What is the YPF?
In September 2023, the 6th edition of the Young Peacebuilders Forum (YPF) took place in Nairobi, Kenya, following the success of 5th edition held in Colombia in 2019. With the support of our two Kenyan Members, Women Volunteers For Peace (WOVOP) and the International Centre for Peace, Human Rights and Development in Africa (IPHRD Africa), the United Network of Young Peacebuilders welcomed 50 members' representatives from all over the world.
The YPF provided our members with a platform where they could come together and exchange their experiences, challenges, best practices and lessons learned during their valuable work in fostering youth-led, inclusive and sustainable peace in their communities.
What is its purpose?
The main objective of the YPF is to provide a space for UNOY member organisations to come together and connect, foster partnerships and a feeling of cohesion as part of the UNOY network. The members participated in networking sessions and workshops on different topics such as: gender transformative and non-formal approaches in peacebuilding, mental health and protection, Youth Peace and Security (YPS) implementation and the Climate - YPS Nexus.
This year's specific focus areas were:
- fostering equal and long-term intergenerational partnerships for peace;
- youth-led efforts to advance peacebuilding at all levels.
After three days of discussion, knowledge exchange and peer-learning, the participants developed a 5-year shared vision for the implementation of the Youth, Peace & Security (YPS) Agenda which was shared during the last day of the YPF, when non-youth stakeholders were welcomed.
It was an occasion to encourage intergenerational exchange and collaboration, and carry out insightful conversations with non-youth stakeholders representing local, governmental, multilateral and non-governmental organisations such as UNDP Kenya, IGAD Mediation Support Unit, Amnesty International, KEPSA, the ICGLR Regional Youth Forum, the Swedish Embassy in Kenya and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This is how YPF participants envision
youth-led peacebuilding by 2028:
By 2028, diverse young people lead sustainable peace and meaningfully participate in decision-making through reformed and inclusive institutions fostering intergenerational and global partnerships.
Some of the key points of our 5-year vision were:
- Meaningful participation of diverse young people
- Establishing contextual intergenerational partnerships
- Decolonizing resources and funding
- Leveraging Tech for Peace
- Calling for urgent responses to Climate Change.
