. The success of the STRIVE Juvenile Project and 'Stories of Resilience' are testaments to what can be achieved when communities come together to strive for a common goal.
For further information, and to watch the documentary 'Stories of Resilience', please visit here.
STRIVE Juvenile: Preventing and Responding to Violence against Children by Terrorist and Violent Extremist Groups is funded by the European Union, and implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in three partner countries- Indonesia, Iraq and Nigeria. STRIVE Juvenile works with children and youth; and develops and implements comprehensive national responses to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism affecting children, in full respect of human rights, gender equality and international law. As such STRIVE forms an integral part of UNODC’s 2030 Strategic Vision for Nigeria and its objective of promoting initiatives to support the victims of terrorism, in particular women and children recruited and exploited by terrorist organizations.
Media Contacts:
Abuja – Chioma Ekene-Ugwu – CONIG Communications Officer - chioma.ekene-ugwu[at]un[dot]org
Vienna - Mersiha Causevic Podzic, STRIVE Juvenile Project Communication Officer, mersiha.causevicpodzic@un.org
