New York – The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is pleased to launch the 7th edition of its Young Peacebuilders (YPB) programme, welcoming a new cohort from Latin America and the Caribbean. The YPB programme aims to create a global movement of young peacebuilders by providing them with the competencies to advance diversity and intercultural understanding.
The 7th edition of the programme, implemented with the generous financial support of (Agencia Extremeña de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AEXCID), attracted more than 400 applications from the LAC region. UNAOC selected 18 participants, aged between 18 and 25 years, from 17 countries — including Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
UNAOC’s peace education programme consists of four phases designed to facilitate a learner-centred and experience-based learning process for participants. The stages include online modules, a face-to-face workshop, guided project implementation, and a final symposium where Young Peacebuilders present their work to senior officials and relevant stakeholders.
The blended learning approach combines online and face-to-face activities with hands-on opportunities to apply their acquired knowledge in practice. Throughout the programme, participants learn how to reduce stereotypes; understand different perspectives in identity-based conflicts; identify push-and-pull factors creating conditions conducive to violent extremism; use media or visual arts to promote alternative narratives; reflect on ways to increase meaningful youth engagement in their region; and, cultivate the skills necessary to design and run a successful project.
In addition, the YPB programme raises awareness among decision-makers about the need for meaningful inclusion of youth in peacebuilding and policymaking, in line with UN Security Council Resolutions 2250, 2419, and 2535 on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) and the UN Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism.
UNAOC takes great pride in supporting young and talented leaders who have the potential to create peaceful and inclusive societies. We are gratified to follow the progress of YPB alumni to build peace in their respective communities and look forward to seeing the impact of their work.
For more information about UNAOC Young Peacebuilders, please click here.