Elevating Youth Voices in Peace and Security Efforts

By: Felipe Paullier Olivera, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs

This month, I had the privilege of engaging with diverse actors championing the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda (YPS), ranging from young peacebuilders to representatives from member states. These interactions took place in the lead-up to the UN Security Council Debate highlighting the role of young women, convened by the Permanent Mission of Mozambique to the United Nations (UN).

Listening to Civil Society and Youth

During the consultation with the Civil Society Working Group of the Global Coalition on YPS, I was deeply inspired by the stories and perspectives shared by young people from various countries. These dialogues spotlighted the efforts of young people in mobilizing peers, advocating with governments, and convening networks to advance the YPS agenda.

In these conversations, I learned about:

• Innovative Approaches - Young people are creatively addressing local and global challenges. It made me reflect on the creativity and innovative thinking young people contribute to peacebuilding in their communities. However, the question remains: How can we ensure that young people's creative ideas are implemented in peacebuilding efforts at global, regional, and national levels?
• Barriers to Participation - Youth continue to face significant challenges with being heard and represented in decision-making processes. One major issue is the shrinking civic space which affects their political agency and engagement. This is particularly true for young women and marginalized groups including LGBTQI+ youth. Creating more opportunities for diverse young voices, to be heard on different platforms is imperative.

My conversations with young people highlighted that while these barriers exist, the creativity and innovation of youth can be harnessed to address some of these challenges. However, for this to be impactful, multistakeholder partnerships and collaboration are needed.

Engaging with the Group of Champions on YPS

At a breakfast meeting hosted by the Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN, I had the opportunity to engage with the Member State Group of Champions on YPS. This gathering marked the rejuvenation of the Group, which moving on will be co-chaired by Jordan and Finland.

During the meeting, I emphasized three key areas for collaboration between the Group and the UN system on the YPS agenda, including:

1. Upcoming international days for coordinated advocacy on YPS;
2. High-level events for joint statements feeding into policy discussions, and;
3. Maximizing approaching policy initiatives for joint advocacy opportunities.

I am also excited that my office will support this Group's work as its technical secretariat. I look forward to collaborating with the Group to strengthen the advocacy and coordination on the YPS agenda between the UN system and its member states. I am eager to work in close coordination with PBSO/DPPA and UNFPA on this joint journey.

As key policy moments are approaching, such as the Summit of the Future and its Pact, and Peacebuilding Architecture Review, we must ensure that the YPS agenda is at the core of these processes.

UN Security Council Debate

The importance of integrating youth perspectives in peace and security matters was also underscored during the recent UN Security Council debate on young women on 28 May 2024.

During the debate, I had the pleasure of briefing the Council on the key findings and recommendations of the third Secretary-General’s report on YPS. These discussions by the Council are crucial for incorporating youth perspectives into diplomatic engagements and policy development at the UN.

While it was encouraging to see young people such as Simone invited to the debate, it is concerning that the number of young people briefing the Council and the Peacebuilding Commission has decreased between 2022 to 2023.

One of the key points I emphasized was the importance of increasing opportunities for young people to participate in these high-level discussions and Security Council deliberations. This involves updating the Council’s working methods to enhance youth engagement, ensuring protection protocols for young briefers, and cultivating champions within member states and UN agencies to prioritize youth issues.

As negotiations for the Pact of the Future continue, I also urged the Council to include strong commitments on youth, peace and security in Chapter 2 of the Pact. These commitments will guide our future actions on ensuring young people are equal partners in peacebuilding. And by doing so, can we ensure the sustainability and impact of youth working to mobilize peace in their communities.

A Call to Action at a Critical Moment

These interactions and key discussions come at a critical moment when our world faces the highest number of conflicts since the Second World War, impacting young people globally. Conflict-related deaths have also reached a 28-year high since 2022.

Integrating the YPS agenda and young people’s perspectives into UN diplomacy and policy development is not only essential, but also the most sustainable, inclusive, and strategic way forward. My engagements with civil society partners reiterated this message.

Restoring trust among youth, governments, and the UN is crucial. To achieve meaningful youth engagement and to transform the UN system, structural changes are required. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, implementing the YPS agenda, and ensuring human rights all necessitate a multilateral system built on trust.

Moving Forward

Reflecting on these engagements, I am inspired by young people and partners championing the YPS agenda. They are driving progress and actively shaping the future we envision.

How can we empower young people in striving for a society like Paxterra, where #Youth4Peace is a reality?