Youth and Peacebuilding: Executive Summary

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A report from Peace Direct

Almost four years since the historic adoption of the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution (SCR) 2250, most signatory Member States are still lagging in supporting youth-led initiatives and generating conducive environments for youth inclusion at the local level.

Despite most governments’ failure to implement this resolution and support youth-led peacebuilding initiatives, young peacebuilders around the world are charting creative and innovative ways to assert their voices, thus contributing to advancing youth inclusion in peacebuilding processes around the world. Drawing on a three-day online consultation organised by Peace Direct and United Network of Young (UNOY) Peacebuilders in April 2019 with local peacebuilders from across the world, this report shares key insights and policy recommendations to enhance youth inclusion in peacebuilding processes in light of young peacebuilders’ strengths and aspirations to transform their respective contexts.

This report forms part of Peace Direct’s Local Voices for Peace (LVP) Report series and seeks to amplify young peacebuilders’ voices and explore the different, innovative ways in which they are advancing youth inclusion in political and peacebuilding processes in their contexts. It underscores the challenges that young peacebuilders are experiencing in the implementation of SCR 2250.

Participants of the online consultation delineated the tensions that exist between their optimistic individual attitudes, behaviours, and aspirations underlying their peacebuilding efforts, and the attitudes and behaviours of policymakers toward youth-led peacebuilding initiatives. Thus, a central question that the report posits for policymakers, governments, peacebuilding organisations, research institutions, and young peacebuilders working to advance the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda is: how can we effectively support and engage the growing number of youth peacebuilders around the world? How can we ensure greater support and identify a new approach to engage youth peacebuilders? To advance youth inclusion in peacebuilding processes, it is critical that policymakers and local stakeholders choose to perceive young peacebuilders and youth in general as allies for good rather than threats to contain.

Key insights

The three-day online consultation, convened by Peace Direct and UNOY, sought to explore the innovative ways in which local young peacebuilders are advancing youth inclusion in political and peacebuilding processes in their different contexts. Participants were invited to contribute to a series of online, text-based discussions for three days. Over 140 participants from 56 countries took part. The most noteworthy insights and recommendations from the online consultation are summarised below:

* Participants of the online consultation juxtaposed the optimistic individual attitudes and behaviours of many young people driving peacebuilding efforts with the failure of policy makers to recognise and support the positive potential of youth in peacebuilding processes as agents of conflict transformation. • Most governments have thus far failed to adequately implement SCR 2250 at the local level. Youth peacebuilders face combined challenges of shrinking civic engagement spaces, limited access to individual economic opportunities or organisational funding, and a lack of transparency from governments on the implementation of the YPS Agenda. • It is important that policymakers open political spaces for youth to fully participate in both the formulation of decision-making structures and actual decision-making processes. Open dialogue is key to building trust between youth peacebuilders and policymakers.

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Question related to this article.

Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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* Despite exclusion from political and policy processes, most young people do not turn to violence as a solution for political change. However, such exclusion can exacerbate the risk of violence and radicalisation in certain contexts. • Existing gender norms can affect which youth groups can access peacebuilding processes. • To advance the inclusion of youth, and other marginalised groups such as women, in peacebuilding processes, it is critical to also recognise and account for the destructive roles these constituencies have played in conflicts — allowing appropriate transitional and restorative justice mechanisms to address past abuses. This is especially crucial in countries with histories of unaddressed past grievances in which youth were perpetrators of violence

Recommendations

Governments, multilateral actors and civil society groups should: • Recognise the force of youth peacebuilders as agents of conflict transformation and peacebuilding. Governments must urgently implement SCR 2250 and foster meaningful youth participation in peacebuilding processes through effective policies and programmes. This involves engaging youth constituencies in defining country strategies and peacebuilding processes that are reflective of their needs and aspirations.

* Support greater funding for youth groups and youth-led initiatives at local levels, for example through supporting youth peacebuilder networks and fostering local youth leadership. This should include flexible funding structures needed to build organisational sustainability at local levels.

