Author: Kirsten Hartmann
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The meaningful inclusion of youth is essential for sustainable peace for all. Therefore, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) established the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda. In our latest issue of BKHS Perspectives, Kirsten Hartmann, BKHS expert on European and International Politics, argues that Germany should strengthen its efforts to implement the YPS agenda internationally and nationally. She outlines concrete recommendations on how German decision-makers can support YPS efforts at the UN and the EU level, in bilateral engagement in partner countries as well as in Germany.
“Germany must implement the YPS agenda also nationally: this is crucial not only given the credibility of Germany’s global support for young people, but also for addressing domestic threats to peace and security.” – Kirsten Hartmann
Key findings and recommendations:
- Youth as force for peace: Youth are not only leaders of tomorrow but already leading change today. The UN YPS agenda recognises their important contributions to peace and security and calls for their meaningful inclusion as partners for peace.Universal relevance: Germany should strengthen and support efforts to implement the YPS agenda internationally and recognise the relevance of YPS in Germany to address current security crises, such as increasing institutional mistrust and polarisation. Credible YPS support in other countries requires strong domestic implementation.
- Intergenerational agenda: The YPS agenda addresses intergenerational challenges, benefits the entire society and must be implemented in genuine cross-generational partnerships.
- YPS by Germany – foreign policy: Germany should actively champion YPS in the UN, including in the Peacebuilding Commission and during its candidacy for a Security Council seat in 2027/28; push for a coordinated Team Europe approach to integrate YPS into EU external and domestic action; and strengthen YPS in development cooperation efforts.
- YPS made in Germany – domestic implementation: YPS should be implemented via an interministerial approach together with diverse youth. The YPS agenda should be embedded into existing policies, such as the Youth Strategy and the National Security Strategy. German civil society must take ownership of YPS and bridge the gaps between youth, peace and security actors.
This policy paper builds on research conducted in the BKHS project “Gen P(eacebuilder) – Implementing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda”. You can find more information on the project here.
