Intermediaries and Mediators
You might represent a bridge between promoters of peacebuilding activities and the target groups. Youth are seen as a connective tissue and a potential to ‘fast track’ to peace and development
Youth can clarify needs of their peers and can help in defining methodologies to reach the best effects possible.
They can share insights that help adults understand the vulnerabilities of youth in conflict.
They are less corrupted by political games and political affiliation, contributing to their stance as neutral actors.
In highly affected conflict contexts, working with youth can constitute an entry point to engaging a community at large.
Open to change
Johan Galtung said: ”Young people are searching for new ideas and open to new challenges while adults have already formed their dogmatic discourses, young people should meet, even better, young women should meet.”
Young people are often eager to examine different perspectives, and their opinion is not fortified.
Idealistic and innovative
Young people seek alternatives when they meet challenges they cannot overcome with conventional solutions.
The fact that many revolutions were started and led by young people shows that they have strong beliefs in their values and in the righteousness of their cause.
They will also search for innovative ways to exert influence if traditional power structures are inaccessible to them.
Future-oriented
In many cases, young people have not experienced the wars their countries are still suffering from in post conflict contexts.
They are more willing to “forget” the past than their ancestors and those directly involved in conflict.
A peace agreement’s acceptance always depends on whether the young generations accept it, how they were engaged during a peace process and whether they see it as an achievement or not.
Courageous
Especially if they feel like they have nothing to lose, young people will be willing to take risks and try more uncertain ways to resolve a situation that is unbearable to them.
The belief that change is impossible might in fact provoke this behavior even more.
Skilled in ICT use
Digital citizenship and social media have become crucial tools in youth empowerment, serving as means of connectivity, expression, exchange and education, 2/3 of ICT users are under 35.
Youth action is increasingly facilitated, enabled, and amplified on social media and social networks. In Syria, youth have developed Salama Tech, an online platform for Syrians in War Zones. This helps Syrians stay safe; sustaining dialogue and communication, providing updates on the situation and assisting in coordination of humanitarian responses for those in need.
In many cases, adults will not think of this opportunity and therefore do not use it.