The outset of the two-day Global Forum on Youth, Peace and Security that took place 21 and 22nd of August, 2015 in Jordan, held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II in partnership with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Nations and civil society organizations, marked the adoption of the Amman Youth Declaration, a roadmap for youth inclusion in archiving peace and security.

The Amman Youth Declaration was the outcome of a Global Forum that brought together 500 government officials, policy experts, youth-led organizations, and young peacebuilders from over 100 countries aimed at helping shape a new international agenda on youth, peace and security.

The Amman Youth Declaration, drafted in consultation with over eleven thousand youth from around the world and supported by the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, United Nations system and representatives of the civil society, presents a “common vision and roadmap towards a strengthened policy framework to support

[young people] in transforming conflict, preventing and countering violence and building sustainable peace.”

“The Amman Youth Declaration offers a recipe for engaging youth in countering violent extremism and promoting peace. Youth have made their voices loud and clear, and it is the responsibility of all actors to recognize the vital role that young people can – and must – play in peacebuilding and preventing violent extremism,” said Ahmad Alhendawi, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth.

The declaration highlights four key areas where young people’s input and engagement must be sought by the international community:

1.       Meaningful participation and leadership in decision and policy-making around peace and security;
2.       Recognition and support of youth networks, organizations and individual initiatives in preventing violence and violent extremism and promoting peace;
3.       Promotion and protecting of the rights of girls and prevention of gender-based violence; and
4.       Prioritizing investing into youth socio-economic development.

In the declaration young peacebuilders “call upon the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution on Youth, Peace and Security,” a commitment that the Crown Prince Al Hussein of Jordan said the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan will champion.

“Today, I announce to you that Jordan will work through its membership in the United Nations Security Council for the Council’s adoption of an agenda on youth, peace and security to ensure the inclusion of youth in efforts towards building sustainable peace and security,” said Crown Prince Al Hussein during the opening of the Global Forum.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh receives the Amman Youth Declaration’s final draft from Matilda Flemming at the conclusion of the Global Forum on Youth, Peace and Security in Madaba on Saturday (Photo by Osama Aqarbeh)

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh receives the Amman Youth Declaration’s final draft from Matilda Flemming at the conclusion of the Global Forum on Youth, Peace and Security in Madaba on Saturday (Photo by Osama Aqarbeh)

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Nasser Judeh, accepted the Amman Youth Declaration on behalf of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan noting that youth are “human capital” that can be tools for peace, prosperity and development.

You can access a copy of the Amman Declaration here.

Read about Day 1

Read about Day 2