Welcome
Welcome to the UNDP Global e-discussion on youth, peace and security, brought to you by the UNDP Youth Global Programme for Sustainable Development and Peace, hosted by our Communities of Practice on Governance for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies!
Background information
United Nations Security Council resolution 2250 (2015) recognizes for the first time the critical role that young people play in building and sustaining peace at all levels. It identifies five key pillars for action: Participation, protection, prevention, partnerships and disengagement and reintegration. The subsequent resolutions 2419 (2018) and 2535 (2020) stress the importance of youth participation in decision making and peace processes, the protection of young people and an enabling environment for their peace work. They also call for greater financial, political, logistical and technical support to the agenda and efforts to institutionalize the youth, peace and security agenda, among other actions.
9 December 2020 marks the fifth anniversary of United Nations Security Council resolution 2250. On that occasion, UNDP is pleased to launch this e-discussion aimed at sparking ideas on strengthening support to youth, peace and security and providing a space for meaningful reflection on lessons learned, challenges, opportunities and the way forward.
Indeed, young people’s essential role in peace and security is increasingly recognized, but challenges remain including in regard to exclusion from decision-making, violations of human rights and insufficient investment, as outlined in the Secretary-General report on youth, peace and security (2020).
As shown in the progress study on youth, peace and security (2018) ‘the missing peace’ identifies three mutually reinforcing strategies: invest in the capacity, agency, and leadership shown by young peacebuilders and an enabling environment; include youth by transforming systems of exclusion; and partner with youth through legitimate and meaningful partnerships.
Young people’s expertise and experience are critical in sustaining peace and the prevention of violence. As we collectively work for inclusive peacebuilding and towards peaceful, just and inclusive societies, youth organizations, networks and movements are essential partners for the success of these endeavors. Their peace efforts must be recognised and adequately supported.
What will your inputs contribute to:
Your unique perspectives, insights and recommendations will:
- Contribute to strengthening our community of practitioners and collective knowledge on youth and YPS, by enhancing peer-to-peer global, regional and cross-regional learning and leveraging our internal and external networks;
- Substantively inform the development of UNDP reports;
- Contribute to the UN’s broader reporting on youth, peace and security as a response to United Nations Security Resolution 2535 (2020);
- Feed into our reflection on the future of development and peace and inform the new UNDP Strategic Plan; and,
- Inspire a new generation of programmes and projects, including joint initiatives with other UN entities, youth organisations and other partners.
How can you get involved:
Participate in the e-discussion by sharing your experience and providing links to relevant and more detailed material.
- Spread the word about e-discussions with colleagues and partners. Communication about the e-discussion is targeted UNDP practitioners from 8 to 18 December 2020 and broadened to partners and stakeholders from 4 to 18 January 2021, but everyone is welcome to provide input throughout the duration of the e-discussion!
- Join the celebration of the fifth anniversary of United Nations Security Council resolution 2250 through campaign activities by the Global Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security (GCYPS). Visit the GCYPS Comms Hub for more information.
Summary of the e-discussion (which is now closed) is available here