During the UN’s CSO-Peacebuilding Dialogue, a side event hosted by MGCY on December 13, John Koester delivered a compelling speech representing the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP). The speech focused on IAYSP’s global efforts to empower youth through educational programs like the Peace Designer Training, which equips young people to address community issues using SDG education and design thinking. Notably, the program in the Balkans has led to impactful projects such as youth-led training initiatives supporting women in law enforcement.
In the speech, John outlined three key recommendations for connecting local youth-led initiatives to national and international policymaking. First, investing in education and resources is vital to equip youth with the tools and platforms necessary to scale their projects and raise awareness of the SDGs. Second, integrating local voices into policymaking processes ensures that youth perspectives are included in decisions that shape their communities. Lastly, forging collaborative partnerships with governments, universities, and global institutions can amplify the reach and impact of youth networks, ensuring that diverse voices, including those from smaller organizations, are heard in peacebuilding discussions.
