On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security

Youth, Peace On the Frontline: and Security Report 14 This report is written by Kjersti Kanestrøm Lie Editor: Ingvill Breivik Design and illustration: Kristoffer Nilsen [saftogvann.com] Translation: Camilla Lorentzen

The report is funded by Norad (the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation)

2 Youth is the most important weapon for peace

In December 2015, the Security Council of an overarching principle. The fact that the the United Nations (UN) passed the resolu- Security Council passed this resolution is a tion 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security. This victory for young peace activists worldwide. is the first ever resolution by the UN on peace It gives clear measures to decision makers on keeping and security policy where young peo- how youth should be included in peace and ple are placed at the centre. It challenges the security work. Now the politicians need to way we think about youth in conflict, from follow up the work. being a problem, to being the main solution More than one year has passed since the in creating a more peaceful world. resolution was approved, and implementa- “The greatest strength is that it [the tion efforts have slowly started, but not as resolution] comes from young people fast as they should.With this report, LNU themselves” says Libyan Hajer Sharief in an wishes to put the resolution further up on the interview in this report. In 2017 Sharief won agenda in Norway and contribute to 2250 the Student Peace Prize, and has been one of being followed up by decision makers natio- the young people central to the efforts that nally, regionally and internationally. Norway created resolution 2250. The fact that the has the chance to take a leading role in resolution was prepared and pushed forward promoting the resolution. The formalities are by a young civil society is in itself a clear adopted, and now the most important part of sign of how significant the potential of youth the work remains: the implementation. We are as peace actors. Real and meaningful have the tools to get it right, now is the time youth participation in peace work is the to use them. running theme of the resolution and it will Stian Seland, Chair, the Norwegian lose its power without having this factor as Children and Youth Council (LNU)

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security Introduction 3 PHOTO: UN PHOTO / PIXABAY.COM / SAIH “Peace is central to Norwegian foreign policy and it is therefore natural that Norway takes a leading role in promoting the resolution”

4 Summary Summary

Youth are among those most affected in war Congo concludes that using youth in peace- and conflicts around the world – both as building processes creates more confident civilians and as combatants. More than 600 and active participants in society; reduces million young people live in fragile states or violence; contributes to less discrimination; areas that are affected by conflict, and con- increases peaceful coexistence; and increases stitute 40 percent of the 1.5 billion people support for vulnerable groups in society. living in war-torn and vulnerable areas. In December 2015, the United Nations Today's youth group is the largest ever Security Council adopted resolution 2250 and represents one quarter of the world's on Youth, Peace and Security. Because of population. Youth make up the majority of the resolution, the need to increase youth the population in many fragile states, and participation in peacebuilding was put on in some countries the youth proportion are the global agenda for the first time as high as 80 percent. Statistically speaking, Norway, together with the other Nordic large numbers of young people are associ- countries, has been an important driving ated with increased risk of armed conflict. force for the international implementa- This risk increases with low prospects of tion of Security Council resolution 1325 on education, few job opportunities and exclu- Women, Peace and Security. Lessons learned sion from political participation. from the work on 1325 can be used in the Most young people that exert violence are implementation of resolution 2250. Resolu- not violent because they want to, but because tion 2250 is binding, and thus Norway is they have no good alternative. This has to required to implement it. To make sure this change. We must challenge the way we think happens LNU proposes the two following about youth in conflict, from being a prob- measures: lem to positive change makers in the global security policy. By giving youth opportuni- 1. Norway takes a leading role in promoting ties, and insuring real and meaningful youth the resolution within the UN. participation in society, they could become 2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should the key to lasting peace. design a national action plan on resolu- Despite the fact that we have a lot of tion 2250, Youth, Peace and Security knowledge about the situation of youth in war and conflict, there are still large Promoting peace is central to Norwegian knowledge gaps when it comes to youth and foreign policy and it is therefore natural that peacebuilding, and their role in peace pro- Norway takes a leading role in promoting the cesses. Young people are mostly seen as an resolution. In the implementation of 1325, obstacle to peace, and there is little research national action plans have been central to that looks at the positive role of youth in the success, and such a plan will give direc- peacebuilding. We need more knowledge in tion and form to the resolution. Participation this field. A study from the United Network is a fundamental principle of resolution of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) focusing on 2250, and has to be at the forefront when Nepal, Colombia and Democratic Republic of Norway implements the resolution.

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security 5 1. Youth in war and peace

