Chuka, the unique video game empowering girls against gender violence
March 27, 2018

Chuka, the unique video game empowering girls against gender violence

27 March 2018 - "Chuka, Break the Silence", one of UNODC's most innovative projects, was launched to great acclaim this month, in an event which gathered educational experts, game developers, psychologists and Government representatives in Mexico City's iconic Centre of Digital Culture.

The creative, bespoke video game helps young girls develop ways to respond to psychological, physical and sexual violence,  while raising boys' awareness and helping them recognize such situations. By playing as the character Chuka, a 13-year old female YouTuber and gamer who encounters haters and monsters in a nightmare, children learn to be assertive and to take actions which help them defeat various forms of gender-based violence. 

Global Citizenship Education for a Culture of Lawfulness initiative begins its work
March 22, 2018

Global Citizenship Education for a Culture of Lawfulness initiative begins its work

The first expert consultation meeting on establishing a Global Citizenship Education for a culture of lawfulness was held in Paris last week under the auspices of UNESCO, in partnership with the Education for Justice (E4J) component of UNODC's Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration.

The meeting was attended by educators, policymakers and experts in various fields of prevention, in addition to technical and programme teams from UNODC and UNESCO. This project contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular  Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 16 calling for quality education and building peace, justice and strong institutions.

UNODC holds its first judicial integrity training workshop in anticipation of network launch
March 21, 2018

UNODC holds its first judicial integrity training workshop in anticipation of network launch

In partnership with the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN) and the Judicial College of England and Wales, UNODC's training workshop was held in Brussels this month, with participants from Jamaica, Mozambique, Brazil, the Solomon Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Uganda and Mauritius. These countries, as part of the larger group of pilots site jurisdictions which also includes Pakistan, Madagascar, Tunisia and Belize, will become the first group of trainers, initiating themselves the implementation of their learning in their respective jurisdictions.

UNODC supports Women’s football against violence, crime and drug use in Kyrgyzstan
March 20, 2018

UNODC supports women's football to tackle violence, crime and drug use in Kyrgyzstan

To coincide with activities for International Women's Day, UNODC and the Football Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic (FFKR) hosted a Women's Football Tournament in Bishkek in March. 150 girls from Bishkek and various villages surrounding the Kyrgyz capital participated in the tournament, which was aimed at promoting civic values and disseminating the benefits of sport in keeping youth away from drugs, crime and violence.

During the event, the participants also engaged in life skills training sessions delivered as part of UNODC's evidence-informed and sports-based curriculum, 'Line Up Live Up'.

Sports, Keeping Youth Away from Crime
February 26, 2018

Sports, Keeping Youth Away from Crime

Sports can contribute immensely to improving people's physical and psychological health. They also present the world with a universal language and a sense of belonging and support. In promoting mutual respect and tolerance, sports teaches important social and interpersonal skills. Using sports to help people, especially youth, has proven to be an effective tool in keeping them from falling into a cycle of anti-social behaviour, violence, crime and drug use.

At the recent celebrations of the National Sports Day in Doha, Qatar,  Oliver Stolpe, UNODC's programme manager responsible for the implementation of the Doha Declaration Global Programme, stressed that "sports are an essential component of our modern society's goals, and it was only a matter of time UNODC leaned on them in its global mission to advance crime prevention."