The document summarizes the Youth as Agents of Behavioral Change (YABC) initiative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It provides an overview of the initiative's development, including milestones such as consultative meetings, field testing of a draft toolkit, and a pilot test of the toolkit at the 3rd World Youth Meeting in Solferino, Italy, where it reached 250 youth. The YABC aims to empower youth to promote behavioral change in their communities through peer education, games, role plays and other interactive methods focused on principles such as non-discrimination and respect for diversity.

1. Newsletter / Special Edition N°7 / November 2009
General Assembly
Contents
YABC: What does it
mean?
Page 2
Previous Milestones
Page 3
YABC in its baby shoes
Page 4
Let’s get non-cognitive!
1st international
gathering
Pages 5
Developing the toolkit &
preparing for Solferino
Page 6
Pilot-testing the draft
YABC toolkit: Solferino
Page 7
Field-testing the draft
YABC toolkit
Page 8
YABC Testimonies
Page 9
YABC Plan & Budget for
2010-2011
Page 10

2. YABC: What does it mean?
November 2009 Principles and values
As an International Federation of Red Cross and Red United in Solferino to celebrate the 150th
Crescent Societies, we are strongly committed to year of the Red Cross Red Crescent, our
promoting a global culture of respect for diversity, non- youth expressed their active and formal
violence and social inclusion. Strategy 2020 clearly support for YABC and revoiced Mahatma
underscores the RC/RC role to change mindsets, attitudes Ghandi’s wisdom to “be the change you
and behaviour. want to see in the world.”
Bekele Geleta, IFRC Secretary In 2008-2009, the P&V department developed a draft
General, highlights: “it is toolkit for YABC, together with the Youth Commission
often said that young people and a network of youth leaders from National Societies
are the future of the world-wide. The draft toolkit’s contents are:
International Red Cross and  Part 1. Behavioural skills: (i) active listening, (ii)
Red Crescent Movement, but empathy, (iii) critical thinking, dropping bias and non-
I feel that is only part of the judgement, (iv) non-violent communication and
story. Young people are the Movement’s driving force peaceful resolution of tensions, (v) mediation and
here and now, and are the world’s best hope for real and reconciliation, (vi) operating from inner peace and
lasting behavioural change at the community level and harmony.
beyond.”
 Part 2. Thematic issues: (i) non-discrimination and
respect for diversity (e.g. elderly, disabled, migrants,
In the Declaration Together
for Humanity, adopted at the PLHIV), (ii) promotion of a culture of non-violence and
30th International Conference peace, (iii) promotion of gender equality, (iv) social
of the Red Cross and Red inclusion, (v) inter-cultural dialogue
Crescent, 186 RC/RC National  Part 3. Artistic platforms for social mobilisation (to be
Societies, the IFRC, ICRC and all States Parties to the 1949 developed in 2010): (i) music, (ii) dance, (iii) theatre,
Geneva Conventions, agreed on the key role youth have (iv) visual arts, (v) sports, (vi) video.
to play and the need to empower them to do so.
The draft toolkit also furthers mainstreaming of “P&V”
The Principles and Values (P&V) department in the topics into other RC/RC areas of work. As such, it covers
Geneva Secretariat thus created a concrete initiative, discrimination and stigmatisation against PLHIV, migrants,
which is actively supported by the Youth Commission and elderly; resisting peer pressure on substance and alcohol
the Organisational Development department, responding abuse; managing stress; enhancing resilience and self-
to this firm call. empowerment.
Youth as Agents of Behavioural Change (YABC) is an The draft toolkit was pilot-tested in Solferino, June 2009
initiative to empower youth to play a lead role in by 20 YABC youth leaders reaching 250 youth. Later in
transforming mindsets, attitudes and behaviour in their 2009, multi-cultural teams of YABC peer educators further
local communities. It starts from the premise that a prior field-tested the toolkit (e.g. Atlantis youth camp for
commitment to inner change and being the living Mediterranean National Societies, international youth
example of our Fundamental Principles and Humanitarian camp in Uganda, MENA gathering in Tunis).
Values is the best way to reach this objective.
Looking ahead…
YABC uses innovative and artistic platforms and integrates In 2010-2011, YABC will pursue the following objectives:
peer education and non-cognitive learning to promote 1. Field-testing of and finalising the draft YABC toolkit
behavioural change. As such, it uses games, role plays, 2. Broaden NS base using the toolkit
visualisation, drama, dance, art and movement for youth 3. Develop indicators measuring the impact of YABC
to make the journey "from the heart to the mind" and 4. Obtain international, external recognition and
engage in social mobilisation. expand partnerships.
