Building Synergies at the 2019 Young Peacebuilders’ Forum
Written by Munyaradzi Chitsuwa, Programme Coordinator of UNOY member, Youth for Peace and Development, & GPPAC Youth, Peace and Security Working Group Member
Young people who have participated in former UNOY events have created effective local and regional peacebuilding projects in the Balkans, in the Caucasus area, and in Africa, with extensive outreach capacity to local youth. This year, I was one of the young leaders given a chance to see UNOY in action, expanding the capacities of 60 young peacebuilders across the Americas and the globe. At the Forum, we explored building synergies and strategies to ensure sustainable peace and participation through policies, such as the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 and Agenda 2030.
On behalf of Youth for Peace and Development-y4pd, and GPPAC Youth, Peace and Security working group, I participated in this year’s Young Peacebuilders’ Forum (#YPF19) and it was well equipped and planned to build synergies, share existing knowledge, and discuss gaps that exist in all spheres through the lenses of #UNSCR2250 and #Agenda2030. The key activities derived from unpacking climate change, democracy failures, human rights violations, and inequity. These activities took diverse forms, among which were transversal dialogues, walking tours to learn from the Colombian peace process, and a ‘Methods Market’ to showcase participants’ work.
Young people often use art, theatre, dialogue, and peer-to-peer learning as tools of education, sharing knowledge and advocacy work. Through this Forum we had a fusion of young people, from climate change activists to entrepreneurs, human rights activists to peacebuilders and policy influencers, to mention a few. What was key to me was that UNSCR 2250 alone is a binding policy that enhances the skills and participation of young peacebuilders to achieve Agenda 2030. Therefore, I believe that if many institutions prioritise the implementation of the resolution, young people can bring sustainable solutions to challenges, such as socio-economic, political, religious, and cultural problems that the globe faces.
Team work, diversity, and exposure allow us to speak with one voice:
‘alone one can walk faster, but together we can walk further’. Young people do tremendous work when empowered; for us to realise peace, we must first appreciate that we come from diverse backgrounds, which should not limit our efforts and contributions, but rather be celebrated. As one of the Forum participants, I had time to tour the Colombian city of Bogotá: a city of art and expression. I understood that many of the oppressed manage to air out their issues and grievances through art. To some extent they have been addressed and in some cases they have not, but as young people we must know that creativity, honesty, and standing up to social injustices and exclusion is the way to promote peace. The UNSCR 2250 elaborates on the need to participate, protect, partner, prevent, and reintegrate, which is only achievable when young people across the globe are fully supported by all institutions.
#WeAreNotComplete | #LeaveNoYouthBehind | #Youth4Peace
