Safeguarding

Safeguarding Space

Creating spaces where young people can participate safely.
Local Safeguarding Contacts
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Local Safeguarding Contacts

Young people are at the centre of Generation Global.

Across our initiatives, we create opportunities for young people to connect, learn, share their perspectives and take action. Safeguarding is fundamental to making those experiences meaningful.
We work to create environments where young people can participate safely, openly and with confidence, while recognising that protecting children and young people from harm is everyone's responsibility.

If you have a safeguarding concern relating to Generation Global, contact safeguarding@generation.global

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action we take to promote the welfare of children and young people and protect them from harm.

Harm and abuse can take different forms, including:

  • physical abuse
  • sexual abuse or exploitation
  • psychological or emotional abuse
  • bullying or harassment
  • harm between children or young people
  • online harm.

Harm can come from adults or from other children and young people.

It is impossible to remove every risk, but everyone who takes part in, supports or delivers Generation Global activities has a role in creating environments where young people are respected and protected.

Safeguarding across Generation Global

Generation Global is a portfolio of different experiences.

Some happen online. Some take place in schools or communities. Some involve funded projects, events or advisory activities.

Safeguarding therefore needs to respond to the context in which young people are participating.

Dialogue Exchange connects young people aged 13 to 17 through digital learning, moderated Dialogue Spaces and live facilitated video conferences.

Because young people interact directly with peers from around the world, specific safeguards are built into the experience.

These include:

  • Controlled access to youth-facing spaces
  • trained moderators and facilitators
  • automated and human screening of dialogue spaces
  • safeguarding training and relevant background checks for adults working directly within the programme
  • clear protocols for protecting personal information
  • restrictions on screenshots and sharing participant content
  • clear reporting and response routes for concerns
  • Learning interventions that focus on prevention 

How Dialogue Exchange protects young people

We protect your privacy

When a young person registers for Dialogue Exchange, we collect the information needed to provide the experience.

For participants aged 13 to 17, parents or legal guardians are informed when the young person signs up.

Personal information is handled in accordance with our privacy policies and should only be collected and used where necessary.

Keep personal information personal Keep identifiable information private

We ask young people not to share personally identifiable information with other participants. 

This includes:

  • personal email addresses
  • telephone numbers
  • home addresses
  • School name
  • personal social media usernames or handles
  • other information that could allow someone to contact or locate you outside Generation Global.

We also ask participants not to take  screenshots of Dialogue Spaces, video conferences or other activities involving young people.

This helps protect both you and the other young people taking part.

Trained adults support online interaction

Dialogue Exchange uses trained moderators and facilitators to support young people in our online dialogue spaces.

Adults working directly within the programme complete safeguarding training and relevant background checks before joining the team.

Moderators support written Dialogue Spaces, while trained facilitators and technical specialists guide live video conferences.

We moderate youth-facing spaces

Dialogue Spaces are moderated.

Their purpose is to provide young people with written spaces where they can learn and practice the skills of dialogue with peers, while maintaining clear expectations about respectful and appropriate behavior online and encouraging them to apply these skills beyond the platform. 

Safeguarding does not mean preventing disagreement or difficult conversations. Dialogue Exchange is designed to create space for young people to explore complex subjects while ensuring that harmful behaviour can be identified and addressed.

We provide clear ways to report concerns

If something happens during a Generation Global activity that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or concerned for someone else, tell someone.

You can contact the Generation Global safeguarding team at safeguarding@generation.global

You can also speak to:

  • a parent, carer or guardian
  • a teacher or another trusted adult
  • the safeguarding lead at your school or organisation
  • an appropriate local safeguarding service.

If you or somebody else is in immediate danger, contact the relevant emergency services in your country.

Your rights and responsibilities

Safeguarding is also about helping young people understand how to protect themselves and one another.

Generation Global encourages young people to understand their rights and responsibilities both online and offline.

Protect your privacy

Think carefully about the information you share.

Respect other people's privacy

Do not share another person's information, images or contributions without permission.

Treat other people with respect

Different perspectives are part of Generation Global. Harassment, abuse and harmful behaviour are not.

Speak up when something feels wrong

You do not have to manage a safeguarding concern by yourself.

Look out for others

If you are worried about another young person, tell an appropriate trusted adult or report the concern.

 

Creating safe and brave spaces

Generation Global often invites young people to explore difficult questions.

A safe environment does not mean avoiding challenging ideas.

It means creating conditions where people can participate without harassment, exploitation or abuse, where boundaries are clear.  We want young people to be able to:

  • share their experiences
  • ask difficult questions
  • encounter different perspectives
  • challenge ideas respectfully
  • suspend judgement and bias
  • co-create safe and inclusive spaces
  • ask for help when they need it

If you have a safeguarding concern

If your concern relates to Generation Global, complete our report form or contact: safeguarding@generation.global

Please provide enough information for us to understand the concern and how we might contact you. If your concern relates to something happening at your school, speak to a trusted adult or an appropriate member of staff. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.

Local safeguarding contacts

Sometimes you may want to talk to someone outside Generation Global.

Below you can find organisations and helplines that may be able to provide support in different countries.

The information is provided to help young people understand the options available to them. Generation Global cannot assess individual situations in person, and this information is not a substitute for immediate support from trusted adults, local safeguarding professionals or emergency services.

Availability and contact details can change, so we cannot guarantee that every external service listed will remain available.

For parents, educators and other adults

Adults have an important role in supporting young people's participation.

If you are supporting a young person using Generation Global:

  • familiarise yourself with the activity they are joining (Dialogue Exchange, Festival of Hope, Global Youth Action Fund)
  • help them understand how to protect personal information 
  • Ensure they are clear about the community rules for engaging in safe spaces (add link)
  • encourage them to speak to you if something makes them uncomfortable
  • follow your school or organisation's safeguarding procedures where relevant
  • report Generation Global-related concerns through our safeguarding route.

Schools and organisations remain responsible for operating in accordance with local laws and recognised child protection practice.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

If you experience or witness something that concerns you while participating in Generation Global, you can tell us.

Report a concern: safeguarding@generation.global