'The future we want', post-Covid teenagers Unicef ​​manifesto

It's called "The future we want" and is the manifesto of teenagers in Italy on the post-Covid future created by Unicef. The results of the survey conducted on about 2,000 children will be disseminated today, at 15, during the ANSA Forum. According to the survey, which involved young people between 15 and 19 years of age, post-lockdown teenagers feel satisfied with life in general, but are concerned about economic well-being and health, while they are confident about the environment and relationships. Furthermore, according to the data, the emergency improved relations with the family and with their cohabitants, albeit increasing the perception of the risk of domestic violence. The teenagers, then, would like to be more involved in the decisions concerning the return to school and decrease the digital divide, especially after the experience of the pandemic that has seen the digital means of communication and contact with their friends or relatives.

Strong, then, the push for equality and solidarity that comes out of the results: young people ask for greater commitment in the fight against discrimination and hate-speech, more time to devote to others, overcoming disparities related to origin, disability and gender. "During the whole emergency, teenagers showed a great capacity for resilience and attention towards the most vulnerable peers - says Anna Riatti, UNICEF manager for the response in favor of migrant and refugee children and adolescents -. once again recalls the importance of listening and is a clear sign of the positive values ​​that adolescents can promote and amplify within their communities. We cannot fail to involve them in a challenge that must focus on their needs and their "aspirations.

"Unicef ​​- underlines Francesco Samengo, president of Unicef ​​Italy - has always defended the rights of children and adolescents on the basis of the dictates of the Convention for the rights of children and adolescents. The post-Covid future is what we leave to these generations, a return to normality which is not necessarily the pre-Covid-19 one but a new reality in which they recognize themselves ".