The United Nations works closely with Tanzanian youth at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels through the UN Clubs. The Clubs consist of secondary school students who organize themselves to raise awareness and support understanding of the United Nations. UN Clubs at the university level are known as UN Chapters. Currently there are 221 UN Clubs in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar and 30 UN Chapters.
A network of all UN Clubs, UN Clubs Tanzania Network (UNCTN), was established in 2006. UNCTN provides a platform through which UN Clubs are brought together to play a role in development issues facing Tanzania in general, and those which affect youth in particular. The network has a structured leadership that is elected during an annual general meeting of the students.
Clubs offer students an opportunity to plan and get involved in after school activities which include: outreach, charity work and UN-related community events such as awareness raising on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), debates, radio programmes and Club meetings. Clubs also allow youth to participate in trainings, workshops and conferences in and out of the country, most notably at the national, regional and global Model UN Assembly. UN Clubs have had a great impact on young people all over Tanzania as they have given them an opportunity to voice their views and relate to an effective international organization.
The United Nations information Centre of Dar es Salaam also organizes a Fun Thursday during the last week of each month. Primary school students are invited to the UN offices in to participate in UN-related discussions. Children also have an opportunity to ask questions, listen to UN Officials and access social media networks where they communicate with youth from other countries.
The drive behind our work with the youth is to ensure the objectives of the United Nations are implemented in educational institutions of Tanzania through the active and meaningful participation of youth. In turn, the information youth share is incorporated in UN reports and shared with youth in other countries through online platforms. The UNIC library is open to students from 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Thursday and from 7:30 to 12:00pm on Fridays. There they will have access to information materials and free internet.
