The Primer NewsDesk
UNICEF-led Youth4Water Plus, along with U Report India, launched the Online Chatbot at event in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
U-Report is a social messaging tool and data collection system developed by UNICEF to improve youth engagement, inform leaders, and foster positive change. The programme sends SMS polls and alerts to its participants, collects real-time responses, and subsequently publishes the gathered data. Issues polled include health, education, water, sanitation, and hygiene; youth unemployment; HIV/AIDS; disease outbreaks; etc.
Shipra Saxena, WASH and CCES Specialist, UNICEF:
“Climate Change is now the biggest challenge for all of us. We believe in the power of youth engagement and technology to drive positive change. Through this initiative, we aim to amplify youth voices, raise awareness, and inspire a new generation of climate champions”.
This innovative initiative aims to revolutionise Water, Health, and Sanitation (WASH) and Climate Change advocacy by leveraging technology and engaging young people in the area of Climate Change and a sustainable future.
As global warming and climate change become critical challenges worldwide, it is crucial to involve youth and harness the power of technology to find innovative solutions. The Youth4WaterPlus chatbot programme on U-Report provides a platform for young individuals from all corners of the globe to share their stories, concerns, and ideas on combating Climate Change issues.
Amitayush Priyadarshi, Digital Communication and Youth Engagement Officer at UNICEF:
“The chatbot utilizes an interactive and user-friendly interface to facilitate active participation in discussions surrounding water conservation, access to clean water, sanitation, and climate change challenges. By breaking down barriers of language, location, and time zones, the chatbot ensures inclusivity and accessibility for a diverse global audience”.
The programme currently has 260,000 U-Reporters in India and 28 million globally in 95 countries.
