Young people’s participation in peacebuilding – a practice note

The UN Inter-Agency Working Group on Youth Participation in Peacebuilding, which UNOY Peacebuilders co-chairs with the UN Peacebuilding Support Office and Search for Common Ground, has just published a Practice Note, titled ‘Young People’s Participation in Peacebuilding’ in cooperation with the Peace Nexus Foundation.

By UNOY Peacebuilders

“…engaging young people positively and giving them a stake in their societies during the transition period after violent conflict is important for long-term peace and security.”

The UN Inter-Agency Working Group on Youth Participation in Peacebuilding, which UNOY Peacebuilders co-chairs with the UN Peacebuilding Support Office and Search for Common Ground, has just published a Practice Note, titled ‘Young People’s Participation in Peacebuilding’ in cooperation with the Peace Nexus Foundation.

The Practice Note provides examples of good practice in young people’s participation in peacebuilding. It highlights the work of a wide range of actors including NGOs, UN agencies, national governments and others, demonstrating young people’s role building peace in diverse contexts. It is the active cooperation, support and sharing of these different actors that made the Practice Note possible.

This Practice Note is both evidence of the positive role of young people in peacebuilding and a guide for policymakers and donors, who are provided with an insight into key strategic and programming considerations for supporting young people’s participation in peacebuilding. This Practice Note also constitutes an important effort in trying to ensure that the UN Security Council’s Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security is implemented at regional, national and local levels.

This Practice Note:

• Summarizes the situation of youth living in conflict-affected environments.
• Stresses the importance of investing in youth and peacebuilding.
• Explores existing assumptions and theories of change concerning youth and peacebuilding.
• Provides an overview of key issues and promising practices in different sectors and thematic areas.
• Provides overarching recommendations for donors and policymakers.

We strongly encourage policymakers and donors to explore this Practice Note and take advantage of its recommendations!

UNOY Peacebuilders is a member of the Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation.

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