* Improve accountability and transparency on action on YPS, such as through improved official and shadow reporting on implementation on the five pillars of SCR 2250 – namely participation, protection, prevention, partnerships, and disengagement and reintegration – as well as on the specific stipulations of SCR 2419 on youth participation in the negotiation and implementation of peace agreements.

* Undertake intersectional analyses to understand and address factors impeding the full recognition of the contributions of young women and other marginalised youth groups. It is important to promote the inclusion of girls and women in peacebuilding processes by challenging negative gender norms.

* Adapt to new ways of participation and new youth leadership models. This paradigm shift involves an awareness of youth-friendly mechanisms and tools such as youth MP quotas, youth advisory councils, dedicated youth programmes, and social media to stimulate their full contribution in social and political matters.

* Continue to build the evidence around young people’s contributions to peacebuilding in diverse conflict contexts.

* Support the establishment of intergenerational councils to discuss challenges related to youth inclusion in peacebuilding. These councils would provide permanent platforms for intergenerational participation in the policymaking process and should be composed of elders, political leaders, policymakers, and youth representatives from all backgrounds—especially those most affected by conflict.

To read the report in full, visit https://www.peacedirect.org/publications/youth-and-peacebuilding/.

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Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot educators and activists speak about building peace

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from In Cyprus

Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot educators and activists shared their efforts to build peace in Cyprus in the context of an open day plenary meeting of the 43rd International Institute for Peace Education which is taking place in the Nicosia buffer zone this week [July 23-28].


In 2018, a total of 328 Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot pupils together with 47 accompanying teachers were given the opportunity to visit Strasbourg in the context of the Euroscola programme, head of the European Parliament’s office in Cyprus Andreas Kettis told the conference, in his address.

Kettis said that Euroscola is a pioneering programme implemented by the European Parliament. It is addressed to high school pupils between 16 and 18 years of age, who travel to Strasbourg and in essence perform the duties of MEPs from all 28 EU member states. Teachers, he added, also have the opportunity to mingle and exchange best practices.

He also informed the conference of “together. eu”, a platform introduced by the European Parliament at the end of May. We want to listen to you, to hear your views about how the EU should function in the future, he told participants who hail from EU countries.

Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) Co- President and board member of the Home of Cooperation Kyriakos Pachoulides outlined the idea behind the association’s establishment and the Home of Cooperation. The association, he said, envisioned a society in which dialogue on issues of history, historiography, history teaching and history learning is welcomed as an integral part of democracy and is considered as a means for the advancement of historical understanding and critical thinking.

He showed photos from the 1960s where it is evident that the road outside the Home of Cooperation, located in the buffer zone in Nicosia, used to be a scene of armed conflict. Referring to the symbolic reason behind the decision to operate the Home of Cooperation in the buffer zone he noted that “we wanted to show to the people in Cyprus that peace is an option.” Questioning the conflict and the results of the conflict is an option, he said, adding that “we can build a better future for our children.” Our decision, he noted, was to change the “dead zone” as it is known in the Greek Cypriot community and to transform it to a zone for cooperation.

Huseyin Akansoy and Christos Efthymiou spoke of the work done by their bicommunal initiative “Together We Can”. It is a team of relatives of missing persons who in Akansoy’s words “carry a message of change by bringing people together.”

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Question for this article:

Can Cyprus be reunited in peace?

Where is peace education taking place?

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“The pain of relatives of missing persons is the same and has nothing to do with ethnicity,” he noted, adding that the alternative to hatred is “finding our truth.” Together, as Turkish and Greek Cypriots, he said, it is important to be aware of each-others pain.

On his part, Christos Efthymiou said the initiative is a common platform of dialogue and action to raise public awareness regarding the events surrounding the violence which took place in the past and work towards minimising the exploitation of the common suffering to promote nationalism.

“Coming to terms with the violence of our past is very significant,” he said. In the context of the initiative relatives of victims from both sides working together develop a sense of common pain. When relatives of victims talk to open bicommunal meetings the results are remarkable, he added.

