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SummaryReport

LatinAmericaandCaribbeanRegionalConsultationFortheProgressStudyonYouth,PeaceandSecurity

PanamaCity,PanamaMay29–May31,2017

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Acknowledgements Author:GabrielleJohn,SecretariatfortheProgressStudyonYouth,PeaceandSecurityContributors:AlejandraRomo,UNHCRAndresMorales,UNESCOFlorenciaStraumann,UNESCOGabrielleNones,UNDPGerardoCarballo,UNDPMartaAlvarez,UNWomenMonicaPrieto,UNDPNeusBernabeu,UNFPANicoleDagher,UNDPNoellaRichard,UNDPRomeralOrtizQuintilla,UNVWendyBetancourt,UNDPVerdeDaquino,UNWomenFacilitators:AbdelAronateguiAntonioReyesCorinaRuedaBorreroJiselleGrandersonRomeralOrtizQuintillaTiffanyDanielsWendyBetancourtWithspecialthankstoGerardoCarballo(UNDP)fortranslationandNoellaRichard(UNDP)forsummarisingoutcomesfromtheSouthAmericadiscussions.Thankyoutoalltheparticipantswhoprovidedtheirfeedbackandinputstoensurethisdocumentaccuratelyreflectstheconversationstheyhadoverthe3-dayconsultation.

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IntroductionInDecemberof2015,theSecurityCounciladoptedground-breakingResolution2250onYouth,PeaceandSecurity(YPS).Forthefirsttime,theUNSecurityCouncildedicatedafullresolutiontothepositiveroleyoungpeoplecananddoplayinconflictprevention,thepreventionofviolentextremismandpeacebuilding.TheResolutionwaschampionedbytheHashemiteKingdomofJordan,andadoptedunanimously.UNSCR2250mandatestheSecretary-General“tocarryoutaprogressstudyontheyouth’spositivecontributiontopeaceprocessesandconflictresolution,inordertorecommendeffectiveresponsesatlocal,national,regionalandinternationallevels”,andtopresenttheresultsoftheStudytoMemberStatesoftheUnitedNations.TheStudywillprovideevidenceofyoungpeople’scontributiontosustainingpeace,throughanindependentandparticipatoryresearchprocess.AnindependentLeadAuthor,aswellasanAdvisoryGroupof21experts,wereappointedbytheSecretary-GeneraltoundertaketheStudy.Consultationswithyoungpeopleandyouth-ledcivilsocietyorganizationsofferanessentialcontributiontotheStudy,inordertogathertheviews,aspirationsanddemandsfromyoungpeopleforpeaceandsecurityissues.FormoreinformationabouttheProgressStudyonYouth,PeaceandSecurity,pleaseclickhere.TheLatinAmericaandCaribbeanregionalconsultation,heldinPanamaCity,Panamafrom29to31May2017,wasthefourthinaseriesofnationalandregionalconsultationsfortheProgressStudy.ItwasorganizedbyUNVolunteers,UNFPA,UNDP,UNWomen,UNHCR,UNESCO,OIJandtheUNPeacebuildingSupportOffice(PBSO).Atotalofsixty-oneparticipantstookpartinthe3-dayconsultation,andwereselectedthroughanopencallforapplicationsthatwaspostedonlineanddisseminatedtoandthroughyouthnetworks(over1000youngpeoplefromacrosstheregionappliedtoparticipate).Theselectionprocessguaranteedequalopportunitiestoparticipantsregardlessoftheirstatusororigin,andassuredthebalancedrepresentationofallcountriesintheregion.Anequitableandinclusivepresenceofyoungpeoplewaspromoted,ensuringadequateparticipationofyoungwomen, as well as young people from rural and urban environments, from differentsocioeconomicbackgrounds,youthofAfricandescent,indigenousyouth,youthlivingwithHIV,youthwithdisabilities,membersoftheLGBTIcommunity,aswellasrefugees,displacedpersonsandstatelesspersons.Priortotheconsultation,ayouthadvisorycommitteeincludingyoungpeacebuildersfromtheregionwasformedtoprovideinputsandguidanceontheconsultationmethodology.Participantscamefrom:AntiguaandBarbuda,Argentina,Barbados,Belize,Bolivia,Brazil,Chile,Colombia,CostaRica,Dominica,DominicanRepublic,Ecuador,ElSalvador,Grenada,Guatemala,Guyana,Haiti,Honduras,Jamaica,Mexico,Nicaragua,Panama,Paraguay,Peru,SaintKittsandNevis,SaintVincentandtheGrenadines,SaintLucia,TrinidadandTobago,UruguayandVenezuela.Theprecisenumberofparticipantsfromeachcountryislistedin

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AnnexA.Participantswereselectedonthebasisoftheirengagementinpeaceandsecurityissues,theirinvolvementwithyouth-ledorganizations,youth-focusedorganizationsand/ortheiraffiliationwithpeacebuildingnetworks.Considerationwasgiventoensureadiverseagerangeandgenderbalance.Theconsultationwasorganizedintothreeparts:thefirstdaywasdedicatedtoyoungpeople’sdiscussionsonyouth,peaceandsecurityasconcepts,aswellastoaconversationontherelevanceofUNSCR2250intheircontext;theseconddayinvolvedparticipantsdescribingtheirpeacebuildingworkandhighlightingsomeofthechallengestheyfaceandtheirprioritiesgoingforward;andthethird,andfinaldaywassetasideforparticipantstodevelopandputforwardrecommendationstosupporttheirworkandpriorities.Theseconsultationswerefacilitatedby1leadfacilitatorand6youthfacilitators,fromcivilsocietyandtheUN,throughaseriesofparallelinteractivebreak-outdiscussions.ThelistoforganizationsthatattendedareincludedinAnnexB.Thisreportprovidesananalyticalsummaryofthemainissuesdiscussedbytheyoungpeoplewhoattendedthemeeting,aswellastheirrecommendationsforpeaceandsecurityinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean.Inordertoensureobjectivityandaccuracyinthereflectionofparticipants’views,thisreportisbeingsharedwiththeparticipantsfortheirinputsandcomments.TheconsultationwasheldunderChathamHouserules,hencenocommentsorviewsexpressedwillbeattributed.

