Youth

Today’s generation of youth worldwide is the largest in history and forms the majority in many countries affected by armed conflict. As the demographic most easily enticed by militant groups but also a powerful force for constructive action, young people are key to a peaceful future. Through research, grants, and other support, the U.S. Institute of Peace conducts programs that, for example, address divides between and within Arab and Israeli societies, support peace education for university students in Afghanistan, and provide leadership and conflict management training for young leaders in the Middle East and Africa.

How Girls Lead to Advance Youth, Peace, Equality

Tue, 10/11/2016 - 13:30
Tue, 10/11/2016 - 14:30
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Webcast Only Event: Young Leaders Mark the International Day of the Girl Child

Tunisian and American activists to end violence against women will join 20 youth leaders from the Middle East and North Africa in a webcast discussion from the U.S. Institute of Peace on Oct. 11 focusing on the role girls play in building peace. The event will take place on the International Day of the Girl Child and is part of USIP’s 60 days of activities connecting issues of youth, peace and gender equality. 

The predominant narrative about youth asserts that young men are perpetrators of violence and young women are victims. In reality, both girls and boys, women and men are powerful agents of change and can work together to foster inclusive societies that manage conflict nonviolently. 

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The Power of Youth Working for Peace and Equality

Tue, 09/13/2016 - 09:30
Tue, 09/13/2016 - 11:00

The new U.N. Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security calls for organizations around the globe to involve young women and men more in peacebuilding. Join the U.S. Institute of Peace, Search for Common Ground and other partners on Sept. 13 for a Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum including USAID Agency Youth Coordinator Michael McCabe. Speakers, including youth leaders, will discuss how young women and men are leading such work and what policymakers can do to ensure that the largest generation of youth the world has ever known is not left on the sidelines.

Experts: 

The U.N. resolution, adopted in December, identifies young people as critical partners for peace. It aims to counter a frequent narrative that defines young men as perpetrators of violence and young women as victims. In this discussion, policymakers, civil society organizations, and youth leaders will explore solutions that support youth leadership in peace and security efforts.

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Youth, Peace and Security: New Global Perspectives

Tue, 06/14/2016 - 14:00
Tue, 06/14/2016 - 16:00

The largest generation of young people the world has ever known is too often associated with violent conflict. With the December 2015 passage of Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, the United Nations recognized the critical role of youth in promoting and maintaining international peace. Join the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Inter-agency Working Group on Youth and Peacebuilding on June 14 for a discussion of the resolution with the U.N. Secretary-General’s first Envoy for Youth H.E. Ahmad Alhendawi of Jordan, as well as young leaders from countries affected by violent extremism and armed conflict, and other senior experts.

Read the event coverage, U.N. Youth-and-Peace Resolution: The Hard Work Begins.

Today’s generation of youth, at 1.8 billion, is the largest the world has ever known. Many of these youth are living in countries plagued by violent conflict and extremism, such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. The goal of SCR 2250 is to recognize youth as partners for peace rather than solely viewing young people as perpetrators of violence—a shift in mindset that responds to the call to action of 11,000 young peacebuilders in the Amman Youth Declaration.

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USIP Youth Leaders’ Exchange with the Dalai Lama

Short Description: 

The U.S. Institute of Peace and His Holiness the Dalai Lama have joined to strengthen the abilities of youth leaders working to build peace in the world’s most violent regions. USIP and the Dalai Lama hosted a dialogue in May 2016 with 28 such peacebuilders drawn from networks of the Institute and its partners in 13 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Many of these countries face the world’s deadliest wars, as well as campaigns by extremist groups to incite youth to violence. These leaders are among their countries’ most effective peacebuilders. The dialogue with the Dalai Lama helped them to build practical skills and personal resilience they need to work against the tensions or violence in their homelands.

The Problem

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Afghanistan: The Next Generation

Fri, 06/28/2013 - 10:30
Fri, 06/28/2013 - 12:00

A new generation is emerging in Afghanistan that is more educated, more connected with the world, and more hopeful about the future than previous generations. The U.S. Institute of Peace hosted a public event on the opportunities and challenges youth face today, and their perspectives on the country’s future.

