Actively Include Youth in Peace Processes!

Including young people in social, political, and economic decision making, and taking into consideration their experiences and needs in the design of our future society, is one of the most central global challenges of our day. Political soapboxing in all world regions regularly calls for the active participation of youth in important societal processes. The UN Security Council, in a unanimous 2015 resolution, urged that youth be included in issues of peace and security. Implementation of this idea, however, has encountered serious problems. In this GIGA Forum, experts will discuss their experiences with the political and economic inclusion of young people in post-war societies in Central America and South Africa, comparing and contrasting these with examples from the Middle East.

Sabine Kurtenbach will talk about the political inclusion of youth beyond elections. Martin Ostermeier will outline the potential to create jobs for youth that will facilitate them living dignified lives. Julie Brethfeld will analyse the opportunities for youth to participate in peace-building measures in the Middle East.

Following the Forum, an exhibition will be opened in the foyer of the event room showcasing works of photography created within the framework of the BMZ-funded research project “Against all Odds – Youth in Post-War Societies.”

Panel: Julie Brethfeld, Delegate of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to the Working Group on Peace and Development (FriEnt Arbeitsgemeinschaft Frieden und Entwicklung)

Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach, Acting Director of the GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies

Martin Ostermeier, Technical Officer in Employment, Social and Employment Policy at the International Labour Organization (ILO)

Moderation: Dr. Thomas Richter, Senior Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies and GIGA Forum Coordinator