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Caribbean

1. Definingyouth,peaceandsecurityYouthDescribingtheconceptof‘youth’waschallengingforparticipantsasitvariesconsiderablybasedoncontext.Thecommonlyagreeduponconceptualunderstandingsfocusedonthevalueandmindsetthatyoungpeoplebringtotheirdiscussions,theinherentassetsandpotentialofyoungpeopleandtheirpowerandabilitytopushforsocialchange.Participantshighlightedtheheterogeneityofyouthidentitiesandthewaytheyintersectwithotherformsofidentityasanimportantremindernottosiloyouthintoasinglecategory.Thedifficultyofdefining‘youth’basedonachronologicalagewasdiscussed,andwhilemostparticipantsagreedthatthiswasaproblematicwayofdefiningyouthasitishighlycontext-specific,someparticipantsfeltitwasimportantforpolicymakingtohaveaclearandconcisedefinition1.Lastly,participantsdescribedthewayinwhichexpectationsofyouthshiftandchangeorfailtochangeovertime.Forexample,youngpeopleareexpectedtostayineducationlongerandthereforetendtoenterthelabourmarketlaterinlife.However,thisexpectationactsasadouble-edgedswordasyoungpeoplearethenunabletofulfilltheresponsibilitiesexpectedofthembyoldergenerations,whowereabletofulfillthoseresponsibilitiesatayoungerage.PeaceInclusion:Participantshighlightedtheimportanceofpromotingtolerance2andappreciationfordifference,whetherintheformofculturaldifferences,genderdifferences,differencesbasedonsexuality,classdifferences,racialand/orethnicdifferences,ability(peoplelivingwithadisability)etc.Supportinginclusionisrequiredtoaddressstigmaanddiscrimination,andisimportantforpeople(i.e.LGBTQI,ethnicminorities,religiousminorities)tofreelyexpressthemselves,tofeelapartofthebroadercommunity,tomaketheirvoicesheardandensurethatissueswhichareimportanttothemareaddressedandactedupon.InnerPeace:Therewasastrongfocusontheneedforindividual,innerpeaceinordertobeabletoachievepeaceonalargerscale.Participantsdescribedtheneedtofocusfirstoninnerpeaceinordertofeelcomfortableenoughwithoneselftodemonstrateempathyforothers.Onceindividualshavedevelopedasenseofinnerpeacetheywillthenbeabletoworktowardscommunity-level,collectivepeace.Theotheraspectofthisdiscussionfocusedontheneedtodestigmatizementalhealthandrelatedservices,aswellastheimportanceofcollectivelyandindividuallyhealingfrompasttraumasinordertosupportreconciliation.

1Thesuggestionthatadefinitionofyouthbasedonchronologicalagewasimportantforyouthwasnotuncontroversialamongparticipants,anditisimportanttoreiteratethatmostparticipantsdidnotappeartoagreewiththissuggestion.2Althoughsomeparticipantsusedtheworld‘tolerance’whendiscussinginclusion,othersdescribeditasanegativewordthatsuggeststheneedtotoleratebutnotembracedifference.

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Community-levelPeace:Followingonfromtheirdiscussionsoninternalpeace,participantsdescribedtheimportanceoflookingatpeaceatthecommunity-level.Peaceatthislevelmeansitisrepresentativeoftheneedsofthecommunity,thatthecommunityactivelyworkstopromotepeace,communitymembersknowtheirrightsandfreedomsandareaccountableformaintainingpeace.Moreconcretely,participantsdescribedhowpeaceinthecommunitymeanswomenandmembersoftheLGBTQIcommunityarenotsubjecttogender-basedviolence,andcorporalpunishmentisnotusedonyoungchildrenwithinthehome.Oncepeaceatthecommunity-levelhasbeenachieved,peoplecanbegintoworktowardsthebroaderpeacegoalswithintheircountry.SecurityPersonalSafety:Participantsdescribedtheneedforpersonalsafetyasakeycomponentofsecurityandfeelingsecureintheircommunities.Theabilitytolivewithoutfear,tohavefreedomofexpression,tolivefreefromviolence,tobeprotectedfromviolenceandtolivewithoutfearofretaliationweredescribedascentraltofeelingsecure.HardSecurityvs.HumanSecurity:Participantsdescribedthewayinwhichsomeoftheirgovernmentshaverespondedtocrimeandviolencebyinvestinginhardsecurityapproaches,i.e.enhancedlawenforcement.However,communitieshavelimitedtrustinthepoliceduetoprevalentcorruption,impunityandviolence,andhighlightedaneedforanincreasedfocusinsupportinghumansecurityasapreventionapproach,i.e.providingpeoplewithaccesstoeducation,employment,healthcare,justiceandaddressingfoodinsecurity.Governance:Participantshighlightedthewayinwhichgovernment-sponsoredviolence,impunityandcorruption,andalackoftransparencyingovernanceprocessesmorebroadly,leadstotheirreducedtrustinthestatetoprovidesecurityandprotectionfromviolence.*Participantsdescribedthewayinwhichunderstandingsof‘security’asaconceptarerelative,andhowsecuritycanbeviewedasaprivilegeandnotnecessarilyarightinlowersocioeconomiccommunities.2. YoungPeople’sWorkYoungpeople’sworkintheCaribbeanfellinto5broadcategories,including:(1)EducationandLabour;(2)Arts,andSport;(3)Gender;(4)Participation;and(5)Justice.3EducationandLabour

• Raisingawarenessamongstgovernmentofficialsofthepeacebuildingworkbeingdonebyyoungpeople.

3Itisimportanttonotethatthedemarcationofyouthworkintocategoriesisimperfectandthereissignificantoverlapbetweenandacrosscategories.

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• Youth-ledmentorshipprogrammeswith‘at-risk’andoutofschoolyoungmenandboystosupporttheircontinuedlearning.

• Teachingmethodsofnon-violence,andconflictresolutionandmanagementto‘at-risk’communities,familiesandyoungpeople.

• Creatinganddeliveringsocialprogrammingfor‘at-risk’,outofschoolyouth.• PartneringwithMinistriesofEducationtodeliverleadershiptrainingtoschool-aged

youthaspartoftheformalcurriculum.• Workingwithschool-agedyouthtoaddressthegrowingissueofcyberbullying.• Utilisingradiobroadcaststoinformyoungpeopleoftheirrights.• Providing‘at-risk’youthwithbasicliteracyskillsandwork-readinesstraining.• Teachingyoungmaleprisonersbusinessmanagementandbasicliteracy.• Awareness-raisingaroundmentalhealthissues.• TeachingincomingrefugeesculturalfluencyandEnglish.• Educatingcommunitiesonhowongoingyouthprojectswillbenefitthebroader

community.ArtsandSport

• Usingsportstobringcommunitiestogetherandbridgedivision.• Teachingandusingdancetoaddresstabootopicsofconversation,includingchildabuse,

sexualhealth,etc.Gender

• Providingeducation,oftenextra-curricular,tochildrenandyouthonsexualandreproductivehealthandrights,raperesponse,andsexual-andgender-basedviolence.

• Providingyoungwomenandgirlswithleadershiptrainingandself-esteemworkshops.• Runningafterschoolclubswithyoungwomenandgirlstoteachbasicliteracyandmath.• Workingwithandeducatingfamiliesontheimportanceofsupportingtheeducationof

youngfemalefamilymembers.• Literacyprogrammesforout-of-schoolgirls.• RaisingawarenessaroundLGBTQIissues.• Workingwithyoungmentopromotepositiveconceptsofmasculinityandreduce

violenceagainstwomen.Participation

• Lobbyinggovernmentstoinvolveyoungpeopleindecision-makingprocesses.• Buildingthecapacityofyoungpeopletosupporttheirenhancedpoliticalparticipation.

Justice

• Providingtrainingtojudgesandlawenforcementtoenhancetheirunderstandinganduseofrestorativejusticepractices,asameanstochangetheoverallnarrativearoundyouthwhohavecommittedminoroffences.

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3. ChallengesInparticipantdiscussionsonthechallengestheyfaceintheirpeacebuildingwork,participant’sresponsesfellinto4maincategories,including:(1)Resources;(2)EducationandVocationalOpportunities;(3)SocialStructuresandNorms;and(4)GovernanceandtheState.Resources

• Resourcesandfundingforyouthpeacebuildingworkarelimited,particularlyforcreativeartsandsports-basedprogramming.

• Potentialresourcesandfundingforyouthpeacebuildingworkthatdoexistareoftenearmarkedforspecificprojectsanddifficultforyoungpeopleandgrassrootsorganizationstoaccess.

