Magazine gives children a voice
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| Plan supported a number of workshops |
 | Children and youth in the municipality of Cauca-Valle, Colombia are being given the opportunity to participate and voice their opinions and concerns about life in the community through the publication of a magazine.
Created by the youngsters, the magazine Caja Mágica, developed after a series of community workshops supported by Plan. Publication experts and teachers provide training in schools and other youth spaces on topics including; child rights, journalism and peace building at school and at home.
Saira, 16 years old, who recently got involved in the magazine, says; “Caja Mágica has given me the confidence to express myself and has changed my outlook, I now make extra effort to set new goals, to accept myself and to build new opportunities in my life.”
Published every four months, the magazine is distributed by the youngsters themselves across five municipalities, as well as to non-government organisations and the local authority, giving children and youth responsibility for its entire production.
Through a democratic process they decide their roles within the production process and discuss topics covered, some of the participants have become involved in youth councils where they have the possibility to talk about the project to other communities and share their knowledge.
“Everyone at my school is somehow involved in the magazine, I have strengthened my values and my capacity to communicate thanks to my participation”, says Sebastian, 12 years old.
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