The Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda has emerged as a critical pillar in global peacebuilding efforts, particularly across Africa, where young people form a significant portion of the population.
Following the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2250 in 2015, the African Union (AU) has integrated youth into its peace and security frameworks. Recognizing the transformative role of young people as agents of change, the Women, Youth, Peace, and Security Institute (WYPSI) of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) is convening a three-day symposium aimed at advancing youth empowerment and engagement in peace processes.
This symposium, held in collaboration with the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), seeks to explore the root causes of conflict, best practices, and sustainable solutions to strengthen youth participation in peace and security. It underscores the resilience, innovation, and leadership potential of Africa’s youth, despite the challenges they face in accessing education and economic opportunities.
Over the next three days, participants will delve into critical issues such as conflict prevention, inclusive governance, economic empowerment, and sustainable development. The discussions will focus on both the successes and obstacles young people encounter across the continent, with an eye towards formulating concrete actions for enhancing their role in peacebuilding.
In his opening remarks, Major General Richard Addo Gyane, Commandant of KAIPTC, highlighted the urgency of addressing the myriad global challenges facing today’s youth. “As we gather, the world faces immense challenges – conflict, inequality, climate change, and social injustice. However, Africa’s young people hold unparalleled potential to drive positive change, foster development, and promote peace,” he stated, drawing on examples from Kenya, Uganda, and Senegal, where youth have played a meaningful role in shaping peace and security efforts.
The symposium aims to achieve several key objectives, including:
- Validating the outcomes of stakeholder consultations conducted by KAIPTC across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Senegal, and Ghana.
- Developing actionable policy recommendations to boost youth participation in peace and security initiatives.
- Raising awareness and advocating for greater youth involvement in leadership roles.
- Facilitating networking among stakeholders to reinforce collective commitments to promoting the YPS agenda.
A diverse group of 18 participants, consisting of 11 men and 7 women, are taking part in this symposium. Representing the AU, regional bodies, national governments, youth-led organizations, civil society, academia, and international organizations, these participants will contribute to shaping a more inclusive and effective peacebuilding framework that elevates youth voices.
By transforming the findings from various consultations into concrete policy recommendations, this symposium sets the stage for a stronger, more coordinated effort to empower young Africans as leaders and agents of peace. It marks a significant step toward the collective goal of fostering peace, stability, and development across the continent.
KAIPTC extends its gratitude to the Government of Sweden, through SIDA, for their invaluable support in making this event a success.