20 Things We’re Thankful For In 2020

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ hasn’t been the most conventional of years, but that hasn’t stopped young people from taking initiative, speaking up and building peace. Before we end this chapter, we compiled this list of achievements, lessons learnt, and things we’re thankful for in 2020.

1. First and foremost, we’re thankful and proud of the solidarity and resilience we’ve witnessed across our network in times of crisis. Check out these blogs, written by our members and get inspired by the amount of solidarity and union ♥️ ? www.unoy.org/en/category/unoy-blog/
2. A throwback to an epic moment in March when 4️⃣ US Representatives introduced the YPS Act to the U.S. Congress, which will transform U.S. policy towards youth and put them at the forefront of peacebuilding. To learn more about the YPS Act ? www.sfcg.org/youth-peace-security-act/ #Yes4YPS
3. 2️⃣ UNOY members briefed the UN Security Council on the state of youth’s rights during the YPS Open Debate in April, marking yet another milestone for the #YPS. We’d love to thank Olla from Youth Without Borders Organisation for Development ?? and Gatwal from Young Adult Empowerment Initiative ?? for raising the youth voice ?
4. We’d also love to applaud & thank the Global Coalition On Youth, Peace & Security for their efforts in advancing global policy and practice on YPS, and for the campaign spirit throughout the year. To learn more about the GCYPS ? www.youth4peace.info/node/347
5. With our new Strategic Plan for 2021-2025 (to be launched in January 2021), we’ll keep on amplifying the groundwork of youth. We’re thankful for the support of our members, despite the pandemic 79% of them directly contributed to the plan by attending 1️⃣ of the online consultations and 40% attended ALL of them.
6. In 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣, we’ve also witnessed more commitment towards the implementation of the YPS agenda and the protection of young people. Check out this blog that was inspired by an online discussion on YPS: From Paper to Reality ? www.unoy.org/en/yps-resolutions-from-paper-to-reality/ #ActOn2250
7. Another milestone in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ UN Secretary-General released the first report assessing the implementation of the YPS agenda, which showed a growing recognition of youth’s essential role in peace and security, yet core challenges facing youth still persist. For more ? www.youth4peace.info/SGreport
8. We contributed to the first youth consultations with the Dominican Republic and France, which further demonstrates progress and highlights the importance of listening to youth voices on peace and security. These consultations led to the adoption #UNSCR2535 ?
9. On 14 July, the UN Security Council adopted UNSCR 2535 on YPS, reaffirming Member States’ commitment to YPS and the protection of youth. We thank penholders, Dominican Republic and France, and others for their leadership in this, but most importantly to the young people leading #Youth4Peace. For more on UNSCR 2535 ? www.youth4peace.info/UNSCR2535
10. We’d love to thank all of our donors and partners for their continued support through a difficult year. We’re also thankful on behalf of our members for the COVID-19 sub-granting scheme that supported their projects and initiatives. For more about our donors ? www.unoy.org/en/donors/
11. An example of such projects is one by Mother of Hope Cameroon ?? who have developed animated videos in French, English and Pidgin to mobilise youth to combat the virus in their communities. Here is what the UN Youth Envoy said about it at the Arria-Formula High-Level Meeting ? www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFEjpC60Fsg&feature=emb_title
12. Likewise, Youth for Peace International ?? were able to use the scheme to set up a national mental health support helpline to provide counseling to people facing severe distress due to the uncertain times.
13. Special thanks to the UN Youth Envoy and her incredible team’s continuous dedication to amplifying the voices of young peacebuilders. Throwback to her inspiring message on International Youth Day ? www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD7eZXmQkhY
14. When Olla’s voice couldn’t be heard at the UN Security Council due to connection difficulties, it was the UN Youth Envoy who provided her with a platform and amplified her voice. Listen to powerful words from Olla to the UN Security Council ? www.facebook.com/496494583738474/videos/2986193131463842/
15. Another throwback to when young peacebuilder, Leonardo Parraga from Colombia ?? took over the UN Youth Envoy’s Instagram to share his YPS work with the world. His takeover reached over 1️⃣7️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ viewers. Also make sure to read Leo’s inspirational words ? www.unoy.org/en/youth-lives-matter/
16. We celebrated the 5️⃣th & 2️⃣0️⃣th anniversaries of YPS and WPS, highlighting the similarities between them. We’d love to thank our gender experts, Shemaine & Meg, who are guiding us in increasing gender-responsiveness in our work . Check out this blog ? www.unoy.org/en/the-decade-of-action/
17. We’ve also piloted the #Youth360 methodology through our Asian #Youth4Peace Programme. The Youth 360 methodology, developed with SfCG and UNAOC, provides youth with holistic 360° support in a process where they are in charge. YES to youth participation! For more ? www.sfcg.org/youth-360/
18. Over the past 1️⃣2️⃣ months, we released a total of 1️⃣9️⃣ episodes on the Peace Corner Podcast. We’ve also hosted our very first LIVE episode featuring superstar peace researcher and author, Séverine Auteserre: Locals at the Forefront of Peace ? www.soundcloud.com/user-679057290/locals-at-the-forefront-of-peace-s05e01-1
19. This year we held 2️⃣ training programmes in West & Central Africa and East & Southern Africa ? with our members to increase their fundraising capacity and work towards financial sustainability. Check out section 3️⃣ for insights on fundraising issues ? www.unoy.org/wp-content/uploads/localising-guide-final-pages-1.pdf
20. To shift power and resources to our regions, UNOY has undergone a decentralisation process! As of 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ we have 1️⃣ Regional Coordinator in each of our 6️⃣ regions ??? increasing ownership and strengthening our regional communities. Finally, an enormous thanks to all of the UNOY Team and Family ♥️

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ is coming to an end ? Regardless of the hardships we’ve been through, we can all agree that we’ve become more resilient & more thankful for the things we took for granted. We wish you a happy 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣, full of health, justice and peace ☮️