WHO EPI-WIN Youth Engagement
WHO is keenly aware how important meaningful youth engagement is as we collectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic at local, regional and global levels. Young people’s ideas, skills and contributions continue to enrich institutions and processes, and their engagement is central to the success of policies and programmes aimed at improving young people’s health and well-being. Young people have an important role to play in the COVID-19 pandemic, both in terms of helping to reduce transmission and in engaging in the response.
WHO’s Information Network for Epidemics (EPI-WIN) is partnering with representatives from youth networks and youth-led initiatives to collaborate on projects to amplify the voice of youth in the COVID-19 response, disseminate WHO’s recommendations, and share best practice and innovation.
Sign up to our WHO Youth Engagement mailing list here to be notified of opportunities for engagement and collaboration.
Youth Newsletters
Social media & COVID-19: A global study of digital crisis interaction among Gen Z and Millennials
March 2021 – WHO is very proud to have partnered with Wunderman Thompson, the University of Melbourne and Pollfish in this study to investigate how Gen Z and Millennials get information on the COVID pandemic.
The unfolding of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how the spread of misinformation, amplified on social media and other digital platforms, is proving to be as much a threat to global public health as the virus itself. To better understand how young adults are engaging with COVID-19 information and technology during the pandemic, an international study was conducted covering approximately 23,500 respondents, aged 18-40 years in 24 countries, across five continents.
WHO COVID-19 Design Lab
In October 2020, EPI-WIN launched the WHO COVID-19 Design Lab inviting youth – in an act of solidarity – to re-imagine WHO messaging around ‘reducing transmission’. The WHO COVID-19 Design Lab aims to engage youth to co-develop solutions to fight fatigue and misinformation. Within one week, 79 young people submitted 28 creative ideas. Their communication products were unique and diverse while maintaining the scientific integrity of WHO recommendations.
Click here to learn more and to see the full gallery.
Checkmate COVID-19 is one of the winning submissions by Ina @doseofadvocacy
Celebrating International Youth Day – August 12th 2020
On International Youth Day, 12th of August 2020, WHO and UNESCO recognized the young people around the world demonstrating their resilience, collective action and creativity in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the webinar below with youth representatives from around the world, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus discussing COVID-19 initiatives. See also the short video created by young people around the world ‘How to protect yourself in the infodemic’.
Webinar:
How to protect yourself in the infodemic
COVID-19 Youth Survey
WHO EPI-WIN has been in collaboration with representatives from several youth networks since the start of the pandemic, including the Global Shapers community, the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), the #MoreViralThanTheVirus movement, and the Health and Information Literacy Access Alliance (HILA Alliance - GAPMIL/UNESCO).
Together they designed and implemented this rapid survey which provides a snapshot of the attitudes, knowledge and awareness of young people towards COVID-19.
Click on the images to download the infographic or report:
Recognizing World Mental Health Day – 10th October 2020
On World Mental Health Day, 10th of October 2020, WHO EPI-WIN Youth Network hosted a conversation about the importance of empathy and community-based solutions to mental health challenges, including grief and digital wellbeing in the context of COVID-19 and beyond.
Watch the webinar below with mental health champions, advocates and leaders across disciplines developing and implementing innovative initiatives to support their communities. See also comic strips, designed and illustrated by members of the WHO EPI-WIN Youth Network.