EducationandVocationalOpportunities

• Educationforyoungpeopleoftenfocusessolelyontheneedtoimproveliteracyrates,whichdespiteitsimportancefailstoaddresstheneedforamorecomprehensivepedagogicalapproachthatencompassescivic,sexualandreproductivehealthandrights,andcomprehensiveandinclusivehumanrightseducation.

• Trainingprogrammesforyoungpeopledonottakeintoconsiderationtheneedtocontinuetoinvestinyoungpeople’slong-termdevelopmentandasaresultareunsustainable.

• Lowliteracyratesamongyoungpeoplemakesitchallengingtoactivelyengagetheminpeacebuildingwork.

• Educationalandvocationalopportunitiesaredifficultformanyyouth,basedonsocioeconomicfactors,toaccess.

SocialStructuresandNorms

• Conservative,gerontocraticsocietiesmakeitdifficultforyoungpeopletoparticipateandengageindecision-makingprocesses.

• Anengrainedcultureofmisogynymakesitparticularlychallengingforyoungwomentoenterintoandparticipateinpeacebuildingdiscussions,andgarnersupportforgenderequality.

• Conservativevaluesandstrictsocialnormssustainadversitytochange,andsupportandpromoteongoingstigmaanddiscriminationagainstyoungpeopleandmarginalizedcommunities.

Government

• Thereisanoveralllackofpoliticalwillandconcomitantgovernmentsupportforthemeaningfulinclusionofyoungpeopleindecision-making.

“Theygiveusaplace

atthetable,butdoes

thatplacecomewith

anypower?”

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• Therearelimitedornoyouthfocalpointswithinthegovernmentandexistinggovernmentyouthofficesarepoorlytrainedandunder-resourced.

• Themechanismsandstructuresneededtosupportgreaterparticipationofyoungpeoplearenotinplaceandthereisnoexistinglegislationtomandatetheirinclusion.

• Whereyoungpeopleareconsultedorincludedinsomecapacityitisofteninatokenisticmannerandtheirvoicesarenotgenerallyvaluedorheard.

• Whenyoungpeoplearegivenspacetoparticipate,theyoftendonotrepresentthemultipleandintersectingidentitiesandlivedrealitiesofyouth,whichreproducesfeelingsofexclusionandmarginalization.

• Youthbodiesthatdoexistareoftenhighlypoliticizedandusedasproxiesforpoliticalpartiestopushpartisanagendas.

• ThereisanoverallreciprocalsenseofmistrustbetweenyoungpeopleandtheState.

4. PrioritiesParticipant’sprioritiesforyouthpeacebuildingworkfellunder6differentcategories:(1)Participation;(2)Partnerships;(3)Capacity;(4)Education;(5)PersonalSafety;and(6)Funding.Participation

• Youthbodies(i.e.councils,parliaments,etc.)shouldnotbesubjecttogovernmentinfluenceandshouldbeabletooperatewithautonomy.

• Involvediverseyoungpeopleinthedesign,implementation,andmonitoringandevaluationofpolicies.

• Legislateyouthquotasthatembracediversityforyoungpeople’spoliticalparticipation.• Increaseyoungpeople’spoliticalparticipationanddiverserepresentation.

Partnerships

• Supportclearandopenchannelsofcommunicationbetweenyoungpeople,thegovernmentandCSOs.

• Enhancecollaboration,andinformationandresourcesharingamongstyouthpeacebuildingorganizationsandnetworkstobuildsustainablepartnerships.

Capacity

• Supportcapacity-buildingandsuccessionplanningwithinyouthpeacebuildingorganizationsandnetworkstostrengthenyouthstructures.

Education

• Supporteducationalpracticesthatpromotediversityandinclusiontoaddressstigmaanddiscrimination.

• Ensureyoungpeoplehavefreeandequalaccesstoqualityeducation.

“Youthcannottrusta

governmentthathas

noyouthinit.”

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• Expandeducationalcurriculatoincludecomprehensiveandinclusiveeducationonhumanrights,civicduties,sexualandreproductivehealth,etc.

PersonalSafety

• Supportyouthpeacebuilders(includingyounghumanrightsdefenders),whooftenworkindangerousandprecarioussettings,byensuringtheyhaveasafeandsecureenvironment.

Funding

• Increaseflexibleandaccessiblefundingforyouthpeacebuildingwork.

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MexicoandCentralAmerica

1. DefiningpeaceandsecurityPeacePersonalSafety:Participantsdescribedthewayinwhichtheconceptofpeacerelatedtotheirsenseofpersonalsafety,includingbeingabletolivewithoutfearofviolence,receivingStateprotectionfromviolence,beingabletoexpressthemselvesfreelywithoutfearofretaliationandhavingguaranteedhumanrights.Socialcohesion:Contributingtotheirdiscussionsonpeace,participantshighlightedsomefactorsneededtopromotesocialcohesionwithintheircommunities,includingtheneedtofosterrespectfordiversityanddifferenceinordertocreateanenvironmentfreefromstigma

anddiscrimination.InnerPeace:Participantsdescribedtheneedtofocusoninnerpeacebeforeattemptingtopromotepeacewithintheircommunitiesandbeyond.Inparticular,someparticipantsstressedhownegativepersonalexperiencescouldprovideanopportunityforlearningandself-realisation,thereforeleadingtoinnerpeace.Services:Participantsemphasisedtheimportanceofhavingaccessto

basicservices(includinghousing,education,health,etc.)inordertofeelatpeace.Security4PersonalSafety:Similartoparticipantdiscussionson‘peace’,personalsafetyemergedasathemeamongtheirdiscussionson‘security’,includingfreedomofexpressionwithoutfearofretaliation,respectforandguaranteesofhumanrightsandtheabilitytolivefreefromviolence.Linkedtotheneedforpersonalsafetywasthechallengeofimpunityandmistrustingovernmentinstitutionsandthewaythiscompoundsfeelingsofinsecurity.Services:Participantsdescribedtheimportanceofhavingaccesstobasicservicesandeconomicandsocialresourcesinordertofeelsecureintheircommunities.Thisdiscussionalsoencompassedtheconceptsofhumansecurity(i.e.amoreholistic

4Theobviousoverlapbetweenyouthconceptionsof‘peace’and‘security’highlightsthewaytheseconceptsareperceivedas‘twosidesofthesamecoin’andperhapshintsatthelensthroughwhichparticipantsapproachpeacebuildingissueswithintheircommunities.

“[Peaceis]the

freedomtobeone’s

selfwithoutbeing

judged…”

“[Peaceis]ahugfrom

mymother,whenI

comehomeandI’m

stillalive…”

“[Securityis]the

freedomtospeak

withoutfearofbeing

silenced…”

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understandingofwhatcontributestofeelingsecure)andfoodsecurity(buildingontheneedfortheprovisionofbasicservices).SocialCohesion:Participantsstressedtheimportanceofrespectforwomen’srightsandinclusionofmarginalizedcommunitiesindecision-makingprocesses,inordertocreateasenseofsecurityandfostersocialcohesion.2. YoungPeople’sWorkYoungpeople’sworkinMexicoandCentralAmericafellinto5broadcategories:(1)EducationandLabour;(2)RightsandJustice;(3)ArtsandSport;(4)Health;(5)Gender;and(6)SocialCohesion.EducationandLabour

• TeachingEnglishtomarginalisedyouthtoincreasetheirabilitytocompeteinthelabourmarket.

• Educatingmembersofthepublic,includingyoungpeople,onhumanrights,includingchildrights.

• ProvidingleadershiptrainingtoUniversitystudents.• Promotingandutilisingnon-formaleducationasameanstoengageawider

constituency.• ConductingviolencepreventionworkinschoolsandUniversities.

