Beyond Vulnerability: A Guidance Note on Youth, Climate, Peace, and Security
Executive Summary
The emergence of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda and the Climate, Peace and Security (CPS) agenda marks a significant shift in the global peace and security system towards more inclusive, preventive, and holistic approaches. These agendas highlight the critical role of young people in peace and security processes and the interconnectedness between climate change and peace and security.
Key Points:
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Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda:
- Recognizes young people's right to meaningful participation and their potential to drive positive change.
- Approximately 47% of the world’s youth aged 18–29 live in countries experiencing extreme or high levels of violent conflict.
- One billion, or 75% of the world’s youth, reside in less developed regions, with 250 million living in the least developed countries (LDCs).
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Climate, Peace and Security (CPS) Agenda:
- Highlights the connection between climate change and peace and security.
- Advocates for integrated approaches to address climate-related security risks (CRSRs) for stability and sustainability.
- Over 47% of the world’s youth live in countries with extreme or high levels of violent conflict, while 75% of the world’s youth reside in less developed regions.
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Intersections of YPS and CPS Agendas:
- Strong overlaps exist in regions such as the Sahel, Horn of Africa, and Central Africa, where climate hazards, violent conflict, and large youth populations coexist.
- The combined effects of climate change and insecurity disproportionately affect young people and future generations.
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Current Challenges:
- Despite the connections between youth, climate, peace, and security, the CPS field has largely overlooked youth perspectives or focused solely on young people’s vulnerabilities.
- Matters concerning the climate crisis have received limited attention in the YPS agenda, despite evidence showing that climate change compounds existing vulnerabilities in fragile contexts.
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Nascent Approaches:
- Some early efforts are underway to integrate youth, climate, peace, and security in policy.
- The UN Secretary-General’s reports on YPS have begun to recognize climate change as a threat multiplier and the disproportionate burden on youth, exacerbating vulnerabilities and inequalities.
Key Data and Insights:
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Youth Demographics:
- 47% of the world’s youth aged 18–29 live in countries with extreme or high levels of violent conflict.
- 75% of the world’s youth reside in less developed regions.
- 250 million live in LDCs, where the effects of climate change are the most acute.
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Geographical Overlaps:
- Strongest overlaps in the Sahel, Horn of Africa, and Central Africa.
- Climate exposure, fragility, and median age overlap at the country level.
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Policy Integration:
- Early efforts show promise but need further development.
- UN Secretary-General’s reports have begun to address the intersection of youth, climate, peace, and security.
Conclusion:
The YPS and CPS agendas represent a significant shift towards more inclusive and preventive approaches to peace and security. However, there is still a need for greater integration of youth perspectives and climate considerations to effectively address the complex challenges facing young people today.