Experts: 

In a country where an estimated 70 percent of the population is under 25 years old, youth are often excluded from decision-making processes at the community, provincial, and national levels. The withdrawal of foreign troops and the increasing disengagement of the international community present both a source of concern and opportunity. Afghanistan’s budding democracy and the creation of institutions have opened a political space that is being filled by this generation.

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Youth Bulge, Public Policy, and Prospects for Peace in Pakistan 

Wed, 10/10/2012 - 09:00
Wed, 10/10/2012 - 17:00
Public Event

The School of Public Policy at George Mason University (GMU) and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) jointly organized a one-day conference that focused on the Pakistani youth, public policy options, and the prospects for peace in the long run.

Read the event coverage, USIP Conference and Program Work Examine Youth’s Impact on Peace Prospects in Pakistan.

8:30-9:00 Registration

9:00-9:15 Welcome Remarks

  • Dr. Abiodun Williams, Senior Vice President, USIP
  • Moeed Yusuf, South Asia Advisor, USIP

9:15-10:30 Session I: Pakistani Youth in National Development

  • Chaired by: Dr. Edward Rhodes, School of Public Policy, GMU
  • Dr. Mehtab S. Karim, School of Public Policy, GMU
  • Ms. Nasim Zehra, Dunya TV & Harvard University
  • Mr. Saleem Ranjha, Akhuwat Foundation, Lahore

10:30-11:45 Session II Opportunities for Youth in Pakistan

  • Chaired by: Dr. Eric Manes, The World Bank
  • Dr. Mohsin Khan, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, Atlantic Council
  • Dr Philip Auerswald, School of Public Policy, George Mason University
  • Mr. Ammar Anees Malik, School of Public Policy, George Mason University

11:45-12:45 Keynote Luncheon Speaker

  • Dr. Asad Majid Khan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Washington, D.C.

12:45-2:15 Session III Views of Pakistani Diaspora

  • Chaired by: Dr. Andrew Wilder, US Institute of Peace
  • Mr. Ifran Malik, USPAK Foundation
  • Ms. Kalsoom Lakhani, Invest2Innovate
  • Ms. Shamila Chaudhary, Eurasia Group

2:15-2:30 Coffee Break

2:30-4:00 Session IV Role of Education in Achieving Peace in Pakistan

  • Chaired by: Dr. Peter Stearns, George Mason University
  • Mr. Moeed Yusuf, US Institute of Peace
  • Dr. M Nizamuddin, University of Gurjat, Pakistan
  • Dr. Jack Goldstone, School of Public Policy, George Mason University

Vote of Thanks: Dr. Mehtab Karim, George Mason University

Pakistan has been in the limelight since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. While there has been plenty of it, the debate and policy analyses on the country have focused on the immediate concerns linked to extremism and terrorism. Yet, questions about the long term economic, political, and social health remain just as critical and will ultimately determine whether Pakistan stabilizes as a medium sized, stable, and moderate country or presents itself as a ticking time bomb that is a constant source of worry for the world.

George Mason University

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Violent Extremists Find Traction Among Kosovo’s Youth

Narratives of religious militancy resonate profoundly with vulnerable youth across the world, but especially in already politically and economically fragile environments such as some parts of the Western Balkans. Kosovo now is home to one of the highest rates, per capita, of individuals who have traveled to Iraq and Syria to support ISIS and Jabhat Fate al Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front. In addition to those who seek to join these terrorist organizations, many more have found affinity with the ideas of extremism and support actions that are fracturing already fragile societies.

Can Interfaith Contact Reduce Extremism Among Youth?

Mon, 11/28/2016 - 13:30
Mon, 11/28/2016 - 15:00
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Implications for Countering Violent Extremism in Pakistan and Sri Lanka

The Pakistani government banned more than 200 groups as extremist or terrorist organizations last year in a significant move to stop the spread of ideological, religious and political extremism that can feed violent conflict. But many ideologically extreme groups still operate openly, with evidence suggesting there is consistent recruiting and engagement with university students. In Sri Lanka, Buddhist ideological extremism fuels negative attitudes about minority ethnic and religious groups. Join a U.S. Institute of Peace Jennings Randolph Fellow Rabia Chaudry and other experts to discuss the findings of her research on these trends.

