Youth Speak Out

This 66-page report presents the findings of a series of adolescent-led field studies conducted in Kosovo,
northern Uganda and Sierra Leone. The studies attempted to explore the rights and roles of youth in
conflict-affected areas, addressing such questions as:

• What are the main problems of adolescents in your society?
• What are some solutions to these problems?
• What is adolescence, and how does someone become an adult in your society?

The research methodology involved youth-led interviews of over 3000 youth and adults in the study regions. In all three
conflict areas "the girls and boys surveyed expressed similar top concerns, including threats of violence and
physical insecurity, psychosocial difficulties and a range of socio-economic development problems - in particular,
lack of both formal and non-formal educational opportunities."



In areas of ongoing conflict, youth in Kosovo and Uganda expressed greatest concern about
insecurity. In Sierra Leone, however, where fighting
had largely subsided, primary concerns were access to education, livelihood, and healthcare. Throughout all areas, education was cited as the top solution to the problems
the area faced.



Young people in all areas, according to the  report, felt that their opinions were not taken into account in
decision-making.
Where they did participate, the report states that such participation in "decision-making and program implementation helped young people overcome feelings of social
dislocation and build self-esteem, self-reliance and a new sense of identity that allowed them to heal and even thrive.
Over time, their involvement in programs produced a much broader social impact, as young people applied the skills
and experiences they gained in new ways, forming organizations that significantly improved the lives of their peers
and whole communities."