Zuhal Mustafaogullari and Stavros Stavrou spoke about their experience as teachers when taking part in the project “Imagine”, a confidence building measure implemented by AHDR which brings school students together from both communities.

Mustafaogullari said she teaches history in Turkish occupied Famagusta. She said that the project was a dream which would become reality with difficulty. When it was announced, she remembers that everyone wanted to take part and they had to have a draw. In the end, it was an outstanding day, she said, adding that on the way back in the bus the students were singing songs of peace. She spoke of the need for the programme to continue and to even have exchange programmes between schools.

Stavrou who teaches in a lyceum in Paphos said that many of Greek Cypriot students had never met Turkish Cypriots. We spoke with all students and found 25 participants and that before the day they travelled to Nicosia and the Home of Cooperation they had workshops to prepare the students. He said that he would not have believed it if he had been told before that in less than 3 hours the students would become friends.

Sener Elcil from KTOS union of Turkish Cypriot teachers and Apostolos Skouroupatis on behalf of POED union of Greek Cypriot elementary school teachers spoke of the cooperation between the unions and the work done to promote a culture of peace.

Elcil said that we need to internalise the peace culture. Peace means dialogue, tolerance, communication, equality, gender equality, he noted, adding that it has a holistic meaning and is embedded in our daily lives. According to Elcil education is the most influential instrument to promote peace among people. He went on outlining all the bicommunal action the union takes in cooperation with other Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot teachers’ unions.

On his part, Skouroupatis said that much has been achieved in recent years with teachers organising activities which have to do with things Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have in common. The programme Imagine, he said, was a very successful effort, because through it, students had an experience of been in touch in a setting of mutual respect and mutual understanding. He also said that unions make an effort to be in close contact and to issue joint declarations and organise joint marches, adding that there still room for improvement.

The meeting which brings together 75 participants from 35 countries is organised by the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research and the International Institute on Peace Education, is under the aegis of European Parliament President, it is supported by the office of the European Parliament in Cyprus and it is funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Europe

Venezuela: the culture of nonviolence is replicated in Petare

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from Cronica Uno

The Diploma in Leadership and Management of the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence is in its second year of application. Cristian and Patri are among a score of boys (many of them already university students) who want to replicate the knowledge needed to attain the culture of peace at the Manuel Aguirre school, located in the neighborhood 24 de Marzo de Petare, Caracas.


“I am 19 years old and I am pleased”, says Cristian Chacón expressing with his body as well as words that he wants to help others and thus attain the culture of nonviolence.

He does social advocacy work. When he graduated from Bachiller he joined an organization called Une Futuro, which works in the formation of leaders with positive influence.

For two years he took part in the training. The first year was personal growth and in the second year, together with his classmates, he presented the project “Youth without diapers”, which was judged among the 10 best in Latin America.

Cristian wanted to continue training as a leader for the common good and so he entered the Diploma in Leadership and Management of the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence that is carried out with the partnership of the organizations Opportunity CA, Monte Ávila University, ReconciliAcción and Mujeres for Citizenship

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(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

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For five hours they give talks, shared tools, help develop life projects, and talk about how to achieve nonviolence, even living in a dangerous place.

“And we found that the students have dreams and that like us they want a better future for the country. What we do is show them with examples of life that this path can be reached and that communication reduces hostility, for example. I apply that with my family, I did it in my building and I have had results “, said Cristian.

The Manuel Aguirre School serves a population of 1200 students from First Grade to Fourth Year. You get there by going up La Bombilla, going through narrow streets, in which you can see children walking with bottles on their backs. “Violence is not only when there are weapons or drugs, also what is seen in the neighborhood with the failure of the services is a type of violence and many do not know how to channel that,” says Patri Carrasquel, 19, one of the social leaders that together with Cristian advance the program “Sé, Piensa, Haz Paz” in the sectors of the Sucre and El Hatillo municipalities.

She studied at the Madre Emilia school in Los Dos Caminos and became involved with the Pelicano religious-social movement, which consists of giving orientation and instilling values ​​to the children and providing social assistance in asylums and shelters.

