Issue 65 Sept 1998
Youth, Violence & Society
Youth, Violence & Society
After an especially brutal and horrendous act of murder by a group of middle-class youth from Brasilia, the UNESCO Brasilia office commissioned a study to look into what could have motivated this particular crime and also the alarming increase of violence and indifference to its consequences among young people. This study was coordinated by UNESCO in cooperation – among others – with WHO, UNICEF, and regional and federal authorities, involving sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists and statisticians.
In its first phase, 401 youths (14-20) answered a questionnaire – on values, views on the world, behaviour social life and the future.
In a second phase, 18 different groups composed of youths, parents and professors discussed themes raised by the study. The results showed that although
84% of the youths put their trust in family – and
64% believed that democracy is the best political system
and only...
6.7% trusted the Church,
0.7% had faith in the judicial system,
0.5% trusted the politicians and
0.2% had faith in the government.
After the result of the study was published a meeting between students, representatives of UN organisations, the Brazilian Government and media took place in which the data was discussed and proposals for action were formulated. Among these proposals were:
* to organise more studies in other Brazilian states;
* to consider cultural, ethnic, social class and gender diversities in promoting a political programme for Brazilian youth;
* to involve youth in social programmes and voluntary work to help them develop a sense of solidarity and tolerance; and
* to call on parents, teachers and authorities to work more closely together and make it a priority to develop policies for youth with their participation.
Source: UNESCO News, Jan 20, 1998, Vol.5, No.1. Address: 2UN Plaza, Room 900, New York, NY 10017, USA. Fax: (212) 963 8014, email:
Many to Many
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