1.1 Vulnerable Youth themselves need to be an actor in creating The world is becoming a more peaceful place lasting peace. The resolution limits youth to claimed researchers at The Peace Research those between the age of 18 and 29, but as Institute Oslo (PRIO) in 2011. They had there is no consensus on how the term youth conducted an analysis in which they looked is defined globally, it allows for different defi- at the expected development of the level of nitions to be used depending on culture and conflict in the world from 2011 to 2050. There context. This report will not limit the term was reason for optimism, as the proportion youth to a specific age range, but focus on the of armed conflicts had been steadily decreas- transition from childhood to adulthood. ing since 1992. 1 In 2011 however, the trend reversed. 2 Since 2011, the number of conflicts 1.2 Insufficient knowledge has increased, more people die as a result of Despite the fact that we have a lot of knowl- armed conflict, and an increasing number of edge on the situation of youth in war and con- people are forced to flee. flict, there is still a large knowledge gap when Young people are among those most it comes to the role of youth in peacebuilding, affected by wars and conflict around the and their role in peace processes. 8 Young world - both as civilians and as combatants. people are often seen as an obstacle to peace, More than 600 million young people live in and there is little research that has looked fragile states or areas affected by conflict. 3 at the positive role of youth in peacebuild- Thus, they make up 40 percent of the 1.5 bil- ing. In the first global study that was done lion people living in war-torn and vulnerable on violence against children, children were areas. 4 Young people are affected by violence only considered as victims, and children and and conflict in a variety of ways - through youth were not mentioned as possible change organised crime, political violence and terror. agents or as part of peaceful solutions. 9 The We know that young people, particularly peace researchers Del Felice and Wisler, claim young men, are the most vulnerable in terms that shortage of child- and youth participa- of recruitment to extremist armed and violent tion at decision-making levels are a form of groups. Young people today dominate the structural violence, where decisions are made armed groups involved in violent conflict, as for children and young people without their they always have. At the same time, young participation. 10 men between the age of 15 and 29 constitute Research shows a clear link between ris- the majority of the victims of such conflicts. 5 ing levels of social, economic and political Young women also participate as combatants. exclusion and lack of opportunities, and the In 2008, around 100 000 young women inclination to engage in violent activity. 11 The under the age of 18 fought in armed conflicts need for identity and a sense of belonging is globally. 6 important for young people. Where affiliation Today, we are experiencing the largest is missing, violent gangs or extremist groups youth group ever, representing a quarter of may offer an alternative. Although poverty the world's population. Statistically speaking, is often highlighted as an explanation for large numbers of young people are associated why young people are drawn to extremist with an increased risk of armed conflict. 7 This groups, it is actually only part of a larger risk increases with low prospects of education, picture, where the need for affiliation is just as few job opportunities and the lack of opportu- important. nities for real and meaningful participation. Some research on youth as peace builders The UN Security Council resolution 2250 has been carried out and show that peace- on Youth, Peace and Security is a break- building where youth are involved yields posi- through because it states that young people tive results. A study from the United Network

6 1. Youth in war and peace of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) focusing on are under the age of 30, only 2 percent of Nepal, Colombia and the Democratic Repub- the world's parliamentarians are under 30 lic of Congo concludes that by using youth in years old. 13 Three out of four countries have peacebuilding processes creates more aware age restrictions on who can be elected, even and active participants in society; reduces among those allowed to vote. 14 This means violence; contributes to less discrimination; that even though people have the right to increasing peaceful coexistence; and increases vote, they are not entitled to stand for elec- support for vulnerable groups in society. tions. In the United States for example, one is allowed to vote when turning 18 years old, 1.3 The lack of opportunities while one would need to be 25 years old to be We know that violence has a negative and elected to the House of Representatives, and lasting impact on the lives of young men and at least 35 years old to become president. women. Many young people have traumatic In a number of countries in sub-Saharan experiences from war and conflict which gives Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East long-term psychological consequences. Many the political marginalisation of youth is very lose their family members and friends, and visible. The Middle East is a region with many in addition young people are losing out on a authoritarian regimes and a high propor- variety of opportunities that youth in peaceful tion of youth. The population has few or no societies take for granted. political rights; there is a high degree of state Young people often have to take on a repression, a lack of an independent judiciary more adult role in situations of war and and widespread media censorship. Simul- conflict, for example by raising siblings, tak- taneously, there has been a sharp rise in the ing care of family members, earning money number of young people who are educated, to make a living and take responsibility in and particularly among women. Despite this, the home. Therefore, young people growing the region has the highest amount of youth up in areas of conflict are forced to take on unemployment in the word. tasks that should be managed by adults. The Young protesters were those who stood consequence for many youth is lack of school- at the forefront of the “Arab Spring”, moving ing and education. This can in turn lead to from Tunisia to Bahrain in 2011, where social preventing or delaying the transition to adult- media and mobile phones played a key role. hood, and thus the risk of being marginalised Many of the protesters were highly educated increases. Without education, there is a risk young people that were greatly affected by of being left outside the labour market, which unemployment and high housing prices. The can contribute to economic exclusion and the revolutionary wave has given limited political lack of a social network. results, and protesters currently have little or The labour market is one of the areas no political power. 15 where it is particularly visible that young people are severely affected by war and conflict. 1. Stephansen S. M. (2012). Young people are three times more likely to 2. Bistandsaktuelt (2016). 3. IANYD (2016). be unemployed than adults, and in a number 4. Flyktninghjelpen and Mercy Corps (2016). of developing countries around two-thirds of 5. Geneva Declaration the young population are unemployed or have Secretariat (2011). casual jobs. Unemployment among young 6. UNDP (2016). 7. Urdal (2010). people is increasing, and in 2013 there were 8. IANYD (2016). more than 73 million unemployed young 9. Del Felice and Wisler (2007). people between the age of 15 and 24. This is 10. Ibid. equivalent to 36 percent of the 202 million 11. Del Felice and Wisler (2007), unemployed in the world. 12 Barakat, Urdal and Paulson (2010). 12. UNFPA (2014). Young people are excluded not only eco- 13. UNDP and Inter-Parliamentary Union (2012). nomically and socially, but also politically. 14. Not too young to run (2016). Although over half of the world's population 15. Store Norske Leksikon (2016).

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security 7 2. From problem to solution

