Applications open for 6th Human Rights Youth Challenge

The 6th Human Rights Youth Challenge would provide an opportunity to understand how water is used as an argument for building peace and cooperation between peoples, through the lens of youth and their perspectives.

By using social media platforms: Instagram, Youtube, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Tiktok, among others, the Special Rapporteur hopes to engage youth worldwide and to share their experience on this topic.

Theme

• This year, on World Toilet Day (19 November 2023), the Special Rapporteur, together with cosponsors, invites youth to produce a video (v-log) or any other digital content on: “Water as a tool For Peace And Cooperation”.

Prize Information

• The prize for the winner of the 6th Human Rights Youth Challenge consists of:
  • An invitation to join the UN Special Rapporteur as a speaker at a side-event during World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden, in August 2024;
  • The winner will be appointed as “Youth Advisor to the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation”
• The winner will be announced on World Water Day (22 March 2024). The travel and accommodations cost are covered by the prize.

Role of the Youth Advisor

• The Youth Advisor to the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation will carry out certain activities with and under the guidance of the Special Rapporteur in championing the awareness among youth, notably on social media. The Youth Advisor shall:
  • Advocate for the promotion of human rights to water and sanitation of the youth through social media;
  • Raise awareness of the importance of water as a tool for peace and cooperation;
  • Promote and strengthen youth capacity to advocate for the human rights to water and sanitation of peoples living in riparian ecosystems, including through social media.

Key Elements

• Content creators have the opportunity to convey a message directed at decision-makers, incorporating the following key elements in the video (v-logs) or other type of digital submissions:
  • #WaterforPeace: Express your thoughts on how water security and the fulfilment of the human rights to water and sanitation are key to preventing, addressing and resolving conflicts. Provide examples of good practices where water is an argument for peace and cooperation.
  • #DialogueforPeace: Share examples of traditional dialogue and twinning of peoples across rivers.
  • #preserveWater: Present how damage to ecosystems undermines the human right to water of communities in neighbouring countries and how this damage can be prevented.
  • #EqualWASH4Peace: Highlight any challenges experienced by women and girls, in crossborder conflicts.
  • #EnvironmentalPeace: Depict how sustainable community-based river and water management can ensure access to safe drinking water and water for daily life.
  • WaterforPeaceNotWar: Denounce the use of water as a weapon of war to punish civilians.
  • #ParticipationforPeace: Highlight the need to meaningfully include the active participation of the public and transboundary communities, particularly women, in discussions and entities relevant for transboundary basin management.
  • #SustainabilityforPeace: Express how moving away from a vision of water as a resource for competition and its appropriation, to an ecosystem-based vision of water and of shared responsibility for managing transboundary basins can be beneficial for all.
  • #AdressingClimateChange: Depict how flood and drought risks due to climate change demand a strong collaboration and shared responsibility in transboundary basin management.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age limit: 18-24 years old (at the time of submission deadline).
• any language with subtitles in English, French or Spanish.

Criteria

• The recipient of the award determined by assessing the following criteria:
  • Understanding of the human rights to water and sanitation, demonstrating understanding of the principles and nuances associated with human rights to water and sanitation.
  • Reliance on facts, and accuracy of statements.
  • Effectiveness of communication. Understanding of the target audience (decision-makers), clarity and overall effectiveness in conveying the message.
  • Understanding the use of water as an argument for peace and cooperation, insightful understanding of how water can be utilized as a compelling factor for fostering peace and collaboration.
  • Use of examples. Proficiency in incorporating relevant and illustrative examples to enhance the video and support key points.

For more information, visit OHCHR.