Xarea
21-09-2008, 12:03 PM
http://www.sulake.com/press/releases/2008-09-18_Global_Habbo_Peace_Gathering.html
32,000 teens participate in Habbo and War Child research to reveal:
• 81 per cent of teens globally are worried about conflict
• 92 per cent of teens feel it is important for governments to intervene to stop existing conflicts
• A quarter of teens believe they will not experience a 3rd World War in their lifetime
http://www.sulake.com/export/gallery/image_bank/peace_and_love.gif
Helsinki, September 18, 2008 - Habbo, the world’s largest virtual world for teenagers, and War Child are staging the world’s largest online gathering on Friday 19th September. Raising awareness of the impact of conflict on young people, the gathering will allow teens to show their support for the UN International Day of Peace on Sunday 21st of September.
To mark this day Habbo and War Child conducted a worldwide poll to explore young people’s views on conflict. Over 32,000 teens, in 32 countries participated in the poll, revealing the importance of this issue to teens around the globe. The poll explored the fears and concerns shared by teenagers, and their awareness of conflicts such as war in Iraq, and opinions of issues such as government aid, asylum and military service.
Seven teens with whom War Child have been working with in Uganda will also take part in the virtual event, and will share their experiences of living and working in regions that have encountered conflict.
“We work with young people who have been impacted by conflict and who often do not have a platform to make their own voices heard” comments Nivi Narang, Campaigns Director, War Child. “This survey has given teenagers a platform to voice their opinions and understanding of global issues. 68 per cent of teens who took part in the survey were aware that people as young as seven are fighting as soldiers in some conflicts in the world.”
Many of the teens (41 per cent) asked thought that they would see a Third World War, in their lifetime. The survey also revealed that 92 per cent feel it is important for their governments to intervene to stop existing conflicts.
As well as giving young people a platform to discuss their worries and concerns, the survey revealed teen opinions on how governments can work together to tackle these problems. According to the survey, the majority of teens think that the UN is the most responsible for helping to stop children become victims of war (57 per cent).
The research was commissioned to coincide with the Habbo Global Peace Gathering, an event that will allow teens around the world to unite in support for the UN International Day of Peace.
“According to our survey, over 50% of teens globally think that social networking sites should be used to raise awareness of important issues, and are more effective than real-world marches or petitions submitted to governments,” comments Timo Soininen, CEO of Sulake. “Teens around the world are passionate about serious subjects and they are using new communication tools, such as virtual worlds and social networks, to make their voices heard.”
For more information visit http://www.habbo.com/groups/peacegathering (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:void%280%29;/*1221726543172*/)
About War Child International
War Child believes it is unacceptable that children continue to be victims of war and yet 66% of people who die in conflict are, in fact, children. War Child is an award-winning charity that protects children affected by war. We work with children who have been hit hardest by the joint forces of poverty, conflict and social exclusion. Our groundbreaking work with former child soldiers, street children and children in prison has supported and helped thousands who would otherwise not have been able to reintegrate with their community, gain access to education and enjoy sustainable livelihood support.
For more information visit www.warchild.org.uk (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:void%280%29;/*1221726532876*/)
32,000 teens participate in Habbo and War Child research to reveal:
• 81 per cent of teens globally are worried about conflict
• 92 per cent of teens feel it is important for governments to intervene to stop existing conflicts
• A quarter of teens believe they will not experience a 3rd World War in their lifetime
http://www.sulake.com/export/gallery/image_bank/peace_and_love.gif
Helsinki, September 18, 2008 - Habbo, the world’s largest virtual world for teenagers, and War Child are staging the world’s largest online gathering on Friday 19th September. Raising awareness of the impact of conflict on young people, the gathering will allow teens to show their support for the UN International Day of Peace on Sunday 21st of September.
To mark this day Habbo and War Child conducted a worldwide poll to explore young people’s views on conflict. Over 32,000 teens, in 32 countries participated in the poll, revealing the importance of this issue to teens around the globe. The poll explored the fears and concerns shared by teenagers, and their awareness of conflicts such as war in Iraq, and opinions of issues such as government aid, asylum and military service.
Seven teens with whom War Child have been working with in Uganda will also take part in the virtual event, and will share their experiences of living and working in regions that have encountered conflict.
“We work with young people who have been impacted by conflict and who often do not have a platform to make their own voices heard” comments Nivi Narang, Campaigns Director, War Child. “This survey has given teenagers a platform to voice their opinions and understanding of global issues. 68 per cent of teens who took part in the survey were aware that people as young as seven are fighting as soldiers in some conflicts in the world.”
Many of the teens (41 per cent) asked thought that they would see a Third World War, in their lifetime. The survey also revealed that 92 per cent feel it is important for their governments to intervene to stop existing conflicts.
As well as giving young people a platform to discuss their worries and concerns, the survey revealed teen opinions on how governments can work together to tackle these problems. According to the survey, the majority of teens think that the UN is the most responsible for helping to stop children become victims of war (57 per cent).
The research was commissioned to coincide with the Habbo Global Peace Gathering, an event that will allow teens around the world to unite in support for the UN International Day of Peace.
“According to our survey, over 50% of teens globally think that social networking sites should be used to raise awareness of important issues, and are more effective than real-world marches or petitions submitted to governments,” comments Timo Soininen, CEO of Sulake. “Teens around the world are passionate about serious subjects and they are using new communication tools, such as virtual worlds and social networks, to make their voices heard.”
For more information visit http://www.habbo.com/groups/peacegathering (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:void%280%29;/*1221726543172*/)
About War Child International
War Child believes it is unacceptable that children continue to be victims of war and yet 66% of people who die in conflict are, in fact, children. War Child is an award-winning charity that protects children affected by war. We work with children who have been hit hardest by the joint forces of poverty, conflict and social exclusion. Our groundbreaking work with former child soldiers, street children and children in prison has supported and helped thousands who would otherwise not have been able to reintegrate with their community, gain access to education and enjoy sustainable livelihood support.
For more information visit www.warchild.org.uk (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:void%280%29;/*1221726532876*/)