The Global Youth Forum on Youth, Peace and Security kicked off this morning in Amman, Jordan. Meeting at King’s Academy in the Hasmhemite Kingdom of Jordan, over 500 participants joined young peacebuilders from 100 countries to urge the international community to recognise and use their full potential to build peace. The Forum has brought together a unique mix of young peacebuilders with high-level officials and technical experts. Youth participating in the Forum will contribute as speakers, moderators and rapporteurs.
Over 500 members of global community meet to discuss new agenda on Youth, Peace and Security in Jordan #Youth4Peace pic.twitter.com/xcyOO3XyxV
— UN Youth Envoy (@UNYouthEnvoy) August 21, 2015
The first-of-its-kind Global Forum is held under the Patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II in partnership with the United Nations and civil society organisations. Convening the Forum and moderating the opening sessions, the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, said, “Young people have not been traditionally represented when it comes to forming the global peace and security agenda.”
.@UNYouthEnvoy moderates High Level opening plenary w @SimaBahousUNDP @BabatundeUNFPA @SFCG_ @unoy_peace #youth4peace pic.twitter.com/KVnPjYI6fh
— UN Youth Envoy (@UNYouthEnvoy) August 21, 2015
Speaking to the participants, the Envoy declared that, “This Forum marks a new global agenda on youth, peace and security and supports the role of young people as peace builders.”
.@AhmadAlhendawi calls #Youth4Peace forum an “open source Forum” in acknowledging the role of youth in shaping the agenda and conversation.
— UN Youth Envoy (@UNYouthEnvoy) August 21, 2015
.@UN built on 3 pillars: peace &security, development & human rights. We need youth involved in all pillars~ @AhmadAlhendawi #Youth4Peace
— UN Youth Envoy (@UNYouthEnvoy) August 21, 2015
“There is no peace without development & there is no development without peace– & their is neither without youth”- Youth Envoy #Youth4Peace
— UN Youth Envoy (@UNYouthEnvoy) August 21, 2015
.@UNYouthEnvoy @AhmadAlhendawi says: There is no peace or development without youth. #Youth4Peace #YouthNow pic.twitter.com/5o5jLKPEdl
— UN Youth Envoy (@UNYouthEnvoy) August 21, 2015
At the opening ceremony, HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein spelled out his vision for young people to be meaningfully included in the global framework for peace and security. Crown Prince Al Hussein announced that “Jordan will work through its membership in the United Nations Security Council for the Council’s adoption of an agenda on youth, peace and security to ensure the inclusion of youth in efforts towards building sustainable peace and security.”
For there is no dream without hope, and hope is a fundamental right for each and every young man and woman. #Youth4Peace #AlHusseinJO — RHC (@RHCJO) August 21, 2015
Highlighting Jordan’s role in countering extremism and radicalisation, as part of a long-term solution and prevention strategy, Crown Prince Al Hussein, said, “When youth believe in a mission, they will dedicate their lives to fulfill it.” He went on to tell participants that, “Youth are the strategic asset. They are the real wealth.”
صور: سمو الأمير الحسين بن عبدالله الثاني، ولي العهد، يفتتح أعمال المؤتمر العالمي للشباب والأمن والسلام #شباب_للسلام pic.twitter.com/OH2WgtJYfn
— RHC (@RHCJO) August 21, 2015
Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund,who was speaking on behalf of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said, “Young people are essential to the establishment of lasting security.” Osotiemehin continued to say, “While media reports may portray youth, especially young men, as a threat, this is a gross distortion.” He added that young people “are often among conflicts’ first victims – and they can lead as champions of peace.”
.@BabatundeUNFPA “we have to look at demography to save the problems of the world” #Youth4Peace #demographicdividend pic.twitter.com/Cs3ZA4spJx
— UNFPA Youth (@UNFPAyouth) August 21, 2015
The United States of America’s Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, addressed the gathered participants and young peacebuilders via video message.
