Manifesto of the YouthNet of Mediators for Peace and Security

Advancing the Agenda of UNSC Resolution 1325 and Related Legal

Frameworks

 

 

Preamble

We, the YouthNet of Mediators for Peace and Security, are guided by a shared commitment to the principles enshrined in international law and foundational peacebuilding frameworks. As we advance the vision of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, we also draw strength from related international legal instruments and commitments that recognize the vital role of youth, women, and girls in building sustainable peace.

Recognizing the transformative power of mediation as a key tool for resolving disputes and conflicts emerging from armed conflicts, we emphasize the importance of mediation in preventing the escalation of conflicts. We also highlight the significance of including youth in these processes to foster innovative, inclusive, and enduring solutions that contribute to lasting peace and stability.

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In addition, we commit to activities that increase awareness of the widespread and devastating consequences for children affected by armed conflict, both as direct victims and as individuals indirectly impacted.

 

We recognize that focusing on child protection can be a powerful entry point to encourage action to resolve or mitigate conflict and emphasize the importance of placing the protection of children at the centre of mediation efforts. By prioritizing the safety and well-being of children, mediation processes can foster engagement with conflict parties and enhance the prospects for achieving sustainable peace.

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These tools include, but are not limited to:

• United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2250, 2419, and 2535 on Youth, Peace, and Security, which highlight the importance of youth as agents of change in conflict resolution.

• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), particularly General Recommendation No. 30 on women in conflict prevention, conflict, and post-conflict situations.

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), emphasizing the right to life, dignity, and participation in governance.

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which underscores the rights of girls and boys to live free from violence and participate in decision-making that affects their futures. Article 12 of the CRC affirms every child’s right to express their views on matters affecting them and to have them taken seriously, recognizing their role as active participants in their own lives. The CRC also emphasizes the fundamental right to education, which is crucial for promoting peace, tolerance, and development; articles 28 and 29 highlight the right to education and its role in shaping responsible, active members of society.

• The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), calling for increased participation of women and girls in peace and security processes.

 

In harmony with these frameworks, we strive to elevate the voices and leadership of youth, particularly young women and girls, ensuring their meaningful inclusion in shaping a peaceful and secure world. This is especially important as today’s generation of youth is the largest in history, with young people often making up the majority of populations in countries affected by armed conflict. Including their perspectives and addressing their needs not only strengthens peacebuilding efforts but also ensures that solutions are more inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to the realities faced by children.

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I. Vision and Mission

We, the YouthNet of Mediators for Peace and Security, stand united to build a global movement of young mediators dedicated to advancing inclusive peace processes. Recognizing the unique potential of youth as transformative leaders, our mission is to foster understanding, resolve conflicts, and champion the principles of justice, equity, and sustainable peace.

Central to our vision and mission is the belief that children in conflict must be fully protected and their human rights upheld. Conflict exposes them to extreme vulnerability, including recruitment as child soldiers, displacement, and exploitation. We advocate for their rights in line with international laws, ensuring their protection and empowering them as future leaders to contribute to building a lasting and inclusive peace.

Our vision is a world where young mediators lead and shape inclusive, context-sensitive, and locally driven processes for peace and security, leaving no one behind. We believe that fostering international cooperation between members of the YouthNet of Mediators for Peace and Security is essential, as sharing knowledge and good practices allows us to learn from diverse cultural, historical, and social backgrounds. This exchange strengthens collective efforts, enhances locally tailored solutions, and builds a global foundation for more effective and sustainable peacebuilding.

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II. Aims of the Network

   Empower Youth: Act as a global platform to amplify the voices of youth, particularly young women and girls, in peacebuilding, mediation and restorative justice.

    Educate Youth on the Importance of Mediation: Educating youth, women, and girls about mediation empowers them with skills for peaceful conflict resolution and strengthens their ability to build cooperative relationships in their communities. Mediation is a valuable tool for resolving conflicts through dialogue, understanding, and collaboration. The mediator facilitates the process neutrally, ensuring all parties express their needs, concerns, and expectations while respecting ground rules like active listening and uninterrupted speaking. Key steps include sharing perspectives, identifying needs, brainstorming solutions, negotiating agreements, and creating an action plan. Special care is taken to represent the interests of those indirectly affected, such as children. We also encourage the inclusion of peacebuilding principles in local educational curricula, fostering the development of cultures of peace at the grassroots level. We advocate for peace education that promotes conflict resolution skills, nonviolence, and respect for diversity, helping future generations build sustainable peace.

