Young People

Here is some material that is written by young people for young people. Save the Children believe that children should be heard, that they have the voice of the future.

More than a tick in a box

Edward Maltby, 16, took part in Save the Children's On the Right Track research project, which found that 61 per cent of UK 11- to 18-year-olds intend to vote when they reach voting age. He explains how young people can make a difference even when they can't vote.

Many young people avoid getting involved in politics because they don't see how it affects them, and they feel powerless in the face of the government. So, how can young people change the world, even though they don’t have the vote?

Loads of young people got involved in the anti-war movement in 2003. Many of them wouldn’t have shown much interest in party politics, and would normally have felt too small to get involved.

But this one issue inspired them to go out and make their voices heard. Seeing how impressive a demonstration could be when they all worked together changed their minds about political involvement.

But it’s not just the actions of Parliament that young people are working to change. We live in a world where big companies can have as much power as governments. How important are their policies? Some people think very carefully before buying from them because you’re effectively voting for a company when you buy their product.

A vote is more than just a tick in a box. A purchase is a vote, a letter to an MP or a company is a vote, and a placard waved on a march is a vote. A vote is a way of making your voice heard, and making a difference.

World's apart
Date published: 26/11/2003

Some news reports give the impression that Europe is being overrun by refugees and asylum-seekers. But in reality, it’s poor countries in Asia and Africa that are the most popular safe havens. One of them is Pakistan, which hosts 5.2 million refugees. Many have escaped war and persecution in Afghanistan, and now live in big, isolated camps along the border.

Rachel, 14, Christine and Vicky, 15, from the Durham City Centre Youth Project in the UK emailed Farid Ullah and Marzia, both 14 and from Afghanistan, to ask what it’s like to grow up in a refugee camp in Pakistan.

What’s different between where you and we live?

Farid: We’re living in tents in the camp and you live in cosy houses. And we’ve left our belongings behind while escaping war in Afghanistan.

Marzia: Children in the West have better schools. We struggle to get our basic needs met. But the difficulties we’ve faced have made us strong and confident to survive in all circumstances.

What do you do during the day?

Farid: I get up early, pray and have breakfast. My older sister gives me religious education and then I go to school. After school I have lunch and attend an English course. Later on I collect firewood for the house, and then I go out to play cricket with my Pakistani friends. When I get back I have dinner and go to bed.

Marzia: I get up early, pray, have breakfast and get my younger brother and sisters ready for school. Afterwards I do chores like cleaning the tent, washing dishes and clothes. In my spare time I write poetry and in my diary. I also help my younger brother and sisters with their homework.

How safe do you feel in the camp?

Farid: I’m perfectly safe in the camp and have no fears.

Marzia: I feel safe now the camp authorities have allowed us to build boundary walls around the compound. Before I was worried about my safety.

How do you find out what’s going on in the rest of the world?

Marzia: I often listen to the radio and read history books.

Farid: Our teacher gives us Pashto (Afghan language) newspaper which we read daily. We also sit with the camp elders, where we get information about the outside world.

Do you still have family in Afghanistan?

Farid: Two of my uncles are living in Afghanistan. I live with my mother and sister in the camp and my father lives in Pakistan’s Punjab province with his second wife.

Marzia: I live with my parents in the camp. My uncle and aunt live in Afghanistan

What do you want to do when you grow up?

Marzia: I want to become a doctor.

Faridullah: I want to be an engineer. I fear it might not be possible to fulfil my dream because my family probably can’t afford the cost of my higher education. But I’ll try my best.

Work it out
• Young people aged 15-18 think the UK hosts about 31 per cent of the world’s refugees. The real figure is 2 per cent.
• Britain, one of the world’s richest countries, hosts one refugee for every 530 British people (1:530).
• Tanzania, one of the world’s poorest nations, hosts one refugee for every 76 Tanzanians (1:76).