Adolescence

PERSPECTIVEAdult responsibility:Listen to adolescents’ voicesby Her Royal HighnessPrincess Mathilde ofBelgium, Honorary Chairof UNICEF Belgium andUNICEF and UNAIDSSpecial Representativefor Children and AIDS“ Adolescentsdo not considerthemselves as‘future adults’;they want to betaken seriouslynow.”In the 20 years since the Convention on the Rights ofthe Child entered into force, the global community haspledged to safeguard children’s rights in education,health, participation and protection. These rights entailmoral and legal obligations. Governments the worldover are held accountable through the Committee onthe Rights of the Child for the welfare of their children.Considerable progress has been made across the worldin reducing mortality, improving access to basic healthcare and ensuring schooling for children during theirfirst decade of life. These accomplishments have pavedthe way for promising strides in adolescence. We haveseen increased secondary school enrolment, albeit froma low base; a decline in early marriage and female genitalmutilation/cutting; and an increase in knowledgeof HIV transmission. Thanks to global and local effortsto raise awareness, encourage dialogue and buildpolicy, adolescents are better protected from abuse andexploitation. Still, for millions of adolescents, daily liferemains a struggle.A happy upbringing – with opportunities to learn, playand feel safe – is still a distant prospect for many.Instead, millions of teenagers face hazardous employment,early pregnancy and participation in armedconflict. Burdened with adult roles and deprived of theirrights as children, adolescents are exposed to protectionabuses. Denying this age group their childhoodheightens their risk of exploitation in labour, socialisolation associated with early marriage, and mortalityor morbidity for adolescent girls from pregnancy- andchildbirth-related complications. The enormous challengeof protecting adolescents at this vital time intheir lives should not be underestimated – and adultshave a crucial part to play in meeting it.Adolescents currently make up 18 per cent of theworld’s population, but they receive far less attentionon the world stage than their numbers merit. Parents,family members and local communities bear a responsibilityto promote and protect adolescent development.Implementing laws and pursuing concrete objectivessuch as the Millennium Development Goals are importantways of building momentum towards investmentin adolescents. But if we really want these initiatives tobe effective, we must invite young people to be part ofthe solution and ensure their voices are heard.Adolescents do not consider themselves as ‘futureadults’; they want to be taken seriously now. Article 13of the Convention stipulates that children are free toexpress their ideas and opinions, through any channelof their choice. Exercising this right not only cultivatesself-confidence but also helps prepare them for theactive role of citizen.Equally important, education encourages children tocommunicate and make their voices heard. Parents,friends and family members play an essential part instimulating adolescents’ educational growth, as learningextends beyond the classroom. A parent’s role asmentor should not be underestimated; it deserves moresupport and appreciation.I am heartened to hear young peoples’ responses toUNICEF Belgium’s What Do You Think? project. Thiseffort sheds light on marginalized children: those whoare disabled, live in institutions and hospitals, andsuffer from poverty. I discovered during my visits withthese children that their stories are not, as one mightexpect, expressions of despair. On the contrary, manyarticulate extraordinary hope for the future and eagernessto participate in the shaping of their world.Listening to adolescents is the only way we willunderstand what they expect from us. This is a criticaltime in a person’s growth. Let us pay close attentionto the particular needs and concerns of adolescents.Let us create opportunities for them to participate insociety. Let us allow them freedom and opportunity tomature into healthy adults. As the 2015 deadline forthe Millennium Development Goals draws near, everyeffort must be made to ensure the equal well-being ofchildren worldwide. Their hopes and dreams are stillvery much alive. It is up to us to enable adolescentsto reach their full potential. Let us work together withthem to make life a positive adventure.Her Royal Highness Princess Mathilde of Belgium isespecially committed to children affected by and livingwith HIV. In her roles as Honorary Chair of UNICEFBelgium and UNICEF and UNAIDS Special Representativefor Children and AIDS, HRH Princess Mathilde hasundertaken field trips to Africa and Asia to promote thewell-being of vulnerable people and generate awarenessof children’s rights.the emerging generation9