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3. Previous milestones
November 2009 Principles and values
March • Development of the YABC initiative's concept paper
2008
• Adoption of the YABC initiative by the Youth Comission (cf. page 4)
April 2008
• International Youth Camp Atlantis IV, Serbia (cf. page 4)
July 2008
Sept.- Oct.
• Consultative Meetings of RC/RC National Societies and External Experts, Geneva (cf. page 4)
2008
• First International YABC Gathering, Bamako - Mali (cf. page 5)
Dec. 2008
Dec.- • Collection of National Societies' P&V non-cognitive materials
March
2009
March
• Technical meeting developing the draft YABC toolkit, Habkern - Switzerland (cf. page 6)
2009
• Update to the Youth Commission
April 2009
• Training of Solferino peer educators, Barcelona - Spain (cf. page 6)
May 2009
• Pilot-testing the draft YABC toolkit: 3rd World Youth Meeting "Youth on the Move", Solferino - Italy (cf.
June - July page 7)
2009
• Field-testing the draft YABC toolkit (cf. page 8):
• Humanitarian Principles and Values Program, Baabda - Lebanon (July)
July - Oct.
• International Youth Camp "Atlantis V", Medhia - Morocco (August)
2009 • International Youth Camp, Mukono - Uganda (August)
• MENA Youth Regional Meeting "From Principles to Action", Tunis - Tunisia (October)
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4. YABC in its baby shoes
November 2009 Principles and values
April 2008 September – October 2008
The Youth Commission adopts YABC Consultative meetings on the YABC toolkit
(Geneva) (Geneva, IFRC Secretariat)
The Youth Commission welcomed and included the YABC The week from 29 September to 3 October was an
initiative into its work plan. It emphasised that the important one for principles and values. Two
Fundamental Principles must always be the basis for our consultations were held in Geneva on the content and
action. Two members of the Youth Commission were methodology for the skills-based toolkit to empower
appointed as active members of the YABC network. youth as agents of behavioural change.
24 – 31 July 2008
The YABC idea is tested in Atlantis IV
(Serbia)
National Societies consultative meeting, Geneva
During the week, 18 National Societies from across the
globe and the Centre for the Cooperation in the
Mediterranean, met in Geneva. On 3 October, a non
The Centre for Cooperation in the Mediterranean RC/RC expert meeting was organized to provide advice to
organised for the National Societies of the region the 4th the project, in particular in the area of non-cognitive
annual youth camp, “Atlantis”, which was hosted by the learning and techniques favouring inner change.
Red Cross of Serbia. The Principles and Values department
had the privilege to conduct a non-cognitive workshop on  Outcome of the National Societies’ consultations
principles and values with 15 of its participants. This Participants exchanged best practices from their youth
provided a concrete opportunity to test ideas for the programmes and shared NS experiences. The group
“youth as agents of behavioural change” toolkit. decided on the core content of the YABC toolkit and
developed an action plan from October to Solferino, June
« YABC is all inclusive. Actually, does 2009, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the RC/RC .
age really matter? Who are youth?
What is important for YABC is your  Outcome of the experts’ consultations
mindset and inspiration. Do you The expert meeting highlighted the effectiveness of
believe that your move can change techniques for inner change and operating from inner
the world, and that together – united peace, such as breathing, relaxation, Qi Gong, movement
from all over the world – we will make and music.
it happen? If so, join YABC!”
Consult Fednet for the project concept paper, picture
Dr. Katrien Beeckman, Head P&V Department, Initiator of the
YABC initiative gallery and action plan of the network:
https://fednet.ifrc.org/sw165159.asp
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5. Let’s get non-cognitive! 1st international gathering
November 2009 Principles and values
1 – 5 December 2008
1st International YABC Gathering
(Bamako, Mali)
This week was not only symbolically important with the
celebration of World Aids Day (1/12), the International
Day for Persons with Disabilities (3/12) and the
International Day of Volunteering (5/12); it was a
significant time for YABC as well.
The Principles and Values Department, alongside the Mali
Red Cross and the West and Central Africa Zone of the
IFRC, organised a youth gathering outside Bamako. Its
purpose was to conduct a micro-Solferino youth
gathering, in preparation of the YABC peer education
workshops at the 3rd Youth Meeting in Solferino in June
2009. Key youth representatives of 21 National Societies
from across the globe explored:
 P&V thematic trainings held by National Society
youth, addressing issues such as violence prevention,
discrimination and stigmatisation against PLHIV,
respect for diversity and a culture of peace.
