Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ipatinga (Agenzia Fides) - Launched on 28 November in Ipatinga (MG), the "National Campaign Against the Extermination of the Youth" mobilizes various groups of Youth Ministry in Brazil. The national campaign has its origins in 2008, during preparations for the 15th National Assembly of Youth Ministry in Brazil. The goal is to build a culture of peace, to defend the lives of young people, denouncing the social structures which generate violence and death.
The initiative is based on three fundamental axes. The first relates to the education policy and basic work, with actions that promote awareness of young people on public security and human rights. The second focuses on the actions of mobilization of society and dissemination of the campaign, while the third point concerns the monitoring and reporting of human rights violations through the media. There are also plans to carry out study sessions and seminars on topics involving the issue of violence against young people.
Felipe Freitas, representing youth ministry in the campaign against the killing of youth, stressed that in addition to criminal violence, violence is also present through discrimination in schools, through cultural and religious intolerance. The campaign is trying to provoke a great national debate, with the aim to educate society and government on the issue. "We want to denounce human rights violations committed by different groups," he said.
The situation of violence against young people is increasingly worrisome. According to the United Nations (UN), young people between 15 and 24 years suffer more physical aggression, especially black women and men. As part of the efforts in this campaign, there will be a National Seminar for assessment and monitoring of the campaign, in July next year, and there will be marches at a local level in preparation for the Grand National March will take place in 2011. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 07/12/2009)