In video message, US Secretary of State John Kerry tells young peacebuilders, “there is immense power passing into your hands” #Youth4Peace
— UNDP Youth (@undp4youth) August 21, 2015
Now that I’m old, my #teachers are young @JohnKerry @KingsAcademyJOR #Youth4Peace pic.twitter.com/aPoYT2BKSw — Zahra Lodhi (@ZahraLodhi1) August 21, 2015
“Faith of people working together for shared peace” is what is happening at #Youth4Peace Forum says @JohnKerry
— UN Youth Envoy (@UNYouthEnvoy) August 21, 2015
You are the worlds largest segment says @JohnKerry #Youth4Peace @KingsAcademyJOR pic.twitter.com/xjP6VxR2Fi
— Zahra Lodhi (@ZahraLodhi1) August 21, 2015
Madam Irina Bokova, Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) amplified the inclusion of youth voices in the cause of peacekeeping and development.
Your voice matters for shaping a better future for all. UNESCO stands with you. #Youth4Peace
— Irina Bokova (@IrinaBokova) August 21, 2015
.@IrinaBokova of @UNESCO says that “the new sustainable development agenda must be an agenda of peace.” #Youth4Peace #SDGs #Action2015
— UN Youth Envoy (@UNYouthEnvoy) August 21, 2015
Every young woman & man must feel part of a single humanity, the key is inclusion, exclusion breeds hate and violence #Youth4Peace — Irina Bokova (@IrinaBokova) August 21, 2015
Other speakers at the opening included Victor Ochen, Ugandan peace activist, who was also nominated for the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize, and inspirational young peacemakers from Colombia and Syria. Alaa Toutounji, a youth peacebuilder from Syria, told the gathered audience of young peacebuilders, “Do not underestimate the importance of our youth in Syria, who are working tirelessly to build a future free of hate and violence. They deserve to be believed in.”
The @UN Youth Envoy engages media at #Youth4Peace to further messages on importance of youth in peace building pic.twitter.com/2j4i4YnJxE
— UN Youth Envoy (@UNYouthEnvoy) August 21, 2015
Ahmad Alhendawi also met with media to further promote the power of youth for peace.
The Forum will conclude Saturday, 22 August, with the adoption of the “Amman Youth Declaration”, which will present young people’s vision of their role in preventing conflict, countering violent extremism and building peace.
11,000+ youth contributed to the drafting of Amman Youth Declaration that will be adopted tomorrow as the outcome of the #Youth4Peace Forum!
— UN Youth Envoy (@UNYouthEnvoy) August 21, 2015
In the coming months, the Declaration will be used to engage high-level decision makers to adopt a new international framework. See the Envoy’s personal contribution to the “I Declare” social media campaign.
I declare to continue to advocate for youth to have a seat at the peace negotiation table #Youth4Peace pic.twitter.com/Ub0940H00k
— Ahmad Alhendawi (@AhmadAlhendawi) August 21, 2015
Peacebuilders at the Forum:
“الشباب هم صفوف الجيوش الجاهزين لفداء أرواحهم وأيامهم من أجل مستقبل بلدهم” #AlHusseinjo #Youth4Peace #شباب_للسلام pic.twitter.com/22hdZQEDAA
— Umniah (@Umniah) August 21, 2015
Sunset in Amman:
صورة جماعية للمشاركين بالمؤتمر #شباب_للسلام #Youth4Peace pic.twitter.com/YJkiAmyj0s
— حسن الور (@hassanalwer) August 21, 2015
Dabke dance after dinner to celebrate the end of Day 1!
Wonderful Jordanian hospitality with dabhke dance #Youth4Peace Global Forum. What a great group of oeople here! pic.twitter.com/CKqz3BK1iV
— Simone Filippini (@SimoneFilippini) August 21, 2015
The Forum is being hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and co-organised, on behalf of the United Nations Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development (IANYD), by the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth (OSGEY), the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Search for Common Ground and the United Network of Young Peacebuilders.