 P&V behavioural skills training sessions focused on
techniques to enhance empathy, improve active
listening, non-judgment and dropping bias, build
resilience, non-violent communication, mediation and
consensus building.
 African cultural heritage (ACH). Participants created
their own song, art project, dance and theatre play
reflecting our fundamental principles and
humanitarian values. In addition, 7 participants were
trained on digital story telling techniques.
 Non-cognitive techniques: relaxation, breathing and
Qi Gong.
Dr. Abdourahmane Cisse, On the International Day for
President of the Mali Red Cross Persons with Disabilities
“Youth are the spearhead of our (December 3rd) the YABC
National Societies. An initiative participants had the privilege
that gives them an opportunity to to be entertained by 30
develop skills necessary to build a Malian youth living with
society that addresses all kinds of disability. They offered us a
exclusion and discrimination on spectacular and heart-
the grounds of colour, origin, warming music, theatre and
disability, or simply physical dance performance!
aspect, is for me without any doubt an innovative project,
carrying humanitarian values forward to all.”
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6. Developing the toolkit & preparing for Solferino
November 2009 Principles and values
23 – 31 March 2009 22 – 30 May 2009
Technical meeting with NS Youth Training of Solferino Peer Educators
(Habkern- Switzerland) (Viladecans - Spain)
YABC network members from 9 National Societies
participated in an 8 day working retreat in the Swiss Alps
to focus on the development of the YABC toolkit. These
youth, who came together braving snow and long hours
of work (not to mention cooking!), ensured that the
toolkit will truly be a work by and for National Societies
and culturally sensitive.
Participants analyzed numerous non-cognitive materials
from 30 National Societies and used their experience to
develop new games, role plays, visualizations and
activities for the toolkit.
For an inspiring web story see:
http://www.ifrc.org/youth/news/2009/0331switzerland/index.asp
This multi-cultural experience inspired a strong collective
voice from the Red Cross Red Crescent youth leaders of
23 National Societies which took part from across the
globe in this training. The event was organized by the
Principles and Values department and the MENA zone
and hosted by the Spanish Red Cross.
The training aimed to get the YABC youth ready to
conduct YABC peer education in the 3rd World Youth
Meeting in Solferino. Participants themselves delivered
almost half of the course. This allowed them to develop
facilitation skills while familiarizing themselves with the
draft YABC toolkit.
“A critical self-questioning attitude and a commitment to
continuous self-improvement are at the basis for
becoming a YABC”
Barcelona training participants’ evaluation
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7. Pilot-testing the draft YABC toolkit: Solferino
November 2009 Principles and values
rd
23 – 27 June 2009
Youth as agents of behavioural
3 World Youth Meeting
(Solferino, Italy) change reaches 250 new youth
“It’s our time, it’s your time, I just
want to introduce the YABCs, Youth as Most interesting YABC workshop elements according to
Agents of Behavioural Change! We participants:
are youth from 42 National Societies,  Peer education is fun!
guided by the Federation’s Principles  Games, role-plays, music and art.
and Values Department. We believe  “Heart to mind” and interactive methodology
that in our world full of challenges,  Participant-centred experiential learning
the move that we want to make as  Multi-cultural platform for youth to dialogue
agents of behavioural change is to be the change we  Language diversity (English, French, Arabic, Spanish)
want in our communities, by living our fundamental
principles, celebrating our diversities and touching the
hearts.[…] The YABCs invite you to put our principles into
action. Join the YABCs!”
Dr. Amal Emam (Egyptian Red Crescent), introducing the
official camp song created and performed by YABC: “In a world full of challenges, we the youth of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Aw bé de yé keléyé commit ourselves to:
Respetamos la diversidad 1. Inner change and the development of skills to
Change yourself and act, cos we are agents of change promote harmony and positive attitudes within
Don’t judge. Drop your bias. Give them advice communities
Nous sommes tous égaux, nous sommes les mêmes 2. Live our seven Fundamental Principles as agents of
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTKsztIYsv8 behavioural change in our communities
...
