Youth Advocacy Team in NY: October 2015 Mission

By Romeral Quintiz Ortilla

Exactly two years ago, the UNOY Youth Advocacy Team (YAT) was flying to the headquarters of the United Nations (UN) in New York for our second mission to advocate for the recognition of  youths role as peacebuilders. We wanted to bring attention to the very limited participation that youth had been given in peacebuilding processes despite being the largest young population the world has ever had and all the formal and informal youth organizations that are working towards the promotion of peace.
In 2013, lobbying for youth and peace was at its early stages where very few stakeholders were sensitized in understanding and considering youth as positive change makers. Youth was mainly confined in either being a category to protect (“youth as victims”) or to be protected from (“youth as a threat”). If lobbying for a United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) on Youth, Peace and Security was something we could dream of, only idealists would truly believe it could ever happen.

After two years, and so many things have evolved since then, thanks to UNOY perseverance, dedication, and joint efforts with other organizations and UN agencies’ support. From our first meetings during this mission, we understood we were facing a totally different context. Permanent Missions of Members States had heard about the youth, peace and security agenda and if not all would define it as a priority, they were all aware of the risks of excluding youth from peacebuilding agendas.

Clearly the Amman Youth Declaration, the main output of the Global Forum on Youth, Peace and Security (Jordan, 21-22 August 2015) had created a momentum. Member States, UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders such as INGOs and think tank had the topic on their agenda.
The main objective of this mission was to participate as panellists to the side event to the Security Council, High-level review on Resolution 1325 on “Young Women, Peace and Security” organized by PBSO, UNDP, UNFPA and Cordaid, UNOY and GNWP. We presented the Amman Youth Declaration building up on the experience of the women, peace and security agenda and its respective UNSCR during the side event and also in bilateral meetings with Permanent Missions, UN agencies and others. We also participated in other side events on the role of youth in peacebuilding and related issues to peace and youth. We even had the opportunity to listen to the UN Security Council Open debate on Women, Peace and Security.

These were five frenetic days with its up and downs, its explosive and frustrating moments. The road is still long, and the UNSCR will neither be the miraculous solution for youth to be regarded as a real partner in building peace nor is our ultimate goal. However, it is undeniable that we are getting closer to such recognition. Now it is time to continue strengthening our regional advocacy teams, to build up strong programs with all stakeholders such as the campaign #youth4peace.

Because we believe we deserve this dream.