Youth Transforming Narratives

🇺🇳🇨🇭YTN was present during the opening of the Geneva Peace Week 2024—a gathering of global leaders, experts, and practitioners committed to fostering peace in our world. 💬🕊️ While it’s encouraging to see conversations around peace and security taking place, there’s a glaring gap: we need greater inclusion of youth, especially from the Global South! 🙌🏼 As the largest generation of young people in history, we are at the forefront of tackling challenges like conflict ⛑️, climate change 🌪️, social justice 🫱🏼🫲🏾, and economic inequality ⚖️. Yet, spaces like these often overlook our diverse perspectives and unique solutions. Too often, youth are treated as spectators rather than active contributors in global peace processes. This must change! ❌ The time is now to challenge traditional narratives, break down barriers, and reshape global peacebuilding efforts. Let’s demand that these platforms reflect the voices of young people from every corner of the world, ensuring we are not only part of the conversation but leading it! 🚀💪🏾 Together, we can build a future where peace is truly inclusive and transformative! 📣🌟 #YouthForPeace #GenevaPeaceWeek #Inclusion #GlobalSouth #YTN #YouthVoices #TransformativeChange

🌎 Unfiltered Thoughts 🌎 Opening of the Geneva Peace Week 2024 by the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform: Same Narratives, Different Locations. I would have loved to come here and say that the Opening Ceremony at Palais Des Nations yesterday offered a glimpse of hope, but I cannot. I looked back at my notes, and there were mostly question marks. I could not believe I was sitting inside the "Human Rights" room listening to the same narratives by the same profiles in a time our world is literally collapsing. ☮ Although I do realize that this is only an opening event, I do not think the theme "What is Peace" discussed by the same experts from "Global North" countries is something we can afford at this point. It does not align with the urgent need for real, tangible action given the current geopolitical landscape. Questions remained lingering on the practical outcomes of such gatherings. ☮ As always, there were a lot of nicely crafted speeches, with all the usual buzz words we are sick of hearing like "hope, impact, constructive, youth", but what I found truly surprising is the emphasis on the "impact" the Pact for the Future will bring. The disconnect between discussions and actionable concrete outcomes was evident. Believing that the "Pact" will actually change anything, as if Agenda 2030 did, signaled a huge gap. I sat there and looked at the attendees and I saw two main expressions: they were either in denial or they were furstrated. ☮ In one of the speeches, I heard "Global peacemaking hub like Geneva". Geneva is not even accessible to begin with. I would question how "global" it is. I heard that this week is our chance to make impact with over 70 workshops and panels. My question is: so what next? You come together in fancy suits in a fancy place with fancy security to discuss your thoughts, and then? How do you turn them into actions? ☮ There was a nice performance by a Portuguese band that brought a sense of lightness to a very uncomfortable alienating space, and I want to give a shoutout to that band. They asked us to sign along, and I could not. Because when they did, as you will see in the photo below, civilians were burning alive in Gaza. ☮ The "Youth Statement" was nothing but a tokenistic effort to showcase more "youth inclusion". Youth clearly had no say in that room. The opening event was everything wrong with this system. This was also shared by other young attendees who did not say it out loud, or told me "you will get used to it". I will not, and I refuse to normalize nor accept it. To all the experts and high level profiles that attended the ceremony yesterday, as a young female from an African country with lived experience in the middle east, I tell you that your definition of peace is not realistic, your panels will not bring about change, and bringing young people into the room to watch is not enough. Your peace is not our lived realities. This year's theme should have been: Decolonizing Peace.

𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓘𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓸𝓯 𝓡𝓾𝓻𝓪𝓵 𝓦𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓷! 👩🌾🌾 Today, we honor the incredible rural women whose hard work and dedication sustain communities across the globe. 🌍🌽🥬🐓🐄 From farming the land to preserving traditions, rural women are the backbone of food security, innovation, and local economies. 💪🏽🌿 Let's continue to uplift rural women, providing them with the resources, rights, and recognition they deserve. Their contributions are essential for a sustainable and equitable future! 🌱💫 How can we better support rural women in your region? Share your thoughts below! 💭👇🏾 Follow us for more updates: 📱Facebook: Youth Transforming Narratives — YTN 🌁 Instagram: @yt.narratives 🌐 Website: www.youthtransform.org #RuralWomen #EmpowerRuralWomen #SustainableFutures #YTN #CommunityImpact #SupportWomen #WomenInAgriculture #IDRW2024

Highlights from the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event! 🧒🏽🇪🇺 From powerful speeches to creative discussions, this event brought together young leaders, policymakers, and advocates to build a stronger, youth-centered global future. 🌐📣 💡 Key takeaways: 1. 💬 2 years of youth action plans and implementation in the EU 2. 🫱🏼🫲🏾 Building partnerships that empower marginalized voices 3. 🇰🇪 Santiago Barrail spotlighted Kenya’s youth quota in parliament, pointing out that running for office costs as much as $180,000 – a staggering barrier for young leaders. That's the equivalent of three years' salary for an MP, underscoring the critical need for financial support to truly democratize youth representation. This event reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders and creating lasting impact worldwide. Together, we’re shaping a future that reflects the values, ambitions, and energy of youth across the globe. 🌍 #YouthLeadership #GlobalGateway #YouthForChange #EmpoweringYouth #YTN #InclusiveDevelopment #YouthEngagement #GlobalPartnerships