2.1 Youth as peacemakers been prepared a 10-year strategy for youth The 9th of December 2015, history was development where the participation of written in the UN Security Council when it young people is central. The resolution has adopted resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and also changed how the UN operates at ground Security. This is the United Nations first res- level, including in Somalia. 16 See interview olution on peace building and security policy on the next page. where young people are placed at the centre as part of the solution – not just the problem. 2.2 By youth, for youth It challenges the way we think about youth Resolution 2250 is unique because it is about in conflict, from seeing them as a problem, young people, but also because it has been to a positive change prepared by young people. The efforts to player in global security develop the resolution began in 2012 when UN resolution: A UN resolution policy. It recognizes the the United Network of Young Peacebuilders is a formal text adopted by need to focus on youth (UNOY), a network of youth-led peace organ- any UN body, but in practice is as a separate group in isations from 45 different countries, began published mostly by either the the security policy and using an already existing network of youth Security Council or the General peace-making. Resolu- worldwide who wanted to focus on youth in Assembly. Resolutions adopted tion 2250 is legally peace efforts. The group's goal was to put this by the Security Council, such binding, and thus issue on the agenda of the United Nations. as 2250, are binding under Norway is obligated to After several rounds with key personnel, the international law, which means implement it. group decided to require a separate resolu- that UN Member States are As part of the resolution on Youth, Peace and Security - an idea obliged to follow the content of tion the need to increase that initially had been inspired by the Finnish the resolution, also Norway. young people's partici- UN Association. 17 pation in peacebuilding Given the increasing threat of more Resolution 2250: Was adopted was put on the global young people being radicalised into violent by the UN Security Council in agenda for the first groups – the resolution was thought to turn December 2015. It is acting on time. Resolution 2250 the table: By assuring young people real and Youth, Peace and Security. It is may generate a number meaningful participation in decision-making a binding agreement for all UN of specific consequences at local, national, regional and international member states. due to the pursuit of a levels, one is hoping that youth can contrib- largely unused resource, ute to create lasting peace. To move away Resolution 1325: Was adopted youth, in order to create from seeing youth as a potential problem and by the UN Security Council a more peaceful world. rather see them as being part of the solution in 2000. Acting on Women, The implementation is central to the resolution. The resolution Peace and Security. It is binding efforts have already was prepared and driven by the young civil for all UN member states. 63 started in several countries have made their own countries. In Nepal, 16. Youth Policy Press (2014) action plans to follow it up. for example, there has 17. UNOY (2015)

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8 2. From problem to solution 2250 in Somalia Constructing peace is an integrated part João Scarpelini (b. 1986). of everything we do, says João Scarpelini. From Brazil. Youth Adviser for In one of the countries in the world with the UN in Somalia. the youngest population resolution 2250 PHOTO: UNSOM PHOTO, ILYAS AHMED provides new tools for building peace.

What challenges are one facing with the opportunities to engage in political, regard to youth and peacebuilding in economic and social affairs are weak or Somalia? non-existent. These opportunities are even It is important to clarify two things in a scarcer for girls and young women. context like Somalia. Firstly, it is difficult to To what extent do young people them- distinguish between the work we do related selves get involved in peace-building directly to peace-making and our other work. activities? Basically, everything we do - to support state Today in Somalia, the UN presence con- building, strengthening the constitutional sists of 22 agencies, funds or programs, in state, develop infrastructure and create jobs addition to UNSOM, UNSOS and the World – is linked to peace and stability. Secondly, Bank. Previously, participation by young it is difficult to define what the specific youth Somalis in the planning, implementation initiatives are because over 80 percent of the and monitoring of these programs were population is under 35 years old. Therefore, inconsistent. To avoid answering the needs most of our work has a direct impact on of the country's youth would be the same as young people, even programs that are not undermining prospects for lasting peace and dedicated to youth. Most of our initiatives stability in Somalia. This recognition has have a youth component, or the majority of gradually emerged. After realizing that the beneficiaries or participants are under the Somali youth itself plays a crucial role, the age of 35, which is the official definition of United Nations systems in Somalia decided youth in Somalia. to put together a combined strategy. This Somalia is one of the countries with the framework builds on the recommendations youngest population in the world, but the of resolution 2250, which recognizes the prospects for young people to get an educa- role of young people as players in the UN´s tion and a job are very limited. In addition, development work, rather than being passive

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security 9 recipients of UN support. youth-led organisations to create new initia- How will it be achieved? tives. These include, among others, a sports Empowerment of young people - socially, program whose aim is to gather young people politically and economically - is the core of across various groups and regions, and a the UN's youth strategy and an essential pre- forum for dialogue that takes place at univer- requisite for lasting change in Somalia. Focu- sities in Mogadishu. We also creates space sing on young people will enable to exploit for young people to get their voices heard, their full potential as social and economic including a blog project and radio training, in actors, as well as peace builders. which young people can make their own pod- An important element in empowering casts about issues of concern to them, such as young people is to guarantee them the right radicalisation and peacebuilding. to participate in decision-making. Lasting Other than that we are working to create peace in Somalia will not be possible unless a permanent mechanism for youth participa- young people are represented in political tion, such as the National Youth Conference, life; have a voice in the national political held for the second time in 2017, and the dialogue; and a real participation in shaping UN advisory board for young people, to be the country's future. By creating permanent launched in 2017. mechanisms for participation, it will be Although support is still very limited, it possible to create meaningful and sustained is not as if young people are sitting around participation of Somali youth in decision- waiting for it to come. There are already a making at various levels. At a national level, number of youth-led grassroots projects that participation in decision-making may happen attempt to thwart/tackle tribal conflicts, the through creating a permanent youth parlia- clan system and the general discontent cau- ment, a national youth council, and by ensur- sed by the conflict in the country. ing adequate youth representation in bodies What role should Norway take? that coordinates and monitors national youth Norway is a powerful player in the policy. international community and it would be How far has the implementation of the great if Norway could use this influence resolution reached in Somalia? to promote the need for donors to invest The implementation of the resolution is in young people. Especially in weak states not easy, but a few things have already been donor money are allocated for programs that done. Firstly, we have an action plan that create benefits for young people, but very looks at specific steps the United Nations in little is awarded (if any at all) to initiatives Somalia can take to implement the recom- which are led by young people themselves, or mendations in the resolution. In relation making it possible for youth groups or youth to this we have held workshops for the UN organisations to lead their own program. It senior management in the country, including would be exciting if Norway would serve as a the Secretary General's Special Envoy. The host for serious discussions between member resolution has also been translated into states and donors about the challenges and Somali and been distributed to authorities opportunities that exist by supporting youth- and youth organisations and launched at a led initiatives in developing countries. national event where 250 young people from There is already research showing that all different regions of Somalia attended. youth-led initiatives provide good returns. I Various working groups worked on specific think that what we need now is to get a leader measures to implement the resolution among donors to launch a truly meaningful locally, and made a declaration together. debate on how the international community At a grassroot level, we work with can support these initiatives in a better way.

