Global Youth Partnership Project against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (YPP):

The ECPAT Global Youth Partnership Project (YPP) is grounded on child rights principles that recognize children and youth as legitimate social actors and rights holders, not welfare beneficiaries.

This project, for child survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and children from vulnerable communities, is an innovative initiative designed to empower and build the capacity of children and young people to take the lead in the fight against commercial sexual exploitation. It gives young people training and support to develop the knowledge and skills to help themselves and their peers to create positive changes in their lives. It encourages young people’s participation in social activism to raise public awareness and to demand better protection of their rights from the decision makers.

Since 2005, ECPAT International has been conducting a similar Youth Partnership Project for child survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in South Asia – specifically in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. This project has been very successful at creating a positive psycho-social impact on the lives of the children involved and continues to expand and develop. Learn more about YPP in South Asia at: http://www.yppsa.org/

Since the beginning of 2009, ECPAT International has replicated the successful model from South Asia in 15 countries from 5 regions around the globe including:

· Africa

· East Asia

· South Asia

· Latin America, and

· Eastern Europe and CIS.

In collaboration with ECPAT International and its local partners, the YPP youth in these countries will work to improve the lives of child survivors and advocate for greater engagement and accountability from the adults at the community, national and international level to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children.