𝓒𝒆𝓵𝒆𝓫𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓘𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓡𝓲𝓼𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓭𝓾𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷! 🌪️🌋 Today, we highlight the importance of building resilient communities and creating strategies that reduce the risk of disasters. 🌊💨💡Disaster risk reduction saves lives, protects livelihoods, and ensures a safer future for all. 🌍💪🏽 Let’s come together to empower young people and communities to take proactive steps towards disaster preparedness and climate resilience! 🌱🔥 Every action counts in safeguarding our planet for future generations. 🌎🌿 How do you promote disaster risk awareness in your community? Share your ideas with us below! 💬👇🏾 Follow us for more updates: 📱Facebook: Youth Transforming Narratives — YTN 🌁 Instagram: @yt.narratives 🌐 Website: www.youthtransform.org #DisasterRiskReduction #ResilienceBuilding #YouthForResilience #YTN #PreparednessMatters #CommunitySafety #DRR2024 #ClimateAction

#North_African_Reflections_In_Geneva #4 Today marks one month since I moved to Geneva, and what a whirlwind it has been! Geneva isn't accessible to young people - as we all know & acknowledge. Visa issues alone are enough to push back the voices of many #youth especially females from the #Global #south. But what I have been seeing so far, it is that despite how deeply it alienates youth voices, it still a place where we can shake the room and challenge the status quo. Walking through the halls of power, I’ve realized more than ever how critical it is for women and youth to be at the heart of decision-making. We don’t belong on the sidelines, observing from the shadows-we belong at the table, making noise. Being here has frustrated me on so many levels, especially seeing how many experts are living in a white bubble that is not nearly as realistic and close to issues on the ground as they think it is. But being here has also ignited a deeper drive in me. The more I see the diversity of young people in this space, despite all challenges, the more I understand that the narratives we bring, our concrete raw lived experiences, especially those of young women, are crucial to transform current narratives & to say no to white male dominated decision-making. Let's flood these spaces with our narratives, with our solutions, and with our demands for change. So here's to everyone daring to step out, to speak up, and to reshape what leadership looks like. If you're young, if you're a woman, if you're from the Global South, if you’ve ever been told that your voice is too small to make a difference-remember this: your voice is transformative and no one can take that away from you. And the halls of power in #Geneva, like every other space we step into, will respond to our demands. Let’s keep pushing until we see more of us-not just in the room, but leading the conversation 🌍

‘Youth are the bedrock of a stable society and economy.’ 🧒🏽🇪🇺 Ruth Artiles Valero, Co-Director of Programs, and Sheetal Joshi, Policy Officer, represented Youth Transforming Narratives (YTN) at the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event, hosted by the European Commission on October 9-10, 2024 in Brussels. 💬✨ This event highlighted the EU’s commitment to empowering young leaders and fostering genuine partnerships with youth. With nearly half of the world’s population under 30, and Africa’s youth set to shape the future of global politics and economics, Ruth and Sheetal stood at the forefront, advocating for a youth-driven future that reflects the needs and aspirations of young people worldwide. 🌱🌍 At YTN, we believe investing in youth leadership today is key to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable tomorrow. 💡🫱🏼🫲🏾 #YouthLeadership #GlobalGateway #TransformingNarratives #YTN #EuropeanCommission #YouthForChange #InclusiveDevelopment #EmpoweringYouth

𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓘𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓓𝓪𝔂 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓖𝓲𝓻𝓵 𝓒𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓭! 👩🏻🦰👧🏻👱🏼♀️🧕🏽👧🏾👩🏿🦱 Today, we celebrate girls' strength, resilience, and limitless potential worldwide. 🚺✨ From breaking barriers to leading change in their communities, girls are transforming narratives and shaping a better future! 🌍🩷 Let's continue to empower, uplift, and amplify girls' voices everywhere, ensuring they have the opportunities and support to thrive. 🌸🙌🏼 What changes do you want to see for the girls in your community? Let us know in the comments! 💭👇🏾 Follow us for more updates: 📱Facebook: Youth Transforming Narratives — YTN 🌁 Instagram: @yt.narratives 🌐 Website: www.youthtransform.org #DayOfTheGirl #EmpowerGirls #FutureLeaders #YTN #YouthVoices #EqualityForAll #GirlsWhoLead #IDGC2024

Young voices are shaping the future, and as Tiwine Zimba Muchipa reminds us, their passion and insights are the compass for inclusive, transformative change. 🌍✨ At Youth Transforming Narratives, we are empowering the next generation of leaders, ensuring that their voices are heard and valued in decisions that affect us all. Let’s work together to create a brighter tomorrow by championing youth leadership today! 🚀🌱 👉 Join us in amplifying youth voices for a future that reflects the values, creativity, and resilience of emerging leaders. 🌁 Instagram: @yt.narratives 📱 Facebook: Youth Transforming Narratives - YTN 🌐 Website: https://buff.ly/3StheXt #YouthVoices #FutureLeaders #TransformingNarratives #EmpowerYouth #InclusiveChange #YTN

Calling our network in #Geneva