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

Yıl 2021, Cilt: 9 Sayı: Özel Sayı, 102 - 125, 30.09.2021

Özge Sanem Özateş Gelmez

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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Pandemic, Volunteering, Youth, Best Practice, Struggle.

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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Pandemi, Gönüllülük, Gençlik, İyi Uygulama, Mücadele.

Kaynakça

• Armenian Progressive Youth (2020, 29 April). Armenian Progressive Youth (APY) Responds to Covid-19 Outbreak in Armenia, http://www.yeu-international.org/en/publications/newsmail/news/armenian-progressive-youth-apy-responds-to-covid-19-outbreak-in-armenia. Erişim tarihi: 05.07.2020
• Buijzen, J. (2020, 01 April). This Man Helps Hundreds of Amsterdam Children with Homework (And Much More), https://nos.nl/collectie/13839/artikel/2329010-deze-man-helpt-honderden-amsterdamse-kinderen-met-huiswerk-en-veel-meer. Erişim tarihi: 05.07.2020
• Dyck, D. (2020, 18 March). Medical Students Form Army of ‘Caremongers’ during Coronavirus Crisis Social Sharing. Erişim adresi: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/medical-students-army-caremongers-coronavirus-crisis-1.5500639
• Efuribe, C., Barre-Hemingway, M., Vaghefi, E., & Suleiman, A. B. (2020). Coping with the COVID-19 crisis: A call for youth engagement and the inclusion of young people in matters that affect their lives. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 67, 16-17.
• Green, P. (2020). Risks to children and young people during covid-19 pandemic. BMJ, 1-2.
• Harrisberg, K. & Ndhlovu, L. (2020, 23 July). Armed with Social Media, Zimbabwean Youth Fight Coronavirus ‘Infodemic’. Erişim adresi: https://news.trust.org/item/20200723041330-fqvs7
• International Labour Organization (ILO) (2020). Global Employment Trends for Youth 2020, ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/wcms_737 648.pdf. Erişim tarihi: 05.07.2020
• Jamal, A. (2020, 31 July). Can’t Stop the Music: Argentine Child Orchestras Play on Amid Coronavirus Lockdown. Erişim adresi: https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/can-t-stop-the-music-argentine-child-orchestras-play-on-amid-coronavirus-lockdown/story-S8lUtO1m2E8qbPGPxi0MQK.html
• Kanem, N. (2020, 12 August). Youth Leading the Way in COVID-19 Solutions, https://arabstates.unfpa.org/en/news/youth-leading-way-covid-19-solutions. Erişim tarihi: 05.09.2020
• Kyoung Mi, L. & Jihae, L. (2020, 30 April). Corona Map Creator Lee Dong-hun, http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/People/view?articleId=184759. Erişim tarihi: 05.07.2020
• Lee, J. (2020). Mental health effects of school closures during COVID-19. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(6), 421.
• Lundberg, K. & Junco, R. (2020, 14 July). Deeply Affected by the Pandemic, Youth are Committed to Helping Others, https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/deeply-affected-pandemic-youth-are-committed-helping-others. Erişim tarihi: 02.09.2020
• Marsh, S. (2020, 25 March). Haiti’s Scouts Set up Mobile Hand Washing Sinks to Ward off Coronavirus. Erişim adresi: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-03-25-haitis-scouts-set-up-mobile-hand-washing-sinks-to-ward-off-coronavirus/
• Meeting The Needs of Older People Through Solidarity, Empowerment and Data (2020, 13 August). Erişim adresi: https://www.unfpa.org/news/meeting-needs-older-people-through-solidarity-empowerment-and-data
• Obonyo, R. (2020, 01 May). Youth Key in Fight Against Coronavirus. Erişim adresi: https://blogs.worldbank.org/youth-transforming-africa/youth-key-fight-against-coronavirus
• One Young World (2020). Ambassadors Eading Action in Europe on COVID-19, https://www.oneyoungworld.com/coronavirus-response-europe. Erişim tarihi: 07.07.2020
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2020a). COVID-19: Protecting People and Societies, https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/view/?ref=126_126985-nv145m3l96&title=COVID-19-Protecting-people-and-societies. Erişim tarihi: 03.07.2020
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2020b). How’s Life 2020 Measuring Well‑Being, https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/9870c393-en.pdf?expires=1599561607&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=46505187CFAC6517EC4651730B2417D1. Erişim tarihi: 10.07.2020
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2020c). Learning Remotely When Schools Close: How Well are Students and Schools Prepared? Insights from PISA, https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/view/?ref=127_127063-iiwm328658&title=Learning-remotely-when-schools-close. Erişim tarihi: 10.07.2020
