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TAKE ACTION AND JOIN OUR GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE CALLING FOR AN END TO WARS AND VIOLENCE, AND TO JOINTLY BUILD JUST AND LASTING PEACE 

Young people across the world are called upon to sign this letter here, which will be presented to those in power to make this world more peaceful, including the UN Secretary-General, the UN Security Council, regional intergovernmental organisations, national governments, among other responsible stakeholders. 

We, young people, stand in solidarity and heartbreak with all innocent civilians suffering from violent conflict. We are exceptionally alarmed by the extent of armed violence - and military escalation - across the world. We are deeply disappointed by the grave lack of political solutions and attention to the existential challenges of our world, which cannot be resolved through military means.

We need an end to the wars, with greater investment in peacebuilding for a just world. Weapons bring about more death, destruction, and devastation. Instead of continuing to increase the exorbitant amount of military spendings, we desperately need investments in areas directly benefiting young people and our communities, including: climate change and food insecurity, extreme poverty and inequality, education and employment. We cannot accept inheriting a world of chaos and suffering, and want following generations to live in peace and prosperity.

Our generation must transform the broken ways in which our leaders are dealing with conflict, and lead the way to addressing its root causes, healing pain and building trust, preventing future violence, and protecting the dignity of all people. Our very existence as humanity depends on it.

With this global call, we, young people around the world, urge political and non-state actors to:

1. SILENCE THE GUNS, END ALL FORMS OF MILITARY AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE, AND PROTECT ALL FORMS OF LIFE- Armed violence not only leads to the loss of lives and displacement of communities, but also has devastating impacts on our environment and ecosystems. And while war is a highly visible form of violence, we call for the end of all forms of structural, cultural, and psychological violence in all contexts. A ceasefire is only the starting point for building peace for people and the planet.

2. BUILDING LASTING PEACE THROUGH INCLUSIVE DIALOGUE, JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND EQUAL APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW- Conflict transformation needs to be people-centred, protect human dignity, and promote all human rights. We are disillusioned by and have lost trust in the multilateral institutions that are meant to uphold these values equitably. Justice requires the equal application of the rule of law, accountability for violations of International Law, and an end to double standards in how supposedly universal principles are applied. Only by upholding and implementing core values of humanity and international cooperation can we restore trust in the international system.

Peace education and inclusive dialogue are key to reach long-lasting solutions and make peace a collective responsibility. Violence is often borne when there are no alternative peaceful, political or structural means for societal change and liberation. We need to replace weapons with constructive and inclusive efforts that enable bold changes to prevent further escalation of violence – and request that young people’s voices be central in these processes. We demand all relevant actors, including governments, to mobilise the political will to learn from the past to build a future in peace.  

3. REBALANCE 10% OF MILITARY EXPENDITURE TOWARDS GREATER INVESTMENTS IN SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURES AND PEACEBUILDING, INCLUDING YOUTH-LED EFFORTS- Peacebuilding works. It prevents violence by addressing grievances and tensions before they escalate. It tackles root causes of conflict and creates spaces for the voices of marginalised and disenfranchised. Peacebuilding creates opportunities for healing and rebuilding relationships in deeply divided societies. US $1 invested in peacebuilding carries a potential of US $16 reduction in the cost of armed conflict, and US $1 invested in youth-led peacebuilding comes with a US $5 to $10 return to community groups, the government and the private sector. Young people’s power, innovation, and passion are the key to a more peaceful present and future.

STATE OF THE WORLD
International peace and stability are under great pressure. Global peacefulness has declined for the ninth year in a row. The levels of violence, political instability, tensions between neighbouring countries, and number of refugees and internally displaced persons have worsened since 2008: 

• 79 countries around the world witnessed increased levels of armed conflict in 2022, while conflicts are increasingly internationalised with 91 countries now involved in some form of external conflict, up from 58 in 2008.
• The number of people killed in conflict has increased by 96% in 2022, as compared to the previous year.
• As of 2022, more than 43 million children have been displaced as a consequence of conflict and violence.
• Levels of violence towards women and girls including, but not exclusive to financial abuse, digital abuse, and domestic violence, have increased since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

Our strength is in our unity. We’re the generation leading change, sparking hope, and embodying resilience. For more information write to us at youthwantpeace2250@gmail.com.

Petition has already been signed by following youth organisations and youth networks: 

- Youth for Peace International
- World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM)
- United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY)
- Peace of Art
- MENA YPS Coalition
- Youth Empowerment and Leadership Initiative - YELI
- Justice Call
- Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC)
- Youth Voice Network of Organisations - YVNO
- German Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security e.V.
- Youth for Peace DRC
- Graduate Institute Student Association
- UN Young Leaders for the SDGs
- Fundación BogotArt
- YSB for Peace
- UNESCO Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Group
- Building Blocks for Peace Foundation
- Peruvian Youth Delegates to the UN
- Pan- African Peacemakers Alliance (PAPA)
- UN Youth Delegate of Poland to the UNGA 78th session
- Alliance for Climate And Peace
- The Association of Service Civil International
- Beyond Skin
- Youth Delegate DRC to the UN
- Beydaar Society Pakistan
- Afghans for Progressive Thinking
- Girls on the Path of Change Organization
- German UN Youth Delegates, Ilka Essig & Lew Töpfer
- Youth Peace Ambassadors Network
- Verband Christlicher Pfadfinder*innen (VCP)
- Canadian Coalition for Youth, Peace & Security (CCYPS)
- YWILPF Germany