The Second Independent Progress Study on youth's
positive contribution to peace processes and conflict resolution
Adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2024, the Pact for the Future strengthens the UN’s commitment to the YPS agenda. Action 20(c) of the Pact explicitly calls for a second independent progress study on Youth, Peace and Security, to be completed by the end of the 80th session of the General Assembly.
This second progress study aims to further document and assess the positive contributions of young people to peace processes and conflict resolution, particularly given the rapidly evolving global context since 2018. It will also provide vital evidence of successful practices and lessons learned, assess the effectiveness of various funding mechanisms, and youth inclusion policies implemented since 2018. The study will also identify persistent barriers that continue to hinder meaningful youth participation in peace processes. New data will be collected from various sources to provide quantitative analysis and evidence to support the research and findings of the study.
Timeline
Coordination: YPS Joint Secretariat
The Second Independent Progress Study will be led in close coordination with the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Youth Office (UNYO), who co-lead the UN system’s efforts on Youth, Peace and Security via a Joint Secretariat. This tripartite partnership will guide the study’s methodology, engagement processes, and dissemination to ensure broad ownership, credibility, and impact.
Nanjala Nyabola
Lead Author for the Second Independent Progress Study on Youth Peace and Security
Nanjala Nyabola is a writer, researcher, and policy analyst focusing on political participation, digital rights, and youth engagement. She has led global research on migration, youth protest movements, and digital cultures, and worked with nonprofits and grassroots initiatives supporting young people in politics and social justice. She has held various research and fellowship roles with institutions including the Oxford Internet Institute, the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Lab, the Stanford Digital Civil Society Lab, and NYU’s Centre on International Cooperation.
The consultation phase of the Second Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security kicks off between October 2025 and January 2026 with a series of activities. Dubbed “The Big Listen”, the activities are an opportunity for young people worldwide to provide insights and solutions, and responses to obstacles preventing their participation in maintaining and promoting peace everywhere. Slated activities include a substantive survey open to all young people between the ages of 18 and 35, a series of focus groups organized by civil society and youth-led organizations, and a set of AI-assisted digital consultations.
Take the survey here
Click or scan QR code
Pact for the Future: Action 20
Calls for the 2nd Study
The Missing Peace –
First Independent Progress Study