10 2. From problem to solution 2250: The road ahead Hajer Sharief was part of the group that initiated the work on the 2250 resolution in Hajer Sharief the UN. For her the greatest victory is the (b. 1992). From recognition of the crucial role of youth in Libya. Participa- peace building. ted in the United Network of Young Peace Builders (UNOY) Youth Why do we need resolution 2250? How should the UN member states Advocacy Team The 2250 resolution is a formal recogni- proceed to implement the resolution? that worked tion from the Security Council of youth's role The first thing that must happen is that on the 2250 in peace and security work. We all know that they must commit politically to implemen- resolution in the the Security Council is the key player in sha- ting the resolution. Once this is done, they UN. Awarded the ping the global security agenda. Therefore, should work closely with both national and Students' Peace the fact that the Council itself says that inclu- international youth groups to develop a Prize in 2017. ding youth at all levels in debates on security strategy for implementation. Young people PHOTO: PRIVATE in peace building is very important. must be included from the start; they What are the resolutions’ strengths and should be given a role in early discussions weaknesses? with their governments on how they to best The biggest strength is that it comes from implement the resolution. In other words: young people themselves. The adoption of They should include youth as key players in the resolution by the Security Council is a the process. great victory for young people and a reward To ensure that the commitments are tur- for all the work young peace activists lay ned into action, the member states should down worldwide. In addition, the resolution also set aside financial resources to support has a strength in providing decision makers the development of the resolution both with guidance on how they can incorporate a nationally and internationally. youth perspective in peace and security work. What role should Norway take? The weaknesses are related to the imple- There is no doubt that Norway can play mentation, due to the Security Council a leading role in implementing the 2250 not adopting a mechanism to monitor the resolution. Norway presents itself as a coun- implementation of the resolution. Therefore, try which is committed to promoting global implementation depends on each whether human rights. each member state chooses to implement it Norway is in a position where they can or not. The problem is that almost all govern- take a leading role in establishing, but also ments say one thing, but do another. They further develop, the global agenda on youth, say that they support youth and their role in peace and security. Norway has a strong work on peace, security and countering violent influence within the UN and good relations extremism, but very few actually do something with a number of developing countries. concrete about it. This applies particularly to These relationships would enable Norway to political and financial commitments to strengt- promote the resolution both nationally and hen young people's role in these processes. internationally in a number of countries.

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security 11 Ahmad Alhendawi (second from left), the Secretary-General's first Envoy on Youth, briefs jour- nalists on Security Council resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, after it was adopted in December 2015. At the briefing were also Sabah Ismail, youth peace activist from Pakistan; Dina Kawar, Permanent Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the UN; and Oscar Fernández-Taranco, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support. UN PHOTO society, and this in itself is a clear sign of how 2.3 Participation as guiding principle big potential youth has as peace actors. Resolution 2250 is addressing youth, peace Resolution 2250 urges UN member and security through five different themes: states to establish mechanisms that provide participation, protection, prevention, young people the opportunity to participate partnerships, and disengagement and rein- in a meaningful way in peace processes tegration. 18 The resolution gives a number and conflict resolution. It calls on member of recommendations within each theme that states to engage local communities and member states, the UN and the civil society civil society in developing strategies to can use to develop policy in this field. A key combat violent extremism, and also to work point in the resolution is that young people for customised solutions for youth and are crucial actors in order to create lasting other groups who are vulnerable of being peace and should therefore get real par- recruited by violent groups. The resolu- ticipation in peace processes. Youth should tion asks that young people’s point of view participate in decision-making at all levels, is included in peace negotiations and in both during and after conflict, but also in the implementation of peace agreements. peacetime. Omitting youth will damage the prospects The principle of participation is a separate for lasting peace. item in the resolution, but is also included in

12 2. From problem to solution LNU’s principles for real and initiative has mobilised issues meaningful participation: they are concerned and have expertise in.

1. Independence: 3. Expertise: Youth must independently get Youth who must be seen as to choose which issues they experts with professional want to engage in. Young resources. people are entitled to be heard in all decisions affecting them 4. Sufficient information: and in decisions relating to Participation means that topics where youth is enga- young people should have ged. Processes where young access to all relevant informa- people are on equal terms as tion and support in the same adults gives real influence. way as other bodies have.

2. Representation: 5. Continuity: Participation initiatives must One-time events and proces- be based on already existing ses that are not specifically networks and youth orga- amended do not bring nisations, which on its own participation.

the other themes. Without youth participa- what needs they will have when they are tion in all stages of implementation it will stepping out of adolescence and into adult- lose its power. Young people’s rights to hood. It would therefore be in the youth´s participate in policy making are rooted in the own interest to ensure that most of society is UN Declaration of Human Rights and the organised in the best possible way, facilitated CRC (the Convention on the Rights of the to live a good life. 19 This means that young Child). According to LNU youth should not people have much to gain from a peaceful be included because they are the “leaders of society. tomorrow” or because they have to learn how For resolution 2250 to succeed, young the current system works. Nor should youth people must be recognised as both partners only be included because they know what is and stakeholders. However, not all participa- most important in typical youth issues. The tion is good participation. LNU operates main reason to include children and youth in with five principles for real and meaningful political processes, and give them real power, participation; independence, representation, is that it strengthens democracy. Organised expertise, access to adequate information youth have proven that they, more than other and continuity. These are core principles that interest groups, are concerned about the need to be met in order for participation to society as a whole, and not only for young be real and meaningful. people's own interest. A common denomina- tor for all young people is that they are not 18. UN Security Council (2015). going to be young forever, they do not know 19. LNU (2014).