Rights

• Promotingandadvocatingfortherightsofmarginalisedmembersofsociety,includingIndigenousPeoples,afro-descendants,membersoftheLGBTIcommunity,peoplewithdisabilities,women,andrefugees,internallydisplacedandstatelesspersons.

• Workingwithstatelessmembersofsocietytoobtainformalstatusandgaincitizenshiprights.

• PromotingLGBTIissuesandcallingforrenewedlegislationthatisinclusiveofadiversearrayofgenderidentities.

• Conductingawareness-raisingandprovidingtrainingonchildrights.ArtsandSportThefollowingexamplesofyoungpeople’sworkdemonstratethecreativewaysparticipantsengageyoungpeopleorpromoteyouth-relatedissues,anddrawontheothercategorieslistedinthissection.

• Promotingtheuseofsportstoworkwithvulnerablecommunitiesandpromotepeacefulcoexistence.

• Advocatingforchildrenandyouth,withaparticularfocusonsexualviolencepreventionutilisingcreativeformsofexpression.

• Usingtheartstopromotethesocialinclusionofafro-descendants.• Usingsportstoaddressandnormalisetabootopicsofconversation.

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• Promotingtheuseofmusictoteachyoungpeoplevaluesandadvocateforsocialchange.

• Providingtrainingtoyoungpeopleonhumanrights,genderidentityandsexeducationusingcreativeformsofexpression(i.e.hiphop)asatoolforsocialtransformationandtoprovideyoungpeoplewithanalternativetojoininggangs.

Health

• Providingpsychosocialsupporttomigrants.• Runningworkshopsonsexualhealthwithchildrenandyoungpeopleinschools.

Gender

• Promotingandadvocatingforwomen’srights,includingtherightsofmigrantwomen,andtherightsoftheLGBTIcommunity.

• Promotinghumanrightsandgenderequalitybyeducatingcommunitiesandyoungpeopleongender-basedviolenceandissuesrelatedtoaccesstojustice.

SocialCohesion

• Promotingandsupportingthesocialreintegrationofyoungpeoplethathavepreviouslyengagedinviolence.

3. ChallengesSustainabilityandPartnerships

• YouthprojectsimplementedbytheStateandINGOsareoftenshort-termandsuperficial,lackingaviewtothelong-term,sustainabilityrequiredforsignificantchange.

• Theworkofyoungpeacebuildersandyouthpeacebuildingorganisationsisnotwellcoordinatedimpactingthesustainabilityoftheirpeacebuildingwork.

• YoungpeoplearewaryofdevelopingpartnershipswiththeStateduetotheirfeelingsofmistrustinthegovernment.

StigmaandDiscrimination• Youngpeopleexperiencestigmaanddiscrimination,which

makesitchallengingfortheirpeacebuildingworktobeviewedlegitimately.

• Youngpeoplelivinginruralcommunitiesandvulnerableurbanneighbourhoodsexperiencemorediscrimination,andfeelmoremarginalisedanddisconnectedfromtheStateandurbancentres.Thisisexacerbatedbythefactthatyouth-relatedprogrammingthatdoesoccurisoftenfocusedinurbancentres.

SocialNorms

• Conservativereligiousvaluesareseentolimityoungpeople’sabilitytoaddresstabootopicsofconversation,i.e.sexualandreproductivehealth.

“Thestigmatisationof

youth,certain

prejudicesanddeep-

rootedreligiousideas

makecertaintopics

difficulttoaddress…”

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ResourcesandSupport

• ThereisanoveralllackoffinancialandpoliticalsupportfromtheStatewhenitcomestoyouthwork.

• Financialresources,beyondsolelythroughtheState,foryouthworkarelimited.

PersonalSafety• Youngpeacebuildersfaceinsecurityandthreatstotheirpersonalsafetyforcarryingout

theirwork.5Judicial

• Statecorruptionandaweakjudicialsystemresultinhighlevelsofimpunity,whichmakesitchallengingforyoungpeopletoaddressandpreventviolence.

EconomicOpportunities

• Therearelimitedeconomicopportunitiesforyoungpeople(i.e.employment,vocationaltraining,etc.).

4. PrioritiesEducationandLabor

• Seculareducationthatintegratesandallowsforthediscussionoftabootopicsofconversation,i.e.sexualandreproductivehealth.

• Enhancedeconomicopportunitiesforyoungpeople.• Youthentrepreneurship.

Judicial

• Strengthenjudicialsystemsinordertoaddresshighlevelsofimpunity,andsupportyoungpeople’sabilitytoconducttheirworkandliveinamoresecureandsafeenvironment.

Resources

• Increasetheresourcesavailabletoyoungpeoplefortheirpeacebuildingwork.Legislation

• Developandimplementyouth-specificlegislationtoincreasesupportforandlendcredibilitytoyouthpeacebuildingwork.

5Participantsoftendescribedhoworganizedcrimeandgangsarethemainactorstoproduceinsecurityintheircommunities,andthatviolenceandalackofopportunitiesiscontributingtoincreaseddisplacementthroughouttheregion.

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SustainabilityandPartnerships• Supportcollaborationbetweenyouthpeacebuilding

organizationstostrengthenyouthnetworks.BasicRightsandServices

• Addresstheneedsforbasicrightsandservicesforyoungpeopleinallcommunities,includingthosemostmarginalized(i.e.Indigenous,youngpeoplewithdisabilities,membersoftheLGBTIcommunity,youngwomen,IDPs,statelesspersonsandrefugees,etc.).

Participation

• Createopportunitiesforyoungpeopletobeabletomeaningfullyinfluenceandcontributetodecision-makingprocesses.

Government

• Decentralizegovernmentagenciessothattheyarebetterconnectedtothelivesofyoungpeoplebeyondurbancentres,inanefforttohelpincreasetrustingovernmentandenhancethecredibilityofgovernmentamongyouth.

Technology

• Usetechnologyininnovativewaystohelpsupportyouthworkthataimstopromotepeaceandpreventviolence.

“Therightsofyoung

peoplemustbe

recognized.”

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SouthAmerica

1. DefiningYouth,PeaceandSecurityYouthAttheoutset,thegroupunanimouslyhighlightedtheimportanceofreferringtoyouthinapluralform(“juventudes”),emphasizingtheirdiversityandmultipleidentitiesandrefusingabiologicaldefinitionofyouth.Somecommoncharacteristicsoftherealityofyouthincludednegativeassumptionsandstigma(includingbytheStateitself),alackofopportunitiesinsocial,politicalandeconomicspheres,precarity,andasystemicmarginalizationfrominstitutionsandpoliticalprocesses.However,participantsalsohighlightedyoungpeople’spotentialandactiveroleastorchbearers,changemakers,democracydefenders,leaders.Fortheirpotentialtobeunleashed,youngpeopleraisedtheneedtostrengthenyouthagencyandtoaddresstheviolenceperpetratedbytheState.PeaceOverall,participantssupportedtheideathatPeacedidnotonlymean“theabsenceofconflict”ortheantonymto“war”,butcouldbeexpandedtoincludethefollowingareas:inclusion,equality,democracy,innerpeace,contextandmobilityandspace.

Inclusion:Inclusionwaspresentedbyparticipantsasarequirementtoachievepeace,whileexclusionwasdescribedasatriggertoviolence.The“leavingno-onbehind”approach,atthecoreofthe2030Agenda,andtheimportanceofpromotingandprotectinghumanrightswerereferredtoseveraltimes.

