At a recent High-Level Political Forum side event, young peacebuilders and their allies gathered to highlight the critical role of youth in advancing peace and security. The event, titled “Protecting Civic Space, Enabling Peace: Youth at the Frontlines of SDG16+ Implementation,” brought together youth leaders, civil society actors, and institutional partners to address the challenges of shrinking civic space, funding crises, and global instability. Panelists shared personal accounts of resilience and leadership, with speakers from Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Chile detailing their efforts to organize and lead peacebuilding initiatives despite significant obstacles. Key recommendations from the event included a call for a UN General Assembly resolution to protect youth peacebuilders, the need for flexible and long-term funding for youth-led organizations, and the importance of defending digital civic space from threats like cyberbullying and disinformation. The event’s insights will directly inform the United Nations Secretary-General’s Second Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security.