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security 13 3. Lessons from resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security

3.1 Women at the forefront number of countries now adopt a gender The United Nation Security Council resolu- perspective in its peace and security policies, tion 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was both nationally and internationally. For Nor- created 15 years before resolution 2250. The way, it implies among other things that there initial goal for the resolution was to include are clear procedures on how women should women as actors in peace efforts. The resolu- be included in peace processes. Norway tion has many similarities with 2250, and the includes both men and women in their del- process that led up to it and the follow-up egations to peace talks and encourages other work afterwards can therefore give us many present parties to do the same. In addition, important lessons. through training and courses, the expertise In many areas 1325 can be seen as a suc- on women, peace and security have increased cess story. First and foremost, the resolution in the foreign service, the police and armed required the UN member states to include forces. The aim is that this should be put into women and gender perspective into their practice both in Norway and in countries peace efforts. This had not been done system- where Norway are being present, with special atically until then. Because conflicts histori- efforts in Afghanistan, Colombia, Myanmar, cally mainly have involved men, particularly Palestine and South Sudan. as military personnel, the role of women Per November 2016 have 63 countries in conflict and peace-making have been adopted a national action plan on the basis underestimated. Resolution 1325 has shown of 1325. 23 Still, a number of major challenges that women are key actors in creating lasting remain to be solved. However, when resolu- peace and making humanitarian work more tion 1325 was adopted, it did not come with effective. 20 Resolution 1325 was also cited as a set of indicators that made the achieve- a justification when Africa's first democrati- ment measurable. In Norway, such a set of cally elected female president, Ellen Johnson indicators was added first in 2015. Thus, the Sirleaf, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize systematic implementation has been highly in 2011. The Nobel Committee highlighted variable from country to country due to the in their announcement that Johnson Sirleaf, difficulties of verifying the achievements in after her inauguration as president of Liberia comparison with the goals. Although research in 2006, has “contributed to securing peace from UN Women shows that the chance of in Liberia, promoting economic and social lasting peace after peace talks go up by 35 development and the empowerment of percent by including women in the process, women”. 21 The Colombian peace process, below 10 percent of the world's peace negotia- which Norway was facilitating, is widely tors are women. 24 cited as a model of how women and gender perspectives can be included in peace efforts, 3.2 The women's movement as a key player and the peace accord in Colombia is the Resolution 1325 would never have been accord where these perspectives have been implemented if it had not been for strong integrated to the largest extent. 22 women's organisations pushing for it to get The resolution has made sure that a passed. It was the international women's

14 3. Lessons from resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security A delegation of women from South Sudan meet foreign minister Børge Brende during the peace negotiations in Addis Abeba in 2014. They were discussing how women to a larger extent can be included in peace processes. PHOTO: KFUK-KFUM GLOBAL

movement who fronted it and who also Women Peace and Security 2015 -2018, was authored the actual document. The process published in February 2015. of implementing the resolution has been Several of the experiences from the work different in different countries. Norway has on 1325 can be used when resolution 2250 is been a driving force from the beginning and to be implemented. Particularly helpful is the has used the resolution actively in their poli- experience with the preparation of a results cymaking. To follow up resolution 1325 Nor- framework, and much of this can be used way got its first action plan on Women, Peace when developing an action plan for resolu- and Security in 2006. Two years earlier, a tion 2250. group of 21 civil society organisations was established with the aim of providing input to the first Norwegian action plan. The group was named Forum 1325 and has played a 20. UN Women (2015). 21. Nobelkomiteen (2011). very important role in the plan´s develop- 22. PRIO (2016) ment. Since 2006, the action plan has been 23. Peace Women (2017). revised several times. The latest action plan, 24. UN Women (2015).

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security 15 4. Norway's role in war and peace

4.1 A leading international role Even with clear principles for peace and Norway, together with the other Nordic reconciliation work, it has been difficult to countries, have a number of international maintain the reputation as a peace nation. positions, both in the UN system and in other Norwegian foreign policy is largely characte- major international organisations. The fact rised by co-operation with our allies in NATO, that Norway has been an advocate for resolu- and Norway has participated in military ope- tion 1325 is therefore no surprise - it fits into rations with and without a UN mandate. The "the Norwegian model of peace". The Nordic military participation in Afghanistan, Iraq countries have often taken a leading role in and the bombing of Libya has been heavily international processes. Because of this, it is debated. In addition, Norway is one of the commonly said that Norway is “boxing above world's largest arms exporters relative to the its own weight class”. population, and are exporting military equip- An example of such leadership is the ment to a number of controversial regimes. 26 UN sustainable development goals, where The Norwegian peace- and security policy Norway has taken a leading role on gender has evolved over time, and in 2003 the Minis- equality, education and health. Prime Minis- try of Foreign Affairs created the department ter Erna Solberg was in January 2016 named for peace and reconciliation. Today this one of the heads of UN advocacy group on the department consists of 14 employees with a sustainable development goals, which works budget of over 600 million NOK dedicated to strengthen the overall effort to achieve the to conflict prevention and resolution initia- objectives globally. Following up the sustai- tives. 27 Norway is an active participant in a nable development goals has been important number of peace processes and post-conflict in Norway's international activities, and will situations, either as a mediator, facilitator, or be for years to come. Taking a leading role in through civil society support. Norway has 12 following up resolution 2250 will strengthen focus countries in foreign- and development this work and will ensure that Norway and policy, and peace and stability are the main the other Nordic countries can lead the way in priorities in half of these, (Afghanistan, fulfilling the sustainable development goal on Mali, Haiti, Palestine, Somalia and Southern peace and justice. Sudan). Common for all the focus countries In some contexts, Norway is referred to are that they are defined as "fragile states". as a peace nation. As a small country with a In addition, these countries have very young small population, peace diplomacy has given populations. In Somalia, 70 percent of the us status internationally. Since the beginning population are under the age of 30, 28 in Mali of the 1990s, Norway has served as a sup- is half the population under the age of 15 29 porting player for the UN and other actors and over 60 percent of the population in Afg- involved in mediation processes in a number hanistan is under the age of 25. 30 Investing in of wars and conflicts, and has had a particu- these countries is impossible without taking larly important role in the peace processes in youth into consideration and resolution 2250 the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Colombia. 25 will provide good tools for this work. In addition, Norway has provided long-term Despite military participation in a number assistance to conflict areas and developing of conflicts over the last decade, Norway countries. This effort has given Norway a maintains an important voice internationally good reputation, which Norway has been able in terms of peace and reconciliation and is to use to their advantage. Norway also awards regarded as a relatively neutral player in most the Nobel Peace Prize, which helps maintain international conflicts. This gives Norway the link between Norway and peace. legitimacy and the space for action to promote

