This year’s ASEAN Youth Meeting on Peace and Security was organized by ASEAN Youth Organization.

On December 9, 2015, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2250 (UNSCR 2250), the first-ever thematic resolution on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS). This historical document is essential for us as young peacebuilders. It brings recognition and legitimacy to youth’s efforts in building peace that recognises and highlights the role of young people as key actors in maintaining and promoting international peace and security.

The regional commitments to the Youth, Peace and Security agenda are expressed in the recent ASEAN Regional Forum Joint Statement promoting the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda. This 120-minute interactive dialogue aims to empower young people by strengthening their understanding and capacity in dealing with peace issues during the pandemic situation and inspiring and engaging youth to pursue collaborative efforts in the fight against peace-related challenges. Through this project, we are also enthusiastic about providing room for young people in ASEAN to amplify their voices and promote young people and youth-led organisations involved in peacebuilding initiatives.

The ASEAN Youth Meeting is a collaborative event among youth organizations: ASEAN Youth Organization (AYO), ASEAN Youth Forum (AYF), IYC4Peace Initiative of International Youth Centre Kuala Lumpur, Asian Youth Peace Network, AsiaTV and SEAYPO.

The objectives of the ASEAN Youth Meeting: “Youth Reflection on Local Peace and Tolerance” are as follows:

  1. To provide a platform for more informal exchange on practical issues, progress, and challenges of peace in Southeast Asia among diverse groups of young people;
  2. To create a safe space to raise specific issues, concerns, and aspirations;
  3. To acknowledge and value young people and youth led-organizations involved in peacebuilding initiatives;
  4. To raise public awareness and amplify the voices of youth for a more peaceful region.
  5. To mainstream Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Agenda.

Doodle Art by Nazurah Usop

 

DOWNLOAD THE JOINT STATEMENT HERE: 2021 ASEAN+ Youth Meeting on Peace and Security