UNFPA. Celebration of the International Youth Day, August 12

In recognition of the International Youth Day importance worldwide, a special event to celebrate that
occasion was organized by the Youth Peer Education network (Y-PEER) in Lebanon on August 12, 2009.

Selected members of the 75 peer educators currently forming the network were trained on a hip-hop dance that was performed among pedestrians on one of the most popular walking paths in Beirut, Ain El Mreisseh, where people of all ages send their afternoons and evenings.

The Y-PEERs were divided into three groups, worked altogether to make that day a special one. One group performed the dance several times and involved pedestrians in the dance as well, others distributed flyers about Y-PEERs in Lebanon, and the rest engaged in side discussions with some pedestrians and media about the importance of the event and the Y-PEER network. The whole event took place under the following slogan: “Participate in protecting Your Health…Your Health is Your Right…”

Great media coverage accompanied the Y-PEER network during the whole week of the International Youth Day. A number of announcements were released and broadcasted prior to and following the event on the radio, television, newspapers, and the National Newspaper Association website. 

Overall, the Y-PEERs were hosted in three TV shows, three radio shows, and three newspapers before and after the event. They were also on television in the night news of August 12, 2009. This wide media coverage was an opportunity for the Y-PEERs to introduce the network to the public as well as talk about the technical, financial, and guidance support provided by UNFPA to the Y-PEER network in the implementation of its activities.

This event comes after the network expansion meeting that took place earlier this year, to partner with new organizations adding up so far to 20 NGOs, youth clubs, municipalities, and Scouts, and following a series of capacity development workshops. Spreading awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention across the country through celebrating other big occasions in a fun and interactive way is the Y-PEER network’s target for the next few months…