16 4. Norway's role in war and peace 2250 internationally. It will be a good way recipients of aid, without being recognised as to ensure the continuity of the peace- and leading players. reconciliation efforts, and international work There are already many projects led by must be seen in connection with the effort we and for young people. In the implementation put down at home. of 2250, it is important that these efforts are In recent years, the status on international being invested in. Supporting such projects conflicts has changed - states are now facing economically will lay the building blocks for new challenges, also nationally. War and additional similar projects to emerge. conflict are no longer something that only Norway already supports many gras- take place within national borders or between sroots initiatives around the world, and the neighbouring countries. Rather, also non- Norwegian peace model is characterised by state actors have become an increasing threat. close co-operation between the state and the International conflicts are forcing people to grassroots. Identifying projects which are led flee and the world is today experiencing the by young people will be very important in biggest refugee crisis since World War II. dealing with resolution 2250. LNU will, in in More than half of the people who have been this regard, bring forth two good examples of displaced are children and young people. In such projects. 2015, over 5 000 of the refugees who came to The first example is the Norwegian Norway unaccompanied was minor asylum Students' and Academics' International seekers. Of these, two out of three were from Assistance Fund's (SAIH) work in Colombia. Afghanistan and many also came from Eritrea They have worked closely with the Colombian and Syria. 31 These are young people who has student organisation Asociación Nacional de gotten their lives put on hold and who live in Estudiantes de Secundaria (ANDES) since great uncertainty of what the future will hold. 2013, parallel to Norway facilitating the peace Resolution 2250 also obliges Norway to negotiations. In a country where pupils and invest in youth domestically, both in those students have been under severe pressure who have grown up in Norway and those who through decades of civil war, the peace efforts come here fleeing from war and conflict. Lack at educational institutions is crucial to crea- of opportunities makes young people vulnera- ting a culture of peace among young people. ble to being recruited into violent activity, and The other example is the work of KFUM it therefore important to invest in preventive Global in Southern Sudan. Since 2014, they measures at an early stage. Youth who lack have worked with the implementation of opportunities or feel excluded from the main resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Secu- society are more likely to become radicalised. rity. In their work they have included youth Norway has already adopted a national action in general and young women in particular plan to combat radicalisation and violent as actors. By doing this they have created a extremism, and much of the content of this good foundation to continue working with can be used in efforts to implement resolution the implementation of resolution 2250 in the 2250. country. The work of KFUM Global is thus an example to follow. 4.2 A young civil society as a peace actor - Continuing the support to these types of two examples projects will strengthen Norway´s work in To include youth and give them real par- international peace efforts. ticipation in peace processes is the core of resolution 2250. This applies not only at the 25. Brende, B. (2014). negotiating tables or in the formulation of 26. Tornes, E. (2014). national and international politics, but also 27. Utenriksdepartementet (2015). 28. UNDP (2017). at the grassroots level. Already, investment in 29. UNFPA (2017). youth is a focus in many countries. However, 30. UNFPA (2017). youth are very often seen as passive 31. UDI (2016).

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security 17 ● Over 50 years of civil war has made Colom- initiatives in Colombia that focuses on bia one of the most violence-torn countries. reforming the education system and working Despite a peace agreement between the to ensure that schools are safe for Colom- guerrilla group FARC and the Colombian bian youth. One of these is the Asociación government signed in 2016, there is still a Nacional de Estudiantes de Secundaria long way to go before Colombia is a peaceful (ANDES), which has had a partnership with society. Following the peace agreement, the SAIH since 2013. The partnership was sup- Colombian government also initiated peace ported by NORAD until 2016 and continued talks with the second major guerrilla group, by Operasjon Dagsverk (OD) from 2017. the ELN. ANDES are working on the issue There has been more money spent on to avoid that schools are being used as a warfare than on education throughout the place for forced recruitment into the army. civil war. In addition to the poorly working They have documented and reported cases education system, the military presence in of forced recruitment and prevented that schools and universities has been a major young people have been recruited to guer- challenge. Schools have been used as military rillas or the Colombian army against their bases and military have done forced recruit- will. ANDES has campaigned for the right to ment of students. Recruitment of children refuse military service, and in relation to this

Students under under the age of 18 is prohibited under inter- they printed symbolic ID cards for conscien- national law, nevertheless 289 young people tious objectors. They also made handbooks were forcibly recruited in Colombia in 2015 educating students about peace, which are according to figures from the UN Rapporteur being handed out in schools. In 2014 ANDES

attack in Colombia for children. In addition, has educational created human rights committees in 18 dif- institutions been attacked. Solely in 2015, ferent educational institutions, and under the eleven schools were destroyed in acts of war. sponsorships of these committees hundreds The attacks on schools and educa- of students have participated in courses on tional institutions in Colombia demonstrate the right to conscientious objection. They how important it is to invest in education for have also created guidelines for raising young people in conflict situations. There are awareness of the right to refuse military a number of organisations and grassroots service and prohibit schools from offering lists of students to the army. ANDES are also represented in the national peace council in Colombia. Through this work, they aim to ensure that young people have an active voice in the development of national policies in the post-agreement context. In December 2014, the guidelines for the protection of schools and universities from military use in armed conflict were finalised. Norwegian authorities have been a driving force in this work, and SAIH, ANDES and other civil society organisations have been key actors in dealing with the establish- ment of these guidelines. Although the peace agreement is signed, extensive important work remains, in addition to the ongoing negotiations with the ELN. SAIH, along with ANDES continue to educate young people Colombia, 2014: Youth manifesting their support to the peace and influence the government to prevent the process, and demanding dialogue between the government recruitment of children and young people to and the gerilla group FARC. PHOTO: SAIH war.

