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International Day of Peace: Empowering the Next Generation of Peace Mediators
The Youth Peace Mediators Mentoring Program, a joint project between the South African and Finnish governments, brought together over the course of a year, fifteen young mediators from fifteen different countries. The program answers directly to the implementation of UNSC 2250 Youth, Peace and Security in supporting the role of young people in peace processes.
The aim of the one-year programme was to deepen these young people’s knowledge of mediation-related themes, provide opportunities for networking with peers and key mediation actors and build their ability to act as peacebuilders in their own communities. The programme comprised four in-person periods and supplementary virtual meetings.
Loranna Sambros, programme graduate from Ukraine, summarized her reflections:
“Peace is never just an abstract concept negotiated in closed rooms; it is forged on the ground through trust, the meaningful inclusion of younger generations, and, above all, youth themselves. My biggest takeaway from the programme is that advancing international cooperation and helping others ultimately requires only a genuine desire to make a difference, bold aspirations, and a concrete plan of action.”
The year-long journey began from Pretoria, South Africa, where the young mediators learned about South Africa’s transition to democracy and the role transitional justice in peace processes. The next stop was in Addis Ababa where the cohort learned about the African Union and the role of regional organizations in peace mediation.
Third in-person session was held in Geneva and focused on the intersection of human rights, international law and the peace mediation. Finally, the group met in Helsinki to learn about Finland’s role as a mediator, the importance of inclusion, and water diplomacy. Throughout the program participants also learned practical mediation skills.
The program aims not only to train a group of excellent young mediators, but to also change the whole field of mediation to more youth sensitive direction. Exposing the international, regional and local organizations to the young mediators gives new perspectives on mediation.
“Turning YPS into real action requires a fundamental shift in how young people are understood and positioned within peace and security processes. This means recognizing and supporting youth leadership both within decision-making spaces and beyond them, where young people are already driving peacebuilding efforts in their communities”, reflected Mahlet Sebsibe, programme graduate from Ethiopia.
Finland has been in the forefront of supporting young people in peace processes. The Youth Peace Mediators Mentoring Programme demonstrates how investing in young peacebuilders and building partnerships across regions strengthens not only individual capacities but also the inclusiveness and sustainability of peace efforts.
Finland remains committed to advancing the Youth, Peace and Security agenda and to ensuring that young people have meaningful opportunities to participate in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. Sustainable peace can only be achieved when young people are included as partners from the outset.
The program was a cooperation between the South African and Finnish governments with Interpeace functioning as the secretariat for the program. See more here:
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