Youth As Active Agents In The Fight Against COVID-19 Best Practice Examples Against The Pandemic From Around The World

Year 2021, Volume: 9 Issue: Özel Sayı, 102 - 125, 30.09.2021

Özge Sanem Özateş Gelmez

https://doi.org/10.52528/genclikarastirmalari.804465

Abstract

Purpose: Like other population groups, the physical, mental, and social health of young people also has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though young people themselves are directly and/or indirectly affected by the pandemic, they have also been accused of not doing their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and of acting irresponsibly. However, young people have fought against the pandemic as social and health workers and have presented a wide array of best practice examples, such as taking measures to slow the spread of the pandemic and alleviating pandemic related problems. In this study, first, it has been discussed how young people have been affected by the pandemic and what is expected from them, after which it has been focused on best practice examples. In doing this, it is endeavored to challenge negative stereotypes held about young people and to create a corpus of effective practices that can be implemented to overcome the current pandemic. Conclusion and recommendations: This study focuses on the best practices by young people during the COVID-19 pandemic in four continents and sixteen different countries. As social and health workers, young people the world over have worked self-sacrificingly against the pandemic. Additionally, they have also carried out important services, such as food and medicine distribution, correction of inaccurate information, dissemination of preventive measures, and creating positive changes in people’s lives. During the pandemic, it is important that their strength and skills are trusted and encouraged so that an increasing number of young people can participate in the fight against the pandemic.

Keywords

Pandemic, Volunteering, Youth, Best Practice, Struggle.

COVID-19’la Mücadelenin Aktif Özneleri Olarak Gençler: Salgına Karşı Dünyadan İyi Uygulama Örnekleri

Abstract

Amaç: COVID-19 salgını, pek çok nüfus grubu gibi gençlerin de fiziksel, zihinsel ve sosyal sağlıkları üzerinde göz ardı edilemeyecek büyüklükte bir tahribat yaratmıştır. Bu süreçte gençler salgın nedeniyle doğrudan ya da dolaylı olarak yaşadıkları sorunların yanında, salgının yayılımının önlenmesi içinüzerlerine düşeni yerine getirmedikleri ve sorumsuzca davrandıkları ithamlarıyla da karşı karşıya kalmışlardır. Ancak gençler bir yandan sosyal hizmet ve sağlık çalışanları olarak salgına karşı yürütülen mücadelenin ön saflarında yer almış, öte yandan salgının yayılım hızını yavaşlatacak tedbirlerin alınmasından, salgına bağlı ortaya çıkan sorunların hafifletilmesine kadar oldukça geniş bir yelpazede iyi uygulama örneklerine imza atmışlardır. Bu çalışmada, gençlerin salgından nasıl etkilendikleri ve salgına karşı verilen mücadelede gençlerden nelerin beklendiği konuları tartışıldıktan sonra, gençler tarafından yürütülen iyi uygulama örneklerinin görünür kılınmasına odaklanılmaktadır. Böylece gençler hakkında bu süreçte yayılan olumsuz genellemelerin önüne geçmek ve salgınla mücadelede yürütülebilecek yeni uygulamalara ilham kaynağı yaratabilmek hedeflenmektedir.
Sonuç ve öneriler: Bu çalışmada gençlerin dört kıta, on altı farklı ülkede salgına karşı yürüttüğü iyi uygulama örneklerine mercek tutulmuştur. Dünyanın pek çok yerinde gençler, salgına karşı sağlık ve sosyal hizmet alanında yürüttükleri özverili çalışmaların yanında kendilerinden beklenenin çok ötesinde bir çabayla salgının yayılım hızının yavaşlatılması ve insanların yaşamlarında olumlu değişimler yaratılabilmesi için yiyecek ve ilaç dağıtımı, yanlış bilgilerin düzeltilmesi, önleyici tedbirlerin yaygınlaştırılması gibi önemli uygulamalar gerçekleştirmişlerdir. Bu süreçte salgına karşı verilen mücadeleye hergün daha fazla sayıda gencin katılabilmesi için onların güçlerine ve becerilerine güvenilmesi ve çalışmalarının teşvik edilmesi önemlidir.

Keywords

Pandemi, Gönüllülük, Gençlik, İyi Uygulama, Mücadele.

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