di Renato Cursi
Abstract
Humanity, throughout history, has disproportionately placed the burdens of war and violence on young people. The fact that today there are more young people alive than ever in history entails a deep reflection. The sheer numbers alone justify the inclusion and consideration of youth in policymaking and planning of peacebuilding processes. Beyond this, there are a number of reasons why it is essential to consider youth as distinct actors in conflict-affected societies.
Why focus on youth when talking about peace? This study will reply first to this specific question, putting forward both quantitative and qualitative evidence. Subsequently, it will introduce some definitions of youth, before investigating the evolution of the role of youth in the United Nations’ approach to peacebuilding. In this context, the Resolution 2250 adopted by the UN Security Council on the 9th of December 2015 will be presented as a groundbreaking achievement, opening new horizons for the future of both practical peacebuilding and peace studies.
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