Protection needs of young peacebuilders at the field level: Global Policy Considerations

The need for comprehensive protection mechanisms for young people in conflict zones is increasingly recognised as crucial for sustainable peace and development. This side event on 24 May for the UN Security Council's Protection of Civilians Week brought together representatives of governments, the UN, and civil society to discuss the protection needs of young peacebuilders working at the field level, take stock of the current protection frameworks, and jointly develop concrete recommendations for strengthening global policy on the protection of young peacebuilders.

The event centred around the following discussion points:

• Rising protection needs of young peacebuilders are context-specific and require comprehensive assessments, frameworks and their implementation.
• Protection of young people can amplify their important contributions to sustainable peace.
• Policy frameworks and funding for the protection of young peacebuilders are lacking.
• Global policy framework on the protection of young people should build on lessons learned from existing protection initiatives.

In light of the upcoming political opportunities with the Summit of the Future, 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review (PBAR) and 2025 Anniversary of the YPS Agenda, speakers and participants identified several recommendations to respond to the urgency of young people’s protection needs:

• Better included young people and young peacebuilders in policy development and decision-making processes.
• Strengthen policy language on Youth, Peace and Security and protection
• Improve data collection to develop evidence-informed policy and funding
• Improve dedicated funding for young people’s protection
• Build a holistic approach to protection
• Improve adaptation of global policies to national contexts
• Strengthen the capacity of young people and institutions
• Improve monitoring and accountability of commitments

Click on the summary note below for detailed recommendations and insights on initiatives which are working to strengthen the protection of young people.