Children & Youth

SFCG offers training to children and young people in every country, so that they have concrete alternatives to violence and contribute significantly to building lasting peace in their societies. SFCG teaches youth from ages 6 to 30 basic rules of journalism, leadership skills, mediation techniques and other tools for peace-building. SFCG has been a leader in using radio to empower children to seek solutions to the complex issues affecting them, including reintegration of child soldiers and displaced children.  SFCG leadership trainings also prepare young people for post-conflict leadership in democracy and good government.

Peacebuilding Media for Children and Youth

SFCG uses mass media to influence the next generation’s approach towards conflict and to empower the next generation to lead their cultures toward peace.  For example:

• Radio news programs in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Congo, Ivory Coast by and for children to investigate and report issues concerning them, especially children in armed conflict.

• Radio and TV soap operas and call-in talk shows for young people throughout sub Saharan Africa, Nepal, Lebanon, Macedonia, Timor-Leste and Indonesia, modeling peaceful resolution of differences.

• Use of social media and texting in Kenya, Nigeria and Congo to reinforce our broadcast messages among young viewers and listeners.

• The Team, a radio and TV drama about a diverse football (soccer) team that must learn to overcome its differences to win; it is locally written and produced in 19 countries. It is extremely popular, particularly among young audiences.

Training Young Leaders for Democracy and Peace

In Nepal, Indonesia, Ukraine, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Morocco, among other countries, SFCG is training young people in the mechanics of democracy, such as parliaments, debates, elections, business start-ups, responsible journalism, mediation and collaboration.  Our Common Ground News Service also is attentive to global youth and their impact on the future of democracy.  SFCG trains young opinion leaders as journalists, bloggers and civil society leaders, amplifying their influence around the globe.

Beginning Young

In Kosovo and Macedonia SFCG’s bilingual, multi-cultural model for pre-schools is now part of the state educational systems. These programs instill tolerance, respect for diversity and mediation skills in very young children.  As their parents interact through the schools, they too find common ground.