Nowadays she is the national secretary of that movement, which is in five cities of the country and in Peru. “But I wanted to receive more leadership training to be able to continue helping and I found this environment where there are 50 young people doing this, creating awareness and supporting change”.

She is studying International Studies and is in the world of modeling. However, among her main objectives is social work.

All the youth seeking the diploma are scholars. 1200 dollars is paid by the European Community for each of them. The result is that they become agents of change and reconciliation, becoming citizens able to achieve alliances for community projects and create spaces for opportunities.

The next cohort of the diploma begins on June 12, lasts 12 academic hours. More information is available through the networks @oportunidadac, @mujeryciudadania, @peopleinneedcz and @ueenvenezuela.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Mexico: USEBEQ and UAQ train teachers in culture of peace

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from El Queretano (Translation by CPNN)

In order that teachers, administrative and technical teachers of the state can advance in their studies and develop skills in conflict conciliation, assertive communication and culture of peace, a new diploma is being developed by USEBEQ [Unidad de Servicios para la Educación Basica en el Estado de Querétaro] and UAQ [Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro].

This is the diploma “History of Peace Studies, Human Rights and Peace”, aimed at teachers, technical technicians, managers, supervisors and technical pedagogical advisers in basic education.


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(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

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The Director of Quality and Educational Innovation of the USEBEQ, said that the Diploma will allow participants to acquire skills in conflict conciliation, assertive communication, community building and education methodologies and culture of peace.

The State Secretary of Education promotes through the “Continuous Improvement Route” that teachers are trained to have additional pedagogical tools and knowledge. The goal is to benefit students of basic education with more teachers who are better prepared to develop their plans, programs and academic content, “said the official.

The official added that this program will train teachers to promote environments of respect and dignified treatment among students who are different, but equal in rights. The training improves relations and understanding based on respect, solidarity, justice and attachment to human rights.

This diploma is taught at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the UAQ, with a duration of 120 hours; of which 75 are face-to-face and 45 online. It will conclude on August 2 of this year with the participation of 36 basic education teachers.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

SADC and United Nations honor Nelson Mandela

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An article in the Jornal de Angola (translation by CPNN)

In recognition of Nelson Mandela’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom of peoples, the executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Stergomena L. Tax rendered homage to Nelson Mandela “Madiba” for his realization of peace, freedom and social justice in South Africa and in the consolidation of democracy on the continent and in the world.


Mandela was remembered yesterday, Photography: DR

Stargomena Tax said that Nelson Mandela represents the symbol of democracy and freedom not only for the people of South Africa, but also the southern region of the continent and the world. “After 10 years, the world continues to reaffirm its commitment to honor and honor the man who has done everything for the liberation of his people and for peace in the world,” the statement said.

July 18 marks the date of Nelson Mandela’s birth and was established as the Day of the South African leader in December 2009 by the United Nations General Assembly.

It is celebrated every year around the world as Mandela Day.

The SADC executive secretary reaffirmed in the communiqué the commitment of Africans to honor Mandela’s achievements as a legacy for the preservation of peace, the consolidation of democracy and the sustainable development of member countries.

For his achievements, Mandela received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

Under the leadership of Mandela the South African Government focused on the dismantling of apartheid, combating institutionalized racism, poverty, inequality and promoting racial reconciliation.

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Questions related to this article:

Where in the world can we find good leadership today?

What is the legacy of Nelson Mandela for us today?

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Homage in New York

“With hate speech casting a growing shadow around the world, Nelson Mandela’s calls for social cohesion and an end to racism are particularly relevant today,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said yesterday. “Nelson Mandela was such an extraordinary global defender of dignity and equality that anyone in the public service should emulate,” Guterres said.

As “one of the most emblematic and inspiring leaders of our time, Nelson Mandela was an example of courage, compassion and commitment to freedom, peace and social justice.”

“He lived by these principles and was prepared to sacrifice his freedom and even life for them,” Guterres said. “As we work collectively for peace, stability, sustainable development, and human rights for all, it would be well to remember the example given to us by Nelson Mandela. Our best tribute is actions,” he added.

