UNITED NATIONS, New York — When a 26-year-old street vendor in Tunisia set fire to himself in an act of desperation, he also ignited a flame of protest that rocked the entire Arab region. Youth’s involvement in the ‘Arab spring’ has been unprecedented.

Using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, protests by young people against human rights violations, unemployment and the status quo spread throughout the region. From Tunisia to Egypt, their voices were heard around the world. “Youth in Arab states have had an incredible sense of responsibility, and have therefore renewed the idea of the universality of human rights,” says Mona Kaidbey, Deputy Director of UNFPA’s Technical Division.

Click here for more information