The Untapped Potential of Youth in Peace and Security

In Senegal, 20-year-olds Aissatou (left) and Awa participate in a ChildFund youth club meeting. "The biggest problem is violence," Aissatou says.

“He begged for months, but no one listened,” said Annie Brown, the aunt of the 14-year-old who opened fire on fellow students and teachers in his Georgia high school earlier this month. Her words struck a chilling and all-too-familiar note: The boy had pleaded for mental health support for months, only to be ignored by adults. 

For at least 25 years of unimaginable violence in our schools dating back to the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, we have recognized but refused to learn this lesson. The heavy metal rock star Marilyn Manson may have stated it most poignantly when he was asked by filmmaker Michael Moore what he would have said to the teenagers in Columbine. Without hesitation, Manson replied, “I wouldn’t say a single word to them. I would listen to what they have to say. And that’s what no one did.”

These repeated tragedies are a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of neglecting young people’s cries for help. But this issue extends beyond individual tragedies. It reflects the broader spectrum of youth experiences in the modern world that we adults have created for them—from the more than 400 million children and youth fleeing or caught in active war zones to those protesting those wars on college campuses. Across the globe, young people are bearing the brunt of mass violence and are also trying desperately to end it. Our failure to listen to and support them not only leads a handful to desperate and tragic actions, it also misses out on a powerful force for positive change. Young people are not merely victims or perpetrators of violence; they are also the most powerful potential leaders and innovators to create a more just and peaceful world. Listening to young people is not only a way to prevent violence but also the key to unlocking their potential to drive the kind of transformational change toward a more just and peaceful world.

The energy, creativity and vision of 1.2 billion young people worldwide offer a profound opportunity to address global challenges. Young people are not stuck in old ways of thinking. They see possibilities where others see dead ends, and they're willing to take risks for what they believe in.

We’ve already seen this in action. In Colombia, young people are helping former child soldiers rejoin society. In the Middle East, youth are bringing people together across old divides. And on college campuses around the world, students are standing up for justice and equality. These young people aren't waiting for permission. They’re taking action now, often at great personal risk, and showing us what’s possible when we believe in the power of youth.

Yet, despite these efforts, young people face significant barriers. They are often excluded from decision-making processes, and their ideas are dismissed. While half the global population is under 30, only 2.8% of parliamentarians are. In many African countries, the average citizen is under 20. Meanwhile, the average age of world leaders is between 65 and 70. That’s a huge gap between those in power and the people they’re supposed to represent.

This neglect is both an injustice and a missed opportunity. Investing in youth peacebuilding yields returns of 5 to 10 dollars for every dollar spent. Supporting young peacebuilders is not only the right thing to do, but also an economically sound investment.

Too often, young people are seen as threats or problems rather than partners in creating solutions. We worry about youth violence and extremism, overlooking the fact that the majority of young people seek peace and progress. They need opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities, not just interventions to manage crises.

To address these issues, we need to adopt a new approach to youth engagement. Here’s how we can start:

1. Listen and Advocate: Take young people’s concerns and ideas seriously. Their experiences and perspectives can inform more effective solutions.
2. Include Youth in Decision-Making: Ensure that young people have a seat at the table in discussions and decisions that impact their futures.
3. Invest in Youth-Led Initiatives: Provide resources and support for youth-led projects and organizations. Empowering youth harnesses their energy and creativity to address global challenges.

The challenges we face—from climate change to armed conflict—require the collective effort of all generations. By listening to and supporting young people, we can unlock their potential and address the pressing issues of our time. The future is already being shaped by the hearts and minds of our youth. It is time for us to truly listen and act on their insights and passions.

Isam Ghanim is president and CEO of ChildFund International, a child-focused organization serving children and families worldwide since 1938. He formerly served as president of Search for Common Ground, a peacebuilding NGO focused on transforming how the world deals with conflicts.

Shamil Idriss is a former United Nations official and the CEO of Search for Common Ground, a global nonprofit peacebuilding organization that works to reduce polarization and conflict in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North and South America.