The statement recognized the period from 2019 to 2028 as the Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace. Mandela or Madiba, as he is affectionately known to South Africans is remembered for his humility and compassion, while acknowledging his contribution to the struggle for democracy and the promotion of a culture of peace.

“Over the course of 67 years, Mandela has dedicated his life to the service of humanity as a human rights lawyer and international mediator for peace and social justice,” he said. In allusion to all the time of his work, Nelson Mandela International Day suggests that each person spend 67 minutes helping others.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, and died on December 5, 2013, and was the first black man to serve as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, elected in a multiracial and fully representative Free South Africa. Although initially committed to nonviolent protest in 1961, Mandela led a campaign against government targets. In 1962 he was arrested, tried and convicted for conspiracy against the Government and sentenced to life imprisonment. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison.

As President, he established a new Constitution and established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights violations in the country.

Mandela received more than 250 awards from around the world in recognition of his commitment to others.

Several public activities were carried out by United Nations officials and delegates in an initiative organized by the New York authorities.

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The Non-aligned Movement must continue to defend respect for sovereignty and the right to self-determination

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An article from Television de Venezuela (translation by CPNN)

“The Movement of Non-Aligned Countries (MNOAL) must continue to strongly defend respect for sovereignty, the right to self-determination, international solidarity, as well as peace and the development of all peoples, including those who remain under the yoke of foreign domination and occupation, “said on Saturday the president of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), Maria Fernanda Espinosa.

In a video broadcast at the Ministerial Meeting of the MNOAL Coordination Bureau, which took place in the city of Caracas with the participation of 120 international delegations, she said that since its inception the Mnoal became and continues to be a strategic partner for the United Nations, by having almost 2/3 of the membership and 55% of the world population.

In this regard, she said that the participation of this body is essential to respond to the great challenges facing society: eradicate poverty, reduce inequality, protect the environment and ensure health, education and decent work for all people.

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Question(s) related to this article:

What is the United Nations doing for a culture of peace?

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She argued that both organizations agree on the objective of maintaining peace and preventing conflicts, promoting dialogue, cooperation and fair solutions.

She recognized the leadership of Venezuela in this instance for bringing together 120 member countries and applauded that the MNOAL has promoted the declaration of the International Day of Mutilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, which was commemorated for the first time on April 24 of this year in a plenary session. High Level of the General Assembly. “On that occasion, with your support and leadership, we achieved a clear message in defense of an international system based on the rule of law.”

In addition Espinosa remarked that we live in a critical moment faced with the danger of resurgent extreme nationalisms, narratives of confrontation and threats of the use of force or the imposition of unilateral coercive measures contrary to international law. These contradict the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and undermine the dignity of peoples.

The President of the 73rd Regular Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, described multilateralism and international law as the only formula to achieve a true and sustainable peace.

She said that next September 13, she will convene a High Level meeting on the Culture of Peace, on the occasion of the 20 years of the emblematic declaration and Action Program on the Culture of Peace.

She will continue to advocate a culture of peace and respectful dialogue among nations.

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Iraqi group spreads tolerance and peace through art

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article by Oumayma Omar from The Arab Weekly

Walking into the traditional Baghdadi house, one is amazed by the number of artworks displayed in the yard and on walls of the building’s spacious rooms.

Beit Tarkeeb, in Baghdad’s Karrada neighbourhood, is a platform for a variety of art forms and where young Iraqis can train, learn and expose their work covering visual arts, performing arts, films, music, literature, photography and interior design.

Communicating through art. Visitors at Beit Tarkeeb in Baghdad’s Karrada neighbourhood.(Oumayma Omar)

“Our goal is to spread the culture of peace and its values. Art is our means to communicate our principles and alternatives to rampant violence wrecking the Iraqi society,” said Zeid Saad, 27, an artist and founding member of Beit Tarkeeb.

“We are an NGO that promotes contemporary arts for young talents aged 15-35 who wish to express their ideas through a variety of art genres, especially music, acting and dancing.”

