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Why young peacebuilders must be included in the post-2015 agenda
an article by Laura McManus, UNOY Peacebuilders
In 2015 the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
will expire and a new global agenda, one that
addresses the most urgent environmental and
development needs, will come into effect. While
the MDGSs have had a tremendous impact worldwide
in reducing child mortality, safeguarding primary
education, and reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS,
only 20 conflict affected or fragile states have
met one or more of the eight MDGs. Considering
that 1.5 billion people live in conflict affected
and fragile states and these areas have
predominantly young populations, it is time to put
young people and the forefront of peace, security
and development agendas.
UNOY Youth Advocacy Team at UN in October 2013
click on photo to enlarge
The United Network of Young (UNOY) Peacebuilders,
with 60 member organisations in 35 countries
around the world, is leading the campaign for the
inclusion of youth and a positive peace framework
in the post-2015 agenda. Through the work of their
Youth Advocacy Team, UNOY conducted a global
consultation among it members to learn how young
peacebuilders can and want to contribute to a goal
on peace and security beyond 2015. The
consultation revealed how young peoples
participation in peacebuilding remains under
recognised by development mechanisms despite the
enthusiasm of young people and youth organisations
to work in peacebuilding.
From a peacebuilding perspective, the most
striking feature of the MDGs was that not one of
the goals aimed to end violence or promote peace.
The High Level Panel Report of Eminent Persons
acknowledged that the MDGs “were silent on the
devastating effects of conflict and violence on
development”, (2013, Executive Summary) and
recommends any future goals be “widely applicable
in countries with different levels of income and
in those emerging from conflict or recovering from
natural disaster” (14). Without an end to
violence and freedom from fear, no society will
make marked progress to other development
indicators. Peacebuilding must, therefore, be
considered as integral to the achievement of all
other goals. Although peace has been identified as
a crosscutting issue of the post-2015 agenda, the
any goal to build peace and effective governance
must incorporate a holistic approach to positive
peace.
As Paula, a young peacebuilder for Colombia,
explained in UNOY Peacebuilders’ consultation:
“If people, if communities, if young generations
are educated to live and promote a culture of
peace where mutual respect and understanding of
oneself, others and nature is a must, then the
application of the Post-2015 MDGs will have
sustainable and fertile ground to thrive” (Paula
Ramírez, in UNOY Peacebuilders, 2013, 28.).
Positive peace is that which sustains peacefulness
beyond just the absence of war. It is systems put
in place that actively seek to cultivate peace
rather than simply address or divert violent
conflict. It is applicable to all young people,
not just to those in conflict affected and fragile
states, but to youth worldwide who respect
diversity, tolerance and difference. The promotion
of a culture of peace includes peace education and
recognising and addressing structures of violence
such as gender discrimination, ethnic
marginalisation and poverty. Above most, a culture
of peace needs to involve all actors in society
but crucially young people who often remain
outside of the normative security framework.
(This article is continued in the discussionboard)
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LATEST READER COMMENT:
(The following is continued from the main article listed above.)
There must be a shift in normative thinking on youth in peace and conflict. Current discourse places rule of law, institutions and security sector reform at the heart of the peace and security agenda. The targets in illustrative goal 11 proposed by the HLP reflect this top down and institutionalised approach; Ensure justice institutions are accessible, independent, well resourced and respect due process rights, and Enhance the capacity, professionalism and accountability of the security forces, police and judiciary.
But lasting peace is more than the sum of police officers or judges. While this reform necessary, it remains just one component of intimately interconnected societies. Reform needs to take place across horizontal and vertical structures, and in public and private spheres. Infrastructures that enable economic growth, social cohesion and political legitimacy must be promoted and sustained. Young people are instrumental in these processes – their innovation and creativity is essential for entrepreneurship, their flexibility to change makes them effective agents of trust building, and their desire for good governance can overturn dishonest leaders:
“Young people can make a huge change in the society they live in. They have enthusiasm, motivation and creative minds in promoting development. . ...more.
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