Youth, peace and security: a guide
The global Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda recognizes the vital role young people play in building and sustaining peace. The agenda stems from the landmark , adopted in 2015, which acknowledged youth's positive contributions to conflict prevention, resolution, and post-conflict peacebuilding. The resolution urges countries to include youth in all levels of peace processes and decision-making.
Why do we need a YPS agenda?
Young people are disproportionately affected by conflict, often comprising the majority of those recruited into armed groups, displaced from their homes, or denied essential services. However, the YPS agenda goes beyond viewing youth solely as victims. It emphasizes their agency and potential as peacebuilders. Young people bring energy, innovation, and a vested interest in creating a more peaceful future. They are often at the forefront of grassroots movements, using technology and social media to mobilize communities and advocate for change.
The YPS agenda focuses on five key pillars: participation, protection, prevention, partnerships, and disengagement and reintegration. This framework aims to empower young people, ensure their rights are protected, prevent their involvement in violence, improve their access to education, jobs and other opportunities, foster collaborations, and support meaningful reintegration for those previously involved in conflict. Ultimately, YPS calls for investing in youth and recognizing their potential to build a more peaceful and secure future for all.
The future is young
Today's youth generation is the largest the world has ever seen. Half of the world's population is under 30, and this is expected to reach 57 per cent by the end of 2030. As the inheritors of our planet, young people have the most to lose from inaction on issues like conflict, inequality, and climate change. We have witnessed their power to drive change through movements demanding climate action, racial justice, and gender equality. They are also innovators in fields like technology and business.
Yet, young people are largely excluded from the decision-making tables where their future is being shaped. This is true at the national level, where youth councils often have little influence, and at the international level, where their participation in discussions on peace, sustainable development, and human rights remains limited. Young people are frustrated with this tokenism. They want a real seat at the table, to be involved in the entire decision-making process, and for their voices to genuinely matter.
The YPS agenda isn't about appeasing youth; it's about making better decisions and building trust in institutions. Young people¡¯s willingness to think big and long-term is what the world needs to secure a better future for everyone ¡ª a future in which they have the biggest stake.
Meaningful youth engagement
Today, although a significant portion of the world's population is under 30, young people make up only worldwide, and the average age of world leaders is 62.
According to the 2021 , conducted by the UN Youth Office and the Body Shop, 76 per cent of participants under 30 felt that politicians don't listen to young people.
Now imagine a world where the voices shaping our future are as diverse as the future itself¡ªwhere the energy and idealism of youth ignite solutions to our biggest challenges. This isn't a pipe dream; it's a necessity.
Meaningful youth engagement isn't about ticking boxes or adding young faces to a photo op. It's about recognizing the unique perspectives and lived experiences youth bring to the table. It's about empowering them to co-create solutions, challenge the status quo, and hold decision-makers accountable. Research has proven that when youth are genuinely included, policies become more responsive, innovative, and sustainable.
When they are not, policies risk becoming tokenistic, resulting in decision-making divorced from young people's lived realities, expertise, and solutions. Consequently, trust and confidence in public institutions erode, and policymaking is rendered less effective.
Meaningful youth engagement isn't just about giving young people a voice; it's about amplifying the voices they already possess. It's about building trust, fostering collaboration, and unlocking the transformative potential of a generation ready to shape a better world. The time for meaningful youth participation isn't tomorrow; it's now.
Protection from violence
Protecting young civilians from violence requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both the immediate and underlying causes of their vulnerability. This includes ensuring access to education, skills training, and jobs, and promoting equality in all its forms. We must address the root causes of violence, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination, while also promoting gender equality and challenging harmful social norms.
Sustainable peace requires addressing the root causes of conflict, and that often means empowering young people with opportunities. Moreover, it is crucial to ensure that young people are meaningfully involved in designing and implementing protection mechanisms.
Their voices and experiences must be central to efforts to prevent violence and create safe and resilient communities. By empowering young people and providing them with platforms to advocate for their rights, we can build a protective environment where they can thrive and reach their full potential.
Youth empowerment
According to the , more than 260 million young people globally do not have access to education, employment, or any form of meaningful training. And two-thirds of them are young women.
Building peace requires tapping into the diverse talents and experiences of all young people. This means recognizing and dismantling the barriers faced by marginalized youth, including young women, those from minority groups, and those with disabilities. Providing tailored support, mentorship, and resources ensures that every young person, regardless of background, can contribute their unique skills and perspectives to building lasting peace.
During post-conflict periods, the successful reintegration of young people affected by armed conflict requires a holistic approach. Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programmes must be tailored to address the specific needs and vulnerabilities of youth, considering their experiences and aspirations.
Recognizing the crucial link between education, employment, and training in preventing marginalization and fostering long-term social and economic reintegration remains key. By providing opportunities for youth to acquire skills, build livelihoods, and contribute positively to their communities, we can break the cycle of violence and pave the way for sustainable peace.
Ultimately, cultivating a culture of peace starts with young people. Promoting tolerance, intercultural dialogue, and intergenerational understanding helps break down stereotypes and prejudices that fuel conflict. By empowering youth to become active agents of peace, we create a ripple effect that transforms communities and promotes a more harmonious and inclusive society.
Working together with and for young people
Investing in young people is not just a moral imperative; it's a strategic investment in our collective future. Partnerships play a crucial role in amplifying the impact of youth-focused peacebuilding initiatives.
The UN Peacebuilding Commission, for example, serves as a vital platform for coordinating efforts and channeling resources toward programmes that address the needs and aspirations of young people in conflict-affected areas. By fostering collaboration between governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector, we can create a multiplier effect that empowers youth to become agents of positive change.
Youth, peace, and security are inextricably linked. When youth are marginalized and denied opportunities, societies become more vulnerable to conflict and instability. Conversely, when youth are empowered and engaged, they become powerful drivers of peace and progress. Recognizing their agency and investing in their potential is an essential strategy for building a more secure, just, and sustainable world for all.