The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is pleased to launch the Call for Applications for the 8th edition of its Young Peacebuilders programme, focusing for the first time on South Caucasus and Central Asia. The call is open to participants between 18 to 25 years old from the region. Ideal candidates should demonstrate strong interest in enhancing their ability to act as agents of peace in their community and beyond, and to prevent violent extremism through intercultural and interfaith dialogue.
Twenty young people will be selected to participate in an intercultural dialogue and peacebuilding experience. They will interact online through a series of facilitated modules, and in-person during a week-long workshop. After completing the peace education training, participants will act as force multipliers of the lessons learned, and with newly acquired skills and knowledge, they will implement their peacebuilding activities at the community level. At the end of the programme, participants will be invited to attend a symposium and present their experiences, lessons learned, achievements, and recommendations to a broader audience of policymakers, practitioners and representatives from United Nations entities, governments, media and civil society — bringing visibility to their initiatives that are promoting diversity and dialogue.
Implemented within the framework of “Peace4Culture Global Call”, the programme supports the growth of networks of young peacebuilders who are equipped with the tools to address negative stereotypes, prejudice, and polarization in order to build more inclusive and peaceful societies, tackling the drivers of violent extremism. The long-term aim is their integration into governmental peace processes and policies. It is part of UNAOC educational programming for young people, which seeks to enhance the ability of young people and their organizations to foster mutual respect, understanding, and long-term positive relationships between peoples of different cultures and religions.
The Peace4Culture Global Call is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan in partnership with UNAOC in 2022. It celebrates cultural diversity and highlights the importance of sustainable peace in reviving cultural spirit based on the notion that all people share values of compassion, humility and respect for others regardless of their religion, race, culture or gender. The Peace4Culture Global Call was created to respond to contemporary challenges, including strengthening the sustainability and resilience of peaceful societies and international peace systems.
More details on the programme and eligibility criteria are available here. To apply, click here.