Youth as Catalysts for Peace and Civilian Protection: Linking UNSCR 2250 and the Protection of Civilians Agenda

In many conflict-affected contexts, young people are too often framed as either victims or perpetrators of violence. Yet when meaningfully engaged, they are powerful agents of peace, security, and community resilience. The Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda—anchored in UN Security Council Resolution 2250 and subsequent resolutions—recognizes the critical role of youth in preventing violence, resolving conflicts, and building sustainable peace. 

In parallel, the Protection of Civilians (PoC) agenda places the safeguarding of populations at the center of responses to armed conflict. The nexus is clear: peace is not sustainable without protection, and civilians—especially youth—are indispensable partners in achieving and sustaining it.

This event will highlight that nexus by drawing on the experiences of youth leaders—spotlighting Finland’s leadership in mentoring young peace mediators—and on insights from practitioners advancing PoC and peacebuilding at the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), UNICEF and the Network of Religions and Traditional Peacemakers (NRTP). 

Through discussion and field examples, the event will showcase how youth contribute to peace mediation and community-based protection, demonstrate how integrating PoC into peacebuilding strengthens security and helps prevent cycles of violence, and share practical, youth-led initiatives that reduce civilian harm and build trust between communities, authorities, and security actors. 

It will also foster dialogue among policymakers, practitioners, and youth leaders to encourage joint action on the YPS–PoC nexus, including stronger mentoring, inclusive engagement with security actors, and evidence-informed approaches that embed protection across peace efforts.