UNAOC Welcomes a New Cohort of Young Peacebuilders from the South Caucasus and Central Asia Region. Three representatives of Tajikistan have been competitively selected to participate in the 8th edition of Young Peacebuilders program.
According to the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC), 20 participants, aged between 18 and 25 years old, from eight countries, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, have been selected to participate in the 8th edition of the program.
YPB is reportedly a peace education program designed to develop a global movement of young peacebuilders committed to become agents of peace — not just in their communities but around the world — utilizing the skills and competencies they gain to advance dialogue and champion intercultural understanding.
The 8th edition of the program, implemented within the framework of “#Peace4Culture”, a Global Call launched by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan in partnership with UNAOC, reportedly attracted nearly 300 applicants from the region. Through a competitive selection process, UNAOC selected 20 participants, aged between 18 and 25 years, from the mentioned countries.
The program consists of four phases designed to facilitate a learner-centered and experience-based learning process for participants. These include online modules, a face-to-face workshop, guided project implementation, and a culminating symposium where Young Peacebuilders present their work and share their experiences with senior officials and relevant stakeholders, bringing visibility to their peace initiatives.
The blended learning approach combines online and face-to-face activities with hands-on opportunities for the participants to apply their acquired knowledge in practice. Throughout the program, the Young Peacebuilders learn how to deconstruct negative stereotypes and prejudice, reduce polarization, and understand different perspectives in identity-based conflicts. They also learn to identify push-and-pull factors that create conditions conducive to violent extremism; use media or visual arts to promote alternative narratives; reflect on ways to increase meaningful youth engagement in their region; and, cultivate the skills necessary to design and run a successful peace project in their respective communities.
In addition, YPB seeks to raise awareness among decision-makers about the need for meaningful inclusion of youth in peace processes and policymaking, in line with the UN Security Council Resolutions 2250, 2419 and 2535 on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) and the UN Security-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism.
