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More often than not, young people represent a prevalent demographic in the countries we work in. By meaningfully including young people in peace efforts and amplifying their agency in peace processes, we challenge harmful stereotypes and reframe negative narratives, whilst recognising youth as a powerful driver of change, innovation, and social cohesion.
Youth leadership for peace
In Somalia, intergenerational dialogues engaged 80 young people (35% women) laying the foundation for younger generations to engage with elders and other community constituents on how to address current and past conflicts and grievances. In Burundi, three intergenerational dialogues convened 90 young people in a similar approach, and in Kenya, the programme convened 40 youth leaders for a national intergenerational dialogue on peacebuilding. The dialogue facilitated the exchange of knowledge on a vast array of topics, including on ethics, conflict resolution, and peace. Across countries, participants reported increased commitment to applying effective mediation strategies within their communities, thus rooting peacebuilding into individual and shared approaches.
In parallel, capacity building on organisational systems and development was provided to nine youth organisations across Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya, Mali, Philippines, Sierra Leone and Syria. The process was launched with conceptual framings taken from specialists such as the lead author of the Second Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace, and Security. The session helped to strengthen the project's policy linkage by providing participating organisations direct insight into the evolving Progress Study.
A cohort of 15 youth leaders with professional and leadership experience embarked on an 18-month Youth Peace Mediators' Mentoring Programme (YPMMP) in 2025. For the duration of the programme, Interpeace will provide the group with training and dialogue opportunities with Youth, Peace and Security experts, as well as global peace and mediation figures and institutions. During the first year, the programme featured an online training, followed by an in-person capacity building session in Pretoria, South Africa. The goal of the programme is to build a network of young peace mediators and provide practical tools for conflict resolution, peace negotiation and mediation across the sector.