18 4. Norway's role in war and peace peace in South Sudan Counsellors for ● Since Sudan gained independence in for the politicians to make change happen. 1956, the country has been afflicted by Several of the young people who have been civil war and has only experienced brief part of the project have participated in peace periods of peace. After 17 years of civil war talks in Addis Ababa and at the Human a peace treaty was signed in 2005, and in Rights Commission in Geneva to work for 2011 a referendum as a result of the peace increased participation of youth in peace agreement led to the south disengaging efforts. from the north. In light of this, South The young people from YWCA have also Sudan is the youngest state in the world. participated in peace groups, communicating Its history has been marked by conflict and a message of peace through various activities. after many attempts to create peace severe By creating meeting points, such as sports conflicts sparked once again in 2013. The events, they communicate their knowledge of long history of war has caused young south peacebuilding in settings where young people Sudanese to grow up with few opportunities meet. for a safe and stable future. In addition, many young people live with traumatic experiences. A population affected by war trauma has

made peace efforts in the country difficult. In addition to poverty, lack of education and workplaces, having war trauma causes the youth to have a lacking belief in a peaceful future. Since 2014, KFUK-KFUM Global (YMCA-YWCA Global) has worked to implement the UN resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security together with South Sudan YWCA. As a youth organisation, it has been important for them to include youth in all its work, and young women in particular. One of the main initiatives of South Sudan YWCA's work is treatment of trauma. They have a project supported by Norad where they since 2014 have educated young women to become counsellors in order to talk with young people traumatised by war. 7 counsel- ling centres have been created across the country through the project, and they are one of very few actors who are specialised in this type of work. With trauma treatment as a starting point, the goal of the project is to create hope among the young population, which are later followed up with concrete measures such as school access and the creation of small businesses. Through the project the YWCA want to empower youth while making them under- One of the main focusses of KFUKs work in stand that they must be active participants South Sudan is trauma treatment. Through in order to create peace. The project trains their project they train young women to young people to create their own tools for become counsellors for youth with trauma. creating peace, as an alternative to waiting PHOTO: KFUK-KFUM GLOBAL

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security 19 5. Recommendations

With this report LNU aims to highlight Security Council from 2021. This is a unique resolution 2250, placing it on the agenda opportunity to highlight resolution 2250. of Norway and contribute to 2250 to be Promoting the resolution within the UN will implemented nationally, regionally and inter- strengthen Norway's application. Meanwhile, nationally. The resolution is adopted, but the Norway should also support the work of most important part of the work remains: the advisory group that the UN Secretary- implementation. General has established on 2250, as well as Norway is obliged to follow up resolution the work on the global study on Youth, Peace 2250 as it is legally binding to all the UN and Security. member states. The question is not whether Secondly, the Nordic countries tradi- Norway should implement it, but how. tionally hold public statements together in LNU urges Norway to take a leading role the UN Security Council and other United in pushing youth as an actor of change in Nations forums. The idea of an independent peace efforts, and resolution 2250 has given UN resolution on Youth, Peace and Security us something concrete to hold on to in this originally came from Finland, and Norway work. LNU are asking the government to fol- will thus be able to benefit from close co-ope- low up 2250 in a way that allows young peo- ration with the Finnish delegation of the UN. ple to not only be passive recipients of policy In addition, Sweden has a seat in the Security measures, but also give them a real and Council in 2017 and 2018, which also can meaningful participation in designing the help ensure that the Nordic countries have measures that must be implemented. LNU room to promote 2250 within the UN. proposes two measures in order to make sure It will be very important to include youth this happens: in a real and meaningful way throughout this work. There are many different opportunities 1. Norway takes a leading role promoting the for inclusion. LNU has already created a resolution within the UN network of organisations that wants to follow 2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs designs a the developments around resolution 2250 in national action plan for resolution 2250 Norway. As of February 2017, the network on Youth, Peace and Security consists of 14 organisations, in addition to LNU: SAIH, Changemaker, Press, KFUK- 5.1 Leading role in promoting resolution KFUM Global, Lawan Norway (The Kurdish Resolution 2250 was adopted in December Youth League), Spire, Socialist youth, Ung i 2015, and the first step is to make the resolu- kor, Plan Norway, Student’s Peace Prize (Stu- tion better known and put it on the agenda. dentenes fredspris), KrFU, FN-sambandets LNU asks Norway to put in an effort to pro- ungdomspanel, Red Cross youth and Nor- mote the resolution, particularly within the wegian People's Aid Solidarity youth (Norsk UN system. Norway already is a recognised Folkehjelps Solidaritetsungdom). Several of actor in international forums and carries these organisations have extensive experi- weight within the UN system on peace and ence in working with youth and peace work, reconciliation activities. There are a number both inside Norway and internationally. The of different venues Norway can use to contri- network, led by LNU will therefore be an bute to this work: important source of knowledge. Through the Firstly, Norway is a candidate for the UN work with 1325, the Norwegian authorities

