Youth, Peace & Security in Peace Operations and Peacebuilding

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UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on 'Youth, Peace and Security' was a milestone in recognising the crucial role of young people in peacebuilding and preventing and countering conflict worldwide.

Eight years and further follow-up resolutions, strategy papers and handbooks later, many still find it difficult to integrate the YPS agenda into their work. Nevertheless, the inclusion of young people's perspectives is essential for successful and professional crisis management.

Half of the world's population is under 30 years old - and yet young people are rarely involved in peace processes or peace operations. The exclusion of young people not only means that the potential and knowledge of one of the largest demographic groups remains untapped, but can also lead to misjudgements of the situation and stereotyping of young people.

The aim of the course "Youth, Peace and Security in Peace Operations and Peacebuilding" is to equip participants with knowledge and skills for youth-sensitive work and the implementation of the YPS agenda.

The course will take place online between 05 March and 30 April 2024 with 4 online live sessions (each 2.5 - 3 hours):

1. 05 March 2024, 9.00 - 12.00 CET - Why?
2. 12 March 2024, 9.00 - 12.00 CET - How?
3. 09 April 2024, exact time tba - Conflict Analysis
4. 30 April 2024, 9.00 - 12.00 CET - Implementation

Please note that participants are also expected to spend an additional 2-4 hours per week on self-study and completing the course assignments.

The course langue is English.

Upon completion of the course, participants will:

• Understand and be able to explain the importance and benefits of engaging young people in peacebuilding and peace operations,
• Be familiar with UN Security Council Resolution 2250, its follow-up resolutions and the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda,
• know how to facilitate meaningful inclusion of young people
• be able to apply a youth lens to conflict analysis
• know how to integrate a youth perspective into their work and develop implementation strategies for programming

This course is aimed at civilian, police and military experts working in peace operations or international organisations in the field of peace and security.

The course includes the following elements:

• Self paced: Online pre-course self-study module - basic knowledge about Youth, Peace and Security (YPS)

1. session: WHY? – Why include Youth? An introduction to the YPS Agenda 
2. session: HOW? –How to meaningfully include young people? Examples and challenges
3. session: ANALYSIS - Youth Sensitive Conflict Analysis
4. session: IMPLEMENTATION - Implementation of the YPS Agenda and outlook

No previous experience in the field of youth is required.

• Completion of the online self-learning module
• Active participation in 3 out of 4 of the online live sessions
• Submission of all course assignments

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