Ideological extremism, radicalization and militancy in Pakistan’s Southern Punjab has been the focus of concern for years. The Pew Research Center’s Social Hostilities Index, which measures acts of religious animosity by individuals, organizations and social groups, rated Pakistan the highest in such antagonism. In Sri Lanka, the Social Hostilities Index stands at 8.3 and has risen steadily since 2007. 

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Peace Efforts Cannot End After 24 Hours

For 35 years, the International Day of Peace on September 21 has served as a rallying point for governments, organizations and ordinary people working to help end violent conflict around the world.

This year, in spite of the violence and terrorism that dominate our news, it is critical that we remember that the world is also seeing great feats of peace. Colombians have signed a peace accord to end a 52-year-old war, and will vote on ratifying it in just a few weeks.

Nancy Lindborg
Wed, 09/21/2016 - 19:42
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U.S. Leadership and the Challenge of ‘State Fragility’

The new administration, a coming change in leadership at the United Nations, and an emerging global consensus about the fragility challenge make this an opportune moment to recalibrate our approach. The United States cannot and should not try to “fix” every fragile state. Nor can we ignore this challenge; all fragility has the potential to affect U.S. interests to some extent, especially when left to fester. There is simply too much at stake for our interests, our partners, and the global order. A sound and realistic policy framework is urgently needed to help our policymakers determine where, when, and how to invest scarce resources and attention to maximum effect.

William J. Burns, Michèle Flournoy, Nancy Lindborg

The report is the product of a nine-month study of Fragility Study Group led by William J. Burns of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Michèle Flournoy of the Center for a New American Security and Nancy Lindborg of the U.S.

Mon, 09/12/2016 - 15:44

Articles & Analysis

By:
Georgia Holmer

Last month, police arrested 25 people for allegedly planning synchronized terrorist attacks in Kosovo and Albania, including against the Israeli national soccer team and its fans during a match. Authorities said the foiled attacks had been ordered and coordinated by ISIS commanders from Kosovo fighting in Syria and Iraq. The case underscores the accelerating risk for terror attacks outside Iraq and Syria, as ISIS loses ground, its foreign fighters return home or fresh recruits get stuck in their countries of origin. New USIP research outlines why such countries of origin, like Kosovo,...

By:
Nancy Lindborg

For 35 years, the International Day of Peace on September 21 has served as a rallying point for governments, organizations and ordinary people working to help end violent conflict around the world.

By:
Carla Koppell and Alison Milofsky

It was a startling discovery five years ago that prompted then 21-year-old Shubey Nantege of Uganda to found Go Girl Africa. The organization has provided financial literacy skills to 2,500 girls and young women, helping them make positive changes in their lives. Leaders like Shubey illustrate how young people are essential partners in promoting peacebuilding and gender equality, a point worth highlighting today on International Youth Day. The occasion also provides an opportunity to spotlight gaps in international assistance that can be filled to...

Videos & Webcasts

A day after the United States’ deadliest-ever mass shooting, the Dalai Lama led a Washington audience in a silent prayer for peace. But he said prayers will be ineffective without “serious action...

The Pakistani government banned more than 200 groups as extremist or terrorist organizations last year in a significant move to stop the spread of ideological, religious and political extremism...

Tunisian and American activists to end violence against women will join 20 youth leaders from the Middle East and North Africa in a webcast discussion from the U.S. Institute of Peace on Oct. 11...

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Publications

By:
William J. Burns, Michèle Flournoy, Nancy Lindborg
The new administration, a coming change in leadership at the United Nations, and an emerging global consensus about the fragility challenge make this an opportune moment to recalibrate our approach. The United States cannot and should not try to “fix” every fragile state. Nor can we ignore this challenge; all fragility has the potential to affect U.S. interests to some extent, especially when left to fester. There is simply too much at stake for our interests, our partners, and the global order. A sound and realistic policy framework is urgently needed to help our policymakers determine where, when, and how to invest scarce resources and attention to maximum effect.
By:
USIP Staff
The Peace Day Challenge is a global effort to turn the International Day of Peace into a day of global action that affirms peace as a real alternative to the increasing violence we see daily. It encourages people to build peace on September 21, and to inspire others to join in, using the social media tag #PeaceDayChallenge.