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This year, three national youth gatherings were organised in Cameroon, Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of our regional programme in Central Africa. In each country, these gatherings brought together young people from different localities for a few days so that they could learn more about their rights, exchange ideas and propose concrete solutions to the difficulties they face in their daily lives.

The school year has begun for the 15 apprentices at Birdhouse, our professional integration restaurant in Geneva for young people who have dropped out of school. On this occasion, we invite you to take a closer look at the daily work of the trainers who enthusiastically welcome the new arrivals. Meet Steeve, the social coach; Vanessa, Birdhouse director; Massimo, the head chef; and Julie, the service manager.

Originally from Casablanca, Bibi is a 29-year-old woman who has turned her skills and passion into a promising business in the sector of sound systems for events. With a degree in economics and management, she has enriched her career with several additional training courses and experiences. It was thanks to the support of the association Heure Joyeuse, one of our partners in Morocco, that she was able to realise her entrepreneurial dream.

In Mali, our partner Association Jeunesse et Développement (AJDM) works daily to bring hope to young girls facing hardship, particularly young mothers who often suffer from social exclusion. Through its project Djiguiya So (House of Hope), AJDM provides accommodation for these young women and their children, along with holistic support including vocational training in sewing, henna tattooing, beauty care, and catering. They also receive literacy courses, financial education, entrepreneurship support, and awareness-raising on health issues.

Each year on 15 May, the International Day of Families reminds us of the central role that the family plays in the development, protection, and wellbeing of children. It also encourages reflection on situations where these bonds are weakened or broken. This message echoes Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which recognises every child’s right to live with their family and to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents, unless this is contrary to the child’s best interests. Yet for many children around the world, this right is not upheld, particularly for children in street situations, who are often separated from their families due to violence, poverty, rejection, abandonment, or a combination of these and other factors.

On the occasion of the International Day for Street Children (IDSC), celebrated every 12 April, our partners in several countries came together with children in street situations for celebrations filled with dialogue, awareness-raising, creativity and advocacy. These initiatives, led by our partners, aimed to highlight the voices, creativity, and commitment of these children around a right that is still too often denied: the right to identity.