Background
Throughout the world, more than 600 million young people live in fragile and conflict affected societies according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)report published in 2016. Today, thousands of youth lose their lives from several conflict and violence happening around the globe as a result of issues of politics, economy and race.
While some have argued about the level of youth participation in violence and criminality resulting in a number of negative labels, stereotypes and problematic programming responses which ultimately limits young people’s agency, there are growing evidences to show that young people have actually been involved and remain an untapped resource for sustainable peace and development.
The adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2250 on youth, peace and security in 2015 and the subsequent resolutions for the first time gives legitimacy and recognition to the significant works of young people to global peace and security.
About the project
The ‘Youth Building Peace in Nigeria’ project seeks to showcase, profile and highlight the works and contributions of young people across communities from the north and south in Nigeria to peacebuilding and sustainable development which have hitherto received limited recognition by giving them a space to tell the world their success stories, challenges and how they are overcoming these challenges in the midst of glaring socio-economic and political realities.
This project will capture stories of twenty young peacebuilders including male and females from communities across the six geopolitical zones and the federal capital territory, Abuja, in Nigeria. It specifically aims to highlight stories of vulnerable youth who ordinarily will not have the access to the available physical and social platform to share their stories.
Objectives
- It provides firsthand knowledge of the contributions of Nigerian youth to peace and security.
- Advances the understanding of stakeholders and policy makers of the huge potentials and capacities of young people in Nigeria to promoting peace and security.
- It contributes to youth policy development in Nigeria and beyond.
Thematic Areas
We will gather young people’s narratives around the following themes:
- Youth Participation in Decision making processes and Peacebuilding
- Violence Prevention Activities: art, sport, peace education, interfaith dialogue as tools for peace building
- Gender and Women Empowerment
- Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurship
- Disengagement and Reintegration initiatives
- Climate Change Mitigation
How to submit your essays
- Profile of author and one page description of the story with title should be sent by May 18, 2020 to info@bbforpeace.org and copy buildingblocksforpeace@gmail.com
- Selected stories/authors will be contacted by May 22, 2020.
- Final entries must be submitted in MS word format and not exceeding 4,000 words.
- Deadline for submission of final essay is July 1, 2020.
Essays will be published and launched commemorate the fifth anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.
All enquiries related to this project, be forwarded info@bbforpeace.org, and copy buildingblocksforpeace@gmail.com