We call on our National Societies to:
 Enable youth to take a leadership role in positively
changing behaviours and attitudes in our
communities, using peer and non-formal education
methods such as the IFRC’s “Youth as agents of
behavioural change” initiative;
http://www.ifrc.org/youth/onthemove/downloads/170700-
Youth_declaration-EN-4PAGES-LR.pdf
Analysis of the participants’ assessments
10/10 ≤ 5/10
13% 7% 6/10
Which workshops were conducted? 10%
9/10
 Violence prevention & culture of peace 18% 7/10
 Non-discrimination & respect for diversity
18%
 Inter-cultural dialogue
 Gender
 Operating from Inner Peace - Qi-Gong practice 8/10
 Round table on sexual orientation & discrimination 34%
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8. Field-testing the draft YABC toolkit
November 2009 Principles and values
18 July 2009 Charlotte Tocchio, peer
Humanitarian Principles and Values Program educator from the P&V
(Baabda – Lebanon) Department: “Nothing
has allowed me to learn
This gathering encompassed the field-testing of 4 materials from the as much than through
draft YABC toolkit in order to guide youth volunteers of the Lebanese teaching and discussing
Red Cross to organize P&V activities within their communities. Very with my peers”
positive feedback both on the draft toolkit and future implementation
of the initiative within the National Society was given.
2 - 9 August 2009
International Youth Camp Atlantis V
(Mehdia, Morocco)
4 YABC peer educators joined this CCM’s International Youth Camp to
challenge their peers’ mindsets, attitudes and behaviours - and were
challenged in return! 25 participants had the opportunity to experience
the non-cognitive learning methodology used in the YABC initiative and
contributed to the YABC draft toolkit’s field-testing.
17 – 23 August 2009
International Youth Camp
(Mukono, Uganda)
2 YABC peer educators joined the International Youth Camp organised
by the Uganda Red Cross to raise their peers’ awareness on non-
discrimination and respect for diversity, gender issues and social
inclusion, and equip them with important behavioural skills. 52
participants of the camp enriched the lessons learned from the YABC
draft toolkit’s field-testing. Youth underscored the relevance and need
to implement this powerful tool at all levels.
9 – 11 October 2009
MENA Youth Regional Meeting
From Principles to Action
(Tunis, Tunisia)
4 YABC peer educators had the opportunity to stand up for their ideals
and to field-test the draft toolkit in this meeting co-organised by
ARCCO and the IFRC Regional Delegation for North Africa. The 26
participants discussed the concrete application of P&V topics in their
National Societies’ programmes and their integration into their own
daily life. The fruitful exchanges during the encounter constitute a
good basis for further strengthening solidarity within the region.
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9. YABC Testimonies
November 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qX7bVY9OGE&feature=channel_page Principles and values
Noor Ogly, Syrian Arab Red Crescent: Ernest Nyame-Annan, Ghana Red Cross:
“The amazing thing about the “I strongly believe the YABC initiative is
Movement is that we all share the same the wheel for all humanitarian services: if
principles. Look at us here in Barcelona, it’s well grounded in our activities, it will
youth coming from 25 National Societies, breed a real volunteer spirit. I hope it will
with different backgrounds and even go beyond the Movement. We need
cultures…. We all share the same thing: to think BIG: Boldly, Inspiring and
our 7 Principles. We are universality….” Generational. […] Our world will depend
on what we do today. If we realize that there are so many
Hannington Segirinya, Uganda Red things we need to change and we start today, the future will
Cross Society: “Young people can make be brighter. It takes you and me to do it. Your head, your
a difference if they come together as a heart, your hand. Join us to change the world!”
think tank and act on their ideas. The
first thing is to change themselves; then Lyn Garcia, Philippines Red Cross: “If we
others look to them for inspiration and invest now in youth, the people who will
will act.” lead the organization in the future will
know how to run it and what is good for
Moshe Ohayon Danenberg, Magen it. YABC needs to be part of all youth
David Adom in Israel: "It is very leadership training.”
important to stick to the humanitarian
principles and values because in our Tamer Ahmad, Egyptian Red Crescent:
region sometimes it is very difficult to “The YABC initiative changed a lot inside
distinguish what you are doing - is it me: it helps me to feel the real meaning
good or bad? When you use the of Humanity and inspires me to do all my
principles and values you’ve got some best until we see the effect of our work
kind of code you can use. *…+ I feel that if we educate our changes the world into a better world.”
youth according to the principles and values, it would
probably influence the entire society, especially in armed
conflict.” Frederike De Graaf, Netherlands Red
Cross: “I think it’s quite human to have
Abu Bakar Jalloh, Sierra Leone Red prejudices. YABC seeks to make people
Cross, 2009 IFRC Youth Award Winner, aware of their own prejudices, give
“The YABC initiative is a potential tool people the tools to realize them and turn
for volunteer attraction and retention them into something positive so that they
and for work towards meaningful can also spread the word to others.”