Equality:Participantsdescribedhowpeacecannotbeobtainedwithoutrecognizingdiversityanddifference,withoutequalaccesstoopportunities,trueequalityandtheabsenceofdiscrimination.DevelopmentandDemocracy:Participantslinkedtheconceptofpeacetotheimportanceofhavingdemocraticinstitutionsandademocraticculturethatpromotesparticipation,particularlywhenitcomestodiscussionsontheneedforinclusiveandsustainabledevelopment.6InnerPeace:Participantsdescribedtheimportanceofinnerpeace,whichmanifestsasbeingfreetobeyourselfandlivingfreeoffear,violenceandhate.

6Forparticipantsthisdiscussionwascontested–developmentofwhom,forwhat?Doessocietyanddoyoungpeoplereallyhaveasayindevelopment?

“Peacehastobe

definedinaspecific

context;itisdynamic.”

“Peaceismorethan

theabsenceof

conflict...”

“FromtheIndigenous

perspective,peace

meansrespectingthe

territory;spaceis

peace.”

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Context:Peaceiscontextualandwillmeandifferentthingstodifferentpeopleatdifferenttimes.MobilityandSpace:Theabilitytomovefreelythroughoutdifferentterritories,acrossborders,withoutborders,etc.wasdescribedasakeycomponentofpeaceforsomeparticipants.SecurityThefirstreactionofparticipantswastorefertosecuritypoliciesimplementedbytheState,includingrepressivepolicyresponses.However,participantdiscussionsturnedtothewayinwhichsecurityandpeaceasconceptsarecloselyconnectedtooneanother.ControlandRepressiveStatePolicies:TheStatewasoftenreferredtoasarmedandaggressive,andparticipantsclearlyshowedsomeskepticismtoward“terrorism”andreferencestoviolentextremisminUNSCR2250.YoungpeopleareoftenvictimsoftheState(violenceagainstyoungpeople,includingagainsttheirownbody,femicides,stigma,etc.).So-calledsecuritypolicies,aswellasknowledgeandpower,weredescribedaswaysfortheStatetocontrolpopulations,inparticularyoungpeople.Participantsdescribedhumansecurityasasolutiontorepressive,hardsecurityapproachesfromtheState.HumanRights:Participantsdescribedhowasenseofsecurityisnotpossibleifpeopledonotseetheirhumanrightsrespected,particularlyforhumanrightsactivistswhichincludesmanyyoungpeopledoingpeacebuildingwork.Youngpeoplehighlightedhowtheguaranteeandprotectionoftheirhumanrights,aswellasaccesstobasicservicesarepreconditionsfortheirempowerment.PersonalSafety:Thelackofruleoflawandofsecuritywereidentifiedasathreattoindividualfreedoms(i.e.targetedviolenceagainstafrodescendantsinBrazil;thisdrawsonparticipant’sdescriptionofpeaceasencompassing‘equality’).Participantsalsohighlightedtheneedtoaddressotherdistinctformsofviolenceandinsecurity,includinggender-basedviolenceandinsecurityresultingfromnaturaldisasters.InformationandCommunicationTechnologies:ThedifferentaccesstoICTaffordedtoyoungpeoplelivinginruralorurbancommunitiesaffectstheirabilitytoaccessanduseinformation,whichultimatelyimpactsonwhethertheyfeelsecureintheircommunities.BuildingBridgeswithState:Participantsdescribedtheimportanceofrebuildingtrustwithauthorities,inparticularthepolice.

“Security,inandof

itself,shouldbe

humane.”

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2. Youngpeople’sworkYoungpeople’sworkinSouthAmericafellinto5broadcategories:(1)Participation;(2)Arts;(3)Education;(4)BasicServices;(5)Legislation;(6)Partnerships;and(7)Capacity-building.Participation

• Conveningandparticipatinginpeacedialogues(i.e.Colombia).• Visibilizingsocialgroupsandprovidingrightstrainingtoenhancetheirabilityto

participateinpoliticalprocessesandsocietywrit-large,i.e.Indigenouspeoples.• Facilitatingdialoguebetweengrassroots/communitiesandinstitutions.• Strengtheningyouthpoliticalparticipationthroughcreative

methods.• PromotingtheparticipationofyoungpeoplelivingwithHIV

throughthecreationofnewavenuesforparticipationandsupportingbetterinformedprojectdesign.

• Leadingmovementsofyouthlivingwithdisabilitiestopromotetheirparticipationandraiseawareness.

• Mobilizingyoungpeopleasvolunteersforpeaceanddevelopmentactivities.

• Supportingnationalmechanismsforyouthvolunteerism.• Providingsupporttootherstoassistthemingainingaccessto

resourcesandbasicservices.Arts

• Supportingviolencepreventionthroughartsandculture,reclaimingpublicspaces,urbanspaces,etc.

• Disseminatingpeaceagreementscreatively,througharts,i.e.hiphop.• Usingarttoproposealternativenarrativesandcreatenewcontenthighlighting

intersectionalism,i.e.feminism,gender,sexualandreproductiverights,historicalmemory,etc.

Education

• Establishingvirtuallibrariesforyoungpeoplewhoarevisuallyimpaired(i.e.TIFLOLIBROSinArgentina).

BasicServices

• Buildinghousingforpeopleaffectedbydisasterorthosefromlowersocioeconomiccommunities.

• Supportingvulnerableyouthbyhelpingthemgainaccesstobasicservices.Legislation

• Influencingandsupportinglegislativeandpolicyreforms,i.e.youth-inclusiveconstitutionmaking,youthlaws,lawsforvictimsofterrorism,forcyber-bullying,etc.

“Whatdowedowith

theState?Eitherwe

confrontit,orwe

incorporateitthrough

groupscapableof

representingour

interestsand

generatingreal

change.”

19

• WorkingwithMinistriesofJusticeonpolicyreformsrelatingtomigrants,IDPs,refugeesandstatelesspeople.

Partnerships

• SupportingnewpartnershipswithUniversities.• Usingyouthnetworkstodevelopawareness-raisingcampaignsandsupportsystemsfor

migrants,IDPs,refugeesandstatelesspeople.Capacity-building

• Supportingyouthleadership,trainingcommunityleaders,andestablishingandstrengtheningyouthnetworksworkingonspecificissuesorthemes.

• Providingsupporttovulnerableyouththroughpersonalcoaching.

3. ChallengesPoliticalparticipation

• Youngpeoplearestillabsentfromformalprocessesandspacesformeaningfulparticipationremaininsufficient.

• Moreshouldbedonetosupportyouthleadershipandcapacitydevelopment,inordertoenhanceyoungpeople’spoliticalparticipation.

• Youngpeople’saccesstoinformationremainslimited,whichrestrictstheirabilitytoparticipateandholdtheStatetoaccount.

PersonalSafety• Fearisverymucharealityformanyyoungpeacebuilders,includingfearofviolent

retaliationperpetratedagainstyoungpeacebuildersbytheState.• Violenceisamanifestationorconsequenceofdiscrimination,racism,inequalities,

patriarchalstructures,machismoetc.Perceptions

• Youngpeopleareoftenseenasdangerstosociety.• Youngpeoplearenotrecognisedorvaluedfortheirabilitytocontributeandprovide

technicalassistanceonpeaceandsecurityissues.PublicPolicy

• Statepoliciesrelatingtoculturearerestrictiveanddon’tencompassthefullspectrumofculturesrepresented.