Since its founding in 2015, Beit Tarkeeb has been organising the Baghdad Contemporary Art Festival, which is the only festival in Iraq that features young artists in artistic specialities such as contemporary art, literature, music, cinema and theatre.

A large installation of twisted and dangling wires captures visitors’ attention because of its unusual shape.

“It is the work of a young participant in a recent exhibition who wanted to raise awareness about the problem of poor power supply and the incredible amount of electrical wires on the streets of Baghdad,” Saad explained.

“Contemporary art is something new in Iraq and not many people understand the message the artists are trying to convey. Each work has an idea behind it and seeks to raise a problem that is affecting the society without directly touching on politics, religion or gender.”

“Art is not meant to cause conflict or controversy but constructive change. We believe in art’s ability to positively affect fellow Iraqis and foster the aspired change,” Saad added.

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Question for this article:

A culture of peace in Iraq, Is it possible?

Do the arts create a basis for a culture of peace?, What is, or should be, their role in our movement?

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Artists in Beit Tarkeeb stage surprise musical and theatre performances on the streets of Baghdad.

“The idea is to share with the public, not to be confined in a closed space,” Saad said. “Beit Tarkeeb succeeded in breaking conventional approaches through its performances, workshops and training courses with the support of European institutions advocating contemporary art.”

With the support of Germany’s GIZ, the group organises “art therapy” sessions during which participants play music with utensils and housewares. “Through these sessions participants work on expelling negative energy and replacing it with positivity. At the end they perform before an audience which helps them to gain hope and self-confidence,” Saad explained.

Beit Tarkeeb also offers therapy through reading and discussion of books chosen by therapists. They have a weekly Open Projector Night to present works from local and regional film-makers and Art Lecture Lab once a month, which is a public lecture series presented by specialists and devoted to the study and development of arts and sciences.

The artists at Beit Tarkeeb come from different backgrounds, different regions and various art fields but they unite under the shared goal of conveying peace. Some came from Mosul, where they lived under the tyrannical rule of the Islamic State.

Art therapies are designed to deal with post-war traumas and to spread a culture of tolerance and non-violence by promoting the principle of civil peace and preventing acts of reprisals, Saad said. National concerns, such as the absence of the rule of law and justice, corruption or widespread unemployment, feature heavily in discussions as well as concerns about tribal justice and punishment and the proliferation of weapons outside government control.

Atef Jaffal, an 18-year-old contemporary interior designer and volunteer worker with Beit Tarkeeb, speaks about his work with passion.

“I want to be part of this place that will propel contemporary art through the great support it is offering the youth without any charge,” he said. “Beit Tarkeeb gives young talents complete freedom in practising their art and using the place. That helps develop their artistic skills without pressure or preconditions.”

Mina Hamed, 16, was rushing to the drawing workshop in the building’s basement carrying her colour tubes, brushes and canvas. “I have been passionate about drawing since childhood. When I learned about the summer sessions at Tarkeeb, I couldn’t wait for school to finish. I wish to study medicine and art. There is no harm in practising both,” she said with a big smile.

Outside the restored Baghdadi house, contemporary artworks, including sculptures, installations and paintings, are featured on walls and in different corners of the yard.

“I am confident that Beit Tarkeeb will constitute a milestone in the course of Iraqi art. We aspire to be the nucleus from which contemporary arts in the country will expand,” Saad said.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Mideast

Angola: ISTP Holds International Symposium on Culture of Peace

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article in Noticias de Angola

The Instituto Superior Politécnico Tocoísta (ISPT), in Luanda, will hold an International Symposium on the Culture of Peace in its auditorium next Monday, on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of this month [July].


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Questions for this article:

What is the relation between peace and education?

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According to a press release arrived at NA, the event aims to discuss the perspectives of Culture and Peace.

The note also indicates that they will be discussion on topics such as Social Justice, Democracy, Welfare, Cultural Profitability, Social Development, and University Mobility.

It will have an inaugural conference on Higher Education as a factor of development in Africa and Angola, five panels structured around the activities of experts from Howard University, University of Lisbon, State University of Bahia, Fernando Pessoa University, among others.

