5 August 2024 – Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt
Evidence shows that drugs, violence, and crime preventive interventions, which actively involve youth, particularly those from vulnerable communities, are pivotal in building resilience and offering realistic and applicable alternatives. Simultaneously, young people can serve as crucial agents of change, capable of advocating effectively for themselves and their communities. Connecting both visions, recognizing and harnessing the potential of youth and collaborative efforts is essential for crafting impactful prevention strategies.
That’s why UNODC convened a diverse group of participants, including representatives from relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Youth, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, as well as youth from the Presidential Leadership Programme, youth centers, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) representatives and Egyptian youth from the newly launched UNODC MENA Youth Network, for mapping existing initiatives for youth resilience and improving these efforts at the community level, in line with relevant international standards and Egypt’s Youth Strategy.
Led by UNODC experts, the training sessions introduced participants to theories and practices in crime prevention, emphasizing the importance of life skills training, mentorship programmes, and the crucial role of family support and avoiding stigmatization, and equipped them with the tools to successfully develop initiatives for crime and violence prevention. UNODC, through its Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section, focuses on reforming criminal justice systems—including crime prevention, law enforcement, judiciary, and correctional institutions—to ensure they are effective, fair, and humane, in accordance with UN standards and norms that promote human rights and gender equality.
Maged (28), a youth center coordinator, highlighted the practical aspects of the training. "I now have the tools to better educate our youth on crime prevention. This workshop has not only informed me but also inspired me to develop more targeted and engaging programmes at my center."
A key practical component of the workshop was a field visit to a local youth center, Helmeyat El-Zaytoun Youth Center, where participants observed firsthand the activities and programmes that engage young people in meaningful ways.
“The head of the center spoke, and they led us through the center where they taught us about all its safe spaces. We visited the women's club and learned about its activities, including cooking and handicrafts." – shared Malak (19), a member of the UNODC MENA Youth Network.
The workshop concluded with a commitment from all participants to continue their engagement through regular meetings and shared updates on crime prevention initiatives. This collaborative effort is poised to enhance the efficacy of relevant community-based interventions, with UNODC continuing to provide pivotal support and facilitation.
The first thing I will do is to integrate the information from the training into the Youth Network and provide awareness to young people about crimes and violence and how to prevent them”, shared Malak with excitement.
The UNODC MENA Youth Network, launched in April 2024, is dedicated to empowering young people as active agents of change against drugs, violence, and crime through empowerment, meaningful participation, and youth-focused partnerships. The Network united young people from Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, and Sudan.
The workshop was part of the “Youth 4 Impact” regional programme, which aims to empower and build resilience of youth against crime, violence, and drugs. Since its inception in 2022, "Youth 4 Impact" has positively impacted the lives of more than 67,990 individuals across the region (2022-2023). The programme is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Development and Economic Cooperation (BMZ).
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