When I think of peace, I think of safety. When there is peace, you feel a sense of comfort and tranquility and those feelings to me equate to Peace.
Forty-one youth from across the Caribbean, participated in the UNESCO Youth Power for Peace on September 7th, 9th and 22nd, 2023. Youth were equipped with human and methodological resources as well as the knowledge related to being more effective advocates for lasting social change. The training strengthened cross-cultural collaboration across the region and provided practical guidance for youth to be able to engage with decision-makers and mobilize their communities through meaningful activities. Through interactive and non-formal education methods, participants gained valuable insights into the aspirations and perspectives of others, while sharing their own expertise and experiences.
As they reflected on the power of youth, participants highlighted the various ways they continue to foster change in their communities, including, acting as ambassadors for peace and champions of youth engagement.
Participants also shared common peace and security issues that youth experience such as online hate speech, bullying, and violence – mostly gang-related and in schools. One of the major concerns was the heightened levels of crime and violence that exist throughout the region. The participants suggested that governments also partner with youth to address this issue. They also underscored that young people should not only be perceived as a main cause of violence and crime but identified as part of the solution. The participants also discussed strengthening regional collaboration to operationalize the Youth Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda, and recommended establishing a Regional Coalition on Youth, Peace, and Security in the Caribbean.
As one of the major outcomes of the training, participants created YPS action plans, with the support of UNESCO facilitators and developed several project ideas to advance the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda. The range of projects covered a variety of issues including advocacy and capacity development for prioritizing youth mental health and wellbeing; peace education initiatives to reduce violence in and around schools; positive youth participation in digital spaces, including protection from cyber-bullying and hate speech, as well as providing technical guidance to Member States to implement their youth policies, building on the experiences of this crucial stakeholder group, and means in which to mainstream YPS.
Through this training, UNESCO builds on its , co-created with youth, to further promote the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda where young people are recognized and supported to meaningfully engage in peacebuilding in their communities and society at large.
Youth from Caribbean countries including, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten, Trinidad & Tobago, and Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, successfully participated in the programme.
This news item was written in collaboration with UNESCO’s Youth, Peace and Security Support Group 2023 members, Lashante Sampson and Khaleem Ali