The specific objective of the Symposium is to consider the creation of a Masters in African and African American Studies in Political Science (Sociology) with Howard University [in the US] and Bahia State University [in Brazil].

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‘Young people care about peace’: UN Youth Envoy delivers key message to Security Council

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An article from the United Nations Press Service

After visiting refugee camps in Jordan, UN-backed schools in Gaza, municipalities in Kosovo and Youth Councils in Denmark, the UN’s Youth Envoy visited the Security Council on Wednesday [July 17] with a simple message from the field that “young people care about peace”.

However, Jayathma Wickramanayake made clear that “young women and men still suffer from stereotypes, myths and policy panics that harm their agency and affect realizing their full potential for peace”. 

She blamed the susceptibility to being labelled on a “small minority” of young people attracted to extremism and “fueled” by the victimization of youth, “especially young women.”

The principal consequence of framing young people as “a problem to be solved and a threat to be contained”, according to Ms. Wickramanayake, is that it contributes to their “marginalization and stigmatization”. 

Moreover, she flagged that it “detrimentally skews youth, peace and security programmatic responses towards hard security approaches and away from prevention”, while ignoring the fact that “most young people are in fact not involved in violence”. 

Youth, peace and security

The Council first addressed youth, peace and security in 2015 with an open debate on the “role of youth in countering violent extremism and promoting peace”. That led to the adoption of resolution 2250, which, among other things, urged Member States to provide young people with a conducive environment for violence-prevention activities and peacebuilding efforts. 

It also mandated an independent study on youth, peace and security that later served as the basis for resolution 2419, which recognizes the key role of young people in conflict prevention.
 
Ms. Wickramanayake cited these resolutions as important in today’s world of growing terrorism, organized crime and extremist violence, to “make sure that perspectives on youth are not distorted by contagious stereotypes that associate young people with violence”. 

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(Click here for a French version of this article.)

 

Question related to this article.

Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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The youth envoy also addressed the need to protect young peacebuilders whose activities put them in the spotlight. 

“In the past months I have noticed with grave concern, incidents of young peacebuilders and young human rights defenders being subjected to threats, intimidation, violence, arbitrary arrest and retaliation by State and non-State Actors”, she said.

“I would like to recall and remind all of us with great emphasis that ‘protection’ is an integral pillar of the resolution 2250”, she stressed, calling on governments to “uphold and protect the fundamental rights of young people, including their freedom of expression both online and offline”. 

She reminded the Council that the Youth, Peace and Security agenda is being recognized and institutionalized within the UN as “core” to the Organization’s priorities for young people, and that the UN Youth Strategy, Youth 2030, identifies peace and resilience building as “one of its five core priorities for the UN System’s work for and with young people”. 

“With this first-ever UN Youth Strategy, we have set out on a new path and will support young people in all their diversity in accessing education, decent work, social protection and their health, while we will stand with young people when they oppose injustice and will work with them to prevent conflict and build peace”, maintained Ms. Wickramanayake.  

Through this, “the UN System will promote an environment that recognizes young people’s important and positive contributions to peace and security, while creating safe spaces and expanding opportunities for young people”, she added. 

We Are Here

With a nod to the First International Symposium on Youth Participation in Peace Processes, which was held last March in Finland, the youth envoy officially launched the policy paper WE ARE HERE: An Integrated Approach to Youth-Inclusive Peace Processes.
“I hope this is the beginning of a process…for concrete actions to bring peace”, she said. 

Ms. Wickramanayake also announced that Qatar would host the second Symposium in 2020, focusing on young women’s participation in peace processes, which she hopes “will be a good opportunity to further explore the interlinkages between resolutions 2250 and 1325”.

Sustainable peace must be democratized “to include the communities most affected”, she said, arguing that “young people are our best chance in succeeding at that”. 

