From prevention messaging to lived experience, child rights and meaningful participation Why children affected by substance use must be part of the global conversation on prevention, recovery and public health. The right to a drug-free childhood cannot be secured through prohibition, awareness campaigns or enforcement alone. It requires safe environments, supportive families, responsive institutions and opportunities for children and young people to be heard. As the international community comes together for the Children Matter International Forum on the Right to a Drug-Free Childhood , organised by the Fourth Wave Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Kochi, Kerala, from 12–14 November 2026, an important question deserves greater attention: Are we listening to children whose lives are already affected by substance use, or are we primarily speaking about them? The forum's theme, Youth Drug Prevention in the Digital Age , brings ...
Vidya Lead Academy: Empowering Change through Learning and Leadership Under the visionary leadership of Suneel Vatsyayan, Vidya Lead Academy is dedicated to fostering experiential learning, leadership development, and social impact. Rooted in evidence-based practices, our academy empowers individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resilience needed to address critical social and health challenges. Our academy provides practical, skill-based training to create a resilient workforce.