• Citizensecuritypoliciesfailtoincorporateafocusonyouth.• Youth-targeted/focusedpoliciesareoftenoverlysimplisticandsuperficial.

Effectiveimplementationofagreements

• UNSCR2250needstobecontextualisedandimplementedbynationalgovernments.Forexample,thefocusonviolentextremism/terrorismisseenbyparticipantsasless

20

relevantandpotentiallydetrimentalbasedonthehistoricaluseofthediscoursethroughouttheregionbypastdictatorships.

4. PrioritiesParticipation

• Enhancingyouthempowerment/leadershipinexistingandnewspaces.• Strengtheningyouthagencyandenhancingcapacitiesofyouthorganisations,ensuring

theyhavethenecessaryresourcesandlegalprotectionstocarryouttheirwork.• Createclearandopenchannelsforcommunicationthatsupportyoungpeople’sability

toaccessinformationfreelyandeasilysotheycanmoreeasilyparticipateinpoliticalprocesses(i.e.throughtheuseofsocialmedia,etc.).

• Promoteyouthparticipationthatisinclusiveandintersectionalandvisibilizeshistoricallymarginalisedgroups,inordertoaddressdifferentformsofstigmaanddiscriminationthatcontributetoviolence.

• Supportinnovativeyouthparticipationthatchallengeshegemonicformalparticipatorystructuresinordertodrivechangeandsocialprogress.

• Ensureyoungpeoplearefullyincludedintheimplementationofpeacebuildingagreements,policyandlegislation(i.e.UNSCR2250),andthatinformationregardingtheseissharedanddisseminatedbroadly.

TrustBuildingandRelationships

• Themediahavethecapacitytosupportandconveypositivenarrativesonyouthandshouldusethistocounterprevailingnegativeportrayalsofyoungpeople.

• Thereisaneedtobuildtrustbetweengovernmentsandyoungpeople,andtoendtheprevailingandfailinghardsecurityapproachesdirectedatyoungpeople.

• Supportyoungpeople’saccesstoinformationasameanstopromoteaccountability.

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Recommendations

ThefollowingrecommendationsweredevelopedbyallparticipantsfromtheCaribbean,SouthAmerica,CentralAmericaandMexico.SecurityThefollowingrecommendationsspeakprimarilytotheneedforasecureenvironmentinwhichyoungpeoplecanconducttheirpeacebuildingworkwithoutfearofrepercussionsand/orretaliation.

• Establishlegalframeworkstoguaranteeyoungpeople’shumanrights.• Regulatetheuseofforcebylawenforcement,particularlyasitrelatestoprotests,in

ordertosupportyoungpeople’sabilitytoprotestinasafeenvironment.• Implementstricterguncontrollegislationtoaddresshighlevelsofgun-relatedviolence.• Continuetosupportmechanismsthatseektoaddressissuesofcorruptionand

impunity.Forexample,throughstrengtheningjudicialsystemsandensuringtheirindependenceviatheirseparationfromtheexecutivebranchofgovernment;andthroughsupportingtheworkandpushingfortheprotectionofhumanrightsdefenders.

• MonitorStateswithhighyouthincarcerationratesandassesstheimpactofthisonyoungpeopleandthebroadercommunity.

PoliticalParticipation

• Inordertoaddressthestigmatizationofyoungpeople,establishlegislationthatcreatesspaceforyouthpoliticalparticipation.

• Increasethetransparencyofpublicinstitutionssothatyoungpeoplearemoreeasilyabletoengageinpoliticalprocesses.

• Developmoreopenandinformalspacesforyoungpeople’spoliticalparticipation.• Legislationshouldbedevelopedandimplemented,withthehelpofyoungpeople,that

enshrinesyoungpeople’sparticipationinpublicpolicyanddecision-makingstructuresandprocesses.

• Governmentsshouldworktoensuregreatercontinuityintheirprogrammaticworkonyouth.

• Supportandencourageopportunitiesforyouthleaders,communityleadersandinstitutionstoexchangeskillsandknowledge.

Legislation

• Legislationshouldclearlydefinethecategoryofyouth.• Youthquotasshouldbeimplementedtocallforadequateyouthrepresentationin

politicalprocesses.• RegularreportingshouldbeimplementedbyStatestomonitorandassesstheirprogress

onissuesrelatedtoyouth,peaceandsecurity.

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Inclusion• Investinpublicpolicythatpromotesdiversityandinclusion.• Providedecision-makersandpublicofficialswithdiversitytrainingandinstillrespectfor

humanrights.• OfficiallyrecognizethediversityoflanguagesspokenthroughoutagivenState.• Recognizethediverseformsofviolenceandexclusionexperiencedbyyoungpeople,

particularlybythosefrommarginalizedcommunities,andpromotetheirhumanrights.• Raiseawarenessregardingthewaysinwhichdifferentmembersofsocietyexperience

violencetovaryingdegrees.• Createaregionalnarrativethathighlightsthelinkbetweendiscrimination,exclusion,

securityandpeace–and–employment,health,educationandaccesstojustice.AccesstoInformation

• Increaseaccesstoanduseofinformationandcommunicationtechnologiesthroughsupportingdigitalliteracyofyoungpeopleandensuringruralcommunitieshavethenecessaryinfrastructure.

• Createonlineplatformswhereyouthpeacebuilders,membersofthepublic,privatesector,NGOsandgovernmentactorscancommunicateanddiscusspeaceandsecurityissuesandexchangeknowledge.

Education

• Educatecommunitiesandfamiliesontheimportanceofyoungpeopleattendingschool.• Formaleducationalcurriculumshouldincludeeducationonrespectfordiversityand

sexualandreproductivehealth,andshouldrespondtotheneedsofpeoplelivingwithdisabilities.

• Supporteducationpractitionersandenhancetheirunderstandingofdiversityandinclusionbyofferingthemeducationalopportunitiesrelatedtodiversityandinclusion.

• Increasepartnershipsbetweentheprivatesectorandhighereducationinstitutionstoassistyoungpeopleinobtainingemploymentoncetheycompletetheirschooling.

• Improveaccesstoonlinecoursesforyoungpeoplelivinginruralcommunities.• ProvidetrainingtoyoungpeopleontheuseofICT.

Capacity-building

• Creatementorshipopportunitiesforyoungpeacebuildersandyouthpeacebuildingorganizationstoconnectwithyoungeryouth,aswellasadultswithinsociety.Promotementorshipprogrammesthatencourageatwo-wayexchangebetweenyoungpeacebuildersandadultstodemonstratewhateachcanlearnfromeachother.

• Provideyoungpeoplewithopportunitiestodeveloptheirinterpersonal,communicationandnegotiationskillssothattheycanconductpeacebuildingworksuccessfully.

• Providetrainingtoyoungpeacebuildersonconflicttransformation,conflictresolutionandhowtonavigatepoliticalstructures.

• Developculturallyrelevantandyouthfriendlyimpactassessmenttoolkitsforyoungpeacebuilderstosupporttheirabilitytomonitorandevaluatetheirwork.