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2020, 13 May). OECD Unemployment Rate up Sharply in March 2020 with Data for April Pointing to an Unprecedented Rise, http://www.oecd.org/sdd/labour-stats/unemployment-rates-oecd-update-may-2020.htm. Erişim tarihi: 07.07.2020
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2020, 07 July). Urgent Action Needed to Stop Jobs Crisis Becoming a Social Crisis, https://www.oecd.org/newsroom/urgent-action-needed-to-stop-jobs-crisis-becoming-a-social-crisis.htm. Erişim tarihi: 10.09.2020
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2020d). Women at the Core of the Fight against COVID-19 Crisis, https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/view/?ref=127_127000-awfnqj80me&title=Women-at-the-core-of-the-fight-against-COVID-19-crisis. Erişim tarihi: 03.07.2020
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2020e). Youth and Covid-19 Response, Recovery, Resilience, https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/view/?ref=134_134356-ud5kox3g26&title=Youth-and-COVID-19-Response-Recovery-and-Resilience. Erişim tarihi: 03.07.2020
• Ragavan, M. I., Culyba, A. J., Muhammad, F. L., & Miller, E. (2020). Supporting adolescents and young adults exposed to or experiencing violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 67, 18-20.
• Report on Emergency Response on Covid-19 Epidemic Situation in Bangladesh (2020, 26 March). Erişim adresi: https://www.bracu.ac.bd/news/report-emergency-response-covid-19-epidemic-situation-bangladesh
• Šetamo Šapice: Tim Volontera Šeta Kućne Ljubimce Za Vrijeme Ograničenja U Sarajevu (2020, 28 March). Erişim adresi: https://sarajevskasehara.com/2020/03/setamo-sapice-tim-volontera-seta-kucne-ljubimce-za-vrijeme-ogranicenja-u-sarajevu/?fbclid=IwAR1fA0nvhZu3KgaGCkABmsSn5O64kRSPVlwNsEjFSShb8A-fe2F1ghk3Q38
• Tasamba, J. (2020, 06 June). Rwandan Youth Volunteers Helping Fight against COVID-19. Erişim adresi: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/rwandan-youth-volunteers-helping-fight-against-covid-19/1867456
• Thomas, T. (2020, 09 April). Two Members of South Africa’s Ndlovu Youth Choir Discuss Their Hit Song about Preventing the Spread of COVID-19. Erişim adresi: https://assembly.malala.org/stories/ndlovu-youth-choir-coronavirus-song
• United Nations (UN) (2020). 5 Things Young People can do to Join the Global #COVID19 Response, https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2020/03/5-things-young-people-can-do-against-coronavirus/. Erişim tarihi: 01.07.2020
• United Nations (UN) (2020, 27 April). Disproportionately Affected Youth must be Central to COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery Plans, Experts Tell Security Council, Stressing Their Key Role as Game-Changers, https://www.un.org/press/en/2020/sc14170.doc.htm. Erişim tarihi: 01.07.2020
• United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) (2020, 5 May). Protecting and Mobilizing Youth in COVID-19 Responses, https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/un-desa-policy-brief-67-protecting-and-mobilizing-youth-in-covid-19-responses/. Erişim tarihi: 03.07.2020
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2020). COVID-19 Impact on Education, https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse. Erişim tarihi: 01.09.2020
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2020, 30 June). Youth, Strategic Partners during the COVID-19 Crisis, https://en.unesco.org/news/youth-strategic-partners-during-covid-19-crisis. Erişim tarihi: 03.07.2020
• United Nations Population Fund Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean (UNFPA Caribbean) (2020). #CaribbeanYouthAgainstCOVID19 and #YouthAgainstCOVID19, https://caribbean.unfpa.org/en/videos?page=2 Erişim tarihi: 06.07.2020
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) & International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) (2020). COVID-19: Working with and for Young People, https://www.unfpa.org/resources/covid-19-working-and-young-people#:~:text=It%20begins%20 diagnostically%2C%20exploring %20the,with%20and%20for%20young%20people. Erişim tarihi: 10.07.2020
• Wickramanayake, J. (2020, 03 April). Meet 10 Young People Leading the COVID-19 Response in Their Communities. Africa Renewal, Erişim adresi: https://www.un.org/africarenewal/web-features/coronavirus/meet-10-young-people-leading-covid-19-response-their-communities
• Women Deliver (2020). 10 Ways Young People Are Leading the Way Against COVID-19, https://womendeliver.org/2020/10-ways-young-people-are-leading-the-way-against-covid-19/. Erişim tarihi: 06.07.2020
• World Economic Forum (WEF) (2020). How Young People Can Help Respond to The Coronavirus Outbreak, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/03/coronavirus-global-shapers-young-people-response/. Erişim tarihi: 10.07.2020