sustainable development based on a
culture of respect for diversity, non-
violence and social inclusion.” Salimata Konan, Red Cross Society of
Côte d’Ivoire: "In the future I see youth in
Toshe Kamilarovski, Red Cross of the charge, youth who are not afraid to see
Former Yugoslav Republic of two people of the same sex holding
Macedonia: "People are used to saying hands. I hope next time many more
‘This is man’s work; women should stay people participate and don’t hide their
home doing the housework and men sexual choice. I support diversity."
should bring home money’. Perhaps we
cannot be equal physically because of
different strengths but we can be equal Yacid Estrada, Colombian Red Cross,
in our minds. […] The YABC initative is about freedom of life: member of the RC/RC+ network: “Youth
it empowers people to live free, think, express and make need to learn through experience. For
conclusions by themselves." example, once you have met someone
living with HIV, you will really understand
For the YABC statement to the UN Human Rights Council,
the human side of it. […] It lowers the
see:http://www.un.org/webcast/unhrc/archive.asp?go=090922
stigma.”
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10. YABC Plan & Budget for 2010-2011
November 2009 Principles and values
Field-testing of the draft YABC toolkit by Federation Secretariat field structures and RC/RC National Societies
Field-testing already planned: IFRC Mena zone (May), IFRC Asia-Pacific Youth Network Gathering (April), IFRC South East
Asia Regional Delegation youth camp (July), IFRC Northern Africa migration campaign; International Youth camp
organised by the Swiss Red Cross (July); Sierra Leone Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross, Netherlands Red Cross, etc.
Capacity-building on YABC of National Societies youth leaders and volunteers from world-wide to technically
support through peer education the field-testing of the draft YABC toolkit in their National Society, IFRC region or zone.
 In 2010 and 2011, an international YABC gathering and peer educators capacity-building will be organised in Mali
for National Society youth leaders world-wide. Social mobilisation through art, music, dance, theatre, and sports
will figure on the agenda. The RCRC+ network will take part and cover discrimination and stigma against PLHIV.
 In March 2011, the Mali gathering will also serve to profile the IFRC during the International Year of Volunteering
(IYV), in close collaboration with the Organisational Development Department. In this context, youth leaders from
the World Alliance of Youth (YMCA, YWCA, Scout Movement, International Award Association) will be invited to
join the YABC gathering. The 2011 programme will also seek to include a focus on Youth Volunteering in
Emergencies, as well as Community-Based First Aid in violent settings.
The YABC toolkit is finalised, available online in 5 languages and officially launched during the 2011
statutory meetings
 The draft YABC toolkit needs further development, which will include new contents, such as a peer education
manual; short concept papers for all skills, a module on social mobilisation on humanitarian values through dance,
sports, music and theatre.
 Two self-catering technical meetings of the Toolkit Steering Committee (National Society Youth), will be organised
to integrate feedback from field-testing (2010)and finalise the toolkit (2011).
Development of indicators measuring the impact of YABC, through a partnership with the Education for
Sustainable Development Values-based Indicators research project (EU, 5 Civil Society organisations, including
the IFRC, 2 academic research institutions). Technical support to National Societies YABC projects, e.g. youth
award winners Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire Red Cross, will be provided.
Obtain international, external recognition and expand partnerships, through statements in the World Youth
Alliance, UN Human Rights Council, educational fora; etc.
2010 2011
OUTPUT ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES
(CH.F.) (CH.F.)
YABC TOOLKIT: FINALISATION, PRODUCTION, PROMOTION & LAUNCH 97 000 225 000
Further development, finalisation & production of the draft YABC toolkit 62 000 115 000
Technical Steering Committee meeting (5 days, 10 pax) 10 000 10 000
Translation in 5 languages 50 000
Official launch at the 31st International Conference: promotional materials 25 000 50 000
INTERNATIONAL YABC GATHERING AND TRAINING (1 WEEK) 110 000 110 000
Venue costs: travels (40), visas (35), accommodation (60) and transport 80 000 80 000
Consultants 25 000 25 000
Communication coverage 5 000 5 000
Animation of YABC IT platforms (YahooGroup, Facebook…) 10 000 10 000
External partnerships: 20 000 20 000
TOTAL 237 000 365 000
For more information, contact: Dr. Katrien Beeckman, Head, Principles & Values Department, katrien.beeckman@ifrc.org, +41 22
730 46 01 (tel), + 41 22 733 03 95 (fax)
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