20 5. Recommendations have been required to build up expertise on women in peace and security. Now Norway Norway is must build similar expertise on Youth, Peace and Security.

a candidate 5.2 National Action Plan An action plan provides direction and objectives when implementing the ambi- for the UN tions of a UN resolution. Such a plan is therefore useful because it provides a concrete template to hold on to and helps define the Security specific measures that must be implemented to achieve the larger long-term goals of the resolution. LNU want the Norwegian Council from government to start the work on developing such an action plan on 2250. For this work it will be important to both listen to and 2021. This include young people in a real and meaningful way from an early stage, both in Norway, as well as in partner countries in is a unique the south. To ensure that the measures in the action plan are implemented, a fixed annual opportunity budget should be earmarked for the implementation of the resolution, both internationally and in Norway. It is very important to highlight to include youth at the grassroots level in this work, and to ensure that young people are active participants in the process and resolution not just passive recipients of aid. Based on the experience from resolution 1325, LNU would recommend that the 2250. government includes indicators in the action plan in order to make it easy to report on developments. Delivering annual reports should be a requirement from the start. To ensure continuity in the work the responsibility of monitoring should be added to the political leadership, with the government ensuring that the knowledge of youths’ role in peace- and security work is incorporated throughout the whole of government and the authorities in general.

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security 21 References

Barakat, B., Urdal, H. & J. Paulson IANYD Working Group on Youth (2010): “Youth, Transition, and Conflict in and Peacebuilding (2016): “Practice the Middle East and North Africa.” Note: Young People’s Participation in Peacebuilding.” Bistandsaktuelt (2016): “2016 blir pre- http://www.undp.org/content/ undp/en/ get av fortsatt krig og konflikt.” home/librarypage/democratic-governance/ http://www.bistandsaktuelt.no/ practice-note--young-people-s-participa- nyheter/2016/konflikter-i-2016/ tion-in-peacebuilding.html

Brende, B. (2014): “Norway’s guiding LNU (2014): “The Right to Participate.” principles for peace and reconciliation.” Report. Seminar på Brookings Institution, Wash- ington D.C., USA den 16. Juni 2014. Norwegian Refugee Council and Mercy https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/ Corps (2016): “Don’t Forget Us - Voices of uploads/2014/06/20140616_norway_ Young Refugees & Migrants in Greece.” peace_transcript.pdf https://www.nrc.no/resources/dont-forget- us--voices-of-young-refugees-and-migrants- Del Felice, C. & A. Wisler (2007): in-greece/ “The Unexplored Power and Potential of Youth as Peace Builders. ” Journal of Peace & Not too young to run (2016): Development Issue 11. http://nottooyoungtorun.org/ www.peacestudiesjournal.org.uk Peace Women (2017): “Member states.” Geneva Declaration Secretariat (2011): http://www.peacewomen.org/ Global Burden of Armed Violence. Cam- member-states bridge University Press, p. 81.

22 References PRIO Centre on Gender, Peace and UNFPA (2017): “Mali.” Security (2016): “Gender and Inclusion http://www.unfpa.org/ in the Colombian Peace Proccess.” PRIO transparency-portal/unfpa-mali Gender, Peace and Security Update, Issue 4. UNFPA (2014): “The power of 1,8 billion. Stephansen, S.M. (2012): “Verden Adolescents, youth and the transformation blir fredeligere.” of the future.” http://forskning.no/fremtidsforskning-krig- og-fred/2012/03/ verden-blir-fredeligere UNOY (2015): “The path towards a Security Council Resolution on Youth, Store Norske Leksikon (2016): Den Peace and Security.” arabiske våren. http://unoy.org/the-path-towards-a- https://snl.no/Den_arabiske_våren security-council-resolution-on-youth-peace- and-security/#more-1325 The Nobel committee (2011): “The Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 to Ellen Johnson UN Security Council (2015): “Resolution Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul 2250. Adopted by the Security Council at Karman - Press Release.” its 7573rd meeting, on December 9 2015.” http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/ http://www.un.org/press/en/2015/sc12149. peace/laureates/2011/press.html doc.htm

Tornes, E. (2014): “Hensynsløs våpen- UN Women (2015): “High-level Review eksport? Eksport av norsk militærutstyr til on Women, Peace and Security: 15 years of autoritære regimer 2002–2012.” Security Council resolution 1325.” http://jordan.unwomen.org/en/news/ UDI (2016): “Hvem kom som enslige in-focus/women-peace-security mindreårige asylsøkere?” https://www.udi.no/statistikk-og-analyse/ Urdal, H. (2006): “A Clash of Genera- arsrapporter/tall-og-fakta-2015/fakta- tions? Youth Bulges and Political Violence.” skriv-2015/hvem-kom-som-enslige-mindre- International Studies Quarterly (2006) 50. arige-asylsokere/ 607-629.

UNDP (2017): “About Somalia.” Norwegian Ministry of Foreign http://www.so.undp.org/content/somalia/ Affairs (2015):“Særtrekk ved Norges en/home/countryinfo.html Fred og Forsoningsarbeid.” https://www.regjeringen.no/no/tema/ UNDP and Inter-Parliamentary Union utenrikssaker/fred-og-forsoning/inn- (2012): “Global parliamentary report: siktsmappe/fred_forsoning-saertrekk/ The Changing Nature of Parliamentary id446704/ Representation.” Youth Policy Press (2014): “Youth UNFPA (2017): “Afghanistan and Public Policy in Nepal.” - Young People.” http://www.youthpolicy.org/pdfs/ http://afghanistan.unfpa.org/topics/ Youth_Public_Policy_Nepal_En.pdf young-people-0

On the Frontline: Youth, Peace and Security 23 “The fact that the Security Council passed this resolution is a victory for young peace activists worldwide.” Stian Seland, Chair, the Norwegian Children and Youth Council (LNU)