(Thank you to Phyllis Kotite, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

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Youth, Peace, Security Agenda Starting to Make Difference for Young People in Conflict Zones, But Much Work Remains, Advocates Tell Security Council

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An article from the United Nations Press Service

The Security Council’s youth, peace and security agenda is beginning to make a difference for young people in conflict zones and other vulnerable situations, but much work remains to effectively incorporate their voices, energy and ideas into efforts to build and sustain peace, youth advocates told the 15-member organ today.

Wevyn Muganda, Programme Director for HAKI Africa, a national human rights organization in Kenya, said that, if fully implemented, the youth, peace and security agenda can transform the lives of young people and societies.  She went on to describe her Sundays spent with young people in informal “chill spots”, known in Mombasa as maskani, where she connects with influencers and activists.  She added that her blog, “Beyond the Lines”, has helped to build an online community of peacebuilders and activists.  “[United Nations] Security Council resolution 2250 (2015) has secured me and my young peers a seat in the car,” she said, emphasizing that young people must be at the wheel to reach the desired destination.  She noted, however, that police have been accused of entering these spaces to harass and illegally arrest young people.

Sofia Ramyar, Executive Director of Afghans for Progressive Thinking, said that the bombing of her family’s home in 1995 and life as a refugee in Pakistan led her to work for peaceful coexistence in Afghanistan, with human rights for all.  “I want to assure you that the youth, peace and security agenda is preparing a generation of young women and men in Afghanistan that will lead our country towards peace, development and prosperity,” she said, while acknowledging that hierarchical relationships between men and women, as well as between elders and youth, remain dominant.  “This needs to change,” she stressed.

Jayathma Wickramanayake, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Youth, said “our effort to build and sustain peace needs to be democratized to include the communities most affected”, pointing out that young people provide the best chance for achieving that.  In an increasingly globalized world, Member States must keep going back to Security Council resolutions 2250 (2015) and 2419 (2018) to ensure that youth perspectives are not distorted by stereotypes that associate young people with violence, she emphasized.  With 408 million of the world’s 1.8 billion young people living in contexts affected by armed conflict, “we need to engage young people not only as beneficiaries, but as equal partners in all our efforts, especially our efforts to prevent conflict and build peace”, she added.

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Question related to this article.

Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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In the ensuing debate, Council members agreed on the importance of giving young people a bigger say in peace and security matters, with many underscoring the need to address root causes of conflict, combat terrorism and violent extremism, provide better education and dignified employment, promote the rights of women and girls, and address the challenges of climate change.

Equatorial Guinea’s representative, speaking also on behalf of Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, urged support for national Governments and regional organizations in implementing the youth, peace and security agenda at the national level.  With many young people living in fragile countries, especially in Africa, the African Union attaches great importance to youth inclusion, he said.  Several African countries are working with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to support initiatives for reducing the radicalization of young people, he noted.

Kuwait’s representative said many young people in the Middle East face challenges to the attainment of their aspirations, with poverty depriving them of the right to dignity and terrorism hijacking their innocence.  He went on to highlight progress in implementing the youth, peace and security agenda in such places as Colombia, Iraq and Kosovo.

Indonesia’s representative declared:  “It is time that we transform our youth from a demographic dividend into a peace dividend,” emphasizing that the youth, peace and security agenda is not meant for Council members alone, but for all Member States.  He went on to cite his country’s experience in empowering young people to combat radicalization, including its adoption of legislation integrating youth empowerment into the national development plan.

The representative of the United States said the Council should hear directly from young people more often.  While diplomats spend a lot of time talking behind closed doors, the reality is that young people are driving and setting the political agenda, she noted.  “They are the change that is happening,” working to end tyranny and speaking up for human rights and accountability, she added.

Agreeing that the United Nations must pay greater attention to youth, the Russian Federation’s representative emphasized, however, that the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and their subsidiary bodies are better placed to address the subject.  Bringing it before the Council does not help the work of the Special Envoy on Youth, he said, warning also that some external players use radicalized youth to overthrow legitimate Governments.

Also speaking today were representatives of the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Dominican Republic, France, Poland, Belgium and Peru.

(click here for the full text of their statements.)

(Thank you to Phyllis Kotite, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

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