Peacebuilding
The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2250 in December 2015; the first holistic document on Youth, Peace and Security.
UNSCR 2250 (2015) identifies five key pillars for action: participation, protection, prevention, partnerships, disengagement and reintegration. This landmark resolution urges Member States to give youth a greater voice in decision-making at the local, national, regional and international levels and to consider setting up mechanisms that would enable young people to participate meaningfully in peace processes.
It focuses on shortcomings of the current position of youth populations in peacebuilding processes in relation to the role envisaged for youth in UNSCR 2250, and outlines the economic downfalls and security risks for societies and communities of not involving youth in peacebuilding.
It focuses on the challenges youth populations face in conflict and post-conflict settings, such as trauma, lack of education, political marginalization, unemployment, and participation in the DDR process, with a transversal focus on specific challenges faced by young women and girls. It also gives an insight into factors of radicalization and youth violence, and in the prevention thereof.
It deals with the position of young people as key actors in peacebuilding processes, highlighting concepts such as youth resilience and cross-generational approaches. It also shares recommendations and best practices to set up environments fostering youth participation in political discussion.
The youth track highlights best practices empowering youth to initiate or take part in peacebuilding projects at the local, regional, national and international level. It also offers an opportunity for reflection on participants’ passions and capabilities in relation with their communities’ priorities and needs.
Guide visitors towards concretely contributing to peacebuilding processes in their immediate surroundings and in the broader societal context. For this purpose, the section will introduce activities such as: context analysis, formulating the vision and outcomes of a project, setting-up a monitoring system, planning activities, “Do No Harm” considerations, and budgeting.