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AnnexA:ParticipantInformation

CountriesPresent AgeRangeCountry Numberof

ParticipantsAge Numberof

participantsAntiguaandBarbuda 1 18 1Argentina 3 19 3Barbados 2 20 4Belize 2 21 2Bolivia 1 22 1Brazil 4 23 11Chile 1 24 6Colombia 4 25 9CostaRica 1 26 8Dominica 1 27 7DominicanRepublic 2 28 8Ecuador 3 29 4ElSalvador 2 GenderBalanceGrenada 2 Male 26Guatemala 2 Female 38Guyana 2Haiti 2Honduras 2Jamaica 2Mexico 2Nicaragua 2Panama 3Paraguay 2Peru 2SaintKittsandNevis 2SaintVincentandtheGrenadines

2

SaintLucia 2TrinidadandTobago 3Uruguay 3Venezuela 2

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AnnexB:ListofParticipatingOrganizations

OrganizationMapucheENAMA ReddeJóvenesAfrodescendientesdePanamáReddeJóvenesPositivosdeLatinoaméricayelCaribeHispano

SecretariadeJuventuddelaAlcaldíadeColón

SecretariadeInclusiónSocialdelMunicipiodelDistritoMetropolitanodeQuito

MinorityRightsGroupInternational

JóvenesIberoamericanos ACNUROrganizaciónJuvenilBañadense“YvyGuive” NationalOfficeforEconomicPartnership

AgreementsGestiónComunitariadeTECHOParaguay CaribbeanLawInstituteConsorcioBolivianodeJuventudes 21stCenturyWomanSecciónJuventuddelaSecretariaRegionalSuramericana/MovimientoEstamosTodxsenAcción

MinistryofEducation,YouthandSports

AsociaciónCivilDoncel ConsciousYouthDevelopmentProgrammeSecretariadeDerechosHumanosdelaProvinciadeBuenosAires(laSecretariadePueblosOriginarios)

“IhavearightfoundationandyouthvolunteersnetworkofDominica”

UniveristyofBrazil MinistryofYouth,SportsandReligiousAffairsOBJUVandOBVIO USAIDUNHCR YWCA

FORMANCIPA ConseilConsultatifdesJeunesHaiti/YouthAdvisoryBoardHaiti

UNICEF PositiveOrgPersonasActivasResponsablementeCívicas CommonwealthStudent’sAssociationFundacionCulturalySocial5tacon5taCrew RedCrossEscueladePueblosIndígenasyDerechosHumanos

LeoClubSt.Vincent

JuventuddelMunicipiodeGirardota CARICOMUniversidadNacionalMayordeSanMarcos CYPANSICAYUNESCO HumanitarianAssociationoftheRepublicof

TrinidadandTobagoReddeComunidadesEducativasporlaPaz MinistryofNationalSecurityCentrodeOrientaciónFemenino UNMGCYCEPROSAF UNDP

FORPAZ Club–JuvenilProfamiliaInstitutoMexicanodelaJuventud FundaciónDaniloPérezFundaciónEfectoValoresIPAS

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AnnexC:ConceptnoteandAgenda

*Thisagendawasadaptedinresponsetochangingconditions.

Programme Regional Consultation on Youth, Peace and Security Voices of youth in Latin America and the Caribbean

Panama May 28 - June 1, 2017

Time Sunday 28.05

Monday 29.05

Tuesday 30.05

Wednesday 31.05

Thursday 01.06

7:30-8:00

Arrival

Mindfulness/Yoga (optional) Mindfulness/Yoga (optional) Mindfulness/Yoga (optional) 7:30-8:30 Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast 8:30-10:15 Opening and official welcome Youth initiatives in peace and

security - subregional perspective

Youth, Peace and Security in the region (visit to Colón)

Departure

Coffee Break 10:15-10:30 Coffee Break 10:30-12:00 Teambuilding Identifying opportunities and

challenges of youth participation in peace and security

12:00-13:30 Youth Perspectives on Peace and Security

Youth Perspectives on challenges and priorities for peace and

security 13:30 - 14:30 Lunch Lunch Networking Lunch

14:30 - 16:00 UNSCR 2250: presentation and reflection

Recommendations for Youth, Peace and Security agenda

Next steps- Collaboration Plan

16:00-16:15 Coffee Break Coffee Break Coffee Break 16:15-17:30 Youth initiatives in peace and

security - regional perspective Recommendations for Youth,

Peace and Security agenda

Evaluation and closing 17:30-18:00 Informal Welcome

Reflections Reflections

19:00 Dinner Dinner Dinner Dinner Socio-cultural activities

Farewell

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ConceptNoteRegionalConsultationonYouth,PeaceandSecurity

VoicesofyouthinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean,Panamá28May-1June2017

On9December2015,theUnitedNationsSecurityCouncil(UNSC)adoptedResolution2250,thefirstresolutionthatspecificallyaddressestheroleofyoungpeopleonmattersofpeaceandsecurity.Thisground-breakingresolutiononYouth,PeaceandSecurityrecognizesthepositiveroleyoungpeoplecananddoplayinconflictprevention,thepreventionofviolence,andthepromotionandconsolidationofpeace.ThisResolutioncapturesthelegacyandcontributionsmadeby,forexample,theGuidingPrinciplesonYoungPeople’sParticipationinPeacebuildingandtheAmmanYouthDeclaration,andrepresents,firstandforemost,thesuccessofthejointeffortsofyouthorganizations,theUN,civilsocietyactorsandgovernmentsworkingtogether.OneofthenextmeasuresstipulatedintheResolution,requeststheSecretary-General"tocarryoutaprogressstudyontheyouth’spositivecontributiontopeaceprocessesandconflictresolution,inordertorecommendeffectiveresponsesatlocal,national,regionalandinternationallevels,andfurtherrequeststheSecretary-GeneraltomaketheresultsofthisstudyavailabletotheSecurityCouncilandallMemberStatesoftheUnitedNations."TheProgressStudywillprovidekeyinformationregardingyouthparticipationinpeaceandsecurityissuesandhighlighttheiractiveandpositivecontributiontomaintainingpeaceintheregion.Inkeepingwiththiscommitment,regionalandnationalconsultationsarebeingconductedworldwide.Todate,aRegionalConsultationandHigh-LevelDialoguefortheArabStateswasheldinJordanbearinginmindthesupportofferedbythesestatesinordertoadopttheResolutionon9December2015.ANationalConsultationinColombiahasalsotakenplace,asakeycountryforthedevelopmentoftheProgressStudy,giventhepresentcontextoftheimplementationofthepeaceagreementwiththeFARC-EPandtheactiveroleandinvolvementofyoungpeopleinthepeaceprocess,peacebuildingandconflictresolutioninthecountry.Inaddition,aseriesofonlineconsultationswillbelaunchedshortlyontheYouth4PeaceKnowledgePortalinordertobroadenthereachoftheconsultationstothegloballevel.Itisalsoanimportantopportunitytoencourageyoungpeopletoplayanactiveroleintheimplementationofthe2030Agendaintheregion.Thisroadmapforachievingpeaceandsustainabledevelopmentwasadoptedunanimouslyby193countriesattheUNGeneralAssemblyinSeptember2015.Itistoday’syouthwho,intheyearsremaininguntil2030,aretakingonthenewchallengesandcommitmentsthatareputforwardinthe17SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)andtheir169goals.Hence,youngpeoplehavebecomekeyplayersincontributingtothesuccessofbuildingthepeacefulandinclusivesocietiesnecessaryforsustainabledevelopment1.

