Brussels-based peacebuilding organisations celebrate historic UN resolution on youth, peace and security

The UN Security Council passed its first ever resolution on Youth, Peace, and Security on 9 December 2015. Landmark resolution 2250 is the result of years of concerted advocacy and action to highlight youth as the agents of positive change and impactful global leaders they are and can be. 

The resolution demonstrates that the Security Council has recognised the positive contributions to peace-building, which the majority of the world’s youth make. The text largely focuses on youth participation, protection, prevention of violent conflict, partnerships with youth and youth-led initiatives, as well as disengagement and reintegration.

Saji Prelis, co-chairman of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Youth and Peacebuilding and Director, Children & Youth at Search for Common Ground said: “The Resolution creates a paradigm shift — away from the idea of young people being seen as a threat to security towards the very real notion that they have the power to transform violent conflict. Now we must breathe life into this Resolution so that youth can play a meaningful role in peace processes locally. ”

Resolution 2250 cites influence from the Guiding Principles for Young People’s Participation in Peacebuilding the August 2015 Global Forum on Youth, Peace and Security the  Amman Declaration  on Youth, Peace and Security, and the Youth Action Agenda to Prevent Violent Extremism and Promote Peace World Vision and Search for Common Ground have been key  organisers and contributors to each of these fora and summits and in the elaboration of key related documents and advocacy.

World Vision Brussels’ Director of Advocacy Deirdre de Burca said: “The resolution represents a long awaited acknowledgement that youth are significant contributors to peacebuilding and should be engaged, acknowledged, funded and supported by the EU and its member states.”

Search for Common Ground’s Executive Vice President Sandra Melone said: “The world’s youth will lead the path to peace. Thank goodness the United Nations are recognizing this now, at the same time as Sustainable Development Goal 16 recognizes the right to peaceful, just and inclusive societies . Youthful energy will be harnessed to transform our planet. There isn’t a nation on our planet where youth aren’t eager to contribute, rather than to destroy. Let’s help them do that.”

World Vision and Search for Common Ground, along with other key child-and-youth focused agencies have worked closely to ensure young peacebuilders and their contributions are prioritised in the EU´s agenda. This positive role that young people play in building peace was highlighted in the European Commission's Instrument Contributing to Stability and Peace Annual Plan for this year.  The decades of experience World Vision and Search for Common Ground havein supporting young peacebuilders and advocating with them in Brussels and New York have contributed to the successful passing of Resolution 2250.

“This Resolution recognises the important peace contributions of young people, in which World Vision and our partners have been engaged for 20 years. My hope is the Resolution will shine a much-needed spotlight on the brave and intelligent young peacebuilders, as well as practically helping their work succeed,” added World Vision Director of Peacebuilding Matthew Scott.

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