In 2015, the United Nations Security
Council unanimously adopted the ground-breaking
and historic Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS). UNSCR 2250,
for the first time, recognizes the important, constructive, and positive
contributions of youth in the maintenance and promotion of peace and security.
It further affirms young people’s important role in the prevention and
resolution of conflicts and stresses the importance of engaging youth as
partners and leaders in peacebuilding. It also urges UN member states to increase
active and inclusive representation of youth in decision-making at all levels,
as well as in institutions and mechanisms to prevent and resolve conflict and
counter violent extremism. The resolution provides a platform for partners to
work together and build partnerships with representatives of different sectors
to generate inclusive peace processes, including the UN, governments, donors,
civil society, youth-led organizations, the private sector, and the media. Such
alliances need to be cross-sectoral and intergenerational. EMBs can be
instrumental in establishing alliances for the purposes of ensuring peaceful
elections.[i] See Annex: Guiding Principles - Youth Engagement in
2030 Agenda Implementation.
[i] Adapted
from United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) and Search for Common Ground
(SFCG) Translating Youth, Peace &
Security Policy into Practice: Guide to kick-starting UNSCR 2250 Locally and
Nationally, (UNOY and SFCG, November 2016), http://unoy.org/wp-content/uploads/2250-Launch-Guide.pdf.
