The report follows UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security
30 September 2018 – Amman/Jordan: The United Nations Secretary-General has released the full Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace, and Security, a global report following UN Security Council Resolution 2250 that sheds light on youth efforts contributing to peace and conflict resolution. The independent progress report, also referred to as the “Missing Peace” study, examines the current state of youth’s role in peace and lays out recommendations for effective responses to Resolution 2250.
Generations For Peace has and continues to contribute to and support UNSCR 2250 through its innovative, youth-centred programming across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Its efforts are further affirmed by and remain in close alignment with the “Missing Peace” study, which found, among other results, that young people globally believe violent conflict can be prevented and are pressing the importance of addressing the symptoms of violence, as well as the underlying causes of corruption, inequality, and social injustice. Generations For Peace’s youth-led approach from the grassroots confronts these underlying causes by creating safe spaces of increased understanding between and within high-conflict communities, using vehicles of sport, arts, advocacy, dialogue, and empowerment as key entry points.
Generations For Peace President Dr. Mohanned Al Arabiat speaking in New York at the ‘Narratives for Peace’ UN General Assembly Side Event, International Day for Peace, 21 September 2018.
Generations For Peace President Dr. Mohanned Al Arabiat, said, “The publishing and results of this report confirms the commitment of Generations For Peace to engage youth from the grassroots in their own communities and inspire them to participate and take on roles of leadership in peacebuilding. The report’s guidance with regard to best practices will help shape the work of our organisation and others around the world as we come together to bring youth to the forefront of the peacebuilding conversation, helping transform the words of UNSCR 2250 into action with measurable impact.” He added, “As Jordan’s leading NGO, Generations For Peace is proud to use the report’s findings to continue advancing Jordan’s leading role in the manifestation of UNSCR 2250 through the Jordan 2250 Coalition, alongside the Ministry of Youth and additional NGO and UN agency partners.”
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking on the importance of youth leadership, stated, “Today is the start of a new era for young people at the United Nations…Empowering young people, supporting them, and making sure they can fulfil their potential are important ends in themselves. We want this for all people, everywhere.” He concluded, directly addressing the world’s youth, “We need you as partners and leaders. We need you as we build a peaceful and more sustainable world.”
The “Missing Peace” study’s independent lead author, Graeme Simpson, shared, “We need to start investing in the resourcefulness and resilience of youth, and not see them as a threat. We need to move from remedial action prioritising securitised approaches to a focus on building the resilience of young people.” He went on, highlighting the importance of not just youth in building peace, but also of the existing demographics of young people that must be addressed, advising: “Invest in young people’s resourcefulness in peacebuilding and recognise and address the negative forms of masculinity that in particular keep young women from participating…Let’s translate the demographic dividend into peace dividend.”
