Young people are not just the future of peace — they are active builders of it right now. With nearly half the world’s population under 30, how we invest in, listen to, and include young people in peacebuilding will determine whether the conflicts of today become the crises of tomorrow.

Did You Know?

• Nearly 50% of the world’s population is under 30 years old, and young people are disproportionately affected by conflict — as victims, displaced persons, and too often as recruited combatants. How societies engage youth is one of the most consequential peace and security decisions of our time. (United Nations)
• Young people between the ages of 15 and 29 are most vulnerable to recruitment into armed groups, particularly in regions where unemployment, exclusion, and lack of opportunity are highest. Economic marginalization and absence of civic voice are among the strongest drivers of youth radicalization. (United Nations Security Council / UNDP)
• Despite their stake in the outcome, young people remain largely excluded from formal peace processes. UN Security Council Resolution 2250, adopted in 2015, was the first to recognize youth as essential partners in peace and security — yet implementation remains uneven and youth participation in official negotiations remains rare. (United Nations / Search for Common Ground)
  Youth-led peacebuilding initiatives are demonstrably effective. Community-level programs engaging young people in dialogue, civic leadership, and conflict resolution have shown measurable reductions in local violence and inter-group tension across conflict-affected regions in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America — though comprehensive global impact data remains an acknowledged research gap. (United Nations Peacebuilding Fund / UNESCO)