Write a commentYouth groups from Newtownhamilton and Jonesborough recently travelled to Belfast to take part in the Global Youth Peace Summit as part of several Good Relations Programmes being delivered by Slieve Gullion DEA in partnership with the Education Authority,
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The Summit, which is the first of its kind to take place in Northern Ireland, was delivered by Beyond Skin, a leading organization promoting diversity through arts and culture, as part of their Youth for Peace Initiative.
The event brought together young people from schools around Northern Ireland as well as international guests from countries dealing with the legacy of conflict including Colombia, Sri Lanka, Palestine and Israel to discuss the role of young people in promoting peace.
The theme of the summit, ‘Youth, Peace and Security’ was developed in direct response to the United Nations Security Council’s adaptation of resolution 2250. The first ever thematic resolution on Youth, Peace, and Security, the resolution aims to bring recognition and legitimacy for youth’s efforts in building peace.
Beyond Skin explained the important role young people play in peace building and said, “Young women and young men have a critical role in promoting and maintaining international peace and security. Contrary to most popular representations, the majority of youth are not violent. Rather, they can and do - play active roles as agents of positive and constructive change. This is exactly what UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security recognises for the first time.”
Young people attending the event took part in a number of workshops and activities to gather impressions, thoughts and actions regarding UN Resolution 2250, which will then be developed into a youth4peace Strategic Plan for Northern Ireland. This will ultimately be presented to the Children’s and Young Peoples Commissioner and NI Executive.