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LatinAmericaandtheCaribbeanItisestimatedthatthereareapproximately160millionyoungpeopleintheregion.Onanalysingtheirsituation,wefindtheyfacecomplexchallengesintermsofsecurity,inequalityandgovernance,allofwhichareessentialinordertoprogresstowardssustainablepeace.Regardingsecurity,violencehashadanenormousimpactinthisregion,whichisconsideredthemostviolentintheworld.Itisnoaccident,therefore,thatalthoughthereisnowarcurrentlydeclaredintheregion,therateofhomicideishigherthanthatrecordedinperiodsofwar.Violentoperationsarelinkedmainlytothedrugtradeandtheevictionofpersonsfromterritoriesvaluedfortheirminerals,forestsorsubsoilwealth.Itshouldnotbeforgottenthataccessto,useandownershipofnaturalresourcesisakeyfactorfortheseeconomies.Therefore,generatinginclusiveanddemocraticdialogueprocessesthataddressterritorialsecuritywouldallowtheadoptionofmediumandlong-termconsensusandidentifyopportunitiesthatguaranteethesustainablehumandevelopmentoftheaffectedpopulations.Globalhomicideratesareledbycountriesinthisregion,especiallythoseintheNorthernTriangle,withmorethan100,000homicidesayearandveryhighnumbersofviolenceagainstwomenandgirls.Poverty,inequalityandorganizedcrimearedeterminingfactorsinexplainingthisdynamicaffectingyoungmen,womenandgirls.Bearinginmindthatviolenceaffectswomenandgirlsdifferently,themurderofwomenbecauseoftheirgender,knownasfemicide,isreachingalarminglevelsintheregion,andespeciallyaffectsyoungwomen.Ofthe25countrieswiththehighestratesoffemicideintheworld,14areinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean2.Ontheotherhand,hatecrimesagainstyoungpeopleonthebasisoftheirsex,sexualorientationorgenderidentity,aswellasthethreatofforcedrecruitmenthavebecomeoneofthemaincausesofdisplacementwithintheregion.Oneofthekeystoresolvingthesechallengeswillbethedevelopmentofstrategiesforthepreventionofviolence(inallitsforms)thatdirectlyandindirectlyaffectyouthandthepeacefulresolutionofconflicts.Reducinginequalitiesisoneofthemajorprioritiesoftheregion,consideringthatitisthemostunequalregionintheworld.TheinequalitiesthatexistinthecountriesofLatinAmericaandtheCaribbeanresultintheexclusionandmarginalizationofyoungpeople.Althoughtherehasbeenanimprovementineconomic,educationandhealthindicators,theseadvancesremainfarfromuniversalandtheintergenerationalandintragenerationalgapsdeepen,resultinginsituationsofexclusion.Integrationofyoungpeopleintheworkforceis,ingeneral,quiteprecarious,withnegativeconsequencesontheirsocialprotection.Adolescentsandyoungpeoplefindseriouslimitationstotheirsexualandreproductiverights.Anexampleofthisisthehighratesofadolescentpregnancy,earlymarriagesandcivilunions,HIVinfectionsorsexualviolence,whichincrease

28

theirvulnerability.Inaddition,thetransitionofyoungpeoplebetweenschoolandtheworkforceiscomplexintheregion,resultinginahighpercentageofveryprecariousjobs.Inthissense,oneofthechallengeswouldbetoconsolidatethesocialprotectionsystemtoboosthumancapital,reducetheeffectsofinequalityandensurethatnooneisleftbehind.Democratic,inclusiveandeffectivegovernanceisagrowingdemandintheregion,withrightstoparticipation,transparencyandaccesstojusticethatmustberespectedandguaranteedbythestates.Youthhavebeenproactiveinidentifyingsolutionstodevelopmentchallengesanditwouldthereforebeidealtoinvolveyoungpeopleindecision-makingprocessesthatemphasizeequalopportunities,ensuringparticipationregardlessofnationality,migrationstatus,ethnic,racialorculturaloriginand/orsexualdiversity,genderoranyothertypeofdiscriminationatthelocal,nationalandgloballevels.Asaresult,innovationandcriticalthinkinginallagegroupsandthecapacitytogeneratetransformationalchangewouldbeencouraged.GeneralObjectivesoftheConsultation• GatherthevoicesofyouthinvolvedinpeacebuildingonissuesofpeaceandsecurityinLatin

AmericaandtheCaribbean,inordertosupporttheimplementationofResolution2250intheregionandasacontributiontotheProgressStudyinaccordancewiththemandatedestablishedbytheResolution.�

• IdentifythechallengesthatyouthfaceregardingpeaceandsecurityinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean,andgeneratealternativemechanismstoaddresstheminordertocontributetopeaceandsecurity.�

SpecificObjectives• Identifythemainissuesregardingpeaceandsecuritythatareofinteresttotheyouth

andthataffectthemdirectlyinaregional,nationalorlocalcontext.�• Discussperspectives,challengesandprioritiestosupporttheactiveparticipationof

menandwomen,takingintoaccounttheirdiversity,conflictprevention,socialcohesion,conflicttransformationandlocalandnationalpeacebuilding.�

• IdentifyrecommendationsfortheProgressStudy.�• Shareworkexperiencesonyouthandpeacebuildingatthecountrylevelthatmaybe

relevantforthe�region.�• Generateayouthnetworkthatpromotestheactiveinclusionofyoungpeoplein

peaceandsecurityprocessesatthelocal,nationalandregionallevels.�

ProfileofParticipants�Theselectioncriteriaseektorepresentyouthintheirsocial,politicalandculturaldiversity,aswellasfacilitatetheaccessofwomenandmenfromdifferentcountries.Someoftherequirementsarelistedbelow:

29

• Youngpeoplebetweentheagesof18-29.�• Equitableparticipationofmenandwomen.�• Theymustbeyoungleaderswhoareinvolvedinpeaceandsecurityissuesatlocal,

regional,nationalorgloballevels.�• Experienceininitiativesandareasofworkrelatedtosomeofthefollowingtopics: -Promotion,awareness-buildinganddefenceofhumanrights.� -Developmentcooperation.� -Humanitarianaction.� -Buildingandstrengtheningofpeaceprocesses.� -Socialcohesionandsocialfabricrecovery.� -Localandnationalgovernanceprocesses.� -Activismattheindividualorcivilsocietylevel:advocacyandpolitical

impact.� -Preventionofyouthviolence:gangs.� -Reconciliationandaccesstojustice.� -Citizensecurity.� -Genderviolence,especiallysexualviolence.�

-Promotionofgenderequality.-Promotion,awareness-buildinganddefenceofhumanrights,withemphasisonsexualandreproductiverights.

• Prioritywillbegiventoyoungpeoplefromorganizations,movements,initiativesandnetworksledbyyoungpeople,whowillmakeupthemajorityoftheparticipants.�

• Everyeffortshouldbemadetoensurethediversityofparticipants,includingyoungpeoplefromdiversesocio-economic/ethnicbackgrounds,fromruralandurbanareas,LGBTIpersons,migrants,refugeesandstatelesspersons.�

ConsultationFormatTheconsultationwilltakeplaceoveraperiodof4daysandwilladdressthefollowingtopics:• Youthperspectiveson"peaceandsecurity".�• Youth-ledactivitiesandinitiativesforpeaceandsecurityinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean.• Opportunities,factorsandchallengestotheparticipationofyoungpeopleinthepeaceand

securityagendas.�• YouthrecommendationsfortheYouth,PeaceandSecurityagenda.��Inaddition,theconsultationwillofferanopportunityforyoungpeopletogettoknowotherpeaceandsecurity�processescurrentlyunderwayintheregion.���

Thiseventwouldnotbepossiblewithoutthecollaborationandexchangeamongstthefollowingorganizations:OAS,UNDP,UNESCO,UNFPA,UNHCR,UNPeacebuildingSupportOffice,UNVolunteersandUNWomen.