Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security on Youth, Peace and Security
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INDEPENDENT PROGRESS STUDY INDEPENDENT AND SECURITY PEACE YOUTH, ON INDEPENDENT PROGRESS STUDY THE MISSING PEACE ON YOUTH, PEACE AND SECURITY ON YOUTH, PEACE AND SECURITY PEACE YOUTH, ON INDEPENDENT PROGRESS STUDY INDEPENDENT www.unfpa.org/youth-peace-security View the Progress Study at www.youth4peace.info/ProgressStudy The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the United Nations, any of its affiliated organizations or their Member States. Independent lead author: Graeme Simpson Editing: Biotext Design and printing: Prographics ISBN: 978-0-89714-037-9 © 2018 UNFPA and PBSO All rights reserved Cover photos (top to bottom): © UNV/Momoko Sato & UNDP/Tim Jenkins © UNICEF/Adriana Zehbrauskas © UNFPA/Ollivier Girard © United Nations/Amanda Voisard Inside front cover photo: © United Nations/Amanda Voisard Inside back cover photo: © UNFPA/Ollivier Girard THE MISSING PEACE INDEPENDENT PROGRESS STUDY ON YOUTH, PEACE AND SECURITY Foreword from António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General In December 2015, the Security Council adopted resolution 2250 on youth, peace and security, marking a significant shift towards recognizing the role of young people as agents of peace. A few months later, in April 2016, the twin resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and Security Council on the review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture echoed resolution 2250 by stressing young people’s contribution to the inclusiveness and sustainability of efforts to build and sustain peace. Since I assumed office, I have made prevention, including of violent conflict, a priority. The active engagement of young women and men can make a critical difference in averting violence and war. This should be recognized, supported and promoted as a critical precondition for the success of efforts to build enduring peace. This Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security, requested by resolution 2250, is an important contribution to understanding the diversity and complexity of young people’s engagement for peace. It offers new insights on the counterproductive effects of policies that cast youth as a challenge or problem, rather than an indispensable asset and partner in building peaceful societies. The study proposes ways to support the agency, leadership and ownership of young people and their networks and organizations, and facilitate their equal and full participation at all decision- making levels. It gives us a blueprint for implementing resolution 2250 and the recently adopted follow-on resolution 2419 (2018) on youth, peace and security. I commend this study and its recommendations, which point the way towards a new and inclusive approach to engage youth in peace and security efforts. It is a valuable contribution to our collective commitment to build and sustain peace and achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ii | Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security Message from Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, UNFPA, and Oscar Fernández-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Following the adoption of Security Council resolution 2250 in 2015, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) were tasked by then-UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to jointly support the development of the independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security and steer a unique process that has led to what we believe is a landmark report. We are pleased that this study is now being presented in full to the wider public, following submission of an abridged version to the Security Council in April 2018. Our respective organizations are privileged to have played a role assisting this important work, and we are gratified by the support provided by Secretary-General António Guterres for our endeavours in this regard. For several years, UNFPA and the PBSO have worked with UN partners, non- governmental organizations, youth-led networks, foundations and others to ensure that the role of young people in advancing peace and security is fully recognized and supported. Security Council resolution 2250, born from young people’s determination to obtain the Security Council’s recognition of their contribution and engagement, and benefitting from the leadership of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, became a groundbreaking framework. Across the world, young peacebuilders have used it to open the doors of power, engage partners and mobilize commitment and support for their work for peace. The recent adoption of Security Council resolution 2419 (2018), co-sponsored by 76 Member States, illustrates the widespread political support this agenda has garnered over the past three years. Joining strategic advantages and institutional expertise on youth and peacebuilding, UNFPA and PBSO have established a unique partnership, enacting new ways of working for the United Nations, across pillars and mandates. We extend our deepest appreciation to the independent Lead Author, Mr. Graeme Simpson, his Advisory Group of Experts, the Steering Committee that provided overall guidance and direction, and to all Member States and partners that supported this effort. We are confident that the study represents a fundamental stepping stone for the youth, peace and security agenda, defining its substantive scope and vision, from which concrete commitments, resources, programmatic efforts and policy development will follow. We commit to continue driving the youth, peace and security agenda, as a central component of the United Nations’ work for and with youth, and as a core dimension of our work to support national efforts to build and sustain peace. Message | iii © UNV/Momoko Sato & UNDP/Tim Jenkins © UNFPA/Oliver Girad Contents Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................vi Acronyms ...............................................................................................................................viii Executive summary ..................................................................................................................ix INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 Tackling stereotypes and policy myths...................................................................................9 1.1 Defining youth ...............................................................................................................................................9 1.2 The youth, peace and security policy context .......................................................................................... 12 1.3 Debunking assumptions ............................................................................................................................ 17 1.4 The upside .................................................................................................................................................. 31 CHAPTER 2 Youth for peace ...............................................................................................................................35 2.1 Defining peace and security ...................................................................................................................... 35 2.2 Agency, ownership and leadership ........................................................................................................... 40 2.3 Types of youth engagement ...................................................................................................................... 45 2.4 Reaping the reward: consolidating youth peace work ............................................................................. 59 CHAPTER 3 Addressing the “violence of exclusion” ................................................................................63 3.1 Meaningful political inclusion ................................................................................................................... 63 3.2 Beyond just jobs ......................................................................................................................................... 76 3.3 Education .................................................................................................................................................... 85 3.4 The central role of gender identities for youth, peace and security ........................................................ 94 3.5 Dealing with injustice and human rights ................................................................................................ 101 3.6 Disengagement and reintegration .......................................................................................................... 106 CHAPTER 4 From a demographic dividend to a peace dividend .......................................................115 Recommendations ................................................................................................................................117 ANNEXES Annex 1: Commissioned and submitted research for the Progress Study .................................................. 130 Annex 2: Overview of youth consulted ........................................................................................................... 132 Annex 3: References .......................................................................................................................................