Young people bring a unique perspective on conflict, violence, and peace. When they can meaningfully participate in influencing processes, policies, and practices and take action to improve the well-being of their communities, a strong foundation for democracy is laid early on. It enables them to grow into responsible citizens and create a culture of peace.
World Vision’s programming guide, “Empowering Children as Peacebuilders (ECaP)”, enables field staff to design, implement, monitor, and reflect on programs that enable young people to become agents of peace. “Peace Road”, a peace education curriculum for youth Peace Clubs, is part of this program. The young participants are trained and empowered to be ambassadors for peace and become active in their communities.
Florence Mukholi, head of the Eliyes Primary School in a refugee camp in Kenya, oversaw such a peace club and describes its impact as follows: “The Peace Club members at Eliyes have built their resilience, participation, gained knowledge on child protection issues and are now able to contribute to peace within the school, in their homes and communities. Through sessions on understanding peace and violence, our cultural beliefs, cultural communication, roles of men and women in the community, the Peace Club members were equipped with skills and knowledge to help them solve the conflict that arise in their environment. This knowledge also helped them create a supportive atmosphere that maintained peace, fostered a culture of reconciliation, and emphasized preventing conflict from reoccurring.”
The Peace Road curriculum has significantly promoted peace, unity, and healthy relationships within the school. Teamwork has improved, and learners have become more respectful and courageous in expressing their ideas and opinions in a respectful manner. Additionally, participants have learned to control their emotions during disagreements and have become more accommodating, interacting with each other despite their diversity. As a result, the occurrence of fights in the school has decreased, and attendance has increased.
15-year-old George, a young peacebuilder from Kalobeyei Ward in Turkana, Kenya says: “When I joined the Peace Club, it helped me understand the importance of peace in the community. It helped me build my confidence, stay disciplined, and avoid negative behavior such as drugs, alcohol and violence. I kept my focus and, in the end… I emerged victorious.”
Part of World Vision’s advocacy work is to bring the voices and perspectives of these young people to international forums. Nour, a young peacebuilder from Lebanon, helped launch the Inter-Agency Guiding Principles on Youth Participation in Peacebuilding. World Vision is a strong supporter of UN Security Council Resolution 2250, aiming to give youth a greater voice in decision-making at the local, national, regional, and international levels and to set up mechanisms that enable young people to participate meaningfully in peace processes.