​    Promote Legal Commitments: Advance the implementation of international legal tools such as UNSC Resolutions 1325, 2250, and related frameworks, ensuring their integration into mediation and conflict resolution efforts. Another objective of the members of the YouthNet of Mediators for Peace and Security is to encourage their States to uphold international legal obligations, ensuring these commitments are reflected in national policies, especially regarding the protection of children. That includes demanding that governments uphold international legal commitments regarding the protection of children, specifically focusing on issues like child labor, child soldier recruitment, and violence against children in conflict.

   Encourage Local Ownership: Support grassroots initiatives, empowering communities to lead their own conflict resolution and mediation processes.

     Enhance Skills and Capacity: Provide young mediators with online and in-person training at least once a year, such as summer institutes and workshops, tools, and resources to ensure effective leadership in peacebuilding processes. Offering both in-person and online training ensures accessibility and flexibility. In-person training fosters engagement and networking, while online training extends access to remote or conflict-affected areas, enabling all young mediators to build essential peacebuilding skills. Our goal is to

    Advocate for Policy Change: Influence global, national, and regional policies through lobbying, public campaigns, and creating policy briefs with actionable recommendations to prioritize youth and gender in peace and security frameworks.

  Foster Global Solidarity: Build a global network of young mediators collaborating across borders with other interlocutors, like the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict, to address shared challenges and amplify solutions.

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III. Operational Model

Regional Hubs: Establish regional chapters to operate within the international network to address specific geopolitical and cultural contexts, ensuring accessibility and relevance.

Knowledge and Resource Sharing: Develop a comprehensive repository of best practices, case studies, training modules, and legal frameworks with open access on the website of the UNETCHAC. By including activities like conferences, legal clinics, and moot courts, the repository will provide opportunities for members to share knowledge, build practical skills, and collaborate effectively. This approach strengthens the network by fostering mutual learning and equipping members with the tools and expertise needed to address complex peacebuilding challenges.

Mentorship and Intergenerational Dialogue: Facilitate mentorship opportunities between experienced mediators, young mediators, and community leaders.

Monitoring and Impact Assessment: Continuously evaluate the outcomes of mediation to ensure effectiveness and accountability. This will include regular feedback from affected communities to ensure that our actions are aligned with the needs of those we serve. Our accountability framework will ensure transparency and constant improvement in mediation practices, with clear mechanisms for tracking progress and addressing any challenges that arise. In the context of an armed conflict, success will be assessed based on improvements in children’s well-being, with a focus on mental health progress, social reintegration, and the reduction of trauma.

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IV. Guiding Principles

Inclusivity and Equity
We uphold inclusivity and equity as central pillars of our work. We commit to amplifying the voices of young women and girls, as well as youth from marginalized and underrepresented communities, in alignment with international frameworks.

Empowerment through Nonviolence
Our network prioritizes mediation and dialogue as tools for addressing conflict, ensuring that all voices are heard, and that resolutions reflect the needs and rights of those most affected. In addition to promoting inclusive solutions, we must take preventive action to stop conflicts from escalating and prevent the six grave violations against children in armed conflict, safeguarding their rights and well-being.

Respect for Local Contexts
Understanding and honoring diverse cultural and historical perspectives and treating intercultural communication and conflict with the utmost care and seriousness, prioritizing the perspectives and leadership of local communities in all our efforts.

Collaboration and Partnership
Peacebuilding is a shared responsibility. We foster partnerships with governments, civil society, NGOs, and international organizations to strengthen collective efforts for peace. Additionally, we aim to collaborate with organizations that provide psychological support to children affected by conflict, addressing their mental health as an essential part of the recovery process.

Innovation and Creativity
To embrace and develop new and creative approaches, such as using technology, art, and storytelling, to make the mediation process more engaging and effective. These methods can add variety to the process, encourage greater participation, and help people express themselves in different ways, making the overall experience more impactful.

Gender-Responsive Mediation
Our work is guided by the understanding that peace and security cannot be achieved without addressing the specific needs, experiences, and leadership of women and girls in conflict and post-conflict settings.

Accountability and Transparency
Hold ourselves accountable to the communities we serve and to the international commitments that underpin our mission, ensuring transparency and integrity in our work.

Sustainability and Resilience
Our mediation efforts are designed to create both immediate and long-term solutions that foster resilience in individuals, communities, and systems, ensuring lasting positive impact and stability.

 

This Manifesto is a call to action, a roadmap for a new generation of mediators committed to achieving the promises of UNSC Resolution 1325 and related legal frameworks.

Together, we, the YouthNet of Mediators for Peace and Security, pledge to uphold justice, foster collaboration, and inspire sustainable peace for all.

Signed:
The YouthNet of Mediators for Peace and Security

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YouthNet Short Podcasts on Mediation:

A Pilot Project

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This pilot project by YouthNet members brings together the voices and perspectives of young